Your favorite flat wound string set?

[Epistrophy]

Js113 with 12 and 16 plain top strings from D'addario. A better balance in my opinion.

[guavajelly]

I've been using Chromes .012 forever but recently switched to Thomastik Jazz Swing. In Europe a set is appr. 15 € – 5 € less than the chromes. Compared to chromes the bass strings are thinner in the set. After getting used to it I find them more balanced. I used .012 sets of both brands so far, but a set of .013 is lying here to replace the chromes on my GB10 as soon as I get around doing it. I hope for more meat on the treble and balanced lower register.

[guavajelly]

Is it true TI's have less tension for the same caliber? So what would be the equivalent of D'Addario 11's? TI 12's?

I think that comes from the different compilation of the set. Compared to other makers, TI uses skinnier bass strings in the Jazz Swing sets – so these have less tension. E.g.:

• D'Addario Chromes: .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .052
• Thomastik Jazz Swing: .012, .016, .020, .027, .037, .050

You may or may not like this better. I had to get used to the slightly different feel, but now I think the tone and volume is better balanced across all registers. TI JS are also the cheapest flatwounds now here in Europe (around 15 € a set), that helps. But I wouldn't mind paying more as I tend to play a set for years.

The TI George Benson set is compiled differently btw.: .012, .016, .020, .028, .039, .053

I think it all comes down to what works best for you and on your guitar.

[guavajelly]

So eventually I got around changing the strings on my GB10 from Chromes .012 to Thomastik Jazz Swing .013.

My initial impression: The Jazz swing are a better balanced set for this guitar. With the chromes the two lowest string were a bit overpowered. Overall the JS are quieter when played through an amp, but the volume across the strings is better balanced. The JS have a more "airy" tone than the very solid sounding Chromes. IMHO that gives the guitar more "acoustic" properties – I like it.
The chromes feel a little smoother and accordingly the JS make a bit more noise sliding through positions. But from my experience that will go away after a while. I have two other guitars strung with JS .012 and I didn't notice a lot of difference from the different gauge in feel or tone. Maybe when they settle down and loose the initial brilliance.
I couldn't say which brand is better – both have their qualities and it's nice to have the choice. The balance across the set is an advantage of the JS – at least for that particular guitar.