Thomastik strings for jazzbox

jaystrings · #1 08-19-2011, 01:42 PM

I've had a suggestion that I try Thomastik jazz strings on my new CpThornton Improv jazzbox. The BB111 string in particular [I do prefer 11's]. Anyone have any experience to share about Thomastik strings? I've never used them before. Would also appreciate any comments about flats vs. rounds in the Thomastik brand. Thanks.

Makani · #2 08-19-2011, 02:28 PM

They are one of the better strings for jazz. I use the 11's flat wound and they have great sound. A quality string, but a bit pricey.

Gramps · #3 08-19-2011, 02:40 PM

Only tried the flat wounds. On my instruments they were dark sounding. Few overtones but very nice fundimental note. Expensive but they last a long time.

Strings (and tone) are very subjective. They're worth a try.

pingu · #4 08-19-2011, 02:51 PM

I Love em

guitar1303 · #5 08-19-2011, 03:22 PM

Let me add my support for Thomastik strings. I, too, use the 11 flatwounds and love them. As others have noted, they're not inexpensive but I do believe they're worth the price!

FatJeff · #6 08-19-2011, 03:39 PM

I just installed a new set of Thomastik-Infeld GB112s two days ago on my Samick JZ4 - jury is still out. I previously used only D'Addario EJ21 Lights. First impresion is that the TIs are noticeably quieter than the D'Addarios (not in terms of string noise - in terms of volume when amplified). I don't know why that would be, but that's my immediate impression. They also seem a little brighter (less bassy). Given their price and the fact that they haven't really knocked me off my feet, I'll probably be going back to the D'Addarios in the future unless my opinion is somehow changed over time.

Vihar · #7 08-19-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

First impresion is that the TIs are noticeably quieter than the D'Addarios (not in terms of string noise - in terms of volume when amplified). I don't know why that would be, but that's my immediate impression.

I was just going to say it's because of the amount of highs and high mids apparent in the sound of roundwounds, but then you wrote this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

They also seem a little brighter (less bassy).

Weird.

FatJeff · #8 08-19-2011, 03:54 PM

Yeah, and a totally unscientific analysis...just saying those were my impressions. As far as feel goes, they don't feel any much different than the D'Addarios. Maybe I'm just an insensitive guy....I've been told that before. :-)

fws6 · #9 08-19-2011, 03:57 PM

I bought a box of the Bensons and Bebops. Very expensive sets. People here swear by them so I bought them a bit too easy. Should have test drove a single set first. I found the middle strings in the set too thin especially on the Bensons. The bebops work well on my Stromberg but on all other guitars went back to the much cheaper EJ22s I was using before. Still got many left... Bottom line, great string but there are many great strings out there. Trust your ears not the internet. If you find a set you like stick with that.

Vihar · #10 08-19-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

Yeah, and a totally unscientific analysis...just saying those were my impressions. As far as feel goes, they don't feel any much different than the D'Addarios. Maybe I'm just an insensitive guy....I've been told that before. :-)

No that's ok Jeff. No zhing but bright quiet thunk. lol I can at least confirm that big roundwounds do get bassier than flats (just got a spare set of Rotosound .012 flats that I put on my Squier Tele - I feel ashamed

). My regular roundwound set is .012 gauge too, so I can compare. The low E of the round set sounds like bass guitar after a week, when the "zhing" is gone. Probably because of the higher output voltage roundwounds produce overall, so in the end it's more volume, so more everything.

Jake Hanlon · #11 08-19-2011, 04:14 PM

you cannot go wrong, you just have to decide flats or round. All their strings are excellent

TruthHertz · #12 08-19-2011, 04:49 PM

The flats I've tried. I'm not a flatwound player by choice but they are more responsive and feel better than the customary flatwound feel. One thing to be aware of though, they tend to go lighter than usual in the middle strings, so the across the fingerboard response may feel a little different. I noticed it so take note as you assess them.
David

stevedenver · #13 08-19-2011, 05:04 PM

i use 11's and 12' both flats and rounds-bebops and swings-(i assume that the GB is a large part licensing fee int he added cost -as well as some sort of custom gauge make up of the set)
and i love the powerbrights 9's on other electrics-my les pauls and teles -fantastic strings

and i use them on my F mando-flats!-on my mando they last about 9 months-or at least i keep them on that long-when replaced the new ones have more bounce indeed-but my point is they seem to play and sound and hold tune and intonate forever

imho they are worth the price-shop on line as theres no need to pay list-and THAT IS expensive
they have long life-especially the flats

the sound great
and best of all

they feel softer-almost like a full gauge lighter than what you have on

i think its as simple as buying a set and seeing what you like

im using 12 rounds on my archtop -instead flats -and it just sounds great-alive but not twangy

