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11-21-2015, 07:41 AM #1Dutchbopper Guest
A few months ago TI sent me a few packs of TI Jazz Swings to test and review on my Blog. I strung all my guitars with them and have been playing them ever since.
So now it's time for that review. No doubt in my mind that TI's provide superior playablity. With less tension (a 0.13 TI set equals the string tension of a 0.12 set of Chromes) they feel extremely comfortable and are a joy to play.
Prior to my convesrion to TI's I had been using d'Addario Chromes to great satisfaction for about 20 years. I still think Chromes are fine guitar strings. I do believe the "feel" and playbility of TIs are better.
Now to a sound comparison. I'm not sure there. Frankly, I don't perceive that much difference in sound. So I asked my FB buddies about this and to my surprise the opinions were completely contradictory. Some said they sounded the same, others said TIs sounded warmer whereas others stated Chromes sounded mellower. No consensus at all among a number of very experienced players.
What do you think? What is the difference in sound? Is there any?
DB
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11-21-2015 07:41 AM
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+1 on playability. I also like the TI's better. To me they sound more mellow than the chromes, but both are fine sounding strings.
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I just put TI, JS112 strings on two guitars. (An Eastman AR503CE and a Benedetto Bravo). I believe having the same string set on both guitars would put me in a better position to compare guitars.
I just changed the strings on the Eastman from the JS113 to JS112. I think that gave me more sustain.
It's been a while since I played chromes. When I did bought the 11 set and then changed the top two strings to 12 and 16.
Over the past year I have tried the Pyramid nickel round core string and also the GHS900 set. In my opinion the Pyramid, GHS, and TI, sound drastically different. I am getting to the point where I think it's futile to try to compare tone and sustain of two different guitars when they have different string sets.
After using the GHS flats, the TI strings really sound bright. I did note that the TI sets seem to be good from an intonation point of view with my ebony archtop saddles.
I think TI should put the chenille/silk wrap on the plain strings at the ball end. I actually wrapped mine with dental floss. I have come to the conclusion that many archtop guitars benefit from this and have seen this eliminate unwanted noise generated at the tailpiece. (I am convinced with some tailpieces there may be a slight gap that opens and closes when the string is played).
Danielle
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I've used both and find that the pickup type has the biggest influence on the overall tone from each ...
P90 and Charlie Christian i.e. single coil, the TI's are slightly mellower, but clearer string to string than the Chromes.
Humbuckers, I find the chromes a little dull compared to the Ti's
Suspect its all to do with the amount of pickup magnet and string core diameter.
Overall I prefer the Ti's playability and the little extra sustain they give, have moved all my guitars on to them.
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To my ears the TI are closer to a round wound sound wise than chromes. Nickle to me has a more complex overtones compared to the stainless. You probably don't notice this nuance plugged up. Play the guitar acoustically and it should become more evident to you...
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To me the TI sounds "deader" out of the package which is what I like.
With the Chromes, it needed a couple weeks before they lost that perceived brightness and become to my taste.
I truly love the mellow tone of the TI and they definitely are much more comfortable to play tension wise.
Contrary to what I had expected, I even prefer the lighter JS112 over the JS113 on my Tal.Last edited by vinlander; 11-21-2015 at 09:28 AM.
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The string gauges are different starting at the "G" string:
TI JS 13's : 13-17-21-28-39-53
D'Addario Chromes:
13-17-26-35-45-56
Lighter strings...."easier" to play...less tension...greater possibility of intonation issues IMO.
I played TI's for over 10 yrs, father uses their violin strings, but switched back to chromes due to availability, price, and the fact I prefer thicker strings on ballads. My sound perception is that once the strings are "broken-in" they sound very similar in "warmth"...IMO.
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I use Chromes. Have used TIs too, but only once. They lasted a long, long time, which is a plus, but it's not like--to me--they were night-and-day better than Chromes, which cost only half as much.
I'd be willing to test TIs again if they sent me some, but I don't see that happening, and I have a few sets of Chromes at hand, so it looks like it's them and me for a couple more years....
