The Best Guitar Strings For Jazz
We've written about some of the best guitars for jazz, as well as which amplifier best suits the style and overall instrument essentials. In this article, we will focus on one question: what is the best jazz guitar string out there?
Of course, there's no simple answer to this, as it depends on the sound you want, but keep an eye out for some key considerations and recommendations when setting up to play jazz.
We'll introduce you to some of the technical aspects, talk about the two main types of strings - flatwound and roundwound strings - and also look at what some of the great jazz guitarists out there. world use.
String size that jazz guitarists often use
Wire size refers to the thickness of the wire. Sets are referred to by the thickness of the thin E wire and are generally divided into 3 types:
- Light string - light (0.09s)
- Medium wire - medium (0.11s)
- Heavy String - heavy (0.12-0.13+)
Lighter strings are easier to press down and bend, making them easier to play and tend to produce a thinner sound. Heavier strings are harder to play but have a warmer timbre.
Unsurprisingly, most jazz players prefer heavier strings, which tend to be between 0.11 and 0.13, but most string brands come in a variety of thicknesses.
In terms of great jazz guitars, John Abercrombie used one of the lighter string variations (0.10), while Mike Stern & John Scofield are both reported to use 0.11 average strings. . In terms of heavyweights, Joe Pass used 0.12 and Wes Montgomery clearly 0.14!
Roundwound vs Flatwound
The bottom strings of electric guitars are wound with a roundwound. Most guitar strings are round, using an outer round string.
These Roundwound strings are bright, have more overtones, and work well with more 'electric' guitars, such as semi-hollow or solid-body guitars.
Flat strings are wrapped in a flat string, producing a softer, deeper sound, favored by upright guitarists, such as Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell.
Often associated with archtop guitars, using these strings will give you an authentic, classic tone and, in general, will last much longer than a set of Roundwound strings.
You can find a quick demo of both in this video by London jazz guitarist Sam Dunn:
Best Flatwound Guitar Strings for Jazz:
D'addario ECG24 Chromes Flat Wound
Among the most popular among jazz guitarists, the D'addario ECG24 strings are a great choice for flat strings!
Thomastik GB112 George Benson Flat Wound
Made by Thomastik to George Benson's specifications, these high quality GB112 strings are available only in higher sizes, starting at 0.12.
Best Roundwound Guitar Strings for Jazz
D'addario EXL116 Nickel Wound
With combo sizes optimized for damping, these D'addario coiled strings are made of nickel-plated steel to produce an exceptionally bright jazz tone.
Ernie Ball Slinky
This is a great, affordable, versatile electric guitar string that comes in a variety of sizes and is played by the likes of Jimmy Page & Eric Clapton.
Thomastik-Infeld Power Brights
As the name suggests, these strings produce a brighter sound than most strings, along with a longer sustain and stronger sound. They are designed to enhance harmonics and work excellently with overdrive.
They're also very versatile – the brightness can be easily adjusted using the tone knob on your guitar.
Kemp Strings
Kemp Strings are another great multi-tool, with great tone and durability, but they also have a unique 'equal sensitivity' meaning the force required to bend each string is the same, unlike the Kemp Strings. conventional sets where bending is impractical on thicker wire.
“Kemp strings are really fun to play – they feel and sound great, and their equal flex sensitivity opens up all sorts of new creative possibilities!' ' Joe Williamson, guitarist & Kemp Strings advocate.
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