Which Flatwounds....?

[Skip Ellis]

Finished this awhile back and put my normal 10-46 GHS Burnished Rockers on it but feel like I need to go heavier. Not sure I'm ready to spring the $$$ for Thomastik but I'll listen to suggestions. Using it for mostly chord melody; pickup is DiMarzio 36th Anniversary; 25.5" scale; 1-3/4" nut. Guitar is completely hollow with only a block under the bridge. Thoughts?

[ThatRhythmMan]

Thomastik, hands down, they are worth the extra expense.

[Hammertone]

Seems obvious - why not get try a heavier set of GHS Burnished Rockers?
BNR-M - BURNISHED NICKEL ROCKERS™ - Medium 011-050 | 011 | 014 | 018 | BNR28 | BNR38 | BNR50

MORE GHS NOT-FLATWOUNDS:

or try some other GHS sets that are related:
GHS Nickel Rockers - pure nickel wrap, rollerwound:
R+RMSETS - NICKEL ROCKERS™ - Medium 011-050 | 011 | 015 | 018 | N26 | N36 | N50
R+EJMSETS - NICKEL ROCKERS™ - Custom Medium | 011-052 | 011 | 014 | 019 | N28 | N40 | N52

GHS Nickel Rockers - pure nickel wrap, rollerwound, with a wound 3rd string:
1315SETS - NICKEL ROCKERS™ WOUND 3RD - Light 011-050 | 011 | 013 | N18 | N26 | N38 | N50
1400SETS - NICKEL ROCKERS™ WOUND 3RD - Medium Light 012-054 | 012 | 015 | N22 | N28 | N42 | N54
TM1500SETS - NICKEL ROCKERS™ WOUND 3RD - True Medium 013-056 | 013 | 017 | N24 | N32 | N42 | N56

[DanielleOM]

Thomastik, hands down, they are worth the extra expense.

I found I have too many guitars here to change the JS112 set out on a regular basis. I also found I was not fond of the TI plain strings. I think I have reduced by cost substantially by stocking up on single 3rd and 4th strings. I find it's obvious when those need changing as you can easily feel the wear from frets on the string. I find 3rd strings wear quickly. Not sure how often I will change the 5th and 6th strings. I think the biggest cost savings come when you stop experimenting with strings and settle for a set you like. I experimented with a lot of flatwound strings before ending up here. I used to like the SIT 12 - 50 flatwound set, but they discontinued it several years ago.

[Marty Grass]

TIs are the gold standard it seems. Pyramids with round cores are similar and a little cheaper. D'Addario Chromes are cheaper and pretty good. Rotosounds are less expensive and decent, too.

I also use Half Rounds from D'Addario and GHS Brite Flats. They feel a little rough at first but do sound more like a round wound. Prior to installing them I use about six strokes of fine sandpaper or the equivalent to smooth out the roughness on all sides. After installation if they still feel a little rough, I put a plastic fretboard protector under the strings and rub just the tops until acceptably smooth. All of this adds about 5 minutes to a string change. I got this idea from what I heard Johnny Smith used to do on his heavier round wounds. He put a Coke bottle under the strings and sanded some of the roughness off to prevent squeaks.

I keep a supply of 5th and 6th string replacements. They corrode. I don't find the differences in the various brands of these matter much.

Watch for sales.

[citizenk74]

I Like GHS Brite Flats. 12s should do nicely.

[kris]

Finished this awhile back and put my normal 10-46 GHS Burnished Rockers on it but feel like I need to go heavier. Not sure I'm ready to spring the $$$ for Thomastik but I'll listen to suggestions. Using it for mostly chord melody; pickup is DiMarzio 36th Anniversary; 25.5" scale; 1-3/4" nut. Guitar is completely hollow with only a block under the bridge. Thoughts?

Nice Tele.
I sugest D'Addario EXL115 Nickel Wound Blues-Jazz Rock 11-49.

Not expensive to try.
Best
Kris

[KirkP]

TI Swing strings are indeed excellent and expensive. But I’ve been happy with Rotosound RS200 Top Tape strings. They only come in one gauge though. Despite the marketing, I don’t think they are really monel.
Rotosound RS200 Top Tape

I only use them on one guitar though. Most of my electrics have D’Addario EJ21 roundwounds.

[fasteddie]

I know a lot of people here like the Thomastiks. I tried them and really didn’t like them. I prefer D’Addario Chromes. Also, my experience is the Chromes seem to last forever, and are less expensive. I only change the strings after 9 to 12 months, not really because I think it’s needed. I change them more so from feeling guilty for not.

[Litterick]

Lots of people here complain about their Thomastiks.

[deacon Mark]

Thomasticks too expensive and weird gages I cannot figure why they are like so much? Could be the player I am a little slow and clumsy on the neck but I am not paying them premium prices.

[John A.]

Thomasticks too expensive and weird gages I cannot figure why they are like so much? Could be the player I am a little slow and clumsy on the neck but I am not paying them premium prices.

There much less expensive in Europe than in the US. Vice versa for Chromes.

John

[L50EF15]

Chromes. Love them; they’re all I’ve used for at least 20 years. I use .12s on my Les Paul, .11s on my Tele, .13s on my L50. I even use them on my flattops.