Thumb players and string choices......

[DMgolf66]

Just curious as to what strings guys use on their archtops and who play only with their thumb instead of a pick. I saw that video where Jim Mullin mentions he uses round wounds because he says the sound with his thumb is too mellow on flats.

Did Wes use flats?

I have an ES-125 with D'addario Half-rounds on it and a Guild X-700 with .12 Chromes. I'm pretty new to all of this and like I said was curious to know what strings you choose and why.

Thanks in advance!!!

[mr. beaumont]

I assume used flats, because he did so much sliding and you never hear string squeaks.

I also think that most people don't realize how bright Wes' tone was set...probably would have sounded like an ice pick with a plectrum.

[DMgolf66]

I assume used flats, because he did so much sliding and you never hear string squeaks.

I also think that most people don't realize how bright Wes' tone was set...probably would have sounded like an ice pick with a plectrum.

Good point!

I've noticed Joe Pass in some of his later videos going back and forth between pick and thumb/fingers and I can't really tell the difference in sound. Jeebus, when I grab a pick it sounds like night and day the difference.

Any thumb players out there?

[Glenn Jennings]

Howdy I use thumb nearly all the time as I lke the more mellow sound. I seem to have more control over the sound I get this way than with a pick.

I use Elixir 11-52 Phosphor bronze on my Jay wood custom archtop and have just put Elixir 12-53, 80-20 bronze I think from memory on A Hofner 459 I have just restored. Both sound pretty good I think with the 80-20 being a bit brighter. These strings have a nanoweb coating and are quite smooth to play and produce a lot less string squeak noise than other types I have tried.

They are probably worth a try. Hope this helps.

Cheers Glenn

[hot ford coupe]

I play with thumb and fingers. I use strictly flats, either TI 12s or D'Addario 12s. If I use round wounds, I get too much finger squeaking. My Amp is an Ampeg J20 Jet and I use a graphic equalizer to smooth out the sound where I need to.

[archtopeddy]

I use my thumb 90 percent of time and I like Elixir nanowebs too -- mostly for acoustic guitars and fingerpicking. For my electric archtops and solid body guitars, I stick with various steel strings, both flat and roundwounds. I've been playing with my thumb for so long I don't really think about the strings too much.

[cosmic gumbo]

I like roundwounds for playing with my thumb.

Wes used Gibson HiFi Flatwound strings on his guitars going from 014 to 058.

[Alter]

I tend to sound darkish when playing with a pick, so i never had problems switching, thumb pick or fingers. If there is too much of a difference maybe choose a pick that produces a mellower sound? Material or tip design. Also the angle and way one picks can make the sound much mellower.

Regarding strings, i use all styles. It is the pick that gives me problems with rounds sometimes. Flats are easier for me, and so is the thumb, which i feel makes for the best sound overall.

[oldane]

As for Wes, he was said to use Gibson "Hi-Fi" 14-56 nickel flatwounds (out of production for many years). I used them for a while in the 1970s on my 175 when I bought a whole box for the price of one set from a local dealer where they had been collecting dust for some years (it was in the days when strings couldn't get skinny enough). They were not unlike TI Benson 14-55 though not as accurately made as those.

[lammie200]

I use TI Jazz 12's substituting Ernie Ball 13's and 17's on top.

[Dennis D]

I thought I'd read somewhere - - (here ? ) that WM used Labella flats. There were not a lot of choices for flats back then. I remember using them back in the day and also remember that they were sort of dead even when new.
Just MHO, and trusting my memory, such as it is.

[rmpmcdermott]

I thought I'd read somewhere - - (here ? ) that WM used Labella flats. There were not a lot of choices for flats back then. I remember using them back in the day and also remember that they were sort of dead even when new.
Just MHO, and trusting my memory, such as it is.

The info here confirms Gibson HiFi flats.

Famous Jazz Guitarists and Their Guitar Gear

[Cunamara]

John Abercrombie used extremely light strings, like 9s or something.

[P.J.]

John Abercrombie used extremely light strings, like 9s or something.

John's action was also really low so he could hammer on really easily. I miss him.

[zdub]

I only play fingerstyle, never use a pick. Haven't found any rule of thumb (!) regarding strings because everything depends on the piece, how much sliding one does, the attack, etc. Plus so much on the amp, pickup, effects, etc.

While flat wounds do squeak less, I have come to accept some squeaking as a result of classical guitar where it simply can't be avoided at times, at least judging by recordings of world-class guitarists (if a particular piece results in TOO much squeaking then I'll adjust my technique.) And some pieces actually call for squeak! I do prefer flat wounds for a "darker" (mellower?) sound but it isn't "better".

You also have to consider whether you are a string bender and prefer lighter gauges, if you like the feel of coated strings, if you have sweaty hands and need to replace strings more often, etc.

[archtopeddy]

I have come to accept some squeaking as a result of classical guitar

With regard to classical guitar strings... (Sorry for being slightly off topic here) but have you tried D'Addario EJ51 Pro-Arte Semi Polished Basses Hard Tension Classical Guitar Strings? Kinda costly (around $28), but they really helped to to limit squeaking on my Taylor nylon string guitar.

[zdub]

With regard to classical guitar strings... (Sorry for being slightly off topic here) but have you tried D'Addario EJ51 Pro-Arte Semi Polished Basses Hard Tension Classical Guitar Strings? Kinda costly (around $28), but they really helped to to limit squeaking on my Taylor nylon string guitar.

I've been using the regular old Pro-Arte EJ45 and am pretty happy. Thought, squeak doesn't bother me enough to spend 3x the price on the EJ51 but after your recommendation I looked at Amazon and the very first review mentioned that he uses a Takamine TC132SC classical guitar which just so happens to be my main nylon instrument. So serendipity, I guess, and I'll treat myself to a set! (Never spent so much on a set of strings before...)

(update: picked up a set for $21 on eBay)

[archtopeddy]

I've been using the regular old Pro-Arte EJ45 and am pretty happy. Thought, squeak doesn't bother me enough to spend 3x the price on the EJ51 but after your recommendation I looked at Amazon and the very first review mentioned that he uses a Takamine TC132SC classical guitar which just so happens to be my main nylon instrument. So serendipity, I guess, and I'll treat myself to a set! (Never spent so much on a set of strings before...)

(update: picked up a set for $21 on eBay)

Thanks for the update and eBay tip. I picked up a spare set myself. I hope you like 'em.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Sign me up for liking the mellower sound of flat wounds with finger-style playing. My favourites are the La Bella nylon tape wounds (the 14s) -- can't get mellower than them! Its big E (67 gauge) sounds great played with yer thumb.