New Strings

[Brad Little]

Just put a set of George Benson TI Flatwound .014s on my Artist Award. They're probably the first flatwounds I've used in at least 35 years, maybe more. The only time I'm sure I used them was in 1965-66 when I had a Hagstrom solid body, didn't like them. I may have tried them when I had my 40s Epi Zephyr Deluxe Regent, but that was traded away in '75.
Anyhow, I was using PB roundwounds (I use it mostly as an acoustic rhythm guitar) and generally like these little better. However, the low "E" string sounds dead compared to the other strings, at leas when played by itself. When played in full chords, the balance is good, so I wonder if it's intentional to keep it from standing out in a crowd, so to speak. I have used the GB .012 round wounds on my Guild X-170 and didn't notice a similar trait. Before I change out this string for another (I have spares for all the wound ones), I thought I'd see if anybody else has had a similar experience.
Brad

 

[kitniyatran]

I haven't used those, but I've tried & checked specs on other TI's, & wouldn't be surprised if your theory of intent is correct, given how that company does things. :?:

 

[rwmol]

Brad. Thanks for starting this thread.

I have quite a bit of experience with this set of strings. I haven't noticed a balance problem with the low E but have experienced a major problem with G. I have two Guilds and have used these strings on both guitars. The G string problem appears on both. After about two months, of what I would call constant play, the G string "wears"" out. By this, I mean, the outer winding wears completly through to the inner wire all the way up the neck in my playing range. I emailed Thomastik about the problem and they request me to return the string for inspection. Keep in mind I do no bending in my playing.

They returned a replacement string (not a full set?) and thanked me for my concern. Of course, the replacement string did the same thing. I emailed them again asking if anything had been done and the responder said he would have the technical department get back to me. Never heard another word. That was about 8 months ago.

I've tried Chromes. They were OK, but had problems with intonation. I'm presently using GHS Pression Flat wounds 13s. I've had no wear problems but a bit too thin for me. I recently ordered a set of TI BB113s. They are the same size as the GHS. Just thought I'd give them a try.

The cons with the TI GBs. Great tone, feel and intonation. I'd like to hear back from you after you've had these on for a number of months and get your feedback on the wear.

Good luck.

Randy

 

[fws6]

IMO different guitars like different strings

On my 1953 Deluxe Regent (the L5 killer ;-0 8) ) I initially used bronzes but they didnt work well with the DeArmond 1100 floating pickup.

Then I tried TI flatwounds, and also DA Chromes but hated them. All volume gone, flatwounds are better suited for laminated electric jazzers I guess. On my X500 they are fine but on a fully acoustic carved top they are not brining out the sound of the guitar well.

Then up next were the TI George Bensons which also stunk as they were too weak in the middle (the set uses a relatively thing D and G)

Finally I had DAddario J22's on it - the cheapest string of them all and it just sounds killer !!! Acoustically as well as through the DeArmond. I am sticking with those from now on !!!

Funny thing is that I had used the Benson's so short that I decided to recycle them - usually I throw used strings away but afterall these were practically new and a $22 string set. I put em on my 53 Triumph which is very loud and chunky guitar by nature. And on that one the Bensons sound great. The guitar is more balanced now and sounds better than ever.

So, in conclusion noone can tell you what to do. If you have a 5k (or more) guitar like that it is well worth buying half a dozen different sets and trying them out for a week each. Different guitars like different strings indeed

 

[Brad Little]

IMO different guitars like different strings
If you have a 5k (or more) guitar like that it is well worth buying half a dozen different sets and trying them out for a week each. Different guitars like different strings indeed

I agree. My problem is not the expense of buying different sets but the time it takes to change them. I hate taking even 20 -30 minutes away from my playing time, limited as it is. I'll have to look, but I may have a set of the J-22s around. I know I have at least one set of D'Addario electric strings. I also have at least one set of the LaBella black tape wound .014s I might try. I really liked them on my X-170, especially for fingerstyle stuff. They did take a while to wear in because the windings on the ball end need to wear off before they seat properly in the Guild tailpiece.

 

[Walter Broes]

Frank, ever tried pure nickel wound roundwounds instead of nickel plated steel? I'm thinking of trying some for my DeArmond-equipped Starfire - Billy Zoom over on the GDP commented that nickel plated steels weren't even around when these pickups were designed, and that the steels are too bright for them. Makes enough sense to try a set IMO.

 

[fws6]

I think the George Benson's are pure nickel roundwounds (I didnt use the Benson flatwound)

I also recently bought a box of Tomastik bebop roundwounds but havent tried them on yet.