Flatwound Strings - Change plain string only?

**DanielleOM** · 04-21-2015, 05:10 PM

Hi

I was just wondering if many of you try to extend the life of a flatwound set by changing the plain strings only.

I have a GHS set on and after 4 months of regular use those plain strings are feeling rather unpleasant under the fingers. The flats still seem OK. I played a gig in rather warm room last week and I think that's what quickly killed the plain strings.

Danielle

**pubylakeg** · 04-21-2015, 07:38 PM

Yes, I have done in the past.

If string life is a problem for you, try a set of Galli Jazz Flats. They have incredible lifespan.

**339 in june** · 04-22-2015, 04:54 AM

I'm much more satisfied with the Chromes than with the set of GHS I tried (life, tension, tone). Only 3 months and I have to change them, where six-eight months is common with the Chromes, in similar use.
Next I'll try the Gallistrings ...

**DanielleOM** · 04-22-2015, 06:29 AM

I was using the SIT 12 to 50, set but it's no longer available. SIT replaced their 12 to 50 set with a 12 to 52 set. I tried the GHS 12 - 50 set as I was having trouble finding another set with same gauges. I do find the GHS set to be much more mellow than the Chromes and when I first put them on the lower strings almost dead or muted. However, I did give them a chance I find they have been working for me on my Eastman AR503CE. I play a few open mics where I do not have a lot of control re the signal chain. It seems with the GHS set I have a lot less difficulty with the lower strings over powering the other strings.

Do find all of the GHS strings to have a shorter life or just the plain ones. I think those GHS plain strings are plain steel and with no special treatment. I can't recall what D'addario does, but they appear to treat the plain strings in some way that makes them last longer, less susceptible to corrosion.

Although I have no difficulty with the left hand, when I first put the GHS on it seemed the right hand was finding them to be less flexible and I had to alter my pick style - angle slightly.

Danielle

**Chimera1to1** · 04-22-2015, 08:49 AM

Hi Dan,

you can get TI Swings with tin coated plains. They seem to last for ages!

Pete

**DanielleOM** · 04-22-2015, 08:57 AM

I have to wonder if a tin coated plain will sound different than one that is not coated. I assume there is a reason that both are still sold, and some prefer one to the other.

Danielle

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 04-22-2015, 09:26 AM

I used to use La Bella black tape wound strings, and those wound strings last forever.

**pingu** · 04-22-2015, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Chimera1to1

Hi Dan,

you can get TI Swings with tin coated plains. They seem to last for ages!

Pete

but that tin comes off pretty quickly
2 weeks in my case

**pingu** · 04-22-2015, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Chimera1to1

Hi Dan,

you can get TI Swings with tin coated plains. They seem to last for ages!

Pete

yes those TI swings and bensons seem to
last about one year for me ...

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 04-22-2015, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by pingu

but that tin comes off pretty quickly
2 weeks in my case

Originally Posted by pingu

yes those TI swings and bensons seem to
last about one year for me ...

Confused! So the tin plating on the plain strings is hooey, but in any case the strings (plain or wound?) last a long time for you.

I've been wondering about the tin-plated plains, but I haven't tried them. Do they sound different to your ear?

**pingu** · 04-22-2015, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Confused! So the tin plating on the plain strings is hooey, but in any case the strings (plain or wound?) last a long time for you.

I've been wondering about the tin-plated plains, but I haven't tried them. Do they sound different to your ear?

Yeah the TI Tin plating is hooey for me .....
maybe it stays on longer for other players (sweat chemistry etc .... dunno)

TI sound fab and last a crazy looong time for me

No the Tin plating doesn't sound any different to my ear ...
(they look great though at least for a few days !)

So for me the Tin is irrelevant

**pubylakeg** · 04-22-2015, 01:38 PM

What colour are the tin plated plain strings ?.

**Jabberwocky** · 04-22-2015, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by pubylakeg

What colour are the tin plated plain strings ?.

Like the insides of a tin can?

**s1track3d** · 04-22-2015, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by pubylakeg

What colour are the tin plated plain strings ?.

On my current TI GB114 set the high B and E are gold in color, at least initially anyway, the color doesn't stay on long but either way doesn't seem to affect the tone

**pubylakeg** · 04-22-2015, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by s1track3d

On my current TI GB114 set the high B and E are gold in color, at least initially anyway, the color doesn't stay on long but either way doesn't seem to affect the tone

Thanks very much for the info, s1track3d.

When I bought my Ibanez AF-207 used, it came strung with what I assumed to be Thomastiks, but I also assumed the gold plain strings denoted a George Benson set. However, your info does muddy the waters somewhat. Either way though, I find the tensions on Thomastik just a little too slack for me.

**edh** · 04-22-2015, 11:03 PM

@pubylakeg, do the Galli strings come with a plain or wound G string?

I did a search and no info on whether the G string is plain or wound.

thanks

**pubylakeg** · 04-23-2015, 04:36 AM

I've tried the 13-56 set and the 12-52, and they both have wound 3rds.

Don't know about the 11-50 or 10-46 sets, though.

Edit; according to this site the 11's have a wound 3rd and the 10's have a plain one.

Electric Strings Galli

**edh** · 04-23-2015, 04:36 PM

Thank you, sir.

I think I'll try the 12's. I'm looking for something that sounds good and not as expensive as TI's.

**snoskier63** · 04-23-2015, 06:32 PM

I've always used Chromes, and they last a very long time for me. I recently tried TI's, and while they were good they weren't any better to me than the Chromes, just more expensive. I'm back to Chromes.

**vintagelove** · 04-24-2015, 01:11 AM

TI's all the way here, great warm sound and last forever!!!

**DanielleOM** · 07-09-2015, 02:29 PM

Anyone know what gives the TI plain strings that kind of bronze golden color?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-09-2015, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by DanielleOM

Anyone know what gives the TI plain strings that kind of bronze golden color?

It might be tin plating.

**monkmiles** · 07-09-2015, 10:43 PM

Back to the question in the original post... I think it makes perfect sense to replace just the e and b strings on either flats or rounds. I'm starting to do this on a set of rounds now actually.

**kawa** · 07-15-2015, 09:19 PM

1E and 2B are plain, 3G to 6E are (flat) wound.

Then replace by one's taste individualreplace strings　for keep the pitch.

**Jimmy Mack** · 11-14-2024, 01:58 PM

Reviving an old thread! with slightly diff. question:

With D'addario XL strings, the 1st string is very bright on my new guitar. Without changing the pickup ( I have raised and lowered it and the pole piece) or the bridge, is there a brand or type of plain E string that would be mellower? A .010 or .011?

The crappy strings that came with the guitar were louder and mellower, but I have no way of knowing what they were.
Probably Chinese, but they were trashed right away!