Has anybody comapred the flatwound DR's to the Thomastik-Infelds

[aluminumbassguy]

Has anybody tried the DR's flatwound string in either the 5 or 4 string set. I was wondering if they are as "flexible" as the Thomastik flats. I found the Thomastiks to be way to flexible for myself and I was wondering if the DR's were a little stiffer. Kind of between a conventional set and the infeld's. I haven't read much about the DR's. Supposedly the DR's have a round core.

[Psychicpet]

I'm using a set of DR flat 5's (Hmmm.... -7(b5) )
right now and to my memory when I had used a set of Thomastik 4s, the DRs are definitely a bit more stiff than the Thomastiks.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by aluminumbassguy

Has anybody tried the DR's flatwound string in either the 5 or 4 string set. I was wondering if they are as "flexible" as the Thomastik flats. I found the Thomastiks to be way to flexible for myself and I was wondering if the DR's were a little stiffer. Kind of between a conventional set and the infeld's. I haven't read much about the DR's. Supposedly the DR's have a round core.

I've got TIs on a few of my basses and a new box DRs waiting its turn. What I've read is nothing in flats is as flexible as TIs, but the DRs are supposedly more flexible than La Bellas and Fenders. Try them and see what you think.

[aluminumbassguy]

The infelds say they have a "highly flexible core". Almost sounds braided doesn't it? At least when I tried them it felt like that. I thought that the DR's might be a really great alternative. Standard flats, I guess hex-core, can get a little stiff if you know what I mean?

[Skywalker83]

Can't say i've "comapred" anything to be honest.

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by Psychicpet

I'm using a set of DR flat 5's (Hmmm.... -7(b5) )
right now and to my memory when I had used a set of Thomastik 4s, the DRs are definitely a bit more stiff than the Thomastiks.

+1 The DR's are stiffer.

[greenboy]

DRs are a true, traditonal design/materials flat, and they are going to sound and feel much like flats have ever since the "classic" recordings so many revere, a variation on a common theme.

TI's are made out of other materials and construction is entirely different. Therefore, they do not really sound and feel like "traditional" flats. Not bad - just not the same as what people refer to when they talk about the kind of flats Jamerson, McCartney, a gazillion other have used... Somewhere up on the web there's probably a pictoral article by a TI rep that shows how they are different. Here's a quote and post from just yesterday about the difference:

Flats with balls?!?

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by aluminumbassguy

The infelds say they have a "highly flexible core".

If I recall they have bunched nylon filaments for a core instead of round-wire or hex-wire, and the wrap winding has little ridges between each wrap so that the surface of the string is a little less "smooth" than what is found on traditional flats. This entirely different approach is why they sound a lot more mid-rangey with less attack, and feel more supple, flexible.

[ljazz]

If memory serves...... I believe the TI JF's have a round steel core, with a silk wrap between the core and the flat winding.

Ljazz

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by ljazz

If memory serves...... I believe the TI JF's have a round steel core, with a silk wrap between the core and the flat winding.

That too could be... I suppose I should google for that old article the TI rep put together.

[Billy-Bob]

DR flats are killer. I have no idea of how much flex they have, but they are nice playing and great sounding. I'd give them a try, I think you'll love them.

Billy-Bob