Thomastik-Infeld Strings

I've been playing for about 6 months, very seriously, on a Washburn A model that I've had since 1998. I'm so glad that I stumbled onto this train of posts about the thomastik infield strings as I had been having problems with buzzing etc, with D'Addario strings. When I heard how great these strings were in settling a lot of intonation problems I"d been having, I bought a set of mediums. They are FANTASTIC. What a difference. I'm so glad and thankful to all who have written this thread. I've learned a lot. Thanks again. Bobvorel

Bobvorel, so happy to hear they are working out for you and giving you reduced buzzing and improved intonation. Dan

I’d like to ask if any fellow TI fans if they have ever mixed TI sets? I’m thinking of combining Heavy G and D with medium A and E unless there is a good reason not to.

I love TI strings. I would think if your mandolin is a modern build (my goofy term) it should have the structure to handle whatever combination of strings that suits you. It is important for all of us to be aware of the mandolin we are putting a heavier Set of strings on, IMHO. Let us know how it works out.

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Originally Posted by Dave Bradford

I’d like to ask if any fellow TI fans if they have ever mixed TI sets? I’m thinking of combining Heavy G and D with medium A and E unless there is a good reason not to.

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If you mix string gauges, you will have intonation issues. I no longer use T.I. strings because they have become too expensive for me - I now use Fisoma Supersolos, which are also a flat-wound string aimed at the classical market. Occasionally I break an E-string, which I then replace with a GHS 0.012" string, which approximates the gauge of the broken string. If I don't replace both E-strings, they are audibly out of tune with one another except when played as open strings - not greatly, but sufficiently to bother me. With both strings replaced, the instrument sounds in tune again (or as in tune as a mandolin can sound - it's always a compromise).
How large the intonation issue will be? no idea, I would be inclined to try it and see.

Thanks and worth a try to see if there is an issue. I usually change them once a year so the worst that can happen is I’ll have to change a few back to the other gauge.

If you put heavier G and D strings on you may improve intonation by lowering the action. Heavier strings can be used with lower action. It won't take much, but will help.

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Originally Posted by Polecat

If you mix string gauges, you will have intonation issues. I no longer use T.I. strings because they have become too expensive for me - I now use Fisoma Supersolos, which are also a flat-wound string aimed at the classical market. Occasionally I break an E-string, which I then replace with a GHS 0.012" string, which approximates the gauge of the broken string. If I don't replace both E-strings, they are audibly out of tune with one another except when played as open strings - not greatly, but sufficiently to bother me. With both strings replaced, the instrument sounds in tune again (or as in tune as a mandolin can sound - it's always a compromise).
How large the intonation issue will be? no idea, I would be inclined to try it and see.

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There is a difference between mixing string gauges for different pitches and mixing string gauges in a paired course. Using heavy G and D with medium A and E won't cause any intonation problems, just a difference in tension.

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Originally Posted by David L

There is a difference between mixing string gauges for different pitches and mixing string gauges in a paired course. Using heavy G and D with medium A and E won't cause any intonation problems, just a difference in tension.

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Sorry to disagree, but how a string intones depends upon its length, mass and the tension it is under. That is why if one changes to a lighter or heavier set of strings one has to move the bridge, even if only slightly to get the mandolin to play in tune. As I wrote before, the change may be so slight as not to bother one (as in replacing Fisoma supersolo strings with slightly stiffer and thicker GHS), but nonetheless it is there. The only way to find out is to try it and see.

I put a set of the Thomasticks on a few days ago per all of the recommendations. Biggest pro for me is that they are very easy on the fingers. I have only been playing a few months so my fingers we’re getting torn up pretty bad. The sound is good, however I’m not sure that I like all of the volume that I lost. I guess I didn’t get Wowed as much as I thought I would for the price.

FYI, this was on a Pava Pro A model.

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Originally Posted by killntime

I put a set of the Thomasticks on a few days ago per all of the recommendations. Biggest pro for me is that they are very easy on the fingers. I have only been playing a few months so my fingers we’re getting torn up pretty bad. The sound is good, however I’m not sure that I like all of the volume that I lost. I guess I didn’t get Wowed as much as I thought I would for the price.

FYI, this was on a Pava Pro A model.

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Don't mistake brightness for volume. They have a darker tone than many other strings.

I'm about to splurge on a set of viola strings (cheaper than my last set, but more than my Helicore standby). I might go for it and finally give these a try for my mandolin. They're less than a cheap (but not painful) set of viola strings so YOLO, right? My question is... I JUST switched to an oval hole. It came with the same strings my starter mandolin came with, but I discovered and fell in love with the D'addario nickel-bronze strings on my previous f-hole instrument. Should I try strings I'm used to first to gauge how the string translates to the new instrument, or just go for it while I'm online ordering the viola strings?

