My first set of TI flats

[ibdman]

Took the advice of those wishing to attain that double bass sound on a P-bass and ordered a set of TI flats from musiciansfriend.com in Nov; finally received them last week due to severe backorders on the product. Played my first gig with'em and noticed that they seemed to almost "grip" my fingertips making it slightly difficult to quickly move from note to note & string to string; slides were uncomfortable but do-able (definitely won't be hydroplaning with these strings!) After the first hour I washed my hands hoping I had something slightly sticky on'em but it didn't help; plus I wiped down the strings really well to no avail. I was playing Elixir strings before so I really need some feedback to determine if this is just the way it is with TI flats or if there is a break-in period I didn't know about. Thanks.

[JustOpenYourMind]

usually flats when new have a sticky feeling that goes away with time. Also, you where playing elexirs before which, due to the coating, are a lot more slippery than most brands of strings. You'll probably get used to the feel but they'll never be as smooth as the elexirs.

[emblymouse]

Yeah, I think it's all relative. I just tried Ken Smith Slicks (a ground wound) and had the same initial 'stickiness' problen. I was used to TI Flats! A little time and your perception will probably change.

[fearceol]

Due to the great reviews of TI flats on this forum I have ordered a set myself. I remember that most posts stated that they needed a little time to break in. Seemingly once broken in they retain their warm, mellow sound and most said they were happy with the feel after a while. So give them a couple of weeks and then let us know if there is any change.

[Brass Nut]

I put a set on about 3 weeks ago now. (S) You're right! Sticky is a good word for it.
However, they (or me) are getting better. Maybe don't wash your hands as much,, or eat some finger lickin chicken before you play? Danged if I know. But yes, they loose that in short order.
I'm wondering if the "stickies" are from small burrs on the edges of the windings that tend to smooth over in time?
Considered trying a fuzz or brillo pad to see if it helps, but at that price I'm wondering if I could ask someone else to try it first? (LOL)

[Nighttrain1127]

I have 3 bases with TI flats on them And if you wipe the strings down when you are done with alcohol it makes the stickey time less.

[rxtech]

When you guys say "sticky", what do you mean exactly? For example, when I got my MIM Jazz Bass it had Fender flatwounds that were VERY smooth. Then when I had the bass set up, I had them put Curt Manegan (sp?) flatwounds on them and they feel less smooth, like you could do pick slides on them, just like on a guitar. I prefer the smooth feel of the Fenders personally. So what do you mean exactly by "sticky"?

[Jimbow]

Fast Fret?

I don't know if that would work, I use it on my rounds once in a while, but I've never used flats. Contemplating putting some on my fretted P though.

[FidgetStone]

The stickiness of any flat wound diminishes a bit in time. Like JustOpenYourMind said, Elixers are the slickest strings on the planet so you are going from one extreme to the other.

Also, my pet theory on flat wound stickiness is that your fingers touch more of the surface of the string since they are flat. With a round wound string you are only touching the tiny peaks of each wrap of the outer wound layer.

You will get used to them. They are great strings. Peace . . .

[Brass Nut]

Originally Posted by rxtech

When you guys say "sticky", what do you mean exactly? For example, when I got my MIM Jazz Bass it had Fender flatwounds that were VERY smooth. Then when I had the bass set up, I had them put Curt Manegan (sp?) flatwounds on them and they feel less smooth, like you could do pick slides on them, just like on a guitar. I prefer the smooth feel of the Fenders personally. So what do you mean exactly by "sticky"?

Well, to exagerate, it's like running your fingers up a file.
I just had to replace some GHS Brites (after a long, long time) and noticed the same thing but it lasted only a couple of days because the space between the wraps on the windings are much tighter than the TI's (B & E strings especially). Once they get "filled" I feel the tone gets better and they feel smoother. I find all new strings to be "sticky" to some extent. Only real exceptions are the "tapes" and to some degree "coateds". (IMHO)

[Sammy Camden]

I had tried TIs previously on my Fender P-Bass and was, 1. impressed with the sound, 2. unimpressed with the loose feel, and 3. unimpressed with the cost. So. I took them off and gave them to a friend.

