I have been looking for new strings, and have tried many to date. Anyone use Tomastik Infelds? Their advertising sounds good, but so did Dean Markley's...and I hated them.

Nothing like TI's.
Truly a first rate, quality string.
Jazz Flats are my all time favorite.

I'd suggest searching the archives to read what people say about these strings. Many people love them, but they are a little different than most strings (softer, with less tension).

There have been many threads about them in the past.

I've used the TIJR344 nickelwounds and the JF344 flats. The Jazz flats are truly unique and I've never played on anything quite like them. Very warm and woody and the tone that, to me, seems to get better the older they get (the more they're played). Very flexible and playable, the lower tension makes them easy to move around on. Worth the initial extra expense because of the longevity.

The JR344 nickelwounds are nice too - a bit smoother than run of the mill, but I've never played any brand of nickel roundwound in a light gauge that I didn't like. They are all good. The TIs are expensive. To me, all nickelwounds are similar in tone and quality, regardless of whose name is on the label, so I buy the most inexpensive because I'm changing them much more frequently.

TI's a great. I've only tried the flats, but I'm sure all of their strings are very good. I just bought a set of flats for my jazz that I will have put on this week.

You'll find pages and pages of TI reviews and answers to questions HERE (http://pub206.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm18)

Tomastik Infeld strings---Wonderful strings, great sound...took some time for me to get used to....I was displeased with any 'Roundies' on my fretless..this eemed to be the cure.
Rather nice sound for my fretless 5'er, quite easy on the fingers....quite pleased with the low B.
They cost a small fortune, but are worth it.
I'd say to give 'em a try if yu have the money available.

LenG

I have Thomastik Infeld Jazz Rounds on my F-Bass BN5, Jazz Flats on my Godin SD-4, and Spirocores on my upright.

I'm still adjusting to the Rounds-I like their loose feel and broken-in new sound but I'm wondering if they'll have enough edge when they're a couple months old. I'm also not entirely thrilled by the low B which sounds a bit indistinct and hollow compared to the other strings. Plus it took Juststrings.com about 2 months to get their shipment from Austria. Like Jeb I find that most light/medium nickel rounds (particularly D'addario and Dean Markley) give me what I want for a lot less money.

OTOH, I'm thrilled with the Jazz Flats-they feel and sound amazing--Old-school fat,warm and punchy--but no mud. They turned a good-sounding bass into a great-sounding one. They're particularly good when played with a plectrum, and loose enough for slapping and tapping. That inner silk winding really does something for the tone and feel. Very classy.

The Spirocores are THE classic jazz upright string, known for their ability to be both warm and cutting when played pizzicato. Played with a bow these strings tend to sound pretty gravelly, but this can help project the sound. All in all, I'm impressed by TI's strings.

TI's here all the series not just the flats.:) I do like the flats on my P bass though.

;) Treena

The thing that impresses me even more than TI's sound, is the way they feel. I've had a set of the Jazz Flats on my Warwick for several months, and I've been very happy with the sound I'm getting, the tension is so low, which makes them feel very comfortable. My brother has the Jazz Rounds on his bass, and they're equally as impressive. Same low tension in a round wound string. It made his Brian Moore bass sound so much better.

My only complaint about my Jazz flats, is that in starting from about the 10th fret up on the E string, the the sound isn't that great. It just doesn't seem in tune or something. Does anyone else have this problem.

Also, does Thomastik make heavy gage strings? All the ones that I've seen are really light. I've gotten used to my strings, but I'd prefer heavier strings if they're available.

I have a Carvin Claro Walnut six-string, and have been unable to find a dealer with TI flat-wounds for a six. I like what I'm hearing and reading about TI's. I contacted the U.S. distributor...here's hoping they carry or can put together a set.

Thanks for the feedback.
I'll keep you posted.

DUDE sells 6 string sets, see his post earlier in this thread.
I'm a huge TI Flats fan. They get better as they get older.

I stock and sell the full line of Thomastik-Infeld strings and have the JF-346's in stock at all times!

Go here: http://pub206.ezboard.com/fthedudepitfrm18.showMessage?topicID=218.topic

Thanks Dude, I'll check in soon on the jf-346's. My wife just had a baby girl, so it'll be later in the week.

Thanks to everyone, this is most helpful. I'll let you all know what I think when I get 'em.

GrooveMongrel

I use TI Powerbass on all my basses, and when I get around to getting a Pbass, its going to have TI Jazz flats on it.

Originally posted by cheezewiz
I use TI Powerbass on all my basses, and when I get around to getting a Pbass, its going to have TI Jazz flats on it.

