ok acousticore fans

JES · #1 06-11-2006, 08:33 AM

Hi All,

I posted a thread on ABG strings below and got a lot of helpful responses. I also read around on the site and saw that there are a lot of TI acousticore fans. I love the feeling of TI jazz flats on my Frecision. But there seem to be two competing schools of thought:

1. That they make your ABG sound like an upright.

2. That they make your ABG sound like a nylon-string acoustic.

So which is it? I'm interested in the acoustic sound here (as opposed to plug in -- for plugged in I use a regular ABG). Do they sound good for chording and strumming? Are they loud enough to play by yourself or with a similarly quiet instrument like a nylon string guitar?

Thanks.

--JES

Lokire · #2 07-06-2006, 07:19 PM

A little late, but here, listen for yourself

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lMGhJ9JAECs

They're definitely loud enough to play by yourself, and probably with another instrument that isn't too loud.

JES · #3 07-07-2006, 09:30 AM

Hey thanks -- that was great. And they're definitely loud enough!

Best,
--JES

JES · #4 06-05-2007, 10:13 AM

Hey, I wanted to resurrect this thread.

I play a Martin BC15E fretted. After a year with the Martin Phosphor-Bronze strings, I think I'd like to try the Thomastiks. Here's the thing: the local Martin luthier HATES them. He says they're too quiet and buzzy on fretted ABGs to be of any use unamplified. He says they can work on fretless, but not fretted. So, does anyone have a clip of a fretted ABG unplugged with acousticores? I'd rather not shell out the $$ if it's going to be a whole setup only to find he's right (and the guy is good, so I'm worried).

Same questions as when I started the thread, but for the fretted players out there: do they sound good for strumming, can they handle a strong attack (I leaned on upright -- I'm not gentle) and are they loud enough to play by yourself or with a nylon string guitar?

Thanks.

--JES

7flat5 · #5 06-05-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JES

the local Martin luthier HATES them. He says they're too quiet and buzzy on fretted ABGs to be of any use unamplified. He says they can work on fretless, but not fretted. So, does anyone have a clip of a fretted ABG unplugged with acousticores? I'd rather not shell out the $$ if it's going to be a whole setup only to find he's right (and the guy is good, so I'm worried).

Same questions as when I started the thread, but for the fretted players out there: do they sound good for strumming, can they handle a strong attack (I leaned on upright -- I'm not gentle) and are they loud enough to play by yourself or with a nylon string guitar?--JES

First, a confession that my experience with these is on a lightwave fretless, so I can't answer your direct question.

The Acousticores were designed for use with piezo bridges, and they reward a subtle touch. Just based on my experience, it seems to me that it is very likely that your luthier is exactly right in most cases. There may be instruments and playing styles they might work acoustically with, though.

Re: clips, I don't think that'll help much. I bet these would sound great if you stuck a mic right at the sound hole, but that wouldn't really answer your question re: volume with an acoustic.

BassBod · #6 06-05-2007, 02:11 PM

I recently got some to put on a Martin - hopeless, without a complete new setup (higher nut, bridge, etc). They sound great amplified (warm and much softer than usual bronze strings) but they're too low tension for me to use without a fair bit of work to the bass. I can understand why a tech wouldn't be too happy with them.

BB

JES · #7 06-06-2007, 06:15 AM

Okay, thanks for the replies. It's much appreciated.

--JES

pfschim · #8 06-07-2007, 12:04 PM

I have had acousticores on my Turner Ren 4 fretless (as well as a cheapie MF Rogue fretless AEB) for the past 2 years and I will strongly second the opinion that they do reward a light articulate touch. I really like the light tension myself. Very expressive hand/finger feel and wonderful tone on the fretless. Takes some adjusting when switching from a more traditionally strung Jazz.

Sort of an EUB sound, but not really. Definitely not a nylon string guitar sound either though.

unfortunately I can't comment on how they work on a fretted instrument.

enjoy!

Lokire · #9 06-08-2007, 01:15 PM

I just remembered that I have played the Acousticores on a fretted instrument. I played them on a Rob Allen 5-string at Bass Northwest. They played like a dream, and (going through an Epifani stack) it had one of the best tones I've heard. Amazingly deep and articulate. The guys at BassNW said they didn't like the strings much because of the low tension, but I love 'em!

I'll definitely be using TI Acousticores on my 6-string Kinal Kompact (fretted), once it's finished being built

bearfoot · #10 06-17-2007, 01:56 PM

I had a set on a fretted ABG. Although they recorded beautifully through the piezo, I had to take them off for basically the same reasons mentioned. A large volume loss fingerstyle, and the strings just generally seem to reach their maximum speaking volume very easily. You can't dig in on them at all. I had to get back to the bronze. But I kept the Acousticores for a rainy day.