Recently I changed to using short scale basses and I'm using a custom James bass that I had built. The selection of strings for short scale basses is much sparser that what is available for long scale. So, I ordered a set of D'Addario Chromes (my second favorite string on my P-Bass), and a set of TI's, to try them again.

I put the TIs on the James a couple of weeks ago. Once again, I have to say that I LOVE the sound. And, like some other people here, I found them to be a little sticky. However, not as sticky as others that I've tried in the past. However, more so than I'm used to (Fender and D'Addario flats are definitely smoother and slicker).

Yesterday our band spent some time in the studio cutting a new demo CD to put in our PR package. The stickiness did cause me a few problems at times. I found myself occassionally behind the beat because my "pluck" didn't occur when I expected it to. I got through using an old, old technique that I learned years ago. I rubbed the tips of my index and middle finger against my forehead, along the hairline, and essentially "greased" them up with natural body oil.

As for the loose feel, I'm a little startled here. These strings don't feel at all loose like they did when I tried them on my P-Bass. No, they're not as tight as the Fender, but not much is. Other than the "stickiness", I really like the result of this switch. I'm hoping that, 1. the stickiness goes away like many of you say it does, and 2. that I get used to the remaining finger drag in time. Of course, I can still use "head grease" to get me through as necessary.

Oh, as for the cost. Well, I guess the best things in life aren't always free, or even cheap.

My take on TIs!

[bassplayer2106]

I used roundwounds for about 20 years, and changed to flatwounds about 4 months ago.

I've got a set of TI's on my fretless 5, and really like the sound and feel, it's not my main bass though, that's a headless 6 string, which won't take normal flatwounds, so I'm using Status double ball end flats on it, they're nice strings, but I wish tht TI would make a double ball end set.
My new 6 string will be done in about 6 months, headed this time, and guess what strings I'm having on it.

The wierd thing is that I used to change roundwound strings about once a fortnight to keep the tone and feel that I liked. The flats on my 6 have been on for about 4 months now, there's no need to change them.
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[Nighttrain1127]

If I remember correctly from a thread from another forum the Thomastik rep said that the stickiness was caused by the compound they use to finish the strings and it does wear off it just takes some time and the alcohol wipes made it go faster on my second two basses with TI flats.

[Brass Nut]

Nighttrain-
I'm gonna give it a whirl tonight.
I'll take them off the tuners and wipe them down with 99% alky and a fine 3M fuzz pad.
I report back on the outcome.

[Lewis7789]

I picked up a set of 4 string TI Flats from the local music shop for $42 with a friendly discount (usually $50). I play DB half my bands' set and BG the other half. I used to use TI Flatwounds on my old fretless and loved the tone so I put them on my fretted Jazz to get a smoother warm tone.

The tone is great, almost even perfect for my style. However, the very low tension is really taking a while to get used to, as well as the stickiness of the new strings. Plus the more surface area really tore up my fingertips. I'm not sure I'll buy another pack next time. I might just stick with cheap D'Addario XL's.

[Brass Nut]

Okay, I didn't use the alky.
Simply put a hand towel between the board and strings, then rubbed briskly for a very few second to make shiny (been dull nickel colored since I got them).
Vast improvement in the "Stickies Dept."
Nighttrain, I think what they said about a coating from processing may have merit. Because about all I did was maybe take it off with the "buff til shiny.
Not telling anyone else to do this (because if something happens I'm not buying anyone strings (S), but I think it'll be a standard procedure for me from now on with new flat strings.
Since I only hit the top of the string, the diff. from top to bottom (untouched) is very noticeable.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by fearceol

Due to the great reviews of TI flats on this forum I have ordered a set myself.

Well they arrived yesterday and I have them on my G+L Tribute. I love the tone. The feel is a little sticky but not as bad IMO as some of you found them. It's my first time to use flats and I think I'll be sticking (no pun intended ) with them for a long time.

[Brass Nut]

and you'll be pleased to hear - that set will last you a long time. And they get better with time.
I love nickle flats.