Before I shell out the $$$$$ for Tomastik's

prd004 · #1 04-02-2011, 11:15 PM

Flatwound afficianados only please......................

I've been playing Roto's for a while now and I love the tone, and the even string-to-string volume/balance.......

But today I played a bass with lower tension strings and forgot how easy it is to play a bass where the strings don't fight you so much!

So I did some searching on here and it seems a lot of you guys are quite fond of Tomastik's and a lot of you are fond of Chromes.

Now I LOVE the feel of flats, but I must admit I have played some that just a dull thump and not a lot of tone, which is why I love the Roto's. So before I shell out for a set of Tomastics, just to try them how about your guys thoughts?

Looking for lower tension, smooth feel, and a bit more midrange presence, even upper-mids. What say the flat-wound guru's out there?

Mojo-Man · #2 04-02-2011, 11:47 PM

TI's sound different than Roto's.
But for what your looking for TI's fit the bill.
Some players love them, others hate them.
The only way to find out is to buy a set.
They are my favorite strings.

Jaco who? · #3 04-03-2011, 05:43 AM

Ironic, but I loved the tension, similar in that way to DR sunbeams/highbeams/fatbeams, couldn't get on with the tone, at least on my jazz. Oh, and if you search on Thomastic infield, you'll have much better luck.

sedan_dad · #4 04-03-2011, 05:51 AM

The TI's loose as a goose. I really like the Chromes. Smooth but I can dig in a bit.

bassboysam · #5 04-03-2011, 05:58 AM

My suggestion would be La Bella 760FX or the Sadowsky 100-40 set. Very smooth, fairly low tension (less than DR Lo-Riders in a similar gauge) and fantastic tone. Not overly thumpy and dead sounding either.

Gab124 · #6 04-03-2011, 06:26 AM

TI's - The tension for me was great, wonderful playability. The tone just didn't do it for me on a jazz - maybe too midrange for my styles I guess. I prefer the light set of Sadowsky flats. Good low end and some growl for flats on a jazz. Good luck. Everyone loves the chromes but they were a little too bright for me (yes I let them age a while). I found them on my bass and technique a little clickety clackety.

Billnc · #7 04-03-2011, 09:42 AM

TI's over chromes, at least from what you describe what you want. I bought my fretless used, it had chromes on it, the previous owner said he hated TI's on it. I tried TI's and preferred them over Chromes. Very different strings, which is a good thing.

Don Tony · #8 04-03-2011, 09:45 AM

After trying chromes, Roto's and DRs. I found Sadowsky flats gave me what I needed!!

rayzak · #9 04-03-2011, 09:55 AM

Sounds like you will really like the Ti's. I've tried chromes numerous times and always end up switching them because the tension is higher than I like. I just discovered LaBella's, which i'm really diggin' a lot. But Ti's are great!

Surly · #10 04-03-2011, 10:02 AM

My opinion would be to get Labella 760FL or the lighter Chromes. If you want more mids, rounder tone, Labellas; if you want more higher mids go for the Chromes. Listen to some youtube vids and you can get an idea of the tones. Each have their own slightly different voice. I would like to try Sadowsky flats, but the Labellas are a winner and now that I'm used to them I'm going to stay rather than keep spending money on string G.A.S.!

bluesblaster · #11 04-03-2011, 10:12 AM

Labella 760FL and Thomastik JF,s are my two personal favorites. Meaty and articulate are the best description I can give, Labellas are top load only though.

Gimme4 · #12 04-03-2011, 07:23 PM

Have read all I could find here about flats. I'm a newbie(40 yrs drummer) playing an epi rumblekat. Haven't seen anyone mention DR flats til now,& a guy I trust @ gc highly recommended them. How would they compare to chromes or roto 77's? Thanks for your input. Oh yeah, what does "meh" mean? See it all the time here...

leegreenman · #13 04-03-2011, 07:27 PM

Based on what you're looking for, I think you'll really like them.

markjazzbassist · #14 04-03-2011, 08:32 PM

yeah i was a longtime flats user and then switched to rounds for the low tension and bright tone. i tried the TI jazz flats and have fallen in love, so much flexibility and bite, yet still that flatwound fundamental tone. great

tjh · #15 04-03-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimme4

Have read all I could find here about flats. I'm a newbie(40 yrs drummer) playing an epi rumblekat. Haven't seen anyone mention DR flats til now,& a guy I trust @ gc highly recommended them. How would they compare to chromes or roto 77's? Thanks for your input. Oh yeah, what does "meh" mean? See it all the time here...

I have DR High Beam 45-105 flats on one bass right next to me, and Chromes 45-100 on another one next to it (same model Jazz bass) and they are two very different animals .. DR's are what I consider more of a 'conventional' flats sound, slightly higher tension straight across the board, and the Chromes are much brighter, slightly less tension ... I tried the .105 E on the Chromes, and actually went back to the .100 feeling is was more comparable to the rest of the set ... with that said, the tone/feel of the two is quite different, I am going to keep them strung this way as to complement each other .. BTW, both strings are fresh, very smooth and very good at what each does ... I have not tried Roto's, but have TI's and Dean Markleys on basses, and Pyramids on the way ...

prd004 · #16 04-04-2011, 07:08 AM

Thanks for all your info, this is REALLY helping! Just for the record when I say lower tension, I mean lower than the Roto's which are very high, not necessarily floppy weak!

Is there any way to guage tension? It would be awesome if there was some kind of comparison scale, maybe there is? It sure would be nice if we didn't have to shell out $40 just to see if we like the feel of a certain brand of string!

waxcomb · #17 04-04-2011, 09:34 AM

Look for used TIs here on TB. They need to be broken in anyway. Yes, you will think they are floppy and will need to readjust your playing style to much lighter.

You might try TI Jazz rounds as an in between step. Not super bright, but low tension and play great.

scottbass · #18 04-04-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

Looking for lower tension, smooth feel, and a bit more midrange presence, even upper-mids. What say the flat-wound guru's out there?

That is 100% the description of the Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats' advantage over other flats. If that's really what you want, then you for sure want TI's!

Just a word of warning - they come coated with some type of resin/rosin. It will come right off after a few days of playing.

I'm real old-school about my TI's - I have had the same set on my P-bass since 2008. I wipe them down with a string cleaner after each gig (about once a week), but that's it. IMHO they just keep sounding better and better!

scottbass · #19 04-04-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

Is there any way to guage tension? It would be awesome if there was some kind of comparison scale, maybe there is? It sure would be nice if we didn't have to shell out $40 just to see if we like the feel of a certain brand of string!

Many manufacturers, including T-I, publish tension specs. I would have included a link to T-I's product information page, but their web site is not cooperating with me right now.

onestring · #20 04-04-2011, 10:36 AM

What scottbass says. They sound perfect for you.

Everyone talks about the low tension of TIs, but I don't find them "floppy" at all. To me the tension is in a sweet spot for flexibility-if you dig in it's easy to get thwack and if play evenly you gut a pure tone. I have them on a J, a P, and a Dano.

They seem pricey up front, but I have a set that I've used for just over a decade--you do the math. If you don't like them, just sell them used. Someone on the board just sold a set for $37.

Just be willing to take a month or two with them to break them in. The tone really does mature after a little while.