Are These Guitar Strings Worth $30? A Flatwound Comparison
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing - amzn.to/3cJPzeN
D'Addario Chromes - amzn.to/2Sbqa4s
Today I compared two well-loved sets of flatwound jazz guitar strings from two different companies. Both sets were brand new and you'll hear identical playing samples set back to back so you can hopefully come to the best conclusion. I tried to limit as many variable as possible, from the microphone, mic placement, guitar pick, right hand position, etc. The D'Addario Chromes are a standard, and for $15 have been good enough for many players. For twice as much, Thomastik Infeld offers their own set - the Jazz Swing flatwounds. Are the TI's worth the money?
Free resources, lessons, Helix presets, & contact info - www.AlexPriceMusician.com
▶️ Highlights
0:00 - Introduction
2:10 - Acoustic comparison
3:10 - Electric comparison
4:20 - combined comparison
6:20 - Outro
#jazzguitar #flatwound
=================================
Hi! My name is Alex Price. I’m a professional musician based out of Pittsburgh, USA. I make a living between touring, performing on cruise ships, and while I’m home, teaching. Check out my new uploads every Tuesday and Friday for gear demos, lessons, and performance clips.
🎸 You can learn more about me at www.AlexPriceMusician.com 🎻
=================================
👨🏻💻 Store (Albums, Presets, etc.) - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/store
🎼 Lessons, Courses, and Free Resources - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/study
💰 Donate - www.paypal.me/AlexPriceMusician
If you’ve found value in this video, you are more than welcome to make a donation to help fund the channel. Drop a note and let me know how I can be of help in the future! I appreciate your support.
=================================
🎹 My Favorite Gear - amzn.com/shop/AlexanderPriceMusic :
| Pedals I Can’t Live Without - amzn.to/2W58t9e
| Strings & Picks - amzn.to/35un2qc
| Essentials for Your Music Studio - amzn.to/2Yz9qIB
| Essentials for Your Guitar Case - amzn.to/2W6MyPj
| Pedalboard Building Supplies - amzn.to/2KYdMB1
| Camera Equipment - amzn.to/2Yz97xG
[Affiliate Links]
=================================
🎛 Line 6 Helix / HX Stomp presets - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/helix
Use the coupon code TAKE5 to get $5 off any order over $20.
The presets I offer for download are the same presets that I personally use live. I've developed them over the course of hundreds of hours at home on my studio monitors and in empty venues testing them out on different professional sound systems. They've been developed and further refined throughout the 1,000+ shows I've played with my Helix unit and I know that they'll perform reliably for you on whatever device and amplification system you are using. Please explore all of the packages I have to offer and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
=================================
🎥 Playlists:
| Building a Pro Pedal Board from Start to Finish - bit.ly/3c59fsp
| Gear Demos - bit.ly/3b1B5V9
| Lessons - bit.ly/2L0ysZk
| Free Line 6 Helix Presets - bit.ly/3fk6ANA
| Jazz Guitar - bit.ly/2A0a4Vt
| Solo Guitar - bit.ly/2z5yTPj
| Gear for the Contemporary Violinist - bit.ly/2L00Af9
| Ambient Compositions - bit.ly/3df9Zvq
| The Inner Urge (my band) - bit.ly/3dfPyhR
=================================
⭐️ Social Media - @AlexPriceMusician:
| FaceBook - / alexpricemusician
| Instagram - / alexpricemusician
| SoundCloud - / alexpricemusician
| Twitter - / alexprice_music
🎧 And my other projects:
| The Inner Urge - / innerurgeband
| Resolute Vibration - / resolutevibration
=================================
📫 Contact - AlexPriceMusician.com/contact - Hudba
All you've managed to prove is that both sets of strings can sound excellent!
Thanks! I appreciate it
Man, you play the way I wish I could. A musician with great taste and musical sensibility and a guitarist with great ability. Practice pays off and you show it.
Thank you! I appreciate the compliments :)
30 dollar sounds expensive, but Thomastiks last forever and stay always fresh. Money well spent.
I'd pick the Infield Swings acoustically, but the Chromes had a warmer mid-tone with amplification.
Yes!
100% agree daddario for the amp demo, nice and warm.
