Dean: thanks. I ordered via the paypal thing on your site. Are we going to risk duplication if I call you direct? I think I'm gonna love your stuff, but, having played 43 years, I require some proof of the pudding. I'll call anyway. tom

Thanks for helping to clear this up Dean.

For the record, I did call and speak with Dean. He was extremely helpful and forthcoming, and I look forward even more to trying his wares. It could be that I've tripped over another gold nugget in the road. I heard of Collings by accident,too, and no one I knew had any idea who Bill Collings was or what he made. They know now. Thanks, all. This cyber-neighborhood is a good one to live in, and we don't have to pay property taxes here! tom

Indeed - about 75% of my guitar and gear geekery has been accumulated by this and other forums. I first heard of SOB on some forum. Forgot which. First heard of Collings at the Acoustic Guitar forum. The Collings reputation was hard to ignore. I believe I first heard about Pearse strings here, or maybe the GearPage. Two Rock and Komet and Suhr came to me via GearPage. Some of these are now my favorite things. My story with Borges is well documented on this forum. I guess I'll wind up in the poor house soon and I'm reminded of just who to blame

If I am looking for smooth Jazzy tones and spcifically with SC pups I like to use Flats-Pyramids or T/Is. Depending on the guitar .011s or .012s.

For humbuckers and when I want sizzle I use Daddario.011s usually. Sometimes .012s for 17 in archtops.

I think when making string choices, you really have to go by individual guitars. Some just sound better with a particular brand/style/gauge. Experimenting with strings is the single cheapest easiest thing you can do to play with your tone and find what you like.