Strings

[tbrosnan]

Hi Guys -

Any advice or recommendations on "jazzier" strings? I've been a rock and blues player for a long time so it's been a lot of Fender Bullets and Ernie Ball Super Slinky's but looking to get a nice Wes Montgomery / Tal Farlow type of sound out of my Heritage Eagle.

Thanks in advance!

Tim

[iim7v7im7]

Hi Guys -

Any advice or recommendations on "jazzier" strings? I've been a rock and blues player for a long time so it's been a lot of Fender Bullets and Ernie Ball Super Slinky's but looking to get a nice Wes Montgomery / Tal Farlow type of sound out of my Heritage Eagle.

Thanks in advance!

Tim

 

Hi,

Try a set of these Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swings or these Thomastik Inffeld George Benson Flat Wounds if you prefer a wound G string. These are what I use on my Sweet 16 for straight ahead jazz and chord melody. Also, if you have a tone knob, roll it down a tad.

Good Luck,

 

Bob

[DC Ron]

Hi,

Try a set of these Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swings or these Thomastik Inffeld George Benson Flat Wounds if you prefer a wound G string. These are what I use on my Sweet 16 for straight ahead jazz and chord melody. Also, if you have a tone knob, roll it down a tad.

Good Luck,

 

Bob

 

+1 for TI's. Pricier but worth it. Red wrap on the peghead end is kind of cool, too.

[Gitfiddler]

Another option, especially since you are transitioning from light gauge rocknroll strings, is to try a set of D'Addario XL 'Half Rounds' Jazz Light. (12,16,34w,32,42,52)

[cod65]

I was a 'rocker' too. I play now with my fingers mostly, light flatwound Chromes. I dig it. They are cheap compared to Thomastic, if you are intersted in experimenting. I have them on all my guitars. Going to a heavier string (from my rock days of 'superslinky' ) has been a relevation. I never really realized that superthin strings = thin tone.

[DC Ron]

Another option, especially since you are transitioning from light gauge rocknroll strings, is to try a set of D'Addario XL 'Half Rounds' Jazz Light. (12,16,34w,32,42,52)

 

Rats! +1 on half rounds, too. Use them mostly on semi-hollowbodies but possibly just the ticket for the transition.

[tbrosnan]

Thanks all for the input. It's going to be fun experimenting.

 

On the D'Addarios mentioned, the 3rd string (34W) is thicker than the 4th string (32). I don't think I've ever seen that before (but it could be that I wasn't paying attention).

[peteraltongreen]

Hi There,

I've been through the string mill,and on archtops I find that .012" or .013" are great .I use mostly Ernie Ball or Rotosound. Make sure they have a wound third string.They make the arched top move,so the sound comes out.If you listen to Joe Pass's 'Virtuoso' albums,very little of the electric sound was used.Most of the bebop players went through an amp,and this is what was recorded.Wes Montgomery,rumour has it,would not play his guitar without it plugged into and amp.You will find that if a guitar is properly set up,they are still easy to play.The difficulty is in bending the strings.If you listen to George Benson bending a semi tone sometimes just doesn't quite make it. His first string is a .014",Thomas Infeldt from Austria.

D'Addario Chromes are another great option.They remain bright in their sound,but finger noise is greatly reduced.If you like Carl Kress,Dick McDonough acoustic style jazz,then round wound,as heavy as you can stand.I use .012" Rotosound Bronze acoustic strings on my non-electric Hofner 'President'. Have fun with your great guitar.

Peter Alton Green ( U.K.)

[Gitfiddler]

Thanks all for the input. It's going to be fun experimenting.

 

On the D'Addarios mentioned, the 3rd string (34W) is thicker than the 4th string (32). I don't think I've ever seen that before (but it could be that I wasn't paying attention).

 

Tim, Sorry for the errorneous info on the third string. I meant to type: 12, 16, 24w, 32, 42, 52.

 

Next time I better pay more attention!