Gotta tell you, I've used both and to me the Chromes don't compare to the Thomastik's. The Thomastik strings play and feel great and last a long time. Love your phrasing-nice!
Just the opposite for me, tried both, my preference is Chromes. The Tomastik set actually rusted. Been using Chomes for abou 10 years now, love them. I liked them more when we could get them under $10.
Fantastic playing and great work on the comparison too! It's so nice to hear a clean signal just acoustic, just electric, a mix of both, and without running the rig through every fx pedal that has ever been invented
I love the fact you did your commentary in print and kept playing. Great demo and SUPER GREAT PLAYING BTW!!
Thanks! I appreciate it
My thinline guitar came with D’addario NYXL purple 10 that I replaced with Chromes 11, it was such an improvement, however in this video, the Thomastik-Infeld are the winners! This helpful video just showed me what set I will install next. Wonderful playing, such an inspiration.
Thank you for the acoustic comparison. Provides a broader range of tonal understanding of the strings capabilities.
Great comparison, but I'll take the TI's for my Jazz boxes although I use D'Addario on some of my acoustics. Looking away I could always hear the TI's as they are very distinct in their tonal qualities. Thanks again for such a quality presentation.
This video is excellent all around. The subtitles are very helpful and the playing is excellent!
Thanks! Glad it's useful
Well done, I like them both, and have the same exact string set on both of my arch tops. I have to remind myself what brand I’m playing because they both sound and feel great. I usually play with no amp! Keep up the great videos, liked and subscribed, Dave!👍
Great demo. I like and use both. It depends on the guitar I'm playing and the sound that I am going for.
yeah man you’re playing has really matured of the last few years keep it up!
I have used both on my telecaster as well as half rounds. I know a tele is not a traditional Jazz Box but my 1983 tele has a 12 inch radius maple fretboard and I dig it. The Thomastiks are my favorite.
Juian Lage agrees with you.
Good comparison and great playing!
Love your playing! I like the flat wound better - nice, smooth and mellow
I went from D'add Chromes 11 set to the T I jazz 12 set and found the T I strings overall felt more supple even though they were listed as 12s.
The Thomastik team ensure you get even tension across the set but I had no problems with the Chromes.
I'd say that I preferred the feel of Thomastiks but the guitar seemed to be more suited to Chromes. From new the Thomastiks were brighter (slightly) but the Chrome bottom E kept it's bark longer.
I play them with a 3mm stubby. I didn't need to adjust the truss tension between the two.. (but had to raise the action when I tried round 10s to stop fret interference around fret 10, 11, 12.).
I've explained to my wife that we eventually need approx 20 guitars at least to accomodate 8,9,10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 guages in rounds and flats.
I'm about to buy my first set of flatwounds and ironically the Thomastik are way less expesive than the D'Addarios were I live (about 19 USD for the Thomastik vs almost 32 USD for the D'Addarios. Thank you for comparing the two, it was very informative. Nice playing as well.
Wow! I’m jealous haha
Both sounds great in my ears but i think there is a little more string seperation from the tomastik which i like more, the chromes can sound a little muddy to me from time tom time! Great comparison
The Thomastiks sound slightly thinner to me. As you pointed out they are slightly lighter on the wound strings than the D'Addario set. If I had to choose, I'd go with the D'Addario Chromes. Good video...now subbed!
I tried LaBella jazz flats and D'Addario Chromes, and they are very soft and muted, if that's the sound you're after. Thomastik jazz swings are more lively and are great for both acoustic and electric.
I think people in the comments have fallen prey to the power of suggestion that more expensive means better. What I hear is that the Chromes are notably more clear, bright, and articulate and the Swings are more muffled sounding.
To each their own! I still have this same set of TIs on my guitar and love the sound of them. Chromes usually come off after 2-3 months.
I don't hear any difference, lol.
I really wanted to prefer the Chromes and although they sounded nice, the TI strings just have something about them that sound more legit. Nice comparison and really nice playing
Thomastiks sound louder and more articulate to my ears
I have used both and have found the Thomastiks to be worth the difference in price in terms of both tone and playability. The Chromes have a far stiffer feel and are the only D'Addario strings that I thought were less than stellar.
Thanks for your thoughts!
