Thomastik Infeld Jazz Bebop strings

[Para]

Does anyone have any experience or information with these strings?

[Patrick2]

I do. They're great strings. I have them on most of my arch tops. I prefer the .013 jazz swing flat wounds. I've got the TI jazz swing flat wounds on one of my archies . . and I've got D'Addario Chrome on a few as well. There's definitely a difference . . . but, I like the difference and I love both TI and D'Add.

[coolvinny]

Personally I strongly prefer the Swing's.

[Para]

Thanks guys, I use Ti jazz swing flats myself but a friend wanted to hear an archtop played accoustically with roundwound strings so I strung one of mine with some roundwound strings and I thought I just try it amplified and the sound knocked me out so I'm considering using Jazz Bebops on some of them.

[Patrick2]

Para; do a bit of research on round core vs hex core guitar strings. You'll see why the TI jazz swings are so mellow, so effortless to play and so expensive. Also, they last forever. So, while expensive to purchase . . in the long run more cost effecient.

[Para]

Thanks P2.

[SierraTango]

I found the TI Jazz Swing 13's to work best on my '92 Artist Award when I had it. You may notice the 13's feel more like other manufactures 12's or do to me.
Liked them very much, however my Benedetto gets on much better with LaBella 13 flats.

[Para]

I've been looking at some Newtone strings they're hand wound double wrapped made in the UK.

[Patrick2]

I guess it's really a matter of personal preference. Undoubtedly, a great round wound sting will get you a more articulate sound as best representative of the acoustic tonality of a hollow body . . whether flat top or arch top. But, for me, the flat wounds get me to the jazz sound I prefer. They're definitely warmer, not as bright. One of the very few things I disliked about playing the many wonderful arch tops at Mandolin Brothers, is that because of the enhanced acoustic tone of a round wounds, as mentioned above . . Stan had virtually every one of the arch top guitars on display there strung with round wounds . . and they were relatively thin round wounds, to give the preception of a "plays like butter" touch and feel. Also, I absloutely abhor the unavoidable string squeak from round wounds.

[drbhrb]

I've always used the Bensons. Can anyone compare to the TI swings?

Never liked chromes...

[docbop]

I use TI Bebop 13's on a couple of my guitars for a few years now. I like them they are smoother than roundwound so less string squeak, but have a bit more note definition versus a flatwound. If you haven't used TI strings before be aware they are a low tension string, so you might want to go up a gauge. So before the TI Bebop 13's I was using D'Addario 12's. Also the TI Bebop's the 12 set has a plain G and the 13 set a wound G.

[rkwestcoast]

I've been looking at some Newtone strings they're hand wound double wrapped made in the UK.

I have been using a set of Newtone 14s on my Peerless for the last year - really like them. Previously used TI 14s Bebop - but prefer the feel & sound of the Newtones.

[ESCC]

Para, definitely try the TI Bebops, very good string, in my opinion it is more like a half round-wound. I use them on a 535 semi hollowbody and a Les Paul, I prefer Swings on my archtops.

As an aside, I recently re-strung my guitars and for the sake of change and comparison on one archtop I replaced the Swing 13s, on the other I switched from Swings to D'Addario Chromes, they are fine strings but it left no doubt in my mind as to how much I prefer the Swings over Chromes.

[Woody Sound]

I use the Benson Round 12s. For some reason they just feel a bit softer than the BeBop sets. Not sure if it's just me or not.

Here's a cool site with their catalog. You can click/drag to open the pages and zoom in.

Thomstik Infeld Jazz Guitar Strings

[Pat Clare]

I use the TI Bebop .013, great round wound strings. I love the sound feel and ton.

[Klatu]

Para; do a bit of research on round core vs hex core guitar strings. You'll see why the TI jazz swings are so mellow, so effortless to play and so expensive. Also, they last forever. So, while expensive to purchase . . in the long run more cost effecient.

My experience has been that D'Addario Chromes last longer than the TI Swings. The TIs I've used were great at first, but their decline was severe after around 4 to 5 months.

I've read some posts suggesting that TI strings are softer than their competition. Claims are that the feel is a direct result of the hex core. I find a better explanation being that a 13 gauge TI set is the same as a D'Addario 12 gauge set with heavier E and B strings.

[Para]

I've used TI Jazz flats for years they're a great string, I used flats all my life except on solid body guitars like my strat. As far as I have found out the TI's are round core not hex and double wrapped but I could be wrong, apparently round core gives less string tension and they need to be tuned to pitch before the string is cut, P2?

[Patrick2]

My experience has been that D'Addario Chromes last longer than the TI Swings. The TIs I've used were great at first, but their decline was severe after around 4 to 5 months.

I've read some posts suggesting that TI strings are softer than their competition. Claims are that the feel is a direct result of the hex core. I find a better explanation being that a 13 gauge TI set is the same as a D'Addario 12 gauge set with heavier E and B strings.

