Looking for best guitar strings

Jazz Classic · #1 08-11-2007, 12:47 AM

I am a beginner and making good progress. However, I would appreciate some advice (brand name if possible) on purchasing a new set of strings. I am presently using S.L.T. Silencers Light GL1252. I want the lightest and most easy to finger strings I can get. I want them to work with my De Armond pickup that I use on my Epi Arch Top Axe. I understand that flat wound strings are one consideration for ease of fingering. I will appreciate all comments and advice. (Thanks Mr. Beaumont, for your previous comments on this subject.) I now have more information about what I am using presently and copied the jacket (see photo.) Thanks to all, for your help. That big rope E string is killing me, as I don't have the strength in my fingers that I had years ago (85). P.S.: I thought that I could insert a Jpeg of the jacket. I don't have a URL of my page and am not too computer savy, sorry!. I believe that the strings are 1.32mm. Email me and I will forward a picture of the jacket. Again, many thanks!

pete · #2 08-11-2007, 06:29 AM

I'm using Chromes now and REALLY like them.

FernandoCM · #3 08-11-2007, 08:56 AM

to me the best i can get in town are d'adario .013 chromes,i like the way they feel,and also is a good workout for the finger,whenever i pick my second guitar that has .010's in it i feel that i am faster.but since you want something easy at firts i think d addario .010 woul be a good start,then go for the .011 and so on.

Jazz Classic · #4 08-11-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

I'm using Chromes now and REALLY like them.

Thanks, Pete and Fernando. Are the Chromes you are both referring to "flat type" strings? I live close to a "Guitar Center" store and will be going there soon. I"ll keep you posted. Jazz Classic

FernandoCM · #5 08-11-2007, 05:29 PM

D'Addario Guitar Strings

those are what ive been purchasing lately

Jazz Classic · #6 08-11-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FernandoCM

D'Addario Guitar Strings

those are what ive been purchasing lately

OK, thank you. I took a look and see that they are indeed "flat wound". I will go and see what I can get at Guitar Center--hope they have the 10's you mentioned.

FernandoCM · #7 08-12-2007, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Classic

OK, thank you. I took a look and see that they are indeed "flat wound". I will go and see what I can get at Guitar Center--hope they have the 10's you mentioned.

i thought that maybe they dont do 10s flat wound style,but they do
D'Addario Guitar Strings

good luck.

bodidR · #8 10-08-2007, 09:05 PM

13-53 flatwounds, the best for jazz, I've found, at least for me. I use others for other guitars, and other styles but most of my jazz guitars (exclusively) are strung with these.

priscilo · #9 10-10-2007, 09:28 AM

I started with 0.11 flatwounds, then 0.12 and finally 0.13. I have got a good and progressive adaptation to jazz strings.

jazztogo · #10 11-20-2007, 07:47 AM

I took this advice from a great and experienced player and tried a set of "Thomastik" 11 to 47 flat wound "Jazz Swing". Great for ease of playing and has a nice bite to it. However is a bit exaggerately priced at $16.00 before tax. I used the D'addario Crome 12s before.
The best thing about it is that the bass strings dont boom as they are thinner than most brands for 11s. I will try the 12s next. Hope this helps.

Jazztogo

derek · #11 11-20-2007, 11:05 AM

I play .12 flats also. I too started out with D'Addario Chromes, and now use Thomastik Infeld strings exclusively. They are much pricier, but I get 3-6 months out of a set of flat wound strings as opposed to 3-4 weeks out of a set of roundwounds.

I am playing approximately 2 hours per day on the flats and more on weekends.

Jazz Classic · #12 11-20-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazztogo

I took this advice from a great and experienced player and tried a set of "Thomastik" 11 to 47 flat wound "Jazz Swing". Great for ease of playing and has a nice bite to it. However is a bit exaggerately priced at $16.00 before tax. I used the D'addario Crome 12s before.
The best thing about it is that the bass strings dont boom as they are thinner than most brands for 11s. I will try the 12s next. Hope this helps.

Jazztogo

Thanks for the thread. I am using D'Addario 11.0's right now. The B and E strings are a bit thin for the fingers! But I am just a new player and will try 12's and then 13's. $16 bucks is a lot to pay for strings, but since I don't that many hours a week, maybe I shopuld give them a try. My lower E and A strings sound pretty nice. Maybe it is because I am using a Fender Blues Jr., a really nice little practice Amp.

bodidR · #13 11-27-2007, 07:52 PM

Thomastik flatwounds 13-53
you'll never go back.
rdr

aPAULo · #14 11-27-2007, 08:37 PM

I just bought my first flatwounds a few weeks ago. i really like the feel but i think next time i want them even thicker(i got d'addario chrome 10's). but i really like the feel and smoothness of flats.

Jazzarian · #15 12-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Classic

I am a beginner and making good progress. However, I would appreciate some advice (brand name if possible) on purchasing a new set of strings. I am presently using S.L.T. Silencers Light GL1252. I want the lightest and most easy to finger strings I can get. I want them to work with my De Armond pickup that I use on my Epi Arch Top Axe. I understand that flat wound strings are one consideration for ease of fingering. I will appreciate all comments and advice. (Thanks Mr. Beaumont, for your previous comments on this subject.) I now have more information about what I am using presently and copied the jacket (see photo.) Thanks to all, for your help. That big rope E string is killing me, as I don't have the strength in my fingers that I had years ago (85). P.S.: I thought that I could insert a Jpeg of the jacket. I don't have a URL of my page and am not too computer savy, sorry!. I believe that the strings are 1.32mm. Email me and I will forward a picture of the jacket. Again, many thanks!

I've tried just about all, including Tomas-Infeld.