You can serenade me anytime, bro! Your playing is superb. I’m kind of in disbelief how much better the Thomastik strings sound= perfect, over my iPhone without headphones. The D’addario seem less even and bright in places. Thanks! :-)
Peace AP. Great playing. Love your rendition of Round Midnight. New subscriber here. Do you offer any transcriptions? Have not visited your site yet but wanted to comment about your chord melody of RM. THX. JP
Incredible playing man
Lovely comparison, can't pick a consistent favorite. What I really want is the TAB for this...
Thank you John! The arrangements are mine, but not the songs they are based on so I'm not sure what the legal aspect would be to transcribe them and offer them for download.
String tension is less on the TI so they feel more comfortable. After TI's are broken in, they sound better and last longer than DA (for me). I've been stringing guitars for over 60 years and on two occasions, one of the TI strings broke. A rarity for me. Puzzling. I use DA.
Sweet playing, man
Great playing, especially the 100% acoustic part!
Thomastiks sound brighter to be at least 100% acoustic but i like the acoustic sound of D'Addario more. Love the ending :D
I'd say that the timbre of the D'Addario Chromes is 'fatter' and they sound a lot like the GHS Precisions that I'm used to. Probably best for a more traditional jazz sound. Those Tomastiks don't sound bad-I may even try some-they're just very bright.
Daddario for the win. by a mile! Soft , bright and mellow. Shimmer and shine like quality. Sir your talent is beautiful to watch and listen.
Very nice video , I love both , Thomastic has louder output . Chromes better for dark crispy tone, lifespan is shorter , getting too darker (may be good for some specal purposes)
What model guitar are you playing? Looks like it could be an Eastman maybe? But which one…love your tone
Awesome review. Keep it comin' ♥️👍👍🤘🤘
Thank you !
What is your AMP setting at Electric comparison? it sounds awesome and what type of AMP are you using for the electric part?
Here, they sound pretty similar, but I’d give the edge to the TIs. I’ve used both and prefer TIs on my Heritage Eagle and on my Sebring L5 copy. TIs last forever, although I’m currently using 11s and the G string broke.
Very informal, great feel and I love the 50/50 technique as I have alway record in such way. I would like to suggest you a game-changer string-set you’d probably like - Martin Retro Monel. They are marketed as an acoustic strings but they sound absolutely identical to what you hear on an early electric guitar music 40-50s. The most important difference is that they also tin-plate those plain strings to blend more with the nickel-based wounds. I just don’t understand why other companies don’t treat their plains. Please, compare them on the channel.
Already have! I love that set.
czcams.com/video/Ks-3ewhouJ0/video.html
so in my personal opinion from experiencing both, chromes are really good for solo arrangements for fingerstyle guitar (walking bass comping), the thomastics sound really good in a band setting.
The Chromes sound very similar to my mainstay, GHS Precision Flats, and I'd have to agree that they sound great for solo finger-style-especially with bass comping as you mentioned-as they've got a lot more bass, and just the right timbre and balance for jazz. Tomastiks sound good, but just a bit too bright to me.
Helpful. Thanks!
I liked the Thomastik better but I had already bought a set of the D’Addario so I’ll go ahead and use them…Really nice playing!!!…thanks for the video!
Glad it was helpful! For what it's worth, I tend to want to change Chromes after 2-3 months. A year and some change after making this video, I still have the same Thomastik Infeld flats on my archtop from this video. I really like how they've settled in.
both sound great. i would choose based on feel
Is there any comparison?!! I've tried chromes, and in my experience they go from mellow to dull rather quickly. The Thomastik line holds up so well, wound and flat. I do wonder if you've done a side by side with LaBella flats?
The Thomastik set sounded more balanced and less muddy without being overly bright....
now after coming back and hearing both sets months later,I hear a mid range fullness in the chromes that I much prefer the sound of this time around...Maybe that's why we're always chasing tone, because our tastes/way we hear things change??
The 1st observation was that the TI strings were noticeably more open/airy/clean & a bit of grit. The Chromes were darker to my ears & more of what one would normally expect in flatwound sound. I'm gonna try the TI's. Thanks for this.
My thoughts as well. TI seemed the best of both worlds as you don't get the sliding string noise while moving your fretting hand, but you get some of the crispness normally associated with roundwound.
