Telecaster Plain G vs Wound G

**Mz2250** · 08-10-2016, 06:31 AM

Hi everyone , this is my first thread so be kind please

I've a question for you Telecaster's fans, I've seen a video of Tim Lerch were he discus about tele jazz tone and he use D'Addario EXL145 12-54 with a plain G, but I've seen the EJ21 set, same Nickel Wound strings but with a Wound G with 12-52 gauge.

I wonder if there's a benefit from plain G versus Wound G in "jazz telecaster" for a Ted Greene style and sound, and which one do you prefer.

Thank You.

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 06:37 AM

Tim gets an incredible sound out of his plain G set. I have the same set, but in .11 on my Tele. Actually, I am moving to a wound G set soon.

**Mz2250** · 08-10-2016, 06:43 AM

Yes , he have an incredible sound beside the fact that his playing is incredible.
So I wait for your review of the Wound set, I'm in fear that the Wound G will sound out of focus, but I prefer the 52-12, so I must try out wich one is the best.

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 06:48 AM

I have the wound G set on my Strat and love it. Great for jazz--TI Jazz Swing 11-47.

**Boston Joe** · 08-10-2016, 09:23 AM

I always go with a plain G, but I probably bend more than the average jazz player.

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 11:02 AM

I use my Strat on blues gigs and bend the bejabbers out of the TI Swing Flats. The wound G--heck, the wound D, A, and E--don't pose problems. It comes down to feel and sound. I like the feel and sound of the TI Swings.

Maybe it's because I started out on flatwound strings...my first electric--a Hagstrom--came from the factory with flatwounds...must have been about a .12 set, at that. The guitar was made in '65--skinny strings weren't a factory item then.

**Lobomov** · 08-10-2016, 12:40 PM

I find it doesn't make that great a different in overall sound, but personally prefer the a plain g-string (11s chromes with a 19s g-string) as it is just more useful.

**Cunamara** · 08-10-2016, 12:57 PM

Part of the issue is string balance. Some pickups balance better with a wound G, some with a plain G. Both of my Teles balance better with a wound G- the plain G is just too loud and the pole pieces aren't adjustable.

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**KirkP** · 08-10-2016, 01:19 PM

I also find plain G strings a bit too loud on my American Standard Tele. But I don't think the wound G is quite loud enough. That's one reason I haven't played it much lately. I wish Leo had included a pickup adjustment for the G string. I had the G string magnet pushed downward in my strat to accommodate a plain G, but that doesn't seem to be easy on the tele.

**TLerch** · 08-10-2016, 02:56 PM

Hi Guys,
I use a plain G because it sounds and feels better to me. The wound G has such a small core it is too quiet for me (i also don't like the way it feels on right hand fingers). I kind of divide the strings into two groups of three and while i agree the the plain G can be loud I seem to have adjusted to that and have learned to strike it softer to get balance. I can always strike a string softer but there is nothing worse than hitting a string hard and its still not as loud as you want it to be. The other aspect is that I play melodies on the top three (not exclusively but primarily) and the tonal quality of the Plain G matches the top two strings much better. I would say that I couldn't do what I do and get the sound I expect if I had a wound G. I'm sure someone else would do fine but for me the plain G is the way to go. BTW Ted always used a plain G on his teles.

all the best
Tim

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 03:06 PM

+1 on what everyone is saying about volume and feel of the plain G. It's just that, for me, the mellower G is a plus.

I don't even miss the pop and sass when I'm chickin' pickin'. Brad Paisley's "Nervous Breakdown" actually sounds pretty authoritative when pulled out of a Strat strung with TI Swing flats. I was surprised, at first. You really think you are going to miss (1) the plain G and (2) the round wound D, A, and E on a song like "NB." Not so much. The TI strings are pretty derned versatile. Besides, plugged into the "bright" channel of a Tweed Deluxe you get more slap, pop, spank, and sparkle than you can shake a stick at. I do believe that if you put a bushel of corn in front of that amp and start pickin on your Strat or Tele, the corn will get shucked. Just set a pan of water on the Deluxe and turn the Tone knob up to boil.

