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So here's somebody, again, who has had a problem with the low E-String, and again with a locking tuner. I knew it wasn't just me.
Originally Posted by zigzag
I seriously doubt that there is something wrong with my tuning post (though I have not gotten out a microscope to examine it) because I would feel a sharp edge.
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03-23-2014 03:10 PM
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I appreciate all these responses. Thanks guys.
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I personally dislike TI strings. Guys say they last forever, but I think it's cause they're zombies straight outta the package -- you can't can't kill something that's already dead
I don't like low tension strings on any of my guitars (archtops, gypsy, classical, solid bodies.) Round core strings are definitely lower tension and the string windings can come loose if you cut the end before tuning up to pitch. They will lose intonation quicker than strings with a hex cores as well. I do like round core stings on electric bass though, really gives that "piano" tone.
As for having strings break consistently, keep in mind that when you go into the store to buy strings, you'll likely find that the strings on display come out of the same box, i.e. the same batch from the factory. If a bad batch makes it past QA at the factory, it's possible it affects all the sets in the box. So going back to store and buying yet another set from the same batch may exhibit the same issues. Better to go to a different source to see if that resolves the problem.
My bass player has no sympathy for guitar players who bitch about paying $20 for a set of strings. Cheap strings for his upright are $200+ It's all a matter of perspective.
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The only guitar I have had any breakage problems on is a Custom shop Strat fitted with Sperzel Locking tuners if you over tighten the tuner it flattens the string where it goes through the tuner creating a weak spot, I found it was the G that usually broke.
Having just changed from D'Addario flatwound strings to TI jazz swings I find the TI's have much more tone , I have now fitted them to 3 guitars.
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I love TI Infelds (swing set). I've only tried those and chromes as far as flatwounds go. The chromes get more of that modern "thump" kind of muted sound. The TI Infelds gave much more acoustic volume, while still being smooth.
I had the high E string snapping very early too, I was surprised. I replaced that with a regular steel string. So far the wounded ones are ok.
(that sounds like a pun, if they are "wounded", they shouldn't be ok, right?
)
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but if there "wound" they would be o.k.
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I've had one TI break during restringing, but that was when I installed with two many windings around the peg, so I reinstalled to make the string shorter. The string broke when I tried to gently straighten a bend. I concluded that the TI strings must be made of a more brittle alloy. I had no breakage in normal use. They sounded great and lasted a long time. Originally Posted by Moonray
Here's a nice how-to for the "wrap the string over itself" method recommended by Moonray.
http://www.victorgann.com/GuitarTool...ngeStrings.htm
I've used that method for several years. It helps reduce the bend angle while securely locking the string.
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Used TI swings for about 6 years after switching from Chromes. Never had any issues with longetivity, in fact my experience is that they seem to keep their tone for a lot longer than Chromes.
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funny how a thread that starts with criticisms ends up almost being an ad for TIs.
never had a prob, too expensive tho.
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Pretty much my experience with them also. I'm a big fan of TIs . . . but, I've never had a problem with Chromes either. Originally Posted by sparkhall
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Originally Posted by jzucker
Originally Posted by Moonray
I've got Chromes on my 175 but had to replace the G string with a plain string temporarily. The 3rd string had a weird buzz from the time I put it on. Couldn't figure out why for quite a while, but when I examined it closely the winding was defective near the ball end. Too bad the Chromes are the only flatwound local stores carry. Originally Posted by pkirk
Just for an experiment I just put on a .20 gauge bronze string. Well, it doesn't buzz, but it doesn't amplify as loud as the rest of the strings.
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Count me in the crowd of folks who have never had issues. I play the Benson 0.14s exclusively now, and have for at least a year and a half. I gig at least once a week, usually more, for long sets (2-4 hrs). I change the strings once every 6 months or so, and have never had a string break. Ever. I'm a hard player, too. I think in this entire time I've used like 3 sets of strings, tops.
Maybe there's something wrong with your tuning pegs?
