Thomastik Strings for Jazz Guitar

**fumblefingers** · 08-19-2011, 09:59 PM

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

**tonedeaf** · 08-19-2011, 10:32 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** · 08-19-2011, 10:36 PM

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** · 08-19-2011, 10:45 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** · 08-20-2011, 06:39 AM

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.

**Kuz** · 08-20-2011, 01:16 PM

To each their own opinion, but I LOVE THEM. MUCH superior and wear longer than the D'ad chrome flats. Plus I like the feel better as well. I wish I didn't like them so much because of the cost, but I Love them.

They also stand behind their product. I told the story how I broke a new string while re-stringing my Heritage Golden Eagle. I was pissed because I was now short a string for my backup set. I emailed them and they sent a replacement string for the one that broke PLUS A COMPLETE WHOLE NEW SET!!!!

Yea, they got my business for life....

**Jazzpunk** · 08-20-2011, 05:13 PM

D'addario Chromes sound fine to my ears and the price is right! I'll have to give TI's another shot some day but I'm good for now.

**jaystrings** · 08-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Wow, I'm still kinda new here, but I'm really impressed about the volume of input on what is a big issue to me. Everyone's free to keep chioming in, and at this point I can't thank you all enough. I was leaning towards at least trying the flatwounds, but now feeling really good about not only the brand PLUS getting roundwound Be Bops. I'm really looking forward to getting my mitts on them. Also, I must say that I'm probably going to try the 12's when this one is ready for more. Your input has caused that, too. Can't thank you enough.

**mambosun** · 08-21-2011, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by jaystrings

Wow, I'm still kinda new here, but I'm really impressed about the volume of input on what is a big issue to me. Everyone's free to keep chioming in, and at this point I can't thank you all enough. I was leaning towards at least trying the flatwounds, but now feeling really good about not only the brand PLUS getting roundwound Be Bops. I'm really looking forward to getting my mitts on them. Also, I must say that I'm probably going to try the 12's when this one is ready for more. Your input has caused that, too. Can't thank you enough.

Trying different strings is a worthy, reversible and affordable upgrade, this obviously has a strong impact to the guitar tone, as well as experimenting with different pick makings.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-21-2011, 03:15 PM

I think Thomastik are too expensive, John Pearse are better IMO and much cheaper. They are also a little thin sounding. Newtone might also be a good option. Buy some sets from several brands and decide for yourself. I also prefer rounds to flats but its also a good idea to try both and make your own decision.

**stevedenver** · 08-21-2011, 05:32 PM

pearse does make great strings indeed, and

i dont think they offer flatwounds for guitar
and i suppose its about how often you change strings too
because if i changed TI's as soon as i do roundwounds-it WOULD be a bigger expense

**FatJeff** · 08-21-2011, 05:56 PM

Are these flatwound or roundwound? John Pearse Nickel Wound Jazz Acoustic Electric Guitar Strings

**Philco** · 08-21-2011, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by stevedenver

pearse does make great strings indeed, and

i dont think they offer flatwounds for guitar
and i suppose its about how often you change strings too
because if i changed TI's as soon as i do roundwounds-it WOULD be a bigger expense

I've often wondered if these smaller or boutique string brands actually have their own machinery and source their own wire. Or do they simply submit specifications to the bigger manufacturers?

**Vihar** · 08-21-2011, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by FatJeff

Are these flatwound or roundwound? John Pearse Nickel Wound Jazz Acoustic Electric Guitar Strings

Round. If they doesn't state it's flat/ribbon wound, it's round. I had a bunch of Darco Jazz sets that only said Nickel Wound too, and they are round wound strings.

**mangotango** · 08-22-2011, 12:41 PM

I use BeBop 11's on my Ibanez semi. (TI flatwound 12's on my "jazz" guitars).

I find them to be solid, musical sounding strings that feel good to play.

Chromes were on my Vestax D'Angelico when I bought it. Sounded OK, but not all that, for me at least. Replaced with TI Swings and straight away, the sound was there. Night and day different, and better.