Thats the way to go!

http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung0903/spezial/jasons_smilie/idea2.gif

Treena

Even though I sell a ton of the TI Flats I've generally preferred the Powerbass EB-344's on most of my personal players but I recently bought a cheapie Epiphone Rivoli and I just put on a set of the JF-324's on it and I have to say that I am truly blown away at how good these strings made this bass sound!!

http://a1.cpimg.com/image/37/B7/24519991-93bb-02000155-R.jpg

Do they make any in stainless steel? I like the brightness of steel, but I'd like to try some TI's.

Nope sorry...the Powerbass are nickel plated steel over a hex core and about as bright as I'd image anyone could ever want. Try em sometime...I love em!

http://a5.cpimg.com/image/AB/C3/9735595-860a-020001F8-.jpg

I use the power bass strings on my Epiphone Jack Casady bass and man the thing sounds like a harp, truly amazing.I am thinking of getting a set for when i get my Sadowsky 5 in december. Has anyone used them on Warwicks, I think they would need to be taperd for the bridge.

Well I have ordered Jazz Flats for my six-string claro walnut carvin. I hope they will fit the piezo sddles, I forgot to ask about that:eek: Thanks for the hook-up Dude. And thanks to everyone who replied.

I can barely wait to string 'em up. I'll let you all know what's up when I do.

Was that you?? Thanks! Should work five with the Piezo sdddles no problem!

They're on their way!

TI Flats are what I hade put on a used Hohner 6-string bass, makes the axe much more enticing to play.

Great punchy sound. I just hope they last, these are my first TI's.

I think its worth the expense, the feeling is like wearing silk boxer shorts...(luxurious)

tim@dempseystudio.com

TI Flats are what I hade put on a used Hohner 6-string bass, makes the axe much more enticing to play.

Great punchy sound. I just hope they last, these are my first TI's.

I think its worth the expense, the feeling is like wearing silk boxer shorts...(luxurious)

tim@dempseystudio.com

Originally posted by Jacob Bartfield


Also, does Thomastik make heavy gage strings? All the ones that I've seen are really light. I've gotten used to my strings, but I'd prefer heavier strings if they're available.


the powerbass strings are heavier with a lot more tension than the rest of the TI line. check 'em out.

Originally posted by Dude
Was that you?? Thanks! Should work five with the Piezo sdddles no problem!

They're on their way!

Steve whick TI's would you suggest for my Guild acoustic with the fishman pre

http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung0903/spezial/Fool/smile.gif
Treena

Treena,

No question that I'd recommend the AB-344's. They are specifically designed to work with Piezo's. They do not have a steel core so they won't work for a bass that has both piezo & magnetic pickups but they'll work great on your bass.

They take some getting used to and you'll need to really play them with a light touch and they have this freaky "rolly" thing going on when you pluck them. If you do any string bending on the fingerboard you'll need to apply more pressure to the string with your left hand as the strings will tend to "roll" out from under your finger.

I use them on my Kramer Ferrington with Piezo as well as piezo equipped Turner Renaissance basses and they are wonderful once you get used to them. The thing to remember in order to get used to them is harder fingering pressure with left hand and lighter touch plucking with the right hand. (reverse if left handed obviously)



http://a5.cpimg.com/image/FF/C6/18631935-db93-020001F3-.jpg

>>My only complaint about my Jazz flats, is that in starting from about the 10th fret up on the E string, the the sound isn't that great. It just doesn't seem in tune or something. Does anyone else have this problem.<<

I got the TI flats on my warwick thumb bass..they sound great..very jazzy and much growl for flats on this bass. as for the intonation problems you are having after the 10th fret you might need to get your bass strobe tuned/set up but i have also noticed with the low tension strings it becomes almost to easy to bend the strings out of tune causing some odd sounding notes

Originally posted by Dude
Treena,

No question that I'd recommend the AB-344's. They are specifically designed to work with Piezo's. They do not have a steel core so they won't work for a bass that has both piezo & magnetic pickups but they'll work great on your bass.

They take some getting used to and you'll need to really play them with a light touch and they have this freaky "rolly" thing going on when you pluck them. If you do any string bending on the fingerboard you'll need to apply more pressure to the string with your left hand as the strings will tend to "roll" out from under your finger.

I use them on my Kramer Ferrington with Piezo as well as piezo equipped Turner Renaissance basses and they are wonderful once you get used to them. The thing to remember in order to get used to them is harder fingering pressure with left hand and lighter touch plucking with the right hand. (reverse if left handed obviously)



http://a5.cpimg.com/image/FF/C6/18631935-db93-020001F3-.jpg

Well I'm sold. I be by to put my order in!

http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung0903/spezial/Fool/nud.gif
Treena

I just strung my new Yamaha BB1500A with the six month old set of TI Flats I had on my P-Bass. This is the first time I've used flats on a Jazz Bass type setup. All I can say is WOW!