Klatu: I got the info on the perceived/actual difference in string tension being attributable to the hex (D'Add) vs round (TI) directly from a customer service rep at Stings and Beyond, where I buy all of my string . . and the cust svc rep got it directly from TI. So, I'm not sure if it's factual or just marketing hype. But, I'm more inclined to go with factual. Also, the .012 D'Add Chrome flat wounds are .012 to .052. The TI Jazz swings are .013 to .053. Yet, to me the TIs seem to have less tension and are easier to fret. So, I think your info on the string gauges is inacurate.

Para: The D'Add Chrome .012s I have on some of my arch tops are well over a year old. I do believe that they out last the TIs. But, sever decline after 4 to 5 months? Possibly, if the player plays 3 to 4 hours every day, doesn't wash his hands before playing and doesn't wipe his string off after playing. :-) I always tune my guitars to pitch before cutting the strings anyway . . . (doesn't everyone?). So, I'd not be able to detect a problem if I didn't.

[Flyin' Brian]

Round core strings need at least to be crimped before cutting so that they don't unwind. If you're stringing a Fender with vintage slotted tuners you do in fact need to cut the string before tuning it to pitch.

I don't use round core strings so it's not an issue, but I cut strings prior to installing them anyway. I did that after watching ace luthier Joe Glaser do it. It's just so much more convenient and much faster.

FWIW I use Curt Mangan strings.

[Patrick2]

Round core strings need at least to be crimped before cutting so that they don't unwind. If you're stringing a Fender with vintage slotted tuners you do in fact need to cut the string before tuning it to pitch.

I don't use round core strings so it's not an issue, but I cut strings prior to installing them anyway. I did that after watching ace luthier Joe Glaser do it. It's just so much more convenient and much faster.

FWIW I use Curt Mangan strings.

Interesting. I very rarely change my own strings . . so some of what you have posted here is news to me. I'm not certain I understand how you could possibly cut the strings on an arch top with traditional tuner posts.?.? Does Glaser have a video of this process?

[ruger9]

Depends on the guitar.

On my Broadway, it's so big and warm all by itself, flats sound dead on it. HAS to be rounds on that guitar.

On my Gretsch, rounds give a better modern/rockabilly/jump blues sound, while flats give a more old-school swing sound... on THAT guitar.

[AlainJazz]

I switch between bebop and swing 13s all the time depending on my mood. I really like them both.

[2bornot2bop]

Thanks guys, I use Ti jazz swing flats myself but a friend wanted to hear an archtop played accoustically with roundwound strings so I strung one of mine with some roundwound strings and I thought I just try it amplified and the sound knocked me out so I'm considering using Jazz Bebops on some of them.

The Thomastik Infeld Bebop rounds have been my go to string since discovering them 2 years ago. I use it exclusively on all of my archtops. I prefer the 14's, which are smaller in diameter than a D'Addario 12 flat.

I play mainly acoustically, so prefer the volume gained from the rounds, vs. the flats. When I do use the TI flats I use the TI GB 14's. Congrat's on the find...welcome to the club!

[Para]

When I string I take the string through the tuner post tight then pull it back just over an inch take the end of the string round the inside of the post under the string and back over the top then when it tensions it locks the string to the post and gives a couple of winds round the post this stops the outer string wrap from moving on the core. Thanks for all the info guys plenty to think about but I'll probably wait 'till my custom Mambo amp arrives before I decide. 2B is the G a wound string on bebops or plain?

[Patrick2]

When I string I take the string through the tuner post tight then pull it back just over an inch take the end of the string round the inside of the post under the string and back over the top then when it tensions it locks the string to the post and gives a couple of winds round the post this stops the outer string wrap from moving on the core. Thanks for all the info guys plenty to think about but I'll probably wait 'till my custom Mambo amp arrives before I decide. 2B is the G a wound string on bebops or plain?

That's the method I use as well, when I do change my own strings. But, the heavier 5th and 6th string always look terrible at the post. I've got no patience for these type things. Frustrates the hell out of me.

Also, when I do bring my guitars in to *Ronaldo* . . he not only does a restring . . but, he also insures the entire set up is acurate to my liking and he cleans and treats the finger board. He tightens the screws on the tuner buttons, checks the truss rod to insure that it still has easy movement . . . . lubes the nut and threads if necessary . . basically, he goes over the whole guitar with a fine tooth come. It usually costs me a $30 bottle of Italian red wine . . because he won't accept a dime from me. I also love sitting and chatting with him while he works on my guitars. Wonderful stories of when he was a kid apprenticing at a shop in Italy, building all sorts of stringed instruments. I get a kick out of it when he tells me how his mentor used to slap him on the back of the head when he screwed up. Ronaldo is a national treasure in the world of lutherie. He's 70+ years old. I'm not sure how much longer he's going to be doing it. But, I hope he last forever. He a dear friends and I do love him like a brother.

Anyone from the New Jersey area would be doing themselves a favor by getting to knopw this guy.