Pros:
- Historical Value: It’s a unique feeling to hold a piece of history in your hands – Tony Iommi represents legendary status.
- Unique Playability: The double gauge of the top strings (E and B) gives these strings a very special feel, different from other .008 sets.
- Lightweight: Extremely light, enhancing playing comfort, especially for gentle, precise techniques.
- Unique Tone Quality: These strings give your guitar sound a distinctive character you won’t find with any other brand.
Cons:
- Easily detunes: Due to their lightness and double gauge on the top strings (E and B), they tend to detune quickly, even with minimal playing, despite using Grover Locking Tuners and an extremely thin pick. This makes it hard to keep them in tune over a longer period, especially in live settings or standard setups.
- Thinner than .007 strings: Compared to the Reverend Willy's Mexican Lottery Brand strings (.007), developed with Billy F. Gibbons, the Tony Iommi strings are even lighter and thinner, making tuning more challenging.
In my opinion:
Despite the challenges in tuning and detuning, I highly recommend the Tony Iommi strings to any guitarist looking for something truly unique. They’re not meant for everyday use, but they are indispensable for special moments or recording sessions. A must for anyone who wants to honour the legend that is Tony Iommi!
