More thomastik problems (JS112 set)

**ThatRhythmMan** · 07-02-2018, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Jack,

I'm still working off of my stock of existing inventory of GB112, JS113, and JS111 strings--so I won't run into the improperly ground strings for a bit, yet. (My inventory was purchased a couple of years ago, so it presumably was manufactured prior to the newer, flakier stuff.)

You have me anxious, though, about the newer stuff. I guess I'll cross that road in a year or two.

I’ve strung at least 30 sets of JS112 and JS113 sets in the last two years, some sets ordered within the last 2 months. I had one G string break at the tuner which was probably my fault, as I tried stringing it past the silk winding. Otherwise, I haven’t had any complaints. They’ve all been perfectly smooth.

**Ray175** · 07-03-2018, 03:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mortimer

Hi

If you're in europe maybe you should give Newtone strings a try (check their website, they're selling direct), very good strings for archtops (even 7 strings)

I tried Newtone strings last year and, whilst I loved the sound, the wound strings felt very "sticky" under my fretting fingers, particularly on portamento moves - couldn't get used to it so moved to Pyramid Gold Vintage and haven't looked back.

**MrGiraffe** · 07-03-2018, 04:28 AM

I just put a set on my main and the E and G are a bit rough. Plus the E would barely fit through the tailpeice. The sound great though. I hope they sort this issue out soon:/ I don’t want to travel 30 minutes on the Tokyo trains to try different sets.

**Greentone** · 07-03-2018, 02:59 PM

Jack,

I just replaced a set of Chromes on my Memphis EL300 (same guitar as the Aria Pro II PE 180) with the most recently acquired set of TI JS113 strings--to see if it had the newer brass colored E and B strings.

Sure enough, this set had the brass colored strings. I was careful in stringing up the strings--don't want to damage the windings at the silk. I played a practice session with the strings. Result (so far): other than the weird fact that the first two strings are brass/gold colored, the strings seem like going home, to me. (I had put the Chromes on a while back because they were in the case pocket of that guitar and I was using it for a gig.) Same, relaxed tension of the TI 13 gauge Jazz Swing set, relative to the Chromes set. Same nice sound.

And, the TI strings tune and hold pitch relatively well right out of the plastic container, without a lot of stretching. So far, they seem about like the other JS sets I have on hand.

**entresz** · 07-06-2018, 12:57 AM

I've been using the JS112 and 113 sets for a long, long time now. I tend to try different strings every so often but I keep coming back to the TI JS sets.
The only thing I notice with these is the B and E strings after a couple weeks of use start to buzz a little against the frets. It's not major fret buzz , but just slight. When they are new, no buzz at all. Does anyone else experience this with the TI strings?

**Greentone** · 07-06-2018, 05:06 AM

No. No buzzing. I can report that the G string on this JS113 set is a bit coarse, as Jack described.

**DanielleOM** · 07-09-2018, 06:57 AM

I am a little disappointed after having frets releveled on a guitar. I have the JS112 set on the guitar. I am finding the 4th string seems to rattle / buzz much sooner than the other strings. I am starting to wonder it that string is just too light for an acoustic archtop that begs to be driven hard with real energy. Frets 4, 5, and 6 seem to be the worse. (I had the same problem before the releveling.) I plan to buy some digital tools so that I can more accurately compare guitars with same action and relief.

**jzucker** · 07-09-2018, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by DanielleOM

I am a little disappointed after having frets releveled on a guitar. I have the JS112 set on the guitar. I am finding the 4th string seems to rattle / buzz much sooner than the other strings. I am starting to wonder it that string is just too light for an acoustic archtop that begs to be driven hard with real energy. Frets 4, 5, and 6 seem to be the worse. (I had the same problem before the releveling.) I plan to buy some digital tools so that I can more accurately compare guitars with same action and relief.

i have no buzzing on the barney kessel with JS112 strings on it but the strings are from 2 years ago. I never had problems with buzzing on that instrument. My guess is that your guitar's fingerboard needs a proper level

**skiboyny** · 07-09-2018, 07:27 AM

Sounds like you need a little bit more relief. Loosen the truss just a little.

Originally Posted by DanielleOM

I am a little disappointed after having frets releveled on a guitar. I have the JS112 set on the guitar. I am finding the 4th string seems to rattle / buzz much sooner than the other strings. I am starting to wonder it that string is just too light for an acoustic archtop that begs to be driven hard with real energy. Frets 4, 5, and 6 seem to be the worse. (I had the same problem before the releveling.) I plan to buy some digital tools so that I can more accurately compare guitars with same action and relief.

**DanielleOM** · 07-09-2018, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

i have no buzzing on the barney kessel with JS112 strings on it but the strings are from 2 years ago. I never had problems with buzzing on that instrument. My guess is that your guitar's fingerboard needs a proper level

Having just paid what I consider to be a substantial sum for leveling, I hope it does not need another level job. I am having trouble understanding this myself. I pointed out my concern before leaving the shop and the luthier was not able to spot a problem.

