Optima 4099, the new Maxima ?

[Wiker]

So is it safe to say, then, that Optimas, Maximas, and TIs all have VERY similar tone, albeit with Optimas being slightly darker and less "metallic" than Maximas and TIs being slightly brighter and more "metallic" than Maximas?

Something like that - I think, when playing with tone knobs fully down.
But I still get the “feeling” that Optima are closer. That feeling probably comes from other things than just tone, but also the surface feeling of the strings, tension, equal output strength so that I can pick with the same strength (I have to control myself a bit with TI).

[coolingitdown]

Cool. I'll have to try a set on my 4001C64. I have the Fender 9050CL on there now, and while I love the feel of the set, I think the tone would be better suited for a 4003.