Well owning an SRV strat and wanting to get in the ballpark of his tone,I have ALWAYS used super heavy strings. (.013 and up) NOT necessary ! they only made my hands tired and frustrated,even tuned down to Eb.the guy at my guitar shop in town suggested a set of David Gilmour GHS boomers (10.5-50) gauge,and I still have that SRV tone with my guitar.Just my Two cents ..Keep on strumming! :