**neatomic** · 08-10-2016, 03:12 PM

to illustrate tims point..i have been diggin his recently posted elegant reworking of one of my fave louie armstrong tunes

good stuff

cheers

**D.G.** · 08-10-2016, 05:47 PM

Plain G for me. Gotta have them pedal-steel bends and you ain't gonna get it with a wound G

OTOH, I despise a plain G on acoustics, so go figger...

As for the balance problem, yeah, it's a pain, but I can get a good balance with a Lollar Special T and the exact adjustment of the treble vs bass sides. Mine also happens to tilt towards the neck as opposed to being perpendicular to the strings and I think that helps, though I may be full of it. I find the Fralin hybrid stagger with longer D string pole also helps balance out the plain G.

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 06:43 PM

Yeah, if you do the manual "g-bender" thing, it's not gonna happen with a wound G. You _can_ do the fake "b-bender" thing, though.

**Greentone** · 08-10-2016, 06:45 PM

Oh, heck, I might leave the plain-G on the Tele. The guitar sure is sounding good. Now, back to work on the Tim Lerch technique.

**entresz** · 08-10-2016, 06:52 PM

I have TI 11-47 flatwounds on my Telecaster. They feel great to play on and the G is balanced nicely with the other strings. Still easy to bend. My tele has Bill Lawrence Micro-Coils, they have adjustable poles so there's no reason why a plain G couldn't be used. I guess it's that I'm used to playing archtops with heavier strings, I just prefer a wound G.

**neatomic** · 08-10-2016, 07:06 PM

thomastiks will always be the exception to the bendable wound g!!...they bend..do they sound as twangy as unwound g..no!..but not bad..the rest of the wound g flats.. completely different story

cheers

**Jonathan0996** · 08-10-2016, 09:41 PM

As you can see, there are proponents of both plain and wound strings. My view is that this is the sort of thing you just have to try for yourself. It really doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. This is about your sound.

This is about the easiest and cheapest mod you'll ever do, so try it and see how you like it. If you hate it you can change it back in two minutes.

**Mz2250** · 08-11-2016, 05:13 AM

First I must thank you all for your replies , I didn't expect so many answer for such a simple topic, and thank you tim to join in , def I must try both because personal experience is always the best way to make a decision , but I would keep in mind your reviews and experiences , what makes me think about this topic is that I am accustomed to my archtop (Ti swing flats 12's wound G) and I need to tale my tele to apmy liuther for a setup, so I will chose which set to use first and which one later.
Thank you !

**cbayview** · 08-11-2016, 02:03 PM

You really can't go wrong with the Fender Telecaster. I found a great place that breaks down all of the great qualities of the telecaster, and compares it to other comparable guitars on the market as well. You can check it out here: Best Electric Guitars 2016 | Crush Reviews

**Mz2250** · 08-11-2016, 02:29 PM

Nice link, I'm really biased but I think tele is the most versatile guitar, I've an archtop but I always go back to tele, it's rough and unperfect compared to some fine quality archtop but it's all there , shiny trebles when you want and sweet mellow creamy tones when you need that type of sound

**Boston Joe** · 08-11-2016, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by cbayview

You really can't go wrong with the Fender Telecaster. I found a great place that breaks down all of the great qualities of the telecaster, and compares it to other comparable guitars on the market as well. You can check it out here: Best Electric Guitars 2016 | Crush Reviews

That wasn't really an apples-to-apples comparison.

**Cunamara** · 08-11-2016, 07:35 PM

One of the Pyramid roundwound nickel sets come with both a round and plain G, so that would make t easy to compare.

**Mz2250** · 08-11-2016, 08:32 PM

really? I have to search that set, thank you very much !

**cbayview** · 08-11-2016, 08:39 PM

What would you recommend a good comparison would be to the Fender Tele? Which other guitars would you consider to be in the same caliber. Just curious, will be in the market for a new guitar soon myself and want to start the research process. Thanks!