I had D'addario Chromes on it for about an hour before I swapped for the old TIs. The D'addario's were brighter (clanky) compared to the earthy timbre of the TI Flats.

I'm doing an all day jam/practice today with the TIs, I'll have to see how they sit in the mix. Perhaps I could post a clip of our recording later.

OK, I'm back from jammin' with the TIs and I still say WOW! The recording we made is on tape so I don't have a way (at this time) to post an MP3.

The bass was almost too present in the mix. I feel I could have backed off the low mids a bit for a fatter, rounder sound. The bass is new to me too so I'm still trying to find settings I like.

Played an 8 1/2 hour (yes, that's right) gig with a fresh set of TI Powerbass and had hardly any fingertip soreness, let alone blisters, afterwards. I don't practice alot either to really build up callouses. Any other string, and my fingers would have been bleedin' after that marathon!

The Powerbass strings are just as bright now as before the gig. I was really surprised how bright these strings are out of the box.

I will second everything Dude said about the TI AB's. Undoubtedly, they are the string for ABGs or semi-acoustic basses with piezo pu's. A sweet, sweet tone which have become an integral part of my sound.

Max

Well, I got the TI Jazz Flats installed on my Carvin Claro Walnut 6 with only a small hitch. The throat opening of my B saddle was too narrow for the .136 B string to comfortably ride in. I feed the strings thru the body so, I used a micro file to shave about .003 off of the bottom inch or so of the string, just above the ferrule. Also of note, the nut needed a little coaxing before accepting the string as well, about .002. The bridge was setup for taper wound strings and due to the difference in diameter between strings, B, E, and A had to be adjusted down accordingly to compensate...All of this led to a minor intonation problem as well, which was easily corrected.

....whew! So, what do I think of the sound after all that? I love it! They've got a responsive, fluid feel and beautiful warm sound. They really enhance the wood-like timbre of my instrument, very natural. My bass sounds more organic and less "wired" or "boingy" without the roundwounds. They are exactly what I was looking for, and more. Thanks everyone.

http://www.highnotemusic.com/Store.asp?m=highnotemusic&n=10&k=106085&s=ELECTRIC+BASS+GUITAR+STRINGS

I put a set of TI Jazz bass flats on my jazz bass and it made it the bass I've always wanted it to be. It's a natural ash and maple jazz and it's always been too bright, the TI's are exactly as GM said "organic". Sounds like an old jazz bass fer sure.

Feel great, sound amazing. I love these things!

wwww.highnotemusic.com $31.99 Great service.

Well...in the process of trying to improve the sound of the hollow indistinct JR low B string on my F-Bass I discovered I had not properly seated the ball end against the bridge. I removed the string and put it back in the proper spot (duh!)on the bass' Hipshot quick release bridge. Now it sounds great--clear pitch focus, tone just like the other strings (at least up until the 12th fret).

I'm actually finding I love these strings as they break in--this is the sound I've always wanted from this bass. Like blipndub's Jazz my F-Bass is ash and maple. I found the steel LaBellas it came with much too bright and Jazz Flats a little too dead.

The F-Bass has so much natural midrange that it gets a little too growly for my needs (mostly Latin, jazz, and dub) with regualr nickel rounds. It must be the silk layer inside the Jazz Rounds--but there's a perfect blend of thump and clarity, and none of the annoying (to me) roundwound clank.

I have superalloys on my fretless jazz (Lakland JO with a coated rosewood board) and I love them. When I have some more scratch, they are going on a couple of other basses as well. Really warm, big and punchy sounding, no clank in the high end, awesome strings...

Will the Jazz Flats fit on my new 35" scale fretless MTD kingston?

And also, Dude, can you recommend anything for my Traben bass? It is fretted, very punchy pickups, but it is 35" scale string-through so I need some extra long strings I think.. Cuz I don't know if a 35" scale string will work (even though the people at Traben e-mailed me back saying 35" would work). I just need strings that would fit, and keept that punchy tone present, like an ATK punch is what it sounds like.

I'm got Jazz Flats on the;
G&L Tribute
Lightwave Classica
Wish 1
Jazz Rounds on the Spector Q5

I have a set of TI Powerbass strings on my Sadowsky and am very happy with them.

I had the Jazz bass strings on my Joe Osborm..the E string is . 89 gauge..they are nice and sound great but not for me.. I took them off the JO and put on a set of Labella flays 45 - 105...