Yeah I think the TI's sound better. Worth the price IMO, especially for how long they last
Thank you for this demo. I've been circling the flatwound drain for a while, and I'm not always sure where the money goes.
I wore headphones that I'm very familiar with. Other than a slight volume difference with the Chromes near the 12th fret, I didn't hear any significant difference in frequency content. Then again, I don't hear much above 13KHz, so if there was a difference up that high or higher, I wouldn't hear it.
As far as feel to the hand goes, IDK, cuz that's hard to tell with all these CZcams compression algorithms and stuff. 🤪
For the money, I'd get the Chromes. If the TIs made an audible difference through my meager rig, and also somehow felt better or lasted longer, I might be justified in springing for them. I'm one of those losers that rarely changes strings, so having a set that lasts a few decades is better, IMO. If these advantages don't exist, then I'd settle for Chromes.
Of course, there's also Pyramids and Dean Markleys to consider...!
😂🐰🕳️
D'addario reminds me of celestion vintage 30 speakers, that are in "majority" of cabinets and recordings. There's always green backs and all that, the jazz strings have more of a natural break up slightly overdriven sound. How long do you normally keep a set of strings on your self?
I mostly use Chromes on everything EXCEPT my boxes with floating pickups. They tend to get either Thomastik-Infelds or Pyramids depending on what I have on hand. I think the Thomastik-Infelds and Pyramids have a little more traditional tone when I use them with my old Polytone or Fender Princeton Reverb amps. Acousticly they all seem to be kind of dull which is the point.
You keep at it....you're probably gonna be pretty good someday
I wonder what this comparison would be like after two weeks of having the strings on? The brightness and bite I hear with the TIs tends to fade a bit after some play time. I've been playing the TIs for many years, but some times the plated plain strings sound a little too *zingy* to me. I actually like the slightly darker sound of the Chromes here, and I have a handful of sets, so I should finally try them. I did notice you were slightly changing your playing position for the acoustic/ 50*50 sections, with the neck seeming to be several inches closer to the mic for the TI sections, which could be enough to change what the mic picks up.
I like your metronome :) Old school springs and gears, none of this fancy digital rubish!
It’s my favorite! Except for that condescending stare when I mess up 😳
Actually, I prefer the warmth of the Chromes; I'd wind up bringing the tone down on the Thomastiks because they're brighter than I like, so I think I'll save my money. Thanks for the demo.
Great comparison on a very interesting topic, thank you ! It is often mentioned that the Chromes of same or similar gauge do have more tension (at least they say it feels like it). What is your experience ? By the way, a great guitar, and your playing is excellent !
Thank you so much Jan! Appreciate it
I'm a devoted user of D'Addario strings (and accessories), but I've used Thomastic AC112s on a handmade Larrivee and they do have more endurance and clarity. Unfortunately, the pricing keeps Thomastiks beyond my budget for everyday use. I can't justify the expenditure for the little bit of difference, and D'Addario strings are generally excellent and affordable. Thanks for a clear comparison.
The Chromes are great strings but on my archtops I love the TI sound. I switch back and forth due to cost.
it’s pretty close, but the thomastiks have a bit more clarity in the high end that i like!
The Thomastiks spoke more, if that makes sense. It's like clarinet, when you tongue the reed to mimic the immedite stop and go that a singer can get, these strings do that for the guitar! I didn't watch the video the whole time but when there was a sound that caught my ear I looked at the screen and it was always with the Thomastik strings!
I prefer the sound of the Chromes personally, especially value for money wise. Lovely playing too man. The Donna Lee solos at the end are beautiful.
Thank you Joel!
Interesting! I put on a set of Chromes NYXL to try after using Thomastik...and I hated them so much that I took them off a week later and put on a new set of Thomastik's. 335 Dot through a Henriksen Blu 6 amp ... the difference in playability and tone were apparent to my ears. The Chromes were way to bright for the style of jazz that I like to play.
Chromes are a touch warmer to my ear.
first of all, A+ playing, second of all, A+ comparison
TI for my ears. Lower strings sit better where they should sonically. I like the slight brightness in a nice guitar like that!
GHS Precision Flat's have been my mainstay for a long time; they're comparable to those D'Addarios. I like their soft timbre and low end. The Tomastiks are considerably brighter, which I think will be a big change, but could prove to be a nice experience all the same. Nice review, and nice playing, by the way!
Thanks for your thoughts! I’ll have to check out the GHS set sometime
To me the TIs sound brighter. However, that can be a disadvantage because more mello strings allow you to keep the tone knob on the gat to max, not filtering off any of the high end. Just a thought :)
Just bought my first set of flatwounds. Out of habit I went with D’addario but I'm gonna try a set from Thomastik next time, especially since I found out they're actually the cheaper alternative here in Europe (which makes sense since they're made in Austria and 95% of D’addario strings are made in the US).
On the electric comparison, the Thomastik maybe have a hint more mid-range attack. Could also just be a difference in articulation between the performances. The Thomastik performance is a bit more aggressive or confident. Sound very close though. I probably couldn't tell which is which in a blind test.
I really love the Thomastiks - keep them on my jazz box - but I sure hate the feeling I'm taking out a second mortgage to buy a box of them!
hmmmm I whould say like on the whole range - from mandoline to electric guitar - you can "take" D'Addario or buy anything else and strongly recommended Thomastik
nice playing :) i have TI flats on my guitar at the moment and the only thing i find annoying is that the unwound strings sound a lot brighter and louder than the wound strings, from your experience are the chromes more balanced in the particular regard? thanks
Hi - I don’t really find that personally. I still have the TI’s from this video on my guitar and they have warmed up a bit. They sound good to me still and are balanced.
I got a bad set of Chromes a number of years back where I got a G string that had a rough spot. Went to TI flats and have never gone back. There isn't much comparison if you like jazz flats.
On the unamplified demos I prefer the TI’s, as they are brighter.
But when amplified I preferred the Chromes. The TI’s seemed harsher.
I only use flatwound strings on one of my guitars. After trying Chromes and TI Swings, I settled on Rotosound RS200 Top Tape. They are reasonably priced and I liked them better than Chromes. They only are available in one gauge (12 16 24 32 42 52).
I've also been wanting to try the Rotosound tape wounds. Hopefully sometime soon!
Beautiful playing! I thought that in general the XL strings were a shade darker, but still articulate, and the more expensive strings sounded more like a nickel round wound in that they have a bright top end with a very nice color in the bottom 3. I think the expensive strings are significantly brighter overall, and would benefit an older instrument that is well played in and has lost some lightness in the higher registers. For a player of my standard, the XL strings are fine, for someone of your ability, the expensive strings are worth the extra money.
Thanks for the compliments Howard! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts
I agree with the comment although I would say unsignificantly brighter
I think the old addage of "you get what you pay for" has never been more spot on here. I'm getting my degree in music and, my scales/reading instructor brought the flat wound discussion up. He absolutely recommended the flat wounds. And, who even cares about strings. Your playing is awesome by itself.
The Swings and the Chromes are both flat-wounds.
Thank you Kalonji! Appreciate it
Sheesh! They both sound good… at different things. I don’t know that the TI strings are a huge improvement overall, but especially on the midrange chording that is the wheelhouse of jazz rhythm guitar they do sound a bit better to me.
Here in the UK Thomastic strings are cheaper than D’Addario, so I think I will be giving them a try after watching this. Good Demo.
I think the D'Addario are a bit louder and fuller than the TI. The TI seem more trebly to me and a bit thinner in sound. But the difference is micro-infinitesimal. Nice playing.
I have used both sets in the past and I really prefer the Thomastiks. Not just for the sound, but for the feel as well. The Daddarios felt a lot stiffer.
Luckily, over here in Europe the Thomastiks are cheaper than the Daddarios (still expensive, though).
Seems like the first strings were brighter and the chromed more midrange sounding Either way sure enjoyed you music excellent ...
Hi I want to ask is string tension more on
Normal brass string than flat wound...
I want to use flat wound on my parlor just worried about string tension❤
Flatwound string tension is usually higher than an equivalent gauge roundwound set
@@AlexPriceMusician thank you for your quick reply. Sure will help me 😊
I have played both Thomastik Swing and D'Addario Chromes, and clearly prefer the Thomastiks, mainly because they are a lower tension string that feels fantastic under finger and in my opinion the Chromes feel stiff by comparison. As far as tone goes I find them similar, the Chromes sound slightly louder, but all up I am a fan of Thomstik Infeld strings, I have them on all my archtop instruments.