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For the past month, I've been evaluating different phosphor-bronze strings on my Eastman AR605. Low noise is key, due to the piezo pickup, but so is ease of play and unplugged sound. I have had the same 2 sets of Thomastik Plectrums on and off about 30 times now - a set of 12-59 and 11-50. In between, I have tried just about every other gauge and brand of PB acoustic strings, and some flatwound electric strings as well. The TI strings keep going on and off without any issue at all. One has the wrap wire now separated as it meets the tuner, but it doesn't care. I play open and dropped tunings, and switch between them frequently. I have yet to have one of them give me any issues. As for the other brands, I have thrown them all out - in some cases immediately, in others after a day or so. I think the TI Plectrum 12-59 are keepers.
The only string I have not yet tried are the John Pearse acoustic/electric 12-52 that I love so much on my National Resolectric.
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Thomastik js111 have been nice for me recent year with less tension and not stiff as some others. But with the last three sets it has happened twice, that the 2. string had dissonance from birth. The dealer don’t sell Thomastik single strings and others who do, take extremely high prices for them, so now time to look for new brands. Just hope others can come near the tension.
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I don't know where you are but here single strings are £1.30 GBP.
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I'm in Denmark, but mostly I buy at Thomann.
Do you have a link to these £1.30? Seem to be a nice price.
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I have used D'As of the same gauge. To me they feel and sound the same (plain strings). They are widely awailable in Denmark. Originally Posted by Munk
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I had problems with hand, so I decided for 11 instead of 13. And I chosed Thomastik because of low tension. If this is the truth, there seem to be quite a difference btw them.
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There is, but that's the wound strings, not the plain ones. In the table, the difference in tension between D'A and TI 11 and 15 is insignificant, which also is how I experience it. The same goes for other gauges of plain strings. Usually I wear out the plain strings of my set faster than the wound ones. As you have noted, TI strings are hard to find in Denmark and are impossible to find as single strings, whereas D'As are readily available in many guitar shops all over the country. So when needed, I always replace my 13 and 17 TIs with D'As.
Now, the wound strings of the D'A Chromes have higher tension for the same gauge than TIs. For that reason with chromes, I have usually replaced the 13 and 17 of the 13-56 chromes set with 14 and 18 to get better balance. Since the TIs IMHO are better balanced, I stick with the 13 and 17 on the TI 13-53 Swing set.
BTW, the flatwounds I liked best was the LaBella 15-56 set (the stainless steel wound, not the black ones), but the quality of the wound strings dropped a couple of years ago, and after having used up my stock, I have now switched to TI Swing. But D'A Chromes would also work OK for me.Last edited by oldane; 04-16-2014 at 12:39 PM.
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The wound strings are dearer but the plain steel up to 0.017 guage are £1.30, I have no idea what the postage is but in the UK orders of £30 and over are free. They also do price matching. Originally Posted by Munk
Strings Direct - Thomastik-Infeld Single Guitar & Bass Strings
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Old thread, but it came up when I had the very same experience yesterday when re-stringing my brand new Fibonacci 'Diablo'. Have been stringing guitars for well over forty years and have used TIs for the past 9 years without a problem. Very disappointed - love the tension/feel/attack etc. Can anyone recommend a similar spec' in another make please? No Chromes thank you.
Last edited by blackcat; 01-03-2018 at 06:43 AM.
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Before turning away from the TI's i'd really have a close look at the new guitar to be a 100% sure that the breakage is not due to some sharp edges. I myself have been playing TI flat wounds on all my archtops since 1982. The Swing 13's since they started producing them and i can't remember that i ever had a string break in those thirty-five years although these years include many many hours of practicing & performing. Originally Posted by blackcat
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Good point and thank you for that. However, the nut is perfectly cut and the tuners ( Gotoh SGS510Z ) are about as good as it gets I think. Will give them one more go.
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I have been using TI strings on most of my guitars for many years. I absolutely love them and I have only had one bad string in that entire time.
Keith
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Is it the SGS510Z version with a locking mechanism? If this is the case maybe the TI's are weak to Originally Posted by blackcat
withstand the pressure when being locked. I never used locking tuners on my guitars so my 35-year-no-problem experience would not be comparable if this is the case.
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