I am very happy with the Labellas.. perfect tension not too loose.... I tried the TI flats and I need more tension on my strings...

I just purchased the TI Superalloy set for 4 string bass.
I am going through withdrawal,here---as tempting as it is to string em on my MTD KH4, i am holding out until i can lace em up on my soon-to-have Warwick Corvette Proline 4 in a couple of months.
The wait is killing me.. :crying:

My only complaint about my Jazz flats, is that in starting from about the 10th fret up on the E string, the the sound isn't that great. It just doesn't seem in tune or something. Does anyone else have this problem.


I've never tried TI's. But I have been giving them a serious look.

Anyway, to answer your question...from what I understand TI's are lower tension than normal strings, as a result your intonation could be slightly affected by changing to these strings, ESPECIALLY on the big E-string. Suggestion: Try tweaking your bridge saddle back or forth on the E-string until it sounds better...also, try to note where you started from.

After playing D'Addario Slowounds for years, I switched to TI Jazz flats and will never go back to rounds again. I have them on my P's and a J, and imo have found the holy grail of strings.



>>My only complaint about my Jazz flats, is that in starting from about the 10th fret up on the E string, the the sound isn't that great. It just doesn't seem in tune or something. Does anyone else have this problem.<<

Check your pickup height. It may be too high, and when you fret the string that high up the string is too close to the pickup. The magnetic pull on the string becomes too much, and that can result in an out of tune sound.

i play the LaBella deep talkin' Flats on my fretless and have really been digging them.

however, i am very curious about these TI's i keep reading about. the only thing that worries me is that i play in a heavy band and we drop the E to D.

i know the TI's have a lower tension so i worry that the dropped D may be to flappy.
anyone have any knowledge about this?

i know it's strange to play metal with a fretless and flats!

I have a set of Acousticore strings on my 6-string Hanewinckel Semi-Hollow. With piezos only, of course.

http://www.unpronounceable.com/images/hanewinckel/studio/Dsc07494.jpg

Here are a couple of clips. The first has some EQ but the second is flat.

http://www.unpronounceable.com/solobass/audio/improv-2003-02-13-2345.mp3
http://www.unpronounceable.com/solobass/audio/improv-2003-04-05-2213.mp3

Nothing fancy, just more noodling. (files are about 7 megs each, CD-quality encoding)

- Dave

i play the LaBella deep talkin' Flats on my fretless and have really been digging them.

however, i am very curious about these TI's i keep reading about. the only thing that worries me is that i play in a heavy band and we drop the E to D.

i know the TI's have a lower tension so i worry that the dropped D may be to flappy.
anyone have any knowledge about this?

i know it's strange to play metal with a fretless and flats!

I''m curious to
Will detunig to D G C F work with TI Jazz Rounds?

:cool:
I agree with what was said above.
TI-Flats are the best strings I have ever used.
I've tryed them all.
1-TI-JF-344.
Feel all there own, get better with age.
2- Ken Smith Compressors.
Smooth feeling nickel strings.
Brighter than flats, but still plenty of bottom.
3. DR-Low Riders. Good roundwound set.
4- GHS- Tapewound strings.
Have used Labella's but GHS are 105-50.
like gage better.

Which type of TI's would anyone say may work best with a PV Cirrus? Do they even come in a X-long scale?
Michael

Now I 've tested to detune my Tomastic-Infeld Jazz Roundwounds -JR364 super long scale 36" medium stringed
Semiholow Ibanez Artcore bass to D G C F.
It sounded and felt amasingly good

How come??
The bass is 34" scale (even if the strings has to be extra long due to the stringancors long/big distance to the bridge sadles, and the strings are lowtensioned

Now I 've tested to detune my Tomastic-Infeld Jazz Roundwounds -JR364 super long scale 36" medium stringed
Semiholow Ibanez Artcore bass to D G C F.
It sounded and felt amasingly good

How come??
The bass is 34" scale (even if the strings has to be extra long due to the stringancors long/big distance to the bridge sadles, and the strings are lowtensioned

My bass is one of those
http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=AGB140

My bass is one of those
http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=AGB140
[/B]

My TI JF344's sound good on that bass.

Just for clarification purposes, the Jazz flats have a 136 B and are a higher gauge than the Jazz rounds correct? I've seen a few posts here and other places that say that Jazz flats are too low tension, and although they could be talking in relative terms to other flats.

Just for clarification purposes, the Jazz flats have a 136 B and are a higher gauge than the Jazz rounds correct? I've seen a few posts here and other places that say that Jazz flats are too low tension, and although they could be talking in relative terms to other flats.