However, I am suspecting even with a good leveling job, some frets will be more sensitive than others if you really push things.

**DanielleOM** · 07-09-2018, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

Sounds like you need a little bit more relief. Loosen the truss just a little.

The guitar does seem to have more relief than my other guitars and I don't want to get overboard with this. The problem only occurs with that 4th string. Luthier said that the bridge radius looked OK.

FYI, I have about 5/64 12 fret action on 6th string and slightly less than that on the 1st string. It was substantially less than that when I left the luthier. He had given it more of an electric setup. Thought I would try that but I find it very difficult play that guitar with a light touch.

Danielle

**patshep** · 07-09-2018, 10:17 AM

I don't get the money people spend on those, I use rounds, but D'addario have always done great, never had a problem and they are cheap

**skiboyny** · 07-09-2018, 11:57 AM

If your guy didn't get the neck straight when he leveled the frets that would explain it. Just guessing of course. Have your ruled out the string itself?

Originally Posted by DanielleOM

The guitar does seem to have more relief than my other guitars and I don't want to get overboard with this. The problem only occurs with that 4th string. Luthier said that the bridge radius looked OK.

FYI, I have about 5/64 12 fret action on 6th string and slightly less than that on the 1st string. It was substantially less than that when I left the luthier. He had given it more of an electric setup. Thought I would try that but I find it very difficult play that guitar with a light touch.

Danielle

**DanielleOM** · 07-09-2018, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

If your guy didn't get the neck straight when he leveled the frets that would explain it. Just guessing of course. Have your ruled out the string itself?

By "ruled out", do you mean measure string height at each fret going up the neck? (I would never be able to do that with the tools I have here at the moment.)

**jzucker** · 07-09-2018, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

Sounds like you need a little bit more relief. Loosen the truss just a little.

how is relief going to help one string buzzing?

**jzucker** · 07-09-2018, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by patshep

I don't get the money people spend on those, I use rounds, but D'addario have always done great, never had a problem and they are cheap

The TIs sound great, have very low tension and have a very vintagey tone. Or at least they used to. Last set I bought was super bright, brighter than the chromes. The chrome .011 strings with a .012/.016 have way more tension than the TI JS112 set

**skiboyny** · 07-09-2018, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

how is relief going to help one string buzzing?

This seems like a silly question. If the neck is too straight or perhaps heading towards back bow a string could buzz. Frets and necks are seldom perfect a bit of relief could help.

**skiboyny** · 07-09-2018, 08:55 PM

I simply meant ruled out bad string. Manufacture defect or slight kink in it.

Originally Posted by DanielleOM

By "ruled out", do you mean measure string height at each fret going up the neck? (I would never be able to do that with the tools I have here at the moment.)

**oldane** · 07-11-2018, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by patshep

I don't get the money people spend on those, I use rounds, but D'addario have always done great, never had a problem and they are cheap

In US yes. In Europe the prices are more level.

Sendt fra min SM-T810 med Tapatalk

**jzucker** · 07-12-2018, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

This seems like a silly question. If the neck is too straight or perhaps heading towards back bow a string could buzz. Frets and necks are seldom perfect a bit of relief could help.

I have to say in my entire 45+ years of playing guitar, I've never seen neck relief issues that targeted buzzing on only a single string.

**skiboyny** · 07-12-2018, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

I have to say in my entire 45+ years of playing guitar, I've never seen neck relief issues that targeted buzzing on only a single string.

Guess you just learned something. Seems you are overdue.

**jzucker** · 07-12-2018, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

Guess you just learned something. Seems you are overdue.

Yeah, i guess next time I adjust a guitar with 6 individual truss rods, i'll probably get it.

**Dennis D** · 07-12-2018, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

In US yes. In Europe the prices are more level.

The prices of TI's vs Chromes may indeed be more level in Europe, but TI still dictates the gauges you get
( always lesser in strings 3 through 4 / 5), and restricts the string position in which you can use them.

So, if you prefer Chromes or Pyramid Gold's, or pretty much the industry standard gauges 12 /52 & 13/56, TI doesn't offer the same gauges. And while they say you can buy individual flats and make up sets, their
' G ' has to be a 'G ', ' D ' has to be ' D ', etc.

So, just MHO, give me what I use, and I'll consider paying a premium, but if I have to pay extra and still not get what I'm used to, i.e. what the rest of industry provides, then never mind.

**sgosnell** · 07-12-2018, 10:42 AM

How do they enforce that policy? If I put a D in the G position on my guitar, will their police appear at the door?

**Dennis D** · 07-12-2018, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

How do they enforce that policy? If I put a D in the G position on my guitar, will their police appear at the door?

Well, I must've gotten lucky - no one showed up at the door. But, after 2 strings broke, I didn't try it again.

But I got the message, and I promise I haven't done it since.