Yep... 11's in standard or 13's in Eb... and a pissed off attitude with a mean index finger vibrato!
i use 11s in standard tuning on my strat. Its no big deal. You get used to whatever strings you use. It doesnt take long.
The hard thing is getting an efficient technique where you dont waste a heap of energy in your movements. The vast majority of players develop their technique in such a way that most of their energy is actully fighting against themselves. That is true whether bending, bar chording, solo arrangements or playing single lines. We spend so much wasted energy when playing that holds us back from being able to express ourselves musically.
Think of good technique as a litte like king fu....
I Like Fender Fat 50s also.
of all fenders offereings i like the fat 50's the best.
srv is simple. a great strat with vintage type singles (ssl1, ant surfer, fat 50's), tuned down 1/2 step with big strings and higher action, into a big clean fender with a tube screamer, bear paws for hands, a massive dose of soul and the blues chops of zeus.
if you got that you are all set!
For me to every play like him is impossible, IMO. I just play how best I can get a way with, but I just love the tone of his neck PU on his #1 Guitar. I had a Tube Screamer once but just didn't dig it. I instead I run an MXR Super Comp thru a Dunlop 535 Q, into an MXR GT Over Drive, into an MXR 78 Bad Ass, to my Dunlop Uni-Vibe SC-1 Stereo Chorus (Which I never use for the modulation effect. I use it for it's tonal shaping capabilities), on into my 1st Gen Fender Blues Deluxe (Cranked). I really wish I had Bear Paws. I have been damned with the worst inflicktion for any guitarist, small hands. I have some soul which has been inbeded since my begining, but still must perform maintenance to keep grooving. The Blues chops of Zeus, not even close, more like the blues chops of a Zoo. But if you every really looked at a Quwallah Bear in captivity you could easily tell he has the blues. If I can get that neck PU tone, that would be cool.