**Philco** · 09-12-2011, 09:35 AM

Just to confuse the issue even more, I have been experimenting with my Thinline Tele and have fallen right back in love with the TI Benson 14's.

I took the Chromes off because I was upset with the low volume of the E and B plains. I had changed them 12 and 14 to 14 and 18 and although that improved things it still wasn't right.
The TI state they have "Tin Coated" E and B but whatever it is it sounds loud!
The balance problem is fixed and on the Tele I much prefer the TI sound.
They have quite a "throaty" sound.
So I prefer the Chromes on the GB10 but I'm loving the TI on the Tele.

Just wanted to be fair to the TI's seeing I kind of dissed them.

**Rob MacKillop** · 09-12-2011, 10:14 AM

I tried them on my Loar acoustic archtop. I liked them, but they cut the volume in half. Check out the videos on my webpage:

Plectrum Guitar Rob MacKillop ~ banjos, guitars, lutes and more

The Al Hendrickson piece has the flat wounds.

**Philco** · 09-12-2011, 10:27 AM

Beautiful playing Rob.
I see what you mean. Not the right strings for that instrument.

**stevedenver** · 09-12-2011, 02:49 PM

i too enjoyed all of the pieces you played on your site-
thanks for sharing

**Rob MacKillop** · 09-12-2011, 03:00 PM

Well, thanks Steve and Phil :-)

**FatJeff** · 11-05-2011, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by FatJeff

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.

Just wanted to update this post. After several months of using that first set of Thomastik GB 112s, I have grown quite fond of them; so much so that I've also installed them now on my acoustic archtop, and am on my second set of the 112s on my main jazz box. Their feel is quite supple, and the tone is great. I actually got a compliment after a gig the other night on my tone...now I'm not stupid enough to believe that it's all the strings, but I do think they're part of the equation, and I now feel that they are definitely better than the D'Adarrios...so I've made the switch!

Question: when I first purchased the 112s, I also ordered a set of 114s (mouse click mistake on the website). I have never used this heavy gauge of strings before, so I'm wary of trying them. Any advice? I'm pretty happy with the 112s, so I'm not sure switching makes sense. I am afraid they might screw up my intonation and they would be hard to play.

**Patrick2** · 11-05-2011, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by FatJeff

Just wanted to update this post. After several months of using that first set of Thomastik GB 112s, I have grown quite fond of them; so much so that I've also installed them now on my acoustic archtop, and am on my second set of the 112s on my main jazz box. Their feel is quite supple, and the tone is great. I actually got a compliment after a gig the other night on my tone...now I'm not stupid enough to believe that it's all the strings, but I do think they're part of the equation, and I now feel that they are definitely better than the D'Adarrios...so I've made the switch!

Question: when I first purchased the 112s, I also ordered a set of 114s (mouse click mistake on the website). I have never used this heavy gauge of strings before, so I'm wary of trying them. Any advice? I'm pretty happy with the 112s, so I'm not sure switching makes sense. I am afraid they might screw up my intonation and they would be hard to play.

The TIs are not my favorite strings, but I do like them. I just like the D'Ad Chromes better. However, to answer your question on the 12 gauge vs the 14 gauge . . .. you might need just a mild tweak of your truss rod due to the heavier gauge. But, I'm sure you already knew that. For the first couple of weeks, they'll seem a little more difficult to play at the same level of comfort as you are used to with the .012s. But, once you get used to them, if you do . . . . you'll then think that the .012s are way too light. Especially on the 1st and 2nd strings. You will hear tone that is totally unfamiliar to your ears from that guitar.

**AlohaJoe** · 11-05-2011, 07:34 PM

I'm another big fan of the TI GB 12s on electric archtops for jazz, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. They sound good but quite different with different guitars & pickups (they LOVE a good P-90), and they do last a loooong time. Trust your ears.

**SamBooka** · 11-05-2011, 08:15 PM

trussrod and intonation tweak at best.. keep an eye that the stings sit properly in the nut

**skiboyny** · 11-06-2011, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by FatJeff

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.

Stainless (chromes) vs Nickle (Tis)