Alternative to TI Benson GB112?

[buduranus2]

I'm going to have some work done on my guitar and will have to replace the strings. Currently I have TI Benson 12's, which have been my go-to string choice for some time. For whaever reason, they seem a little light to me. Going up; to 14's is too big of a jump, and TI doesn't make GB's in 13. The only other strings I've tried are D'Addario Chromes, which sound cold by comparison, and La Bella tapes, which are really low-tension. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[nyc chaz]

Dogal Expressive strings are made in 13's and comparable to Benson's.The 12's are about the largest i can handle.If you like jazz tapes,i find Galli Jazz Tapes more to my liking.They are stiffer than Labella and less rubberband like in feel.

[buduranus2]

Dogal Expressive strings are made in 13's and comparable to Benson's.The 12's are about the largest i can handle.If you like jazz tapes,i find Galli Jazz Tapes more to my liking.They are stiffer than Labella and less rubberband like in feel.

Thanks. I looked up the Dogals and they're "Tension: Extra Heavy." For fifty bucks kind of an expensive roll of the dice. Not sure I want to go back to tapes. Best to you.

[nyc chaz]

Thanks. I looked up the Dogals and they're "Tension: Extra Heavy." For fifty bucks kind of an expensive roll of the dice. Not sure I want to go back to tapes. Best to you.

Yes they are expensive but so are Benson's.They last a long time so you get your money's worth.Stringsbymail in a few weeks around Black Friday usually have 10 to 15 percent off which will knock the price down a little if you are inclined to try them.The one thing i like about Dogal more than Benson's is i think they sound better acoustically.

[SOLR]

I'm going to have some work done on my guitar and will have to replace the strings. Currently I have TI Benson 12's, which have been my go-to string choice for some time. For whaever reason, they seem a little light to me. Going up; to 14's is too big of a jump, and TI doesn't make GB's in 13. The only other strings I've tried are D'Addario Chromes, which sound cold by comparison, and La Bella tapes, which are really low-tension. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ti Jazz swing 113? Thomastik Jazz Swing Guitar strings Flat wound nickel .013 to .053 - T



– George Heinl & Co. Limited

S

[skiboyny]

I'm going to have some work done on my guitar and will have to replace the strings. Currently I have TI Benson 12's, which have been my go-to string choice for some time. For whaever reason, they seem a little light to me. Going up; to 14's is too big of a jump, and TI doesn't make GB's in 13. The only other strings I've tried are D'Addario Chromes, which sound cold by comparison, and La Bella tapes, which are really low-tension. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Pyramid gold makes flats that are nickel with round core they are decent. You might give them a try.

[buduranus2]

OP here. I looked into all of your recommendations and have decided to stick with the devil I know. I like the sound and durability. Still wish they made them in 13's though. Thanks to all of you.

[Sleeko]

Ti Jazz swing 113? Thomastik Jazz Swing Guitar strings Flat wound nickel .013 to .053 - T



– George Heinl & Co. Limited

S

These are what I use if you are looking at 13's. They're fabulous and seem to last forever.

[Herbie]

OP here. I looked into all of your recommendations and have decided to stick with the devil I know. I like the sound and durability. Still wish they made them in 13's though. Thanks to all of you.

If You look for .013 flats close to GBs, the Swing is the answer. Quote from some guitar forum:

”They are made out of the same materials but the quality control on the Bensons is more severe and that the polishing is different.

I've been using regular jazz swings for years but decided to try the Bensons for once, which are almost twice the price of the former.


They feel indeed a bit smoother, but most of all the tone is more balanced. The only thing I used to complain about the JS was that the two unwound E & B strings sounded different than the rest and were always a bit louder. You can compensate for that to a degree by playing with the pickup magnets or the overall pickup height, but then the higher plain strings lack some punch.
The George Bensons do not suffer from this problem.

It's certainly not night and day between the JS and the Bensons though, but the latter are definitely a bit more refined.”

So the Swings keep You swinging!

[58flame]

Rotosound Top Tapes are the highest tension 12s I’ve found. I like them better than any other flat. They light up the tops of my acoustic archtops. Wonderful strings that last a long time.

[buduranus2]

The only thing I used to complain about the JS was that the two unwound E & B strings sounded different than the rest and were always a bit louder. You can compensate for that to a degree by playing with the pickup magnets or the overall pickup height, but then the higher plain strings lack some punch.
The George Bensons do not suffer from this problem.

You just hit it out of the park. The timbre and response across strings is very even on the Bensons. I read somewhere that there's a special coating on the unwound strings. And they maintain their sound over time.

[omphalopsychos]

Dogal expressive jazz flats are the best flatwounds. Try them you won’t go back.

[spencer096]

Thanks. I looked up the Dogals and they're "Tension: Extra Heavy." For fifty bucks kind of an expensive roll of the dice. Not sure I want to go back to tapes. Best to you.

I’m very familiar w these strings…they’re not overly stiff. If you’re used to 12s you’ll adjust in an hour or so.