D'Aquisto Fan · #14 08-19-2011, 05:06 PM

I love 'em. Been using them for years on many different types of guitars. They have less tension than other brands, which I like. Certainly worth giving them a shot so you can formulate your own opinion.

life_with_a_song · #15 08-19-2011, 05:23 PM

Just chiming in. I tried them when they first came out before I learned about adjusting pickups and developing technique through various picks, nails, etc. After learning to set up my guitars for the sound I love out of D'Addario EJ22s, the Thomastiks are darker, but seem to lack overtones I can get with my D'Addario setup. And I'm speaking of the BeBops here--I left flatwounds behind years ago as I got tired of the "farting out" you get in the basses. I know that people will come to the defense of flatwounds here, but I find I can get more dynamic range by far with roundwounds (and enjoy hearing this from other roundwound players like Pat Metheny and Gilad Hekselman).

marcwhy · #16 08-19-2011, 05:33 PM

I played the BeBop 12's for several years, and liked them. I also like Pyramid strings and Benedetto strings. I've found the best prices on Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More If anyone has better prices, let us know!

bigdaddyguitar · #17 08-19-2011, 05:35 PM

Been using them for years . Love 'em. Got them on my archtops , acoustics , and resonators . Little expensive but worth it , and they seem to last forever . Try them , you might like them .

Vihar · #18 08-19-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by life_with_a_song

I know that people will come to the defense of flatwounds here, but I find I can get more dynamic range by far with roundwounds (and enjoy hearing this from other roundwound players like Pat Metheny and Gilad Hekselman).

Does Metheny use roundwounds now on his Ibanez? I know I read it somewhere a few years ago that with turning the tone knob down he realized that it doesn't matter to him all that much, but I'm not sure if he ended up using rounds regularly.

jazzrat · #19 08-19-2011, 05:47 PM

I have the BB111's on my Heritage 575 Custom.
Great strings. They do balance, volume-wise, a little different then other
strings but if you spend a little time dialing in your pole piece heights they
sound superb. To my ear the plated trebles sound warmer than typical unwound strings.
I've used the Swing series, great too, I just prefer a little more modern tone so the round wound Bebops are great for me.

mambosun · #20 08-19-2011, 06:20 PM

I tried too a set of Thomastik Jazz Swing Series JS113 on my Samick JZ4 (Bartolini floater) and got an improvement over the D'addario Chrome (12-52) I previously used, whether plugged or unplugged with a fuller and darker tone.
I ve always been a big fan of flatwound, just love the soft feeling under your fingers.
However I noticed the JS113 tend to squeak if I don't apply the right amount of pressure while playing chord or a single note: is it only me or a character of these strings?

teleman3726 · #21 08-19-2011, 06:23 PM

Have Bebop 12s on my Campy. Best I've had on it. Search the web for sale prices. Other posters have made suggestions. Don't let the price deter you.

Patrick2 · #22 08-19-2011, 06:42 PM

I put TI GB .012 flat wounds on 2 of my new arch tops. After a week I took them off and went back to D'Ad chrome flat wound .012s. I just like them better than the TIs. Also, I've not experienced any of the difficulties with D'Ad quality that others here have spoken of.

FrankBlack · #23 08-19-2011, 07:04 PM

Let me chime in with my full, unwavering support of TI strings. When I first wanted to move toward a jazz sound, I did a bit of research and just stumbled on a conversation describing what I wanted: better jazz sound from a Strat. One person talked about their flat wounds. I decided to try the TI Jazz Swing 10s. I couldn't believe how beautifully they played, felt and sounded. It was a new instrument. I later purchased a nylon string travel guitar which came with a name brand set of strings that were too noisy. I purchased the TI Classic S .016 flat wounds. They are simply wonderful. Nice even tone over the whole neck. Not as noise free as I'd like, but that is because I am so used to my flat wound steel strings. Lastly, I purchased a hollow body electric and decided to give another string a chance. I had the tech set it up with D'Addario Chrome 11s. I really didn't like the sound or "intonation", which I know is an odd word to use, but I'm sticking with it. I ordered some TI George Benson 12s and had the guitar setup with those. It was a big difference in sound and feel. They are some amazing strings. Well worth the extra money. The sound alone, to my crappy ear and my crappy playing, tells me it is worth the money. And, most people who use them will say they don't have to replace the strings as often, so that offsets the cost a bit.

