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Thread: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

  1. #1
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Smile Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I had some gift money and decided to buy the strings I could never afford. I have bought the Thomastik-Infeld flat wound, Mediums to put on my Collings MT GT, Wide nut model. I have previously loved the sound of Monels on this mandolin, so I think it is likely that I will enjoy the feel and sound of the T.I.'s. Can't hurt to try. Anyone else love these strings?
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  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    I had some gift money and decided to buy the strings I could never afford. I have bought the Thomastik-Infeld flat wound, Mediums to put on my Collings MT GT, Wide nut model. I have previously loved the sound of Monels on this mandolin, so I think it is likely that I will enjoy the feel and sound of the T.I.'s. Can't hurt to try. Anyone else love these strings?
    I do, Dan. I first tried them on a Gypsy flattop and now typically install them on your cousin’s early National RM-1. They feel great on the fingertips, last a long time, and add a different sound to your collection. In your case, I think that they’ll help accentuate the contrast between your Collings and Eastman. Enjoy!
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  4. #3

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Love them and use lights on an older Gibson and mediums on Ovation and Adamas mandolins.

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    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I have used the 154W Thomastik-Infeld light strings on my Gibson Fern, Gibson F2 and my Austin Clark 2 point. My music teacher 1st recommended using them for my Gibson F2 and I loved them so I started using them on my other mandolins. Yes, they are expensive but they last a long time and you don't have to change strings as often on your mandolin I think they are worth the money (you get what you pay for)! Also, I like the sound of the Thomastik-Infeld stings on my mandolins. Every so often one of the string companies will put them on sale and then I purchase a bunch of 154W Thomastik-Infeld lights to last me for a year.
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    MT2, I thank you for your testimony. 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!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
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    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    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?
    I have typically used the Mittels (mediums) on lighter built flattops and Starks (heavies) on archtops and a resonator, but I don’t think you’ll have any problems with the set you’ve chosen on your MT.
    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

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  11. #7

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I tried a set on an old Gibson A a few years ago, they were very quiet compared to the phosphor bronze strings [ J74 ] I normally use.

    Dave H
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I use Thomastik 154 mediums on both my MT and custom Mt2. They don't cost that much if you consider that you would buy 3 or 4 sets of regular strings before the TI's wear out.
    Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile

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    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I had a student in a class I taught last October that had two Collins and F and an A. The A had Thomastik stings on it and sounded far better than the F. She was a good player as well.

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  17. #10
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I have a set of lights on a Lyon & Healey. They make great flatwound electric bass strings.

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  19. #11
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by lflngpicker View Post
    MT2, I thank you for your testimony. 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!
    Dan,

    If you normally use medium strings I would stick with them. I normally use all light strings on all my mandolins no matter what brand. I have found after using Thomastik-Infeld strings it spoils you. Like I said you pay more for them but I have found they will last three times longer on your mandolin and less strings changes which I hate doing.

    Also, when I used to play jazz and on my archtop guitars the only strings that I would use were the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz BeBop .011-.047. Everyone has there favorite strings that they like to use mine just happens to be the Thomastik-Infield strings.

    Enjoy the strings,
    Darwin
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
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  21. #12

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I have used Thomastik-Infield mediums exclusively on my 1906 Gibson F2, 1927 Gibson mandola, and 1908 Gibson mandocello for over two decades.

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  23. #13

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    What are the string gauges on the mittels?

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  25. #14

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    David,
    Which Thomastiks sets are you using on your Mandola and Mandocello?
    Thanks!

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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Thomastik 174's are on my Collings mandola. Medium gauge I believe. (when in doubt, go for medium. Then you know which way to go if you want a change.)
    Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile

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  29. #16
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Dan - my signature below lists the TI's I have on three different style mandolins. I think TI's are great - but definitely, for me, not on a bowl back.

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
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  31. #17
    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    I believe the TI "Stark" (Hard) strings at .011 - .034 gauge are considered more or less equivalent to D'Addario or GHS medium strings which run .011 - .040 gauge.

    I ran TI flatwound Starks on my Lebeda F5 for around a year when I first bought it and was learning to transition from guitar to mandolin. I loved the tone and the feel under my fingers. Eventually though, I switched to D'Addario J74's and then GHS Silk and Bronze when I started playing in a band, and then later in Irish/Scottish trad sessions. The TI flats just didn't have enough "cut" on the wound strings to be heard well enough in a group of fiddlers and the occasional piper.

    It's a great set of strings for playing alone at home though, so I've been considering trying them again under the current pandemic lockdown. It may be a year before sessions are active again in my area, and I can play tunes with anyone other than my fiddler S.O. at home.

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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I have typically used the Mittels (mediums) on lighter built flattops and Starks (heavies) on archtops and a resonator, but I don’t think you’ll have any problems with the set you’ve chosen on your MT.
    Hi Pat, I really appreciate your confidence boost on my gauge choice. I will let you know!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    MT2 and all, I want to thank you for your knowledgeable advice! Your ideas are a big help to me. They will arrive Wednesday and after I restringing, I will post a report on how they suit my MT. Thanks again, Dan
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  35. #20
    Timothy Tim Logan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Rdeane View Post
    What are the string gauges on the mittels?
    Thomastik mittels:
    .010 015 .021 .033 (guage)

    17.4 15.4 15.4 15.4 (pounds)

    “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ― Albert Schweitzer

    1925 Lyon & Healy Model A, #1674
    2015 Collings A (MT2-V)

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  37. #21
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    on an arch top, I'd use the 154st. Even the, "Heavy" set maxes out at 0.34!

    f-d
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  39. #22

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hanson View Post
    I tried a set on an old Gibson A a few years ago, they were very quiet compared to the phosphor bronze strings [ J74 ] I normally use.

    Dave H
    Flatwound TI strings are an acquired taste I reckon. Nice to the fingers. Don't seem to cut in a group setting.

    Tried mittel and starks. Sounded the same when I took them off as when new.

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  41. #23

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld 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.

  42. #24

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Canada View Post
    David,
    Which Thomastiks sets are you using on your Mandola and Mandocello?
    Thanks!
    The mandola has mittle (medium) alto mandolin (European mandola) strings. I don't know about the mandocello, but probably mediums, also.

  43. #25

    Default Re: Thomastik-Infeld Strings

    Quote Originally Posted by Rdeane View Post
    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.
    No, they do not. You would have to buy a custom set, emando.com has a set that is nice. A great alternative is to buy d'addario flatwound chrome steel single guitar strings in the gauges you need. FYI, the D'addario FW custom set they sell for mandolin are simply repackaged chrome steel guitar strings in selected gauges. There is a great article on this at jazzmando.com that goes more into depth on this.
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