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Swing TI are more friendly strings...;-)
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thomastiks are pure nickel. which means way less magnetic output than usa stainless steel flats..ie chromes...in addition thoms use thinner cores and double wrap nickel outer...so even the inner steel core has less output...
mellower tone
having said that, the material of the string can be somewhat compensated for by judicious tweaking of pickup (and polepiece) height
cheers
ps- i always thought chromes were the brightest of flats..the perfect crossover for people coming from roundwounds
my fave usa flats are both now defunct...d'aquistos and fenders (when they were made by fender...now d'addario makes them..same as chromes)Last edited by neatomic; 11-21-2015 at 12:38 PM. Reason: ps-
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I've never used TI flats only their semi-flat Bebops so that is what I'm comparing. I've used a few sets of TI Bebops and they are nice, but what DutchBopper likes I dislike and that is the tension of the TI strings. I like higher tension strings so I go up a gauge when I use TI strings. Sound the TI's are mellower sound, but over I like the brightness of the Chromes especially after the initial zing wears off. Then price TI's are getting too expensive for me so when I use flatwounds now I use Chromes.
Next time I change flatwounds (I mainly use roundwounds) I want to try LaBella's. I've been using LaBella round wounds for last year and half and like them and price is great. LaBella flatwound bass strings are great so time to check the guitar strings.
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I have used Chromes for several years and only recently started using TI Swings. The tension feel is indeed notably less on TI's than Chromes of approximate equivalent set. Yes, there are gauge differences string to string. There is also a feel difference. The finish of the TI's are finer feeling. That isn't to say I have been unhappy with Chromes. Not at all. I still think they are great strings.
Sound wise, I like them both but what stood out the most to me is there is something to the sound of the plain strings of the TI sets that I really, really dig.
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I've used both, I stick with Chrome because I can get them easily in a pinch, as opposed to ordering and waiting for TI's.
The TI's were great though, just not worth the extra cost/lack of convenience to me. I agree with Dick's assessment, felt great, couldn't tell much of a difference sound wise.
I happen to think Chrome feel great too.
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I prefer the string gauge balance from one string to the next with the TI's. No big gaps, much nicer feeling. Flat .011's for me.
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I find string choices to be instrument specific-both use flatwounds. My two main working guitars are a Bob built Cremona and a Pisano 880.
The Benedetto does fantastic with LaBella 13's or TI 13's, with a slight edge to the TI's as far as the tone I look for from that guitar. I tried Chrome 12's on it and although I'm a big fan of those and have used them for a long time, they just didn't bring out the best in that guitar. Also, I found six sets of TI 13's in a clearance bin at a local GC for 10 bucks a set, bought all of them. I have two sets left plus a fresh set on the Cremona. My understanding is that La Bella was the string of choice for Bob around the time my BC was built and they work super on it-my second choice.
The Pisano, however, after going through just about everything on the market, thrives on Chrome 12's. I was told that DA was the string of choice for the Eastman shop.
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I slightly prefer the Chromes over the TI swings, but much prefer the price and availability.
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So true strings should be more guitar specific than player centric if tone is the main objective.
I used to think the heavier the better but don't think this way anymore and not only of my golfer elbow condition I had developed with 15 gauge on a 25.5 scale guitar.
Maybe there is a sweet spot for each guitar where the downward pressure at the bridge created by tension will open it.
Too much and it might be chocked, not enough and it will not give all...
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As per usual, opinions are all over the map.
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The 3rd-5th wounds in both Thomastik Infeld 13-53 sets (JS & Bebops) felt more like 11s to me and I just couldn't get used to them, which is a shame because the Swings especially are a fine string. Have never been able to fathom why they don't at least offer sets with more conventional gauges, which probably date back to the old Black Diamonds, or before, though I wasn't playing guitar then.
Maybe the current Pyramid Gold "True Vintage" set reflects tradition: 013-018-026w-036w-047w-056w.
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I have used both, and find little difference in sound for gig purposes, although if you tried hard you can hear a difference if playing alone. I prefer the tension of TI swing 12s to Chrome 11s with a 12 on top. I got into TIs when I was using CC equipped guitars about 10 years ago, and found that they gave a much better balance over the non-adjustable blade, and have carried on using them long after the CCs have gone.
Another aspect is that the ( HB neck) pickup needs the bass/treble adjusting when changing over, as the Chromes have a considerably stronger magnetic signal, even comparing 11s ( chrome) with TI 12s - so, that's an incentive to stick with one brand.
Finally, what certainly helps is that, in europe, we can bulk order TIs from Thomann at an equivalent or less price that Chromes. Not sure I'd pay a 50% premium for them, though..
Haven't found any real difference in the time they respectively last; both brands get dull after 3/4 hours of gig playing, and then stay stable for months afterwards
So, I'd say the biggest differences are price ( for many) and overall string/ output balance, rather than tone. They're both mellow/ dead/ thunky/ choose your preferred adjective.
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Seems like most agree that both are good strings. Prefer chromes myself - TI were too mellow for me. If I were to try them again, I would go up a guage.
Originally Posted by Marty Grass
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As per usual, opinions are all over the map.
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Danielle,
Did you see my comment in a separate thread re-TI v.Chromes here.......................
TIs - silk (?) windings - diameter issue
I love TIs and have never minded paying the extra, partly due to the reduced tension over eg. Chromes. However, a recurring practical problem sometimes is passing the string through the metal tailpiece on both my Ibanez AFJ95 and Peerless Renaissance Custom due to the excessive amount of red (silk? ) winding at the ball ends. Short of drilling out the tailpiece, not sure what to do except attempt to draw the string through using pliers with a consequent risk of damage to the string.
BTW, I see from my other thread that I am not supposed to be spending time here!
Bananafist. Cannot be specific re-post Peerless models, more as soon as I have it I
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TI are my favourite strings. I have Plectrum on some guitars, Bebop or Swing on others. I sometimes use Newtone Archtop too. Maybe in my case it's just brand fidelity. I used TI Spirocore when I played upright bass 20 years ago. I've also used TI on mandolin, tenor guitar, and and on my daughters' violins when they took lessons.
In regards to Swing vs. Chrome, I prefer the feel, balance and sound of the Swing. I wish they were in the price range of the Chrome though, but that's ok. I buy a few sets when I find a good deal.
Thanks, Franz, for the tip on Thomann. Maybe I will check into ordering them from Europe and see if the savings are worth it.
When I got my 1953 L-4C a few years ago, there was a box of Mapes strings in the case compartment. Maybe their gauge "reflects tradition". Originally Posted by Peter C
I used my caliper to measure the strings as follow: .013 - .016 - .027 - .036 - .048 - .057.
Pretty close to the gauge you mention for Pyramid.
I have boxes of even older Bell Brand strings. I should measure them and compare.
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Are you sure you need to pass the string through the tailpiece on the AFJ95? With some tailpieces there's a slot that allows you to hook the ball end in place and then slide the ball forward without having to pass the entire string through the tailpiece. Using that method the only part that touches the tailpiece during installation is a tiny portion near the ball end. That part near the ball end is easier to slide into place then the part that is wrapped with silk. Had a little trouble with a Benedetto Bravo string installation (low E only) and ended up scraping a little bit of the silk off the string. Originally Posted by blackcat
Danielle,
Did you see my comment in a separate thread re-TI v.Chromes here.......................
TIs - silk (?) windings - diameter issue
I love TIs and have never minded paying the extra, partly due to the reduced tension over eg. Chromes. However, a recurring practical problem sometimes is passing the string through the metal tailpiece on both my Ibanez AFJ95 and Peerless Renaissance Custom due to the excessive amount of red (silk? ) winding at the ball ends. Short of drilling out the tailpiece, not sure what to do except attempt to draw the string through using pliers with a consequent risk of damage to the string.
BTW, I see from my other thread that I am not supposed to be spending time here!
Bananafist. Cannot be specific re-post Peerless models, more as soon as I have it I
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