I really don't think you can go wrong with them. Every guitar is different just as every guitarist is different. You have to go with what works. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you get a good setup with new TIs.

Good luck.

Double 07 · #24 08-19-2011, 07:28 PM

Excellent strings nice warm sound. Somehow they seem to have less tension than the same gauge strings of other maker's I've tried which is a cool effect. They sound good.

NSJ · #25 08-19-2011, 07:56 PM

TIs---My favorite strings (13-53, roundwound, Bebop). Seriously warm, beautiful sound, seem to require much less winding, for whatever reason.

These are the gold standard for me. For a few bucks more, I am definitely getting the sound I want. And that is really priceless!

fumblefingers · #26 08-19-2011, 08:59 PM

TI GB 12s, flat or round, love em on my archtops. been using 'em since 2004.

tonedeaf · #27 08-19-2011, 09:32 PM

I am new to the jazz/archtop world so I do not have a lot of experience with different strings and I am experimenting with a wide variety of strings.

Right now the GB 12s are my "reference" string. I like them the best so far and I use them between each set of different strings. I think this gives me a better sense of whether I like the new string or not.

Philco · #28 08-19-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankBlack

Let me chime in with my full, unwavering support of TI strings. When I first wanted to move toward a jazz sound, I did a bit of research and just stumbled on a conversation describing what I wanted: better jazz sound from a Strat. One person talked about their flat wounds. I decided to try the TI Jazz Swing 10s. I couldn't believe how beautifully they played, felt and sounded. It was a new instrument. I later purchased a nylon string travel guitar which came with a name brand set of strings that were too noisy. I purchased the TI Classic S .016 flat wounds. They are simply wonderful. Nice even tone over the whole neck. Not as noise free as I'd like, but that is because I am so used to my flat wound steel strings. Lastly, I purchased a hollow body electric and decided to give another string a chance. I had the tech set it up with D'Addario Chrome 11s. I really didn't like the sound or "intonation", which I know is an odd word to use, but I'm sticking with it. I ordered some TI George Benson 12s and had the guitar setup with those. It was a big difference in sound and feel. They are some amazing strings. Well worth the extra money. The sound alone, to my crappy ear and my crappy playing, tells me it is worth the money. And, most people who use them will say they don't have to replace the strings as often, so that offsets the cost a bit.

I really don't think you can go wrong with them. Every guitar is different just as every guitarist is different. You have to go with what works. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you get a good setup with new TIs.

Good luck.

In the spirit of an alternative view.......

I strung my GB10 with Thomastick 13's and was totally in love. If I could have bought a crate of them I would have. I started turning my friends on to them as well.
I got my Guitar tech to set up the Benson and had a problem with the top E and B sounding like a sitar......just a little. It wasn't the frets because this happened on the last fret as well as open. So probably the bridge needed a little sanding. Anyway we got it to a workable point and I was happy for 6 months. Then the sitar effect returned. I just put up with it. In the meantime I put a set of fresh Thomasticks on. Same deal with the sitar effect.

Recently I bought a Peerless Monarch (which I played for 10 minutes and put back in the case and haven't touched since) and noted that the strings really felt great and had a much "springier" response. They were also lighter. They were Chromes 12's.
So I thought about getting a set of those and putting them on the GB10.
Well THAT would be a disaster because they are lighter and the sitar effect will take over the world.
I couldn't resist so I made the change.
Well my my, that little guitar came to life! Not only did the sitar effect vanish but I was able to LOWER the action.
The sound came alive and the guitar feels like a new instrument. So much better under the hands.
The Thomasticks were absolutely dead in comparison. Now I can understand that people like that sound. But not me anymore. Not after I heard the Chromes. It's not that they are bright, it's just that the Thomasticks are really quite dead. Saying they are "dark" sounding is an understatement. Also you will note that when the strings come out of their packet they are just floppy like a dead snake. You won't be getting any "spring" out of them.
So there you have it. A completely different view! One mans heaven is another mans nightmare!
Make of it what you will.

Philco · #29 08-19-2011, 09:45 PM

Oops I just re read my post and it sounds as if I'm blaming the Thomasticks for the "sitar" sound. Not at all. Clearly I have a problem with the notches on the bridge and the larger gauge string just exacerbated it.
In regard to the different string brands, clearly you just have to try different things before you know what floats your boat.

jayx123 · #30 08-20-2011, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambosun

However I noticed the JS113 tend to squeak if I don't apply the right amount of pressure while playing chord or a single note: is it only me or a character of these strings?

Yeah,
I get these squeaks as well (with the 12th) if I don't apply the right amount of pressure while playing chords, but this does not happen on single notes.