How long did it take your TI flats to settle in?

Poor Tom · #1 02-24-2009, 07:02 PM

So I just got my first set of TI jazz flats for my pbass. The strings that I had on it before were GHS precision flats. I loved the sound of the GHS strings, but I needed something with less tension. Got a good deal on the TI flats from stringsandbeyond.com. $50 plus free shipping on orders over $35. Better deal than over at juststrings.com. Ordered on Friday so I would say good fast service.

So anyway I just slapped on the TI flats and they seem a little bright to me. The GHS strings were pretty dead sounding right out of the box. Can anyone with experience with the TI flats tell me about how long it was before they settled down a good bit?

I do apologize for the TI topic, since about 700 of them seem pop up every day.

Sundogue · #2 02-24-2009, 07:54 PM

You mean they settle down?

I've had mine for well over two years...and they are still quite bright. That's a good thing IMO.

You can always dial out some highs or hi-mids. Easier to take it out than to artificially put it in.

bassbully · #3 02-24-2009, 10:34 PM

I have had mine on for a month and have played them hard. The tone is somewhat changed to a more woody uprightish tone but still bright. I just dont know where to put TIs when it comes to tone....different then any string i have ever heard.

superfunk47 · #4 02-24-2009, 10:43 PM

Mine have been on for about a month, used pretty heavily, and with some grease rubbed in (sweat, skin, oil, popcorn butter

). They've just been truly settling in the past couple of days. I dug the tone the way it was, but I dig it now as well.

The thing you've got to keep in mind with TI's is that their voice is very different from other flats; they've got more voice in the midrange than most strings period, to say nothing of their position in the realm of flats. They'll never sound like Fender or Labella or even GHS flats, they have their own unique tone that never settles down or leaves. That's why I dig em.

Kyon` · #5 02-24-2009, 10:50 PM

I don't they've settle down yet, been at least a year too... Though I agree with above, I just dial out of some of the highs and it's thumpy like the old fender flats I use to love.

Jason Brown · #6 02-25-2009, 12:00 AM

I think they start out okay, but for me it takes about a month before the top end settles down and I really like them.

The longest I had a set was about four years before I sold that bass. They seemed to pretty much retain their character for the remainder of the time after that first month.

Right now I have a set that's about 18 months old and a set that's 6 months old. Pretty cool to think I may never have to change these strings again.

l0calh05t · #7 02-25-2009, 12:07 AM

they were extremely zingy and thin for the first couple of weeks, after about 1.5 months they sounded really good and thick, and have only become better since.

62bass · #8 02-25-2009, 02:39 AM

It all depends on how much you play them and also how hard you play. When I was gigging 3-4 nights a week they would settle in after a couple gigs-4 sets a night. But if you only gig occasionally and practice lightly at home it could take a month or so.

As others have pointed out, they never go really dead like other flatwounds but retain their warm tone for many years. I got over 8 years on one set and when I changed the strings they still sounded good. I only changed them because I felt I might be pushing my luck and didn't want to have to deal with a broken string on a gig. Currently my oldest set is about 6 years on a Danelectro DC. They still sound like they did after breaking them in.

The Thomastic sound is unique and that's also why I like them. If you don't like the increased top end, dial it out. It's easy to do. The mids and lows will stay warm.

Mr. Ray · #9 02-25-2009, 10:54 AM

I don't know because I removed them in a few days..couldn't stand the looser tension. If you find your not happy with the TI try the Pyramid Gold Nickel Flats they are a little more pliable than GHS or Labella but still maintain the Flatwound thump IMHO...and they last a very long time. Very fat and warm.

Poor Tom · #10 02-25-2009, 05:24 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I do enjoy the overall sound I am getting from them so far. I guess they are just not what I expected, but in a good way. I am looking forward to a long a healthy relationship! ^_^

Jazzdogg · #11 02-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

It all depends on how much you play them and also how hard you play. When I was gigging 3-4 nights a week they would settle in after a couple gigs-4 sets a night. But if you only gig occasionally and practice lightly at home it could take a month or so.

As others have pointed out, they never go really dead like other flatwounds but retain their warm tone for many years. I got over 8 years on one set and when I changed the strings they still sounded good. I only changed them because I felt I might be pushing my luck and didn't want to have to deal with a broken string on a gig. Currently my oldest set is about 6 years on a Danelectro DC. They still sound like they did after breaking them in.

The Thomastic sound is unique and that's also why I like them. If you don't like the increased top end, dial it out. It's easy to do. The mids and lows will stay warm.

+1 - I really like clarity and articulation without finger noise or fret clatter (especially on the B and E strings), and I also dial out the high frequencies.

TI Jazz Flats are my favorite electric bass strings in 40 years of playing. I played a friend's bass that was strung with TI rounds, and they were very nice as well.

Mastermold · #12 02-26-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfunk47

Mine have been on for about a month, used pretty heavily, and with some grease rubbed in (sweat, skin, oil, popcorn butter

). They've just been truly settling in the past couple of days. I dug the tone the way it was, but I dig it now as well.

The thing you've got to keep in mind with TI's is that their voice is very different from other flats; they've got more voice in the midrange than most strings period, to say nothing of their position in the realm of flats. They'll never sound like Fender or Labella or even GHS flats, they have their own unique tone that never settles down or leaves. That's why I dig em.

Yeah I find TIs have a very full, fat tone. Very much what I was after so I've been delighted with them.

debassr · #13 02-26-2009, 10:58 AM

If the TI's don't work out, check out a set of Labella DTF's.

LowDownWays · #14 02-28-2009, 11:36 AM

Poor Tom. I just did the same deal as you from strings and beyond. Put 'em on a few hours ago (4 string set). I'll tell you I was a little doubtful about doing it because of all the loose tension talk. Also the difference in gauge from the 70A to the 100E seemed a little freakish. BUT. I got them on and was really impressed with the string to string balance in tone. Also, I dig the tension. Not to floppy for me. Not much diff from a round wound in my opinion. I'm gigging with them tonight and hope they sound as good on stage as at home. I've heard they cut through pretty good. I have some tendonosis trouble so the looser (for a flat) tension would be cool. I've played quite a few of the flats GHS included. The GHS are indeed very percussive. Have you tied the Lakland Osborns? GHS makes them. If the TI's don't work out I would recommend them. They're much like the Precision flats in tone with a little more definition IMO. The TI's tension and the nickel sound are the only reason's I pulled the Osborns off.

Good Luck.

Poor Tom · #15 02-28-2009, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the response, LowDown. The Main reason I wanted to try the TI's was also because of the tension. I don't have a band or an amp right now, but I play through a headphone amp into my computer. I am enjoying the sound of the TI flats, but it is definitely different from the GHS I had on there. Hopefully I will get to jam with others soon enough to see how they sound in a live mix. I haven't tried the Osborns, but I have heard some good things. I'm going to try to stick with the TIs for awhile.