The TIs are slightly lighter in gauge and have less tension, even when comparing a 12 set to another 12 as in this video. The E and B strings I believe are the same on both sets, but the wound strings on the TIs are significantly lighter. I tend to prefer them like that - they feel more balanced
great playing. which set of strings had a more polished / smoother feel on the wounding?
I'd say they were similar. I don't think that a difference stood out to me enough to notice.
@@AlexPriceMusician thanks!
For today price difference between these sets became negligable ( at least in Europe) because D’addario price went up. I heard more fret buzz in your playing with Thomastik so I assume the action (bridge height and neck relief curve -truss rod ) was adjusted to the same for both sets however the total tension with Thomastik is lower due to the narrower gauge of the wound lower 4 strings. This makes the comparison a little incorrect. Many experienced player claims Thomastic has a longer lifetime ( at least for the wound ones , you can change the 12, 16 meanwhile) and the sound improves wth time. I used such a set for 3 years, changing the upper two strings more times.
Thomastik for the win. Esp in the last blended example.
Some very tasty playing.
dude you are an absolutely top notch player
TI's the winner for me by a mile
Not a major difference, but I can hear a difference. The TI are a bit "tighter" sounding, which might simply be due to the slightly thinner gauge. And this is most noticeable on electric only. I appreciate the effort to demonstrate the difference. I think for myself, it would probably come down to "feel" and durability/longevity of each respective set. If the TI last twice as long, or even longer as some note, then I guess the "math" works..... The TI sound really good on that guitar plugged in.
The TI strings are round-core strings. The Chromes are hex-core strings.Imho,this is a crucial difference. Round core strings are more flexible and require less effort to fret.And just sound better/less dull. Been down this road.😎
I've relied on D'Addarios since they're crafted from the wire is the most resistant to my playing. In my electric i've got a set of 9's that have been in there since my birthday last year, meaning, since July... They're the only string that has never snapped on me and i love them for that. However i have to say the Thomastiks sound better acoustically but i assume since they're more broken in, would be a matter of hearing them both already broken in. Greetings Alex
The one thing I wasn't able to show off in this video was how long these strings last. Chromes are dead after 3 months for me. These TI Strings? I still have the same set on my guitar from the day I filmed this video... a year and a half later. This is a guitar I play almost every day.
Good video. I prefer D'Addario for price and quality. They will last a long time if you take care of them.
Thanks for your thoughts Mickey!
now I have Thomastiks on my guitar and maybe I will go with Chromes, because they have more mellow tone
The Chromes are hex core, the TIs roundcore. Tis more fundamental tones and note separation and more flexible. Adjust gauge for tension.
One thing w TI flats: the low E string can get rather 'tubby'. Less w Chromes. I might experiment w a Chrome low E w the rest TI flats
I also play an Eastman archtop (AR175CE/P90). I tried the Thomastik and really didn't like them. The XLs aren't perfect but for the money they beat the Thomastik. I did pick up a set of flatwound 10/48 XL Chromes that I haven't tried yet (I have flatwound 12s on now). There just aren't many flatwound strings to choose from
Years ago I had purchased a set of 10-gauge XL chromes by mistake. I left them on my Les Paul for awhile and they were pretty cool. Kind of became a character instrument
I always preferred the sound of the D’Addario strings. I found the Thomastik strings were too dead sounding.
Here in Europe the TI are actually cheaper than the Daddarios. I have played both and the TI feels way nicer to the touch than Daddarios but there's something about the purity of the overtones of Dadarios that i like better.
I wonder if many Americans think the Thomastiks sound better because they are more expensive (and therefore must be of higher quality). The price difference has to do with the extra cost of sending them from Austria to the USA, here in Europe the price is about the same for both brands. For my guitars and to my ears the Chromes both sound and feel better.
I split the difference (in price at least) with the Pyramid flat wound strings for my Epiphone Casino
I’d love to try the Pyramid flats someday. I’ve heard good things about that set
I have no preference but the TI brand sounded more vintage to me.