Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

  1. #1
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Question Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    I have a New Eastman MDO 305 Octave, which I really like the way it is opening up new opportunities to grow as a mandolin player. I have noticed the Thomastik-Infeld strings which run just over fifty dollars. Also, Curt Mangan Hand made strings sound like a great choice. I am a J74 user so the J80’s seem fine but I have no way to compare being new to the Octave. Please give me your thoughts from your own experience. Thank you! Dan
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,856

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Hey Dan, I like TI’s on my National, and Mangans on my Passernigs, but thus far I’ve only used EJ80’s on my Black GBOM. I have thought about flatwounds though and would probably build my own set here: http://www.emando.com/shop/strings8va.htm
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  3. The following members say thank you to pheffernan for this post:


  4. #3

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    They aren't that much "better". They are that much "different". It's almost like the difference between a steel-string guitar and nylon-string guitar. They aren't the same structure, and if you put one type of strings on an instrument not suited for it, it'll sound bad and possibly damage the instrument. My mandolins designed specifically for TI Mittels, for example, really should never have EJ75 (heavy) D'addarios or similar installed on them.

    They are beautifully made and packaged, and they do last a long time. And they feel great. But don't think they're "like D'addarios, just way better". You may not like the tone at all, especially if you're used to a typically zingy, metallic sounding modern archtop mandolin or OM tone.

  5. The following members say thank you to Marty Jacobson for this post:


  6. #4
    working musician Jim Bevan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Limache, Chile
    Posts
    805

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Today was String Changing Day in my home – put a set of Sam Bush monels on my Collings MT2-O (for the first time), and a set of Thomastik bronze strings on my Zimnicki ADGCEA guitar (for the second time).

    Ended up thinking, "Man, I wish Thomastik made a set of bronze mandolin strings!"
    mando scales
    technical exercises for rock blues & fusion mandolinists
    mp4 backing tracks & free downloadable pdfs

  7. The following members say thank you to Jim Bevan for this post:


  8. #5
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Good info guys. My take away is that I will possibly try the Curt Mangans but not the Thomaskins. Otherwise, I enjoy the D’Addario monels on my MT and may want to try an octave set if there is such a thing. Thank you!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  9. #6
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,856

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    The TI’s might make for a fun experiment on one of your teens Gibson’s. I know that fatt-dad has installed them on his A3 from time to time, and they might provide a different tone and feel to your arsenal without adding an instrument.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  10. #7
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    I have been playing the Octave a couple of hours today and I am getting accustomed to it and really enjoying trying a variety of things. Fiddle tunes, using it to accompany singing (a song Pat suggested) and capo-ing up the neck. I am loving the low resonance. Strings are fine so I am open to trying a variety but wouldn’t mind sticking with J80’s.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  11. The following members say thank you to lflngpicker for this post:


  12. #8
    Traveling Tracks Traveling Tracks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Mays Landing, NJ
    Posts
    232

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    I used TI's always on my Collings MT2V (and love them) and then went to try them on my Weber 20" Octave Mando.....just as a heads up the way they are constructed with the green (I think it was green) thread wound on the end of the string....they were not actually long enough.....to go from the tailpiece to the headstock. Again, you may have a different configuration but it was a bit of trickery to get it to work on my OM.
    Collings MF

  13. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Traveling Tracks For This Useful Post:


  14. #9
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Quote Originally Posted by Traveling Tracks View Post
    I used TI's always on my Collings MT2V (and love them) and then went to try them on my Weber 20" Octave Mando.....just as a heads up the way they are constructed with the green (I think it was green) thread wound on the end of the string....they were not actually long enough.....to go from the tailpiece to the headstock. Again, you may have a different configuration but it was a bit of trickery to get it to work on my OM.
    Thanks for that ... what is your scale length? Mine is 20”. Oops! You said that it also is 20”! Guess they wouldn’t fit. You saved me $60.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  15. #10
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,856

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    Thanks for that ... what is your scale length? Mine is 20”.
    I believe that his is 20”, yours is 21”, and mine is 21.5”.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  16. #11
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Hey Dan, I like TI’s on my National, and Mangans on my Passernigs, but thus far I’ve only used EJ80’s on my Black GBOM. I have thought about flatwounds though and would probably build my own set here: http://www.emando.com/shop/strings8va.htm
    Pat, I appreciate this reference because it is a rare offering of both round wound and flat wound steel. I like that tone and this gives me another option to consider. I will compare the set-up of my J80 set and look at the diameters for a custom set I may consider assembling. Thanks, Dan
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  17. The following members say thank you to lflngpicker for this post:


  18. #12
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,238
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I believe that his is 20”, yours is 21”, and mine is 21.5”.
    Thanks for pointing that out for me, Pat! I was off and it makes a difference to be sure.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  19. The following members say thank you to lflngpicker for this post:


  20. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    FWIW Strings and Beyond are offering 10% off of T-I strings as listed in the classified right now.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  21. #14

    Default Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

    I have found that Newtone.strings in the UK are great for Octave Mandola. If you submit your scale length and desired gauges he will custom make your sets. Excellent sound, excellent service, good value.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •