TI Strings Expensive!

[Cooperro]

I've been a TI user for a couple of years. Now, their strings have shot up to $30 a set - yikes!

That's on both Juststrings.com and Musiciansfriend.com

I'm talking about the flatwound GB114 and GB112's

I'm going back to Chromes on my next change if this keeps up. To me, they're pricing themselves out of the business. The Chromes are only $11.50 or so - that's almost three sets per one of the TI's.

[Cooperro]

Switched to La Bella flatwounds about 18 months ago since they seem to last longer in the tropical weather here in SE Asia. I am very happy and haven't noticed a decline in tone despite being stainless steel vs. the TI's nickel. Unlike Chromes, the La Bella 13s have roughly the same gauges as the TIs.

Thanks for the info. I live in South Florida, with high humidity and temps like you in Asia (I'm guessing). Might have to give the LaBella's a try.

But will they "fit?" I hear they're sometimes too fat to fit through the tuner holes, or even the tailpiece...

[Jim Soloway]

Try this site http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/

They have a 15% off discount right now on orders over $30. The coupon code is HOLIDAY15

[DRS]

Weird

I paid $26 CDN ($25us) for 12-50 TI Swing Flats in Vancouver.
Even at $30, I'd still buy them. They last a long time and sound, to me, much better than D'addario Flat Chromes.
But I see you bought the GB sig set. There is probably some $$$ going to George.

[monkmiles]

Amazon has them around $20 still.

[Cooperro]

Amazon has them around $20 still.

Not the GB114's. They're still $30 (the GB112's are too)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1PJ8Q6VURRL2A

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Are TI's made in Austria? That would explain the cost.

[Cooperro]

Are TI's made in Austria? That would explain the cost.

They've been $20-$21 for as long as I can remember, no matter where they were made. Austria sounds right, though. This is a HUGE price increase (21-29).

[339 in june]

I'm in France (not so far from Austria compared to US or Canada )
I just checked prices of TI GB112 or 114 here where I'm used to buy my strings (and bass strings for my son)
26,95 € !
Chromes are good enough for me !

[coolvinny]

The GB's are more expensive. I've seen them as high as $40 in Vancouver. I've only purchased the Swing's and Bebop's, which are usually around $20. The Swing's last forever. I'm not sure about the Bebop's yet.

[Woody Sound]

Not the GB114's. They're still $30 (the GB112's are too)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1PJ8Q6VURRL2A

George must be gassing for a new car.

[Silentwiz]

http://www.carolkaye.com/catalog/pro...products_id=53

$22 + shipping

[feral guitar]

http://elderly.com/accessories/names...set--GB114.htm

1 is 22.45
2 or more are 20.80 ea

[lpdeluxe]

I recently bought a used Carvin SH550 with TI strings on it. I hadn't priced them, but the new guitarist in our combo is playing the Carvin and it sounds really good. I usually string up the 335 with round wounds, and I'm not sure which direction I'll go when the TIs wear out.

By the way, I have been stringing my basses with TI Jazz Flats for the last six years. Talk about pricey! I recently bought a MusicMan Sting Ray 5 and a set of TI JFs cost $99 at the lowest vendor (I did a prolonged search after seeing them at MF for $117). So $30 guitar strings doesn't look so bad...but I'm not sure I'll stick with that brand.

[Cooperro]

http://elderly.com/accessories/names...set--GB114.htm

1 is 22.45
2 or more are 20.80 ea

Thanks Matt. I went ahead and ordered four sets of the GB114's. $83 OTD including s/h.

You da man!

[oldane]

Might have to give the LaBella's a try. But will they "fit?" I hear they're sometimes too fat to fit through the tuner holes, or even the tailpiece...

That's the black nylon tape wound. The ordinary stainless steel wound have "normal" gauges.

LaBella has a 15-56 SS flatwound set, and to my ears the difference in brillance between the wound and plain strings is much lesser than with less thick strings. FWIW, I have had such a set on a plywood archtop for a year by now, and they still play nicely and in tune. They sure last a looooong time.

[Patrick2]

TIs are worth every dime! As mentioned here before, research round core vs hex core.

www.stringsandbeyond.com

http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/guit...art06/body.htm

[Sean65]

TI are nice strings but the other issue with paying out is that you feel obliged to get your monies worth.

I've just strung up a guitar with Bebop 11's and the bass strings are too light for me but I'm reluctant to change them for at least a month now.

As an aside, I'm also getting a wildly over powerful sound from the G string, especially when I play the D note at the seventh fret. The note bloom is way over the top.

[fumblefingers]

Thanks Matt. I went ahead and ordered four sets of the GB114's. $83 OTD including s/h.

You da man!

sounds like sombody likes the GB TIs. I do too.

[ruger9]

Remind me, why are TIs supposedly better than regular ol' strings? TI roundwounds vs GHS/D'Addario roundwounds, for instance.

[Pukka-J]

I love TI Swings, use them om three of my guitars (0.11 on the semi, 0.12 on the archtop and the 175). They also last a long, long time. They are definately worth the €13,90 I pay for them here (Thomann.de). In fact, when buying at Thomann's they're only €2,- more expensive than corresponding D'Addario flats and I definately like them more than €2,- better

Next change I'll try 0.13 on the archtop. That should drive the top nicely!

I'm quite delighted to see that, for once, something guitar related is actually cheaper at this part of the ocean.
Sorry guys

[Wes Fan]

This place has the JS112s and JS113s for only $18.11, with free shipping in the continental US:

http://www.bgmusicweb.com/m-385-thomastik.aspx