I have used the set before and there is definitely much difference in tone and playability. I use a walnut body strat with a crunch lab in the bridge. The low strings don't sound flimsy and take fuzz well without making it sound muddy. It's a keeper in terms of performance and budget and I read somewhere that Steve Vai once used this brand. So if you are a brand freak or want to make a average guitar sound better, do give this set a try.