"Does TI make any strings for an octave with a 22" scale? I know they make mandola strings but haven't seen any octaves listed."


Rdeane - I believe the top four strings of this $100 (yep, that's right!) lute string set will work with that 22" scale length. Quite the price though.

https://m.juststrings.com/thomastik-infeldlute.html

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Originally Posted by Rdeane

Does TI make any strings for an octave with a 22" scale? I know they make mandola strings but haven't seen any octaves listed.

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Originally Posted by Tim Logan

Rdeane - I believe the top four strings of this $100 (yep, that's right!) lute string set will work with that 22" scale length. Quite the price though.
https://m.juststrings.com/thomastik-infeldlute.html

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Just Strings is a little confused. Those Liuto strings are for the 5 course mandocello invented and played and composed for by Raffaele Calace not for a lute. You may be correct, Tim, that the top 4 string pairs would work but to be real sure I would contact Thomastik directly and see what they suggest. That Juststrings set looks like it was a custom one but we don't know what scale length they were meant for. Besides you are also paying for that C course which are probably the most expensive strings in the set. They do make a mandola set for European mandola tuned octave GDAE but that is for 45cm/17-3/4" scale. You also have to make sure that the strings are long enough for your scale length. I would contact them to see what they recommend: info@thomastik-infeld.com

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RDeane/Jim - maybe scroll way down to Margoro's response on this thread- re the liuto strings - that's where I got his response when I asked about a 23" scale.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...homastik+liuto

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Originally Posted by Tim Logan

"Does TI make any strings for an octave with a 22" scale? I know they make mandola strings but haven't seen any octaves listed."


Rdeane - I believe the top four strings of this $100 (yep, that's right!) lute string set will work with that 22" scale length. Quite the price though.

https://m.juststrings.com/thomastik-infeldlute.html

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Yikes! That's expensive. I appreciate your feedback. I have since sold the octave to someone who will play it more than I will.

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Originally Posted by lflngpicker

I would hope if my Collings is typically strung with mediums that the medium strings will suit it. The diameter seemed appropriate. Do you think I made the right call? Thanks!

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The TI Starks are actually a bit lighter tension than round wound mediums. I would go with the heavy for a Collings.

I get the impression that most posters are comparing TI flats to Daddario round 74s without getting involved in the Daddario flats,which are good strings at a much less flabbergasting price than the TI’s. It so happens that today was the day I decided to put on the TI Mediums I splurged on awhile ago out of curiosity, having used the Daddario flatwounds for years. Since the Daddarios on my MTO were still pretty good, I decided to experiment a bit while comparing. I put the TI’s on G, A and E and left the old Dadd D course on for awhile so I could compare them up close.

First thing I noticed about the TI’s was the cool wrappings at both ends of the G D and A. That’s gotta be a good sign for gripping, and indeed they were easy to put on and tune up. Second thing different was only discovered by reading the wrapper: the TI’s have a wound A, while the Dadds are plain A and E. The winding on the A’s is so fine that I did not believe for some time that this was for real—they just seem like plain steel! I’m sure a microscope would show the winding, I was eventually satisfied by close flashlight and reading-glasses examination. Plus running my thumbnail along them gives it away.

So in playing some tunes and exercises using the G and D a lot, I got a feel for the difference. The TI’s have a more complex sound, overtones I guess, while the Dadds (about 3 months old, still in good shape) have a more unified tone that is starting to get thuddy, certainly in comparison. Volume is about even. Physically, giving the old fingernail-test, and visually, you can tell that the TI’s are more fine-wound and more reductive of string squeak.

I also found I immediately was getting some buzzing on the TI E and A which had not been there before, and had to raise the action at the bridge—from about .05 to .07 at 12th. May not be done fussing with it yet. I think it’s weird that despite all the info on the TI packaging, it doesn’t state the string gauges which is pretty darn basic.

I will have to play the TI’s for awhile before I form a full opinion. I think it’s quite possible I might just stay with the Daddarios for my less expensive mandos and keep the TI’s on the Collings.

It’s fun to obsess over this exceedingly nerdy topic with my fellow enthusiasts. Cheers.

I finally splurged on a set yesterday. Be interested to see how I like them.

I’m hoping to get a set of heavies for my MT from Santa this year. I’ve just about settled on La Bella as my favorite string, but I still want to try some TIs and some Straight Ups at some point.