Did you mean higher tension??

Jazz Round 4 string set (JR-344's) have 122.34 lbs of tension.

Jazz Flat 4 string set (JF-344's) have 140.19 lbs of tension.

Did you mean higher tension??

Jazz Round 4 string set (JR-344's) have 122.34 lbs of tension.

Jazz Flat 4 string set (JF-344's) have 140.19 lbs of tension.


exactly what I was looking for, thanks Dude

With the jazz flats being low tension, does that help or hinder being able to get a nice low action with them? This might be a stupid question but I'm curious :)

the lower tension the higher action has to go or the softer one's playing attack must be. I've read a lot about these strings, some (usually those who went from playing high tension flats) say they can't adjust to the touch or raise in action necessary for these strings, others say they didn't touch their instrument's setup when they changed strings.

the lower tension the higher action has to go or the softer one's playing attack must be. I've read a lot about these strings, some (usually those who went from playing high tension flats) say they can't adjust to the touch or raise in action necessary for these strings, others say they didn't touch their instrument's setup when they changed strings.

Are high tension flats, such as the rotosounds I use, more likely to mess up the bass' neck as opposed to TI's then? If so, what do I need to do to make sure this doesn't happen? Sorry if this is getting a bit side tracked, but I'll def check out some TIs after reading this thread :hyper:

Are high tension flats, such as the rotosounds I use, more likely to mess up the bass' neck as opposed to TI's then? If so, what do I need to do to make sure this doesn't happen? Sorry if this is getting a bit side tracked, but I'll def check out some TIs after reading this thread :hyper:

Neither high or low tension strings should "mess up the bass's neck" provided your truss rod is functioning properly.

finally got my TI Jazz Flats in and i must say that so far they are great.
they feel incrdibly different then the LaBellas i had on there and have a great midrange to them.

i have only played them through my practice amp so most ofthe comments are on how much better they felt. they are really a great playing string.

i have 3 gigs next week so i will finally get a chance to hear them through a live rig.

more to follow!

I have Thomastik Infeld Jazz Rounds on my F-Bass BN5, Jazz Flats on my Godin SD-4, and Spirocores on my upright.

I'm still adjusting to the Rounds-I like their loose feel and broken-in new sound but I'm wondering if they'll have enough edge when they're a couple months old. I'm also not entirely thrilled by the low B which sounds a bit indistinct and hollow compared to the other strings. Plus it took Juststrings.com about 2 months to get their shipment from Austria. Like Jeb I find that most light/medium nickel rounds (particularly D'addario and Dean Markley) give me what I want for a lot less money.

OTOH, I'm thrilled with the Jazz Flats-they feel and sound amazing--Old-school fat,warm and punchy--but no mud. They turned a good-sounding bass into a great-sounding one. They're particularly good when played with a plectrum, and loose enough for slapping and tapping. That inner silk winding really does something for the tone and feel. Very classy.

The Spirocores are THE classic jazz upright string, known for their ability to be both warm and cutting when played pizzicato. Played with a bow these strings tend to sound pretty gravelly, but this can help project the sound. All in all, I'm impressed by TI's strings.

Wich gauge/length do You use on the TI flats for the Godin A4?

I use TI Acousticore (nylon core/bronze windings) on the fretted A4. These are very light and low tension. The weigh in with a .086; .068; .053; .041 (E-G). These stringgs were developed by TI with Rick Turner for use with piezo pickups.

On the fretless A5, I have used these same TI Acousticores (adding a .032 for the C string).

Currently I have TI flats...(.100;.070;.056;.043;.033) in a more traditional five string tuning (in fourths from E) altho I have strung it with a standard TI flat set with low B string, but tuned CGDAE (low to high...tuning in fifths).

The only change was to twek the truss rod and replace the nut for the lighter set now employed.

Max

The TI Powerbass strings are one of my favorites.
I have used TI Jazz Flats before and may try them on my new American Jazz Bass.

hey guys!

i am in need of some new strings for a sadwosky 4 string fretless with a morado fingerboard. its a VERY warm bass.

i dont care for flats so does the powerbass strings sound like the logical choice?

thanks much guys!


simon

Simon,

I'd highly recommed the TI Jazz Rounds (JR-344) set for your fretless. These are the stock string that Rick Turner ships all his fretless Electroline basses with.

