Flatwounds revisited

jar546 · #1 03-30-2008, 11:55 AM

I have searched and found some great information on flats but not all of my questions have been answered, hence this post.

I use EB Flats on my SR5HH and really like the sound. However, I am not thrilled with the string tension, especially on the 1st & 2nd frets which need significant more pressure.

I heard that the TI Flats have less tension and a great sound but the major complaint that I read is that they are too floppy if you play hard.

1) Do the TI Flats have the same, more or less tension than "average" roundwounds?

2) For the TI Flat players, especially the 5 stringers, why do you like them? (sound, growl, etc)

3) Any problems with the low B string?

Thanks in advance.

king_biscuit · #2 03-30-2008, 12:12 PM

I can answer your first question: the only string I've ever played that had around the same tension as the TIs (besides TIs) were superwound Funkmasters (90-70-50-30). TIs have way less tension than super slinkys or XLs (45-100), for example.

jamesblue · #3 03-30-2008, 01:33 PM

I just (today) replaced DA Chromes with TI flats (47-96 long scale). Did not have to adjust the neck or string height on my Hamer Cursie (jazz). Just a little intonation adjustment.

Anyway, yes they seem to have more "play/floppyness" to them, but nothing I can not get used to after playing on it for a few hours. They sound great, brought new life into the bass!! I did a test recording and it is so much better sounding now.

They do have a good growl to them, not too aggressive but just right.

I can slap them just fine, pleanty of tension to do it.

If you have a heavy/strong playing style and just don't want to lighten up then I guess you may want a different string. BUT, sound wise these are great.

ljazz · #4 03-31-2008, 03:41 AM

After they've broke in, you'll notice the strings kinda "stiffen-up". I have an older set on a G&L SB1, and put a newer set on a SB2 just a couple of months ago. There was a big difference.... and I can't explain it. Now that the new set has broken in, there is no difference. Maybe it's more crud in the windings?????? Anyway, they sound and feel great!

Ljazz

jar546 · #5 03-31-2008, 09:41 PM

Ok, who uses them and why?

62bass · #6 04-01-2008, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar546

Ok, who uses them and why?

If you do a search you'll find countless posts about this. In my case it's the sound first, playing ease second. They sound better than any other flatwound string I've played and they are easier to play. Their extremely long playing life (8 years on my oldest set so far) is another bonus.

Muckaluck · #7 04-01-2008, 03:15 AM

I like them on my passive Warwick 5 string because its the most organic sound I've ever played.

I did not like them on my 55-01 becuase they didn't sound right matched with the bass. It was kinda like mixing pickles with ice cream. Both are good but not good together. The sound was just kinda flat.

I think they're best suited to 34" 5 strings with a passive option (especially 5 strings with exotic woods). That way, with the passive bass, the true sound of the strings can mesh with the wood tone and you get a really accurate representation of the sound comming out of the bass.

nemo · #8 04-01-2008, 03:19 AM

I have TIs 5 set that I don't use. Way too low tension, like rubber. The B is also dead, dont like it. Also the threads surface is not completely flat, there are a very little gaps between windings so it feels a bit sticky to fingers.

I have also Sadowsky flats 5 set that I can recommend. Very smooth surface, tension is on middle ground for flats. Balanced sound accros a set.
Soundwise, the TIs are defined and mellow, Sads are defined and little bit more present.

Thinking about it, if you love your EB flats on your bass and intend to have flats there consistently, you may consider changing the nut or filing the grooves lower to have more comfortable action on first frets.
Or setup the trus rod.

ljazz · #9 04-01-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemo

I have TIs 5 set that I don't use. Way too low tension, like rubber. The B is also dead, dont like it. Also the threads surface is not completely flat, there are a very little gaps between windings so it feels a bit sticky to fingers.

They feel sticky because they still have the coating on them.... you didn't leave them on long enough to break in, because whatever in the heck they put on there goes away. And I'm dead serious.... they really do seem to stiffin up once they're broke in. They end up just a bit less stiff than Chromes.

I can't comment on the B string, but again, they might all kinda even out once they're broke in. As for the EADG... they're the most evenly matched strings I've ever had on flatwounds, and trust me, I've tried nearly every brand out there (heck, I think I've got about 5 different used sets laying here, including a set of Sadowsky's). I thought the Sadowsky's were nice, but the E string was a bit boomy. I took them off in favor of the TI's.

Ljazz