Thomastik AC111

I'm using these on my Takamine TF. I've always liked the idea of flat strings on acoustic guitar. I knew Thomastik is a very good company, so I decided to try AC111. I have to say that these strings are kind of peculiar. I don't think they're the best for everybody. But they're exactly what I wanted.

The low E is the only roundwound string in the set, which can seem a little odd as a choice. But it's not the usual acoustic roundwound, it has a deep sound. If you ever played flatwounds strings you notice how the E string is always dry -almost percussive-. So I think they decided to include a roundwound low E in order to keep sustain even in the low register. And it works, because it's not a normal roundwound string. It sounds like an halfround, but just better. The A, D and G strings are very thin flats. The playability of these three strings reaches the best I've ever experienced, not only because they're thin but also because they are soft as silk. You can run fast as if you're playing electric, but the sound is still rich. My main fear, before I could try these, was somehow a timbre jump between the flat A, D and G and the round E. If you, like me, have this kind of doubt, don't worry about that. You can hear the difference, of course, but it's less than you probably think. The B and the E strings are normal gauge, very comfortable, and great sound.

The main thing about these strings is the sound. They sound really great, and I think they'll be my regular acoustic guitar string set. The playability is also a good factor, but in my opinion is nothing compared to the sound. I think these strings are very underrated. Everyone thinks at TIs as luxury brand, but nowadays Thomann allows us to buy them for few euros. Or, anyway not more than popular brands.

The musical habitat for these strings is folk or soft rock. I like them to play Bert Janschish things, early Paul Simon maybe.

Mounted on a Baton Rouge AR32S (scale 630mm, nut width 46mm) I love them for my fingerpicking (Travis blues, folk arpeggios, J.T. style, etc.). I started playing a year and half ago and was looking for light tension strings with good sound and playabilty: got all of that in one package!
They all are easy on the fingertips, the almost "no noise" finish of 3,4 and 5 works well and also they don't have that "too metallic" sound of new strings I always found on wound strings. Just got them so I can't say anything about their behaviour in time. At Thomann, price quite affordable (not so much around). Happy I decided to give it a go, they are going to become my standard strings.