I always keep coming back to my flatwound (aka "ribbon wound") D'Addario 12 guages. They sound GREAT, and sound that way for up to 6 months, easily. Best of all, NO SQUEAK SQUEAK. I use them on my GB10, ES175 and Super V CES.

A friend once gave me a set of some expensive Tomas-Infeld strings. They lasted about a month on my ES175. They started to sound bad after 3 weeks. Sounded good for the first 2 weeks.

gremboul · #16 04-28-2008, 01:36 AM

thumbs-up on the Thomastik Infelds. Have no issues...
Tempted to inrease guage to 13s...but don't want to worry about truss rod adjustments...

trtjazz · #17 02-08-2009, 04:40 PM

Thomastik - Infelds flats, swing or George Bensons ...... outstanding strings as good as strings get and then some.

#18 02-08-2009, 04:58 PM

I'm interested in checking out the Benson's, but are 14's too much for the average in between 50's and 60's Gibson sized neck? That set looks really interesting as well because the tension is almost equal across the strings, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

Thanks,
Chris

gremboul · #19 02-08-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpiLesPaulJazzer

I'm new here... Just started playing jazz guitar.

For blues/rock, I've always liked Dean Markley Blue Steel strings.

How do you feel about these for jazz? (I'm playing on an Epiphone Les Paul.) The Blue Steel .12 gauge are called "jazz", but I'm not sure that means much. Thanks for any help.

On my Les Paul, I use the Gibson Vintage strings...gives a mellower and slightly darker tone.

trtjazz · #20 02-08-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpiLesPaulJazzer

I just looked at the site... they sound like great strings, but all of them specify that they're designed for "acoustic or semi-acoustic" electric guitars. I have a solid Les Paul. So...

Look at one of the strings places like "just strings" I think they make others though I am not positive if they make them for solid bodies. They make them for acoustics, I use them on my Martins. Here's the link: http://www.juststrings.com/thomastik...ricguitar.html

hot ford coupe · #21 02-08-2009, 08:59 PM

I just switched to D'Addario Chrome flatwounds (.013 to .056) from GHS precision flatwounds. I definitely made a good decision. The GHS strings are great strings and last quite well but they're a bit deader than the Chromes. The sustain is better balanced and longer. I was able to tweak out the perfect jazz sound for me. It sounded like melted chocolate, smooth and sweet.

franco6719 · #22 03-04-2009, 05:42 AM

D'Addario CHROMES are the best strings I have come across so far. I'm not saying there aren't better strings, but they are far better than anything in my experience. I go from 12s to 13s and back again. But even the .11s sound good compared to the nickel wounds. I just recently realized this when my local store, the only one within 20 miles or so, ran out of Chromes and I got stuck with the flatwound nickels. It's just not the same. They don't even FEEL right anymore. The .12s are outstanding as far as I'm concerned, though a little bit challenging. The 13s I use occasionally just to exercise and then go back to the 12s.

franco6719 · #23 03-04-2009, 05:46 AM

"Thomastik - Infelds flats, swing or George Bensons ...... outstanding strings as good as strings get and then some."

Yes, I've heard a lot about these. But I'm not about to get a hold of them easily where I am currently located. I will try asking if they can be specially shipped or something, though.

hot ford coupe · #24 03-04-2009, 02:29 PM

My biggest problem is finding a store in my area that carries the right strings in the first place. I use .013's but usually the highest flatwounds I can find where I am are .011's. The one place I did find is out of them and hasn't ordered them yet. All the good music stores are geared to rock, metal and blues but not to jazz. Looks like I'll have to go online.

rio · #25 03-05-2009, 02:51 AM

You might find some info in this thread - http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...egathread.html

FWBO · #26 03-07-2009, 01:39 PM

I followed that thread, having used D'Addario 13's for years (because that was the most commonly available string) I tried the Thomastics George Benson 14's.

How can a set of 14's feel so easy to play???

They are also lower tension than the D'Addario chromes 13's - had to tweak the truss rod.

Sound like heaven - I'd never swap back - even if I was offered Chromes for free

Bertrand tB · #27 03-08-2009, 11:59 AM

So now I have my opinion on strings.
For my hollows Thomastik Infeld Jazz swing (11),
my solids Dean Markley signature series 10, the semi solids Dean Markley ss 11 and my nylon string will have D`Addario Pro Arte normal tension.
Those are what I like best on my guitars.

Scotto · #28 06-02-2009, 01:03 AM

My jazz instructor turned me on to the Thomastik's early on and I love them. Initially, I started with the 11's. Since I've been playing a bit more, I wanted a thicker set so I tried the La Bellas in the 15's. I love the newer size. I'm about due for a new set and now I'm thinking I may go back to the Thomastiks in the George Benson's. It's a 14 instead of a 15 and this is my only delema, I like the thicker string. I am also looking at the Pat Martino GHS's but I'm a little partial to the Thomastiks. I'll most likely try the Thomastik George Benson's and make a decision to either stick with the George's or go back to the thicker La Bellas... I get all my strings at juststrings.com, it's just a click away and I can get it sent to me in a snap. Instead of trying to deal with traffic, I'd rather be playing...

franco6719 · #29 06-02-2009, 04:53 AM

I'll tell you what: stay away from these Ernie Ball(s) stainless steel strings that I am stuck with for the next several months because I am not allowed to make financial transactions on-line by the mom. (Yes, I am 41 years old and the moms still handles the finances. Sorry folks. (0

Ok, anyway, these strings are awful. He tried to pass them off as flat-wounds!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTT!!

mangotango · #30 06-02-2009, 05:16 AM

+1 on Thomastik Swing 12's, the change to my sound with these strings was as big as changing my guitar! Also, the OP asked for something easy to play - I find that the lower string tension makes these strings much easier to get my fingers round, which thus makes handling a heavier gauge of string more feasible if that gives you the tone that you want.