Speaking of SRV and bends, I would hear just some of the vibratos he would do where it sounded like he was beating the snot out of the string! All I can say is he must have had incredibly strong tendons in order to make strings that fat bend like he did.

About 1/2 down tuning, I can recall in my younger days being frustrated in the same way. I would ask myself how could they strike that lower E string and sound like it was open if I can not do it on my (standard tune) guitar. Always been a day late with everything, I just got comfortable with dropping the set down a 1/2 step and along comes those other guys who are now doing more crazy things like dropping the low E down to a C. Guys like Doyle Dykes and Dave Wilcox that really push the envelope on playing the guitar.

I cannot wait until standard tuning cycles back to being fashionable again! Perhaps then I will become a trend setter (if I live long enough to see it)!

For those of you who are playing 13s. Did you have to adjust your truss rod? I have these images of my neck snapping in two as I try to wind the high E string. My G string flips between 13 & 15. I cannot conceive that thing being wound so tight to make the E pitch. I agree with you regarding the string longevity. Just removing some of the more physical playing techniques i.e. bending, dynamic pick use strings will last longer. But, I have always loved George Benson's sound. Going back to his Breezin days where the notes were almost creamy rich. (Too fat to listen to more than once without a run around the block in between) He just produced some beautiful melodies and expressions of those melodies I have ever heard with the instrument.