LaBella on a Precision and TI's on Jazz...

[Groover]

I've been playing out using a Precision Bass with medium gauge Labella flats, and I like it a lot (the tension, sound and all).

I plan on using my 68 Jazz on our next gig, which is currently strung with TI Flats.

I've used the Jazz on occasion for practice, but since I keep my Precision on location, I tend to use that one the most.

I'm playing at home right now with the 68, feels great, but I'm a little worried I'll be let down and miss my Precision for the upcoming gig... People love the TI strings (from what I've read), but tension-wise it's like night and day between this and my P, and soundwise it seems much thinner.

What do you guys think... give it a shot and find out?

Also, since I have a P with flats, would I be better off stringing my Jazz with rounds (sunbeams or something)?

[markdavid]

don't worry about what other people think, go with what sounds/feels best to you. Why not string both basses with Labella's as you seem to have a preference for those

[Lobster11]

It seems to me that it depends on what you want your Jazz to do, and why you want to use it instead of the Precision for your next gig. If the idea is to shake things up and do something completely different, use the TIs on the Jazz or even consider switching to rounds -- whatever will create the sharp contrast you want. But if you want a similar tone and feel despite the change in basses, then string the Jazz with the LaBellas so the contrast is less noticeable.

Your question really points to a more general issue for all of us who own and play more than one bass. Why DO we have more than one bass? Sometimes the answer is very practical: We want different tones and feels for different musical situations -- either different bands or for different songs in the same band. In that case we often want to accentuate the differences between basses to create more variety. Other times it is more aesthetic, or simply a desire for variety -- even if the variety is subtle. So ask yourself: Why do you want to play the Jazz next time instead of the P? What is it that you want to accomplish with the change? If you have a clear answer to that, your question should answer itself.

[GlennW]

I think you have the perfect combinations for variety. I wouldn't change a thing, especially if you're happy with the way they sound.

If you're concerned with the J sounding thin a series/parallel switch and/or a .1 uF cap would thicken it up.

[3rdBass]

Originally Posted by GlennW

I think you have the perfect combinations for variety. I wouldn't change a thing, especially if you're happy with the way they sound.

If you're concerned with the J sounding thin a series/parallel switch and/or a .1 uF cap would thicken it up.

+1
I have a similar Jazz/ Precision, TI flats/ Jamerson flats set-up and although they're not like night & day, they're dusk & dawn. Not so dis-similar in that you're able to dial in more range of tones on the Jazz. Hang with what you've got and work it. The TI's just get better with age anyway.

[Bassist4Life]

My P-Bass is my main bass and it's strung with TI Jazz Flats. They're 2+ years old and I still love them. You can hear what they sound like on my MySpace page. I think the sound came through clear on Blue Bossa and Chitlins. We use a microphone into a mini disc to record our live shows. Check it out.

Joe

Originally Posted by Groover

I've been playing out using a Precision Bass with medium gauge Labella flats, and I like it a lot (the tension, sound and all).

I plan on using my 68 Jazz on our next gig, which is currently strung with TI Flats.

I've used the Jazz on occasion for practice, but since I keep my Precision on location, I tend to use that one the most.

I'm playing at home right now with the 68, feels great, but I'm a little worried I'll be let down and miss my Precision for the upcoming gig... People love the TI strings (from what I've read), but tension-wise it's like night and day between this and my P, and soundwise it seems much thinner.

What do you guys think... give it a shot and find out?

Also, since I have a P with flats, would I be better off stringing my Jazz with rounds (sunbeams or something)?

[DavePlaysBass]

I have a 61 Jazz with TI Flats on it. The 61 is a great sounding instrument but like many Fenders can get lost in the mix. Of course as I get wiser with mids and EQ that is less of an issue. At any rate the frets where wearing down to nothing (too much Rotosound Steel) and I thru a set of TI Jazz Flats on it for the hell of it. And it is the best string for that bass IMO. It is a little bottom shy but it sits in a mix like no ones business. And the TIs kinda grunt a little when you dig in. I prefer to use the bass for mellower stuff but I have used it for rock just fine.

Dave

[michele]

Originally Posted by Groover

... and soundwise it seems much thinner...

Since when do you have the TI's on? To my ears TI's grown bigger and rounder soundwise as they get old (still retaining a growl that LaBella's don't have) ...
La Bella's however are the King of Thump ...