I've not tried the jazz rounds, been meaning too, how do their gauges compare to the superalloys?
Brutuscheezcake, I highly recommend the superalloys for your fretless, I have them, and love them. That is a sweet looking Sadowsky. What can you tell us about it? Is the fingerboard wood coated with anything? Pickups, etc?

dude!

thanks and perfect! i will give them a shot.

spc,

superalloys? are they another TI string?

the fretless has an uncoated neck. roger said that when i chew the neck off, send it back to him and he will replace the fretboard. he wasnt hip to doing the epoxy thing or the tape thing to a fretless neck.

roger knows.

trust roger.

send him your money

....all will be fine.


seriously, the bass is the warmest fretless i have ever heard. sustain forever.


say if you want to check it out, i am in phoenix (mesa actually) this weekend playing the highland games saturday and sunday. talkbassers in the area come look me up! lets have drinkypoo or two. i am on the main stage. probably three sets a day.


www.craicmore.com


your bud,



simon

Simon,
What's the tape thing? Superalloys are TI strings, check them out. I like the powerbass strings, but I love the Superalloys. Dude, that is a seriously nice fretless Sadowsky. You don't really see all that many fretless Sadowskys. Ash or alder? Pickups? Wouldn't that be expensive to replace the board? I like the sound of bare wood too, but I have to make a trip to the music shop every so often to have them sand it down or whatever (when the grooves start to get on my nerves, certain notes start to "rattle", etc.) How do you deal with that? The epoxy on Jaco's jazz must have been pretty thin, because I seem to recall him saying that he practiced with his fretted so the bass wouldn't get too chewed up. Maybe on his instructional tape?

BTW, thanks for the offer to check the bass out.

so first off, just as a general comment from a workingman

on the road you gotta hope that you stay at places with wifi or some sort of broadband. do your research and be prepared to find access everywhere. libraries rule!!!!!!

i am staying at a place that has ethernet access but will lend you a cable so that works just find for my bandmates who got a cable each. of course i brought my own because i checked it out before going on the road. next weekend its full wifi in port washington. ahh... the broadband life

spc you da man! anyone who recognizes the potential of that bass... i am not worthy of it yet, i do like to push it a bit though! someday i will be worthy.

the bass has sadowky pups in a jazz formation with teh first version of the vintage tone system using a stackpot on the back pot spot.

seriously, if you want the tone you must sacrifice. everything is a tradeoff. tone has its own domain. serious tone takes time, money , luck but mostly RESEARCH. who is saying what? the naked wood bit really growls like a mother. is it worth it?

what does talkbass say?

cost versus tone (and chewing up wood fingerboards) is not a consideration on an electric to me. the costs for great tone are relatively cheap versus playing upright. NOW that can run you some bux.

its late, my minibar budweiser is done. its time for a little sleep before a visciously early sound check of 8 am.

where am i?

(only kidding)


simon

spc,

i have a six string fretless made for steve bailey i got from him back when i was in school. it was made by heatfield prototype and it absolutley rocks. he used it on a few really cool things before i got it, its pictured on teh inside back cover of his early instructional material. prettyboy shots steve had in his "i have a harley and a bunch of basses" days. he is still cooler that me on his worst days. ahhh.. to be bailey-like.

i can post pic as soon as i get back into town. my portable does not have all my pictures on it.

the bass has a single continuos piece of very thin mylar tape on the entire fretboard. john carruthers (carruthers guitars in venice) did the work. the tape prevents grooves in the ebony. john had done the job for bailey on many basses at that point in time.


beddy bye time




simon

I use TI Jazz flatwounds on my Benavente SC5-B, and I've already had my share of funny looks :eyebrow: :rolleyes: :hmm: :scowl: :rollno:

Everyone seems to think that 'vintage', 'passive' + flats go together, certainly not 'modern', 'active' + flats. But when they listen to my tone :eek: they know that they were talking out of their [insert most appropriate body part here] :smug:

They've quckly become my favourite strings, and I intend to find out myself how they improve with age, even if it takes a very long time...

Everyone seems to think that 'vintage', 'passive' + flats go together, certainly not 'modern', 'active' + flats. But when they listen to my tone ...

I've used flats on my Zone. They sound awesome on an active bass :hyper:

Again, just a matter of preference.

Max, could you e-mail me at jay@grasstain.com and let me know who you bought your TI Acousticore strings from? I am in the market for a 5 string set for a Low B, ADGC tuning. Do you have any idea what other (if any) gauge options TI offers for their acousticores?

CHEERS!

Jay

I use TI Acousticore (nylon core/bronze windings) on the fretted A4. These are very light and low tension. The weigh in with a .086; .068; .053; .041 (E-G). These stringgs were developed by TI with Rick Turner for use with piezo pickups.

On the fretless A5, I have used these same TI Acousticores (adding a .032 for the C string).

