String Choice for Gibson ES-335

[Para]

The TI bebop 12s don't have a wound 3rd string.

[Herbie]

Have you tried Maxima Gold? If so, what do you think?

My friend uses Maxima (Optima?) Golds and he claims that they last many times longer than standard strings. I have to test them myself before I say more.

If You like jazzy flatwound sounds You should test D'Addario Chromes for a while and then check Thomastik Infeld George Benson strings. For me it was a moment of WOW! They made me 100% better guitarist, The Sound was suddenly there.

[TOMMO]

Haven't commented on strings yet, so:

I'm using Pyramids on all of my guitars, pure nickel on my electrics. Since I have owned an archtop for a short time only now I can't comment on their fltawounds because I still have the factory strings on it - D'Addarios. Curious how the Pyramids will compare....

[Zack Glickman]

Yes, Optima Golds is the name now. I have them here, but they do not fit "all" guitars I must truly say.
They last longer, and they are wery smooth but still waiting for strings that give the "optima" feeling.

[Doctor Jeff]

I have always used D'Addario's. Nice price and in my experience sound good and last a long time. Easy to find as well.

I personally would try rounds on that one first--consider pure nickel 11's--mellower than chromes but have a bit more definition than flatwounds. Or if you want you can try flats for a thunkier jazz sound. I have jazz light flats (11's) on my Peerless thinline, and they work just great for jazz. They're not ideal for rocking out, though--if that's your thing, stick with rounds.

[Cunamara]

I like nickel strings, especially with a round rather than hex core. I use Pyramids or Thomastik-Infelds. I have a set of D'Addario nickel roundwounds that I haven't put on a guitar yet. I am hopeful as they are a lot cheaper!