Strings for Taylor 812ce - Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum vs La Bella

[Clydetower]

Hi!
I'm looking to try some new stings on my 2014 Taylor 812ce Grand Concert. I currently use Elixir HD Lights (13-53) as recommended by Taylor. They're ok for fingerstyle, however I find they have a tinny/metallic sound that I don't enjoy especially when using a flat pick. I'm looking for a warmer fuller tone with good bass response and thought I would try some silk & steel strings. Anyone have experience with either Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum or La Bella strings?

La Bella 710M (12-56) seem like a good option, not to expensive and the string gauge seems like a good choice for a healthy low end. However, I've heard a lot of good things about the Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum strings. They are more expensive, but where I'm hesitating is the choice of gauge. I would tend to go for the Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum Bronze Medium AC112 (12-59), but that low E sting at .59 is quite beefy... I'm afraid it wouldn't sit well in the nut. As far as the Lights AC111 (11-50), I'm feeling I wouldn't get the bottom end and full tone I'm looking for.

Any thoughts?

[mkitman]

I've been using the AC111s on my 914 for around a year now (and the AC211 on my 954); I think that the sound is stellar (low end much better than the Elixirs, but maybe not as deep as on some other guitars).

I was going to try them on my 812, but just haven't gotten around to it yet... I'd be interested in hearing what you think if you do try them!

[SprintBob]

Hi CT,

For my 812, my three favorite strings sets are DR Rare, DR Sunbeam, and the TI Plectrums. The TI Plectrum (of the three) I like the most. I have just about the same opinion you have of the stock Elixir’s that Taylor uses. The DR strings both have great tone and balance but I only get about 6-7 weeks life out of them before they start to dull out on me. I’ve consistently gotten 3-4 months out of TI Plectrums. I really like the Plectrum’s string to string balance (which makes them sound “sweet” to my ear) and I really like the lower tension (compared to the DR’s) that still produces great low end without the low end strings getting too slinky.
I prefer the Plectrum 11-50’s but I’ve used the 12-59’s with no issue with the low E string in the nut of my 812. You should try both.

I have tried the LaBella Silk and Steels and they have nice tone but the projection was kind of soft. I would buy them again but I prefer the DR’s or Plectrums.

Good luck.

[Clydetower]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

I prefer the Plectrum 11-50’s but I’ve used the 12-59’s with no issue with the low E string in the nut of my 812. You should try both.

Hey SprintBob, thanks for the recommendations. Hadn't considered the DR strings, will put that on my list. In relation to the 812, your preference for the 11-50's vs the 12-59's is more about the tone or the feel? Fingerstyle or flat pick?

Thx!

[Clydetower]

Originally Posted by mkitman

I've been using the AC111s on my 914 for around a year now (and the AC211 on my 954); I think that the sound is stellar (low end much better than the Elixirs, but maybe not as deep as on some other guitars).

I was going to try them on my 812, but just haven't gotten around to it yet... I'd be interested in hearing what you think if you do try them!

Yep! I'll probable order the Bella's, Thomastik and maybe some Dr's and do some comparaisons, fingerstyle and flatpicking... Will post the results :-)

[Chedeng88]

I've experimented with different strings on my Taylors including Thomastiks and I still kept coming back to Elixirs. During my experimentation, the non-Elixir string that I really liked was Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze.

[Brucebubs]

I've tried those exact 2 strings on this guitar.



Both are soft-feel and both are well made.
I agree with SprintBob that the TI's might have a touch more projection but value wise the La Bella's are excellent.

I'm planning on trying GHS Silk & Bronze strings next.

[Clydetower]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I've tried those exact 2 strings on this guitar.



Both are soft-feel and both are well made.
I agree with SprintBob that the TI's might have a touch more projection but value wise the La Bella's are excellent.

I'm planning on trying GHS Silk & Bronze strings next.

So you went with the 12-59's? Interesting, how are they compared to the 11-50's? Any issues on how the low E .59 sits in the nut?

Nice guitar by the way, what is that?

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Clydetower

So you went with the 12-59's? Interesting, how are they compared to the 11-50's? Any issues on how the low E .59 sits in the nut?

Nice guitar by the way, what is that?

That heavier gauge is easy because they are such a soft feel string.
I haven't bothered trying them any lighter gauge so I can't tell you how they compare with 11-50's.

The guitar is built by Australian luthier Dan Dubowski - pictured here at a guitar makers exhibition with the actual guitar standing on display.

[DenverSteve]

EJ16 & EF17 D’Addario’s are my favorites on my 912.

[SprintBob]

Originally Posted by Clydetower

Hey SprintBob, thanks for the recommendations. Hadn't considered the DR strings, will put that on my list. In relation to the 812, your preference for the 11-50's vs the 12-59's is more about the tone or the feel? Fingerstyle or flat pick?

Thx!

11-50 vs 12-59, probably feel more than tone.

I fingerstyle and flatpick. Plectrums are quiet strings also in terms of finger squeak, nice bonus.

[Brucebubs]

Tried GHS Silk & Bronze 12-54 for the 1st time just yesterday.
Really impressed.
Feel like PB's but warmer tone like Silk & Steel.
Surprisingly well balanced too.

[Clydetower]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

11-50 vs 12-59, probably feel more than tone.

I fingerstyle and flatpick. Plectrums are quiet strings also in terms of finger squeak, nice bonus.

So I ordered some TI Plectrums 11-50, some DR Rare 12-54 and some La Bella 12-56.

I started out with the TI Plectrums and let me say... WOW! Blown away by the tone and feel on my 812. Just night and day compared to the Elixir HD lights. Its like I'm falling in love with with my 812 all over again. I especially love the flatpick tone, where as before with the Elixirs it sounded tinny/metallic, now it sounds rich, mellow and full. Plus the low tension is a bonus, they feel "creamy" for lack of a better word.

The only advantage I would give the Elixirs is they feel a bit "faster" because of the coating, your fingers slide a bit easier and you get a little less squeak, but I'll trade that for the tone and creaminess I'm getting with the TI's any day of the week. The only thing I'm anxious to find out is how long they last... hopefully they last at least as long as the Elixirs cause these babies are quite expensive.

I wonder if I'm ever gonna get around to trying the DRs or the La Bellas... maybe should have kept the best for last!

[colins]

Hi CT

Glad you like the TI Plectrums, I also think they are great strings. I have used the 11-50s on a couple of guitars for some time. They are pricy but they seem to last well (for me at least).

As another thought…I recently tried Newtone Heritage strings on one guitar. Plectrums and Heritage are both low tension strings. At the moment I prefer the Heritage, which are also a bit cheaper. I also use Newtone strings on my other guitars for a great, warm sound.

Col

[Clydetower]

Originally Posted by colins

Hi CT

Glad you like the TI Plectrums, I also think they are great strings. I have used the 11-50s on a couple of guitars for some time. They are pricy but they seem to last well (for me at least).

As another thought…I recently tried Newtone Heritage strings on one guitar. Plectrums and Heritage are both low tension strings. At the moment I prefer the Heritage, which are also a bit cheaper. I also use Newtone strings on my other guitars for a great, warm sound.

Col

Hey Col,
Glad to hear you've gotten good mileage out of the TIs. Hopefully that will be my experience as well. I've also heard other members speak highly of the Newtones. What is the gauge you're using?