Currently I have TI flats...(.100;.070;.056;.043;.033) in a more traditional five string tuning (in fourths from E) altho I have strung it with a standard TI flat set with low B string, but tuned CGDAE (low to high...tuning in fifths).

The only change was to twek the truss rod and replace the nut for the lighter set now employed.

Max

I have had a problem with my A string breaking on me lately.

The first was with the Jazz bass round wound, super long scale. The windings just became seperated while playing the bass, near the bridge where I pluck and the intonation was all fxxxed up.

I then restrung with the Superalloys super long scale. This time, the A string just snapped and came apart from its windings broke during a gig.

other variables:

I have not broke a bass string since 1989 and that was from bad slap technique on a cheap bass.

My current bass is a 36" scale and uses a hipshot bridge.

I slap very little and not very aggressively.
I pluck near the bridge, sometimes rather hard.

Anyone else with this problem? Maybe these wre made on a fritag or something.


Or should I check out the bridge and make sure nothing is causing the A strings to break prematurely. At first glance, I have not noticed anything.

Jay, I will try to get an e-mail out to you in the next few days...but my schedule right now is sooooo hectic...unbelievably busy...

I am a TI endorsee and so I get my strings straight from them. As such I do not have any problem asking for individual C's or such.

Last I remember, JustStrings.com did sell individual TI C's in both Jazz Rounds and Flats as well as Acousticores.

TI does not make "variety" gauges. They make just one set of each (no lights or mediums...just the "oddball gauges" that are their sets). I find these sizes to be very playable..and the are designed in reference to the musical overtones....they are incredibly balanced and musical throughout.

TIs are also handmade...so there can be "bad" strings (in refeerence to angelopb's post). I have heard of this before, but never experienced it.
I personally have not had any problems with TI strings. The only "bad" thing I have had is that the alloy on the Acousticore windings is softer than fretwire. I did have a G string begin to unravel on a solo gig (this due to the fact it has been on this bass for many months and thru many gigs). It was sorta amusing; I noticed a "banjo" or sitar-like buzz and looked down to se the winding unraveling, as I played, at about the 15th fret. At the end of the tune, I informed the audience of this (this was at an outdoor festival show) and since it was my only bass that day that I was going to incorporate that sound into the performance until the string fibally breaks. I improvised some erstaz-ragas, tossed in some Earl Scruggs riffs (yes, the "Ballad of Jed Clampett")...and the string lasted the entire set! It did unravel, but did not break.....

Max

My '97 MIA Jazz just got outfitted with a set of TI Superalloys. They sound beautiful acoustic. I'll see what happens when I plug it into an amp. I'm excited.

-Mike

Thanks Max!! :)

Jay, I will try to get an e-mail out to you in the next few days...but my schedule right now is sooooo hectic...unbelievably busy...

I am a TI endorsee and so I get my strings straight from them. As such I do not have any problem asking for individual C's or such.

Last I remember, JustStrings.com did sell individual TI C's in both Jazz Rounds and Flats as well as Acousticores.

TI does not make "variety" gauges. They make just one set of each (no lights or mediums...just the "oddball gauges" that are their sets). I find these sizes to be very playable..and the are designed in reference to the musical overtones....they are incredibly balanced and musical throughout.

TIs are also handmade...so there can be "bad" strings (in refeerence to angelopb's post). I have heard of this before, but never experienced it.
I personally have not had any problems with TI strings. The only "bad" thing I have had is that the alloy on the Acousticore windings is softer than fretwire. I did have a G string begin to unravel on a solo gig (this due to the fact it has been on this bass for many months and thru many gigs). It was sorta amusing; I noticed a "banjo" or sitar-like buzz and looked down to se the winding unraveling, as I played, at about the 15th fret. At the end of the tune, I informed the audience of this (this was at an outdoor festival show) and since it was my only bass that day that I was going to incorporate that sound into the performance until the string fibally breaks. I improvised some erstaz-ragas, tossed in some Earl Scruggs riffs (yes, the "Ballad of Jed Clampett")...and the string lasted the entire set! It did unravel, but did not break.....

Max

How are these strings for hard picking/finger style? Do you guys think it would handle constant fast/hard picking?

How are these strings for hard picking/finger style? Do you guys think it would handle constant fast/hard picking?

They require a lighter touch in my opinion. I think if you want flats and want to play hard, Chromes, Fenders, or Rotosounds would be a better option.

Dan

Agree with christle-- a lighter touch is necssary. They don't respond well to diggin' hard. Unlike other strings, digging in doesn't really increase volume much.

