How floppy is the B string on the TI Jazz Flats?

[Groover]

Is it really bad or is it workable? These don't seem to be too popular in the 5-strings from what I can tell from these forums, which is why I'm wondering...

[bongomania]

IME it depends on the specific bass. People call me crazy whenever I say this, but I really believe the flexibility of the bass itself impacts the response of the strings, especially notable with the low B. I've had basses where the TI flat low B seemed a bit loose, and others where it seemed perfectly taut. Same scale length and tuning. The ones where it seemed quite taut were basses with especially stiff necks.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by bongomania

IME it depends on the specific bass. People call me crazy whenever I say this, but I really believe the flexibility of the bass itself impacts the response of the strings, especially notable with the low B. I've had basses where the TI flat low B seemed a bit loose, and others where it seemed perfectly taut. Same scale length and tuning. The ones where it seemed quite taut were basses with especially stiff necks.

This.

IME/IMO the B on the TI flats isn't bad but isn't stellar either and I've had those strings on multiple basses. Either way it shouldn't stop you from checking out a unique and (IMO) awesome set of strings.

[ogrossman]

Originally Posted by bongomania

IME it depends on the specific bass...

I saw this pointed out recently in another thread and I think it makes a lot of sense.

The biggest difference between basses that will effect how floppy the strings are is how much string length there is beyond the nut and the saddle. The distance from the nut to the saddle affects the note but I think the distance from the tuner to the tail determines the feel of the string.

[Jefenator]

The TI flat low B works awesome on my Yamaha neck-thru fretless. Haven't tried it on anything else.

[Groover]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

The TI flat low B works awesome on my Yamaha neck-thru fretless. Haven't tried it on anything else.

Hey, what are you doing online... shouldn't you be in line at the post office?

Thanks for replies. I just bought a set from this guy here ^ (jeffenator) Thanks again btw!

[JustDavid]

I'm not the most experienced hand, but I was surprised to find it about 'average' to 'above average'.

Given TI's low tension I was very worried, but I found & find the B very playable. I'm guessing, but maybe the low tension of the set pre-conditions the player to be more in a 'low tension' mode??

[bamabass]

I had one on my Lakland DJ5 and it seemed really "floppy" to me. I couldn't play it like that so they came off after about a week.

[Mastermold]

It's not floppy but is pretty darn BIG. The jump from the E was a surprise to me when I first put them on. I've had the set on a Fender P fiver for maybe nine months now and it feels fine to me.

[chunkstyle]

it's no less floppy than the rest of the strings. on my G&L 1505 the tone and tension was very uniform and even from string to string

[Wo0d643]

many things will affets this
i changed the action/string heights on my neckthough(not TI's) but only on e-g and the B got a little tighter.
If its too loose you can make it tighter if you know you bass well.

[mccartneyman]

Not at all floppy on my Lakland 55-94, through the body. But "floppy" is in the finger of the beholder. I don't find TI tension too low at all, but many do.

[Billnc]

No problems here, I do feel it took a while for the B to settle, whatever that means! I'm a flatwound user exclusively and it looks like TI is going to be on both basses fretted and fretless. Chromes have never done it for me, I've got DR's on the fretted, GREAT strings but the B is aging badly. I've had both string sets on a year, the TI's are better with age, the DR's are good except the B (now, it was fine at purchase), and it's gone.

[DavePlaysBass]

I have had good experience with the TI flat B on three 34" scale instruments. But my new favorite 5 string flat set is the Sadowsky Flats. Nice B there too. The Sadowskys have more lows and more tension.

[lump]

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

Not at all floppy on my Lakland 55-94, through the body. But "floppy" is in the finger of the beholder. I don't find TI tension too low at all, but many do.

Ditto on a Sadowsky. In fact it seems tighter and more articulate than any round I've tried on it. The only issue I've had was seating it in the bridge--it's huge. I've never found TIs to be floppy, but I also play very close to the bridge. YMMV, blah, blah, blah.

[Deep]

Originally Posted by lump

Ditto on a Sadowsky. In fact it seems tighter and more articulate than any round I've tried on it. The only issue I've had was seating it in the bridge--it's huge. I've never found TIs to be floppy, but I also play very close to the bridge. YMMV, blah, blah, blah.

Yes, it's a huge string. How does it fit in the nut? Any mods? I want to try the 5 string set on the Lakie, but don't want to open up a can of worms if the nut needs to be modified.

[lump]

Originally Posted by Deep

Yes, it's a huge string. How does it fit in the nut? Any mods? I want to try the 5 string set on the Lakie, but don't want to open up a can of worms if the nut needs to be modified.

No issues at the nut at all. Bridge is a VERY tight fit--had to experiment a bit to find a position where the ball would seat properly. And with my playing style, on this bass, no floppiness/buzz, and I use almost zero relief.

[PilbaraBass]

my theory on B string tautness...
the way the nut slot is cut impacts the "feel" of the B string immensely...
if a nut slot is too low, the B feels "wonky"...

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by bongomania

IME it depends on the specific bass. People call me crazy whenever I say this, but I really believe the flexibility of the bass itself impacts the response of the strings, especially notable with the low B. I've had basses where the TI flat low B seemed a bit loose, and others where it seemed perfectly taut. Same scale length and tuning. The ones where it seemed quite taut were basses with especially stiff necks.

No, this is controverted by the physics.

However, you (OP) are asking the right question about the right element. To answer your question, the TI Jazz Flats B string is pretty floppy, even thought it's a .136. For me it's fully manageable, but you have to adjust your technique for it and the other strings of that set, which are also floppy. It just takes a lighter touch. The sound is worth it.

[dannybuoy]

I put some on my Fender P5 and the low B was great, no problems whatsoever and I play pretty heavy handed.