Yes, strings have improved significantly in the last 7+ years. As the saying goes: That was then and this is now. My MB came strung with Southcoast mediums and a Fremont soloist. I love the Soloist and really like the Southcoasts. However, tried a set of southcoast on my Kamaka Ohta-san and got lots of bad A string buzzzzzz.......not enough tension.(by the way, the 1st Southcoast set on the Kamaka was damaged, and Andrew at HMS more than did the right thing). I like Oasis strings, but have found the "smooth wound low G" to be a squeaker; especially compared to the Fremont. Finally, the Aquilas, and I'm not exactly sure how to say this.............but I think that they are too "BOMBASTIC" on a high-end custom instrument like a MB. However, they are by far the best improvement available for your lower-end beach beater.