Getting TI feel/sound without the pricetag?

[hoketus]

Originally Posted by Budbear

These folks have 'em at 59.99 but have a 10% discount on all TI strings for a limited time. That'll bring the price down to 54 bucks. Use the code : 10offthomastik .

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/thomastik.html

Heads up, 5 string players: I'm seeing a JF344 set for $59.99 and a JF345 set for $92.95 (before discount). Effectively making that low B a $33 string.

I've checked juststrings.com and it's worse yet - $42.84 for that B!

I'm wondering if there's somewhere one can find a single B for cheaper?

[joelb79]

Did you check out the thread that has sound clips from both D'Addario tapewounds and TI Flats? I think they both sound very similar. Certainly a nudge of EQ somewhere in the lower mids on the D'Addarios would get you in the ballpark. The tapes are also very very loose feeling strings. I'd say they feel a lot like TI's too, sort of kind of. Although TI's do feel softer, almost like the string grabs around your finger due to the silk, and that is impossible to replicate with any other string.

Perhaps the $25 D'addario tapes are worth a try for the TI ballpark tone.

[Jazzdogg]

I have TI JazzFlats on several different basses, both fretted and fretless. The oldest have been in use for more than a decade and still sound good to me. On a cost per month basis, I find them unbeatable.

If you think they're expensive, have you priced TI Spirocores (for DB) lately?

[Marty Forrer]

The guts on my double bass run $500 a set. Still think TIs are expensive? They've both lasted around the same length of time too.... around 12-13 years.

[bassdog]

I don't currently have a set of TIs on a bass but have had them on basses in the past for up to 9 years. Only removed them because I wanted to go round wound on both my P and J. I got over the cost a long time ago. I think you actually save money by buying a set and sticking with them for years. They really cost only a little more than Chromes.

Bob

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by joelb79

Did you check out the thread that has sound clips from both D'Addario tapewounds and TI Flats? I think they both sound very similar. Certainly a nudge of EQ somewhere in the lower mids on the D'Addarios would get you in the ballpark. The tapes are also very very loose feeling strings. I'd say they feel a lot like TI's too, sort of kind of. Although TI's do feel softer, almost like the string grabs around your finger due to the silk, and that is impossible to replicate with any other string.

Perhaps the $25 D'addario tapes are worth a try for the TI ballpark tone.

When Chromes are new, they will sound like TI's. But Chromes will die and get thuddy at a much faster rate than TI's. TI's, in the 4 months I used them, simply would not die. So that's the difference.

[brendanbassist]

I've tried TI's, Chromes, GHS precision flats, Labella flats, several brands of halfwounds, and Sadowsky flats. The Sadowsky's are the only ones that come close to the TI's. They're cheaper, but not much cheaper.

[john_martin_sai]

Some TI owners are talking about them lasting 3 years - others 12 years.....

Is there a direct relation to how they (TI's vs others) age to how much they're played?

I strung up 2 basses with TI 344's 4 years ago with the expectation that I wouldn't be dealing with replacing them for at least 10 years, regardless of how much I played them.....was I wrong?

And I suppose the effect of age on the strings is very gradual. So when do you reach a point where you determine it's time to replace them?

[gidbass]

Not aware of any string (no matter the price range) that sounds/feels like TI's.

I've had my TI's on my ric for over a year, and occasionally I switch them out to see if I am missing anything...and I am not. I always come back to them. I can easily see them lasting at least 4 more years, so string cost is very low compared to other strings....

Good Luck!

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by john_martin_sai

Some TI owners are talking about them lasting 3 years - others 12 years.....

Is there a direct relation to how they (TI's vs others) age to how much they're played?

I strung up 2 basses with TI 344's 4 years ago with the expectation that I wouldn't be dealing with replacing them for at least 10 years, regardless of how much I played them.....was I wrong?

And I suppose the effect of age on the strings is very gradual. So when do you reach a point where you determine it's time to replace them?

I replace strings when I notice that they no longer sound as good as I want them to, or when they become physically damaged. Because I have so many basses strung with these, it's fairly simple for me to audibly compare the sound of new strings to well-used strings.

Many, like me, may prefer flats because they dislike the ganky/zingy sound of rounds. When I used to use rounds, I'd be reluctant to replace them because I disliked the sound of new strings. On the other hand, I've gigged new TI flats without reservation.

Satisfaction is based largely on one's expectations.

[john_martin_sai]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I replace strings when I notice that they no longer sound as good as I want them to, or when they become physically damaged.

Found this thread....

Do flatwound strings last forever?

[rockinrayduke]

I have a big stack of used JF344's and Chromes that I've accumulated over the years and have strung them up on various basses when the urge hits me. The 344's in particular still sound great even after using them on different basses over the years. The silk might be worn away a bit but the strings still sound nice, very broken in of course, and some of these strings go back about 10 years or so.

They cost more but they will sure last you longer than you'll have the bass most likely!

[MKA]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

When Chromes are new, they will sound like TI's. But Chromes will die and get thuddy at a much faster rate than TI's. TI's, in the 4 months I used them, simply would not die. So that's the difference.

I don't think that chromes, even when new, sound ANYTHING like TI's.

Up until a week ago, I had about a year old set of chromes (light gauge) in one bass (stingray), and about one year old TI's in another (Sandberg jazz). Had played both about as much. The TI's were MUCH darker and warmer sounding compared to chromes. But still the TI's sounded much better, more alive and punchy. Now both basses wear TI's.

TI's are a funny flat cause when new, the E and especially the A-string are quite bright, while D an G are quite warm right out of the box. The opposite is true with other flats that I've tried. In my experience it takes about a month of playing but after that they are really even sounding and stay like that for years. No other strings like TI's

[JimmyM]

Well I'm going by memory of TI's because it's been a few years since I tried them. But they have a pronounced upper mid like Chromes and I thought they were quite ringy. My perceptions my be a little off over time, but that was the impression that I got.

[jeffbonny]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Well I'm going by memory of TI's because it's been a few years since I tried them. But they have a pronounced upper mid like Chromes and I thought they were quite ringy. My perceptions my be a little off over time, but that was the impression that I got.

That was what, '05...'06? I still have those TI's of yours on my Pre and they're going strong.

I had another set of TI's on an ABG for almost 10 years. Compared to the $200 a year I spend to keep roundwounds on a bass the TI's work out to be about $6 a year. Not so expensive really.

[JimmyM]

Ya, you amortize them over time and it's pretty cost effective Glad to hear they're still holding up for you, bro!

[joelb79]

I wish I could have made TI's work for me. Or any flatwounds for that matter. String life jealousy abounds over here.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by joelb79

I wish I could have made TI's work for me. Or any flatwounds for that matter. String life jealousy abounds over here.

Don't feel bad. Why do you think I gave mine to Jeff?

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Don't feel bad. Why do you think I gave mine to Jeff?

I'm on 6 months with a set of DR hibeams though. I gotta give them credit for the most boil friendly string ever: after 6 boils the core wires just started to look funny. When they say stainless, they mean it. Not really relevant to this discussion, but... I'm just sayin'. Your back to D'Addario XL's now? I thought you used 95-40 Chromes? Your confusing me Jimmy.

[JimmyM]

Yep, back to XL's now. Happened about a month ago. I liked the Chromes but there were times they just got too muddy, plus I've always been a roundwound player and I guess old habits die hard.