Flatwound String Recommendations?

**GregErnstMusic** · 07-11-2016, 03:43 PM

I have played D'Addario nickel round wounds (J21, 12 - 52) for 40+ years. Now, I am starting to hear and play different things, especially doing solo. I'm considering putting flat wounds on one of my jazz boxes.

Any recommendations for strings available in the USA?

**JazzNote** · 07-11-2016, 04:24 PM

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing - expensive but worth every penny

**GregErnstMusic** · 07-11-2016, 04:25 PM

Why expensive and worth every penny?

**neatomic** · 07-11-2016, 04:27 PM

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/every...se-prefer.html

looka

cheers

**JazzNote** · 07-11-2016, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by GregErnstMusic

Why expensive and worth every penny?

Expensive because they cost more than other strings
Worth every penny because i think them to be way better than other strings

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-11-2016, 05:20 PM

+1 on the T-Is. As for their cost, I've assumed we're paying euro prices since T-I is Austrian.

**floatingpickup** · 07-11-2016, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

Expensive because they cost more than other strings
Worth every penny because i think them to be way better than other strings

Me too. My favorite strings. Not that expensive compared to bass strings.
Keith

**Greentone** · 07-11-2016, 06:33 PM

I think I have played just about all of the flats available in the US over the last 50 years. A long time ago it was Gibson Monel sets. In the orange pack. Long gone.

For a long time, I used D'Addario Chromes flat wounds--like, for 20 years. Great string. Pretty consistent, but high tension.

I like the LaBella tape wound sets. They sound and feel great and last and last. Don't let the gauges scare you...they are fat because of the tape winding on the outside of the string. The tension is low and easy to play.

My favorite strings are Thomastik-Infeld, by far. I use Jazz Swing on two of my archtops and George Bensons on another. GREAT STRINGS.

**Stringswinger** · 07-11-2016, 07:52 PM

TI Swings cannot be beat....

**GregErnstMusic** · 07-11-2016, 11:50 PM

Many thanks to all of you that responded, especially Neatomic for providing the link, an interesting read.

I ordered a set of the Thomastic-Infeld's Jazz Swings to try. I have had so many years with one size strings that I hope the different sizes from what I am used to won't be a factor in the feel. We'll see.

Thanks again everyone.

**Cunamara** · 07-12-2016, 12:43 AM

The TI Swings are great. I quite like the Pyramid Gold flats with a round core. The 13s have about the same tension as the D'Addario 12s. They are firly similar to the TIs in feel. Tone is a bit darker.

**Generalmojo** · 07-12-2016, 01:04 AM

I was a big thomastik guy and swore by them. Recently I've switched to pyramid. Not a discount brand by any means but cheaper than thomastik and just as good. As far as I'm concerned it's all about the round core. Hex cores just don't do it for me. And when it comes to roundwounds, gotta be pure nickel. Not sure what the flats are made of. But the pure nickel round core combo is the line I've drawn in the sand.

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**Peter C** · 07-12-2016, 10:31 AM

Try Thomastik Infeld Swings, they are the best. I personally didn't get on with their tension, but that's just me.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-12-2016, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Generalmojo

I was a big thomastik guy and swore by them. Recently I've switched to pyramid. Not a discount brand by any means but cheaper than thomastik and just as good. As far as I'm concerned it's all about the round core. Hex cores just don't do it for me. And when it comes to roundwounds, gotta be pure nickel. Not sure what the flats are made of. But the pure nickel round core combo is the line I've drawn in the sand.

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I've never checked out Pyramid before but I notice they have two sets of flat-wound 13s, "Heavy" and "True Vintage". The gauges are a little different:

Heavy: 13 17 24 33 42 52
TV: 13 18 26 36 47 56

is they any other difference?

**jazzimprov** · 07-12-2016, 11:28 AM

is Pyramid low tension?

**Generalmojo** · 07-12-2016, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I've never checked out Pyramid before but I notice they have two sets of flat-wound 13s, "Heavy" and "True Vintage". The gauges are a little different:

Heavy: 13 17 24 33 42 52
TV: 13 18 26 36 47 56

is they any other difference?

I think the only difference is the gauge.

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**Generalmojo** · 07-12-2016, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by jazzimprov

is Pyramid low tension?

I'm not sure. I haven't found any tension specs but they feel a little softer than thomastik not by much. Disclaimer though... I've never used the thomastiks and pyramids on the same guitar.

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**Dennis D** · 07-15-2016, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by jazzimprov

is Pyramid low tension?

...yes......comparable tension to TI's.....

**Dennis D** · 07-15-2016, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Generalmojo

I'm not sure. I haven't found any tension specs but they feel a little softer than thomastik not by much. Disclaimer though... I've never used the thomastiks and pyramids on the same guitar.

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..Tension Spec's - - -

That's sort of what I'm doing now.....trying to decide whether nickel flats and / or which nickel flats should go on my 2 L-7's............

.....using Chromes as the baseline, their set of 12/52's exert 155 # ; 13/56 183.8 #

....TI Jazz Swings ( Flats ) 12/50's = 140 #; and 13 / 53 = 156. 5

......and Pyramid Flats 12 / 52's (w/ .24 & 33. 3rd & 4th I/P/O TI ' skinny' .20 & .27 ) = 145 #;

.....and Pyramid Flats 13/53 ( w. 24 & 33 3 & 4 IPO TI 21 & 27 ). 155 #

So far, I like the idea of the consistent gauges of the Pyramids....and the nickel.....

So - -are the logical questions these :

Does greater string tension equal greater sound ?....and / or

Does a thicker string mean better / louder sound, or ??

Is the beauty of these nickel strings in the tension they don't exert ???

Thanks !!!

**Encinitastubes** · 07-17-2016, 12:11 AM

I spent a lot of time and money on strings when I first got my 175. I have settled on Pyramid 12s. They are perfect for me.

**DanielleOM** · 07-17-2016, 05:19 AM

After trying all of the previous sets mentioned in this thread I seem to have settled on the GHS Precision Flat 12 set.

I would describe them as dark sounding, with a very clear fundamental, with a fast attack.

**Sacco** · 07-24-2016, 08:27 PM

I use Pyramid gold 11s and they're just great.

**Generalmojo** · 07-25-2016, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sacco

I use Pyramid gold 11s and they're just great.

Seconded. Round core pure nickels. Just as good as thomastiks in my opinion. And cheaper.

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**GregErnstMusic** · 07-25-2016, 09:08 PM

I purchased a set of TI Swings (12 - 50), installed them on one of my jazz boxes, have have played three gigs since.

The first was a solo dinner music gig. I was really impressed with the flats. While the tension was a little lighter than the D"Adario rounds (12-52) I used, the sound was impressive -- not flat or dead! Not having the infamous "squeal" when moving laterally was really pleasant. The only negative was finding myself wanting a little more tension in the lower registers.

The second gig was a guitar trio with upright bass and drums, both excellent players. For that gig, I used another guitar without the flats and with the round wounds. I found myself being bothered by the "squeal" and preferring the flat TI's. So...

The third gig was a duo with upright. For the first set, I played the guitar with the TI Swings. For the second set, I used the guitar with the D'Addario Rounds. In that setting, I preferred the flats - unquestionably.

Considering the 40+ years I played the rounds, this represents a substantial shift for me. Now I'll have to try a set of the Pyramids followed by the GHS's.

Thank you everyone for your input!