I don't really agree with that assessment because if you are digigng in hard then you aren't really worrying about dynamics. Any string is going to give better dynamics with a light touch. The string can only do so much to induce a signal in the pickup. After you get near that point all of the bashing and thrashing is just wearing out your fingers. TI's aren't magic in this regard, but the lower tension means that the usable range is reached sooner.

I beat the snot out of the TI Jazz Flats on my P bass, and they keep on ticking. You will know if you killed them because the intonation will start to fall apart. It took a huge amount of playing to make this happen, but it did happen. Otherwise they are just a great sounding string.

I'm pretty much down to using either Jazz Flats or Super Alloy. I've used a lot of powerbass and jazz round sets and they are excellent but i like the superalloys the best out of all of them.

I'm considering a set of TI Jazz Flats, I'm using DR Hi-Beams at the moment and I hate their feel and I'm looking for a warmer tone. The problem is with the DR's is I can't get the action as low as I prefer without it buzzing, is this going to be worse with the Jazz Flats because of their lower tension? Should I look at a different set of Flats?

I have never had a problem with TI's and low action. The only thing you need to be aware of with TI' is that the lower tension takes a bit of getting used to. They do sound sweet though :p

needmoney-- I use TI's with action set so low the strings show through the back of the neck-- no buzz. IMO, the buzz is probably a set up or fretwork issue.

I don't see anything in Fretless' post "dickish".

Got a mirror?? Try looking at it pal.

duuuuude.........

LOL....

LOL... wouldn't that be "Walther"?

Agree with christle-- a lighter touch is necssary. They don't respond well to diggin' hard. Unlike other strings, digging in doesn't really increase volume much.

Digging in hard on the TI Flats brings out some killer tone IMO.
Everybody talks about how you have to play them with a light touch. I agree that a light touch works wonders with them, but there is also some awesome tone in there that can be brought out by digging in hard (and I'm not talking about increased volume).

Edit: I would like to add that the low tension of them makes it harder (for me) to play fast.

I do a bit of fast playing here and there, will the TI Flats be okay for that? I thought it would be easier to play fast on Flats than opposed to SS strings..

I do a bit of fast playing here and there, will the TI Flats be okay for that? I thought it would be easier to play fast on Flats than opposed to SS strings..


If you have a good setup on your bass, then IMHO you will find playing with TI jazz flats almost effortless. :hyper:

That has been my experience. So much so, that I'm taking my XL roundwounds off my Jazz fretted bass, and going back to TI jazz flats. (My Pbass deluxe has TI jazz flats-3 years old, still going strong!)

Get a set of those, and won't regret it :bassist:

Digging in hard on the TI Flats brings out some killer tone IMO.
Everybody talks about how you have to play them with a light touch. I agree that a light touch works wonders with them, but there is also some awesome tone in there that can be brought out by digging in hard (and I'm not talking about increased volume).

Edit: I would like to add that the low tension of them makes it harder (for me) to play fast.

Probably, the reason they slow you down is that you're diggin' too hard (in search of that "killer tone")! :)

I just wanted to put in my 2 pence on the TI Jazz Rounds.

I think they're fantastic. They're everything that I was looking for in a 6 set. They're extremely smooth, all but the B string feel almost flatwound, big difference from the old Rotosounds I had on my 4 string or the stock strings that were on my 6.

They have the same silk winding on the inside that the Jazz Flats have, so they definitely have a thumpier, darker sound, which is fantastic for what I like to play, namely Jazz, Fusion, and Classical.

They're also light gauge, and do have a bit less tension. I had to work for a good 2 hours to get my string height set up just right to minimize the buzz. They tend to vibrate a bit more than other strings, or maybe that's just me. I've found with these strings that a light touch is definitely required to avoid fretbuzz, which almost seems counterintuitive, but it's what I was looking for, so I'm happy. I'm anxious to see how long they truly last. So far they seem to be worth the steep price, but time will tell.

Jim

Well after reading this through this thread I got some real GAS to try out a set of Jazz flats on my Stingray. Before I go and shell out the money do you think that these strings are good for rock? I dont mean to hijack, but I was just curious.

to those who have used both how would you say the TI's differ from Chromes in tone. i know TI's are low tension but im interested in the different sound they produce.
thanks for any input

Dave.

Chromes a bit more darker and with a tad more thud. TI's still sound like flats but are more musical and with a clearer fundamental. Chromes are like this compared to other flats I have tried such as GHS and Lakland JO's.

Dan

I've been using the Powerbass and Acousticores for about 2 years, they're great and last longer than anything I've ever used. The Acousticores have been on my Carvin AC40 fretless for a year!!