Nasty wolf tones from the B in my TI flats?

Handyman · #1 12-06-2010, 09:03 PM

Hi all,
I recently ordered 5 string set of TI flats from an Ebay seller. When I opened them up, there were some pretty severe kinks in the low B string. It looks like someone either coiled the string up too tightly, or the padded envelope the set had been mailed in didn't provide enough protection against the strings getting smashed into each other.

I tried installing them, but even after trying to straighten out the kinks, my low B was getting some REALLY, REALLY ugly wolf tones, and the string was buzzing like crazy when fretted where the kinks had been.

The seller sent me a replacement B string, but to my surprise, the replacement string (shipped in an identical envelope) had more kinks in it. They weren't severe enough to make it unplayable, but I'm still getting really, really unpleasant wolf tones from it.

Can any other users of the 5 string TI flats tell me if this is anywhere near normal? The other four strings in this set sound great, but that B string is just painful to listen to.

I'm trying to figure out if I should try to get a THIRD B string from this guy or not.

CapnSev · #2 12-07-2010, 02:48 PM

I think you got two lemon strings man. I have never had that problem with TIs.

Handyman · #3 12-07-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I think you got two lemon strings man. I have never had that problem with TIs.

That's reassuring. I'll go bug the seller again. Hopefully he'll check it before he ships it this time and puts it into a box.

mowburger · #4 12-09-2010, 09:12 AM

O man, now I'm scared, I was planning on getting a set of these on ebay cause it's the only place I could find TI 5 st in 36" please let me know if this gets resolved, and if you would maybe P.M. me the seller?

cassius987 · #5 12-09-2010, 09:50 AM

One of my friends swore his new bass was a lemon until he went through three TI JF E strings and all three gave him the same problem of a weak, strange-sounding E. I guess he switched to D'Addario flats and suddenly loved the bass.

FunkMetalBass · #6 12-09-2010, 10:04 AM

*** is a "wolf tone"?

I agree - sounds like the seller is shipping strings in packaging that is too small. The B-string can't physically bend as tightly as the thinner strings can without risking structural integrity.

mid_life_crisis · #7 12-09-2010, 10:16 AM

If I understand my reading correctly, it is that sound that is usually caused when a string is too close to the pickup. All those kinks might be causing the string to vibrate in an unpredictable manner, causing its distance from the pickup to be inconsistent when it is plucked.
I'm guessing, of course.

Chris K · #8 12-09-2010, 10:21 AM

Never had any of these issues with TI flats..
There are not supposed to be any kinks and straightening won't help to fix them.
So just ask for a replacement.

mowburger · #9 12-09-2010, 10:24 AM

I've heard "wolf tone" alot when refering to dbl basses and cellos, like some of the notes will have crazy overtones OR be super louder than others.

steve_rolfeca · #10 12-09-2010, 10:46 AM

It won't help in this instance, but for future reference, you don't have to go to eBay for the extra long scale TI's.

JustStrings.com and others sell them online, if your local dealer doesn't want to order them for you.

Handyman · #11 12-09-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris K

Never had any of these issues with TI flats..
There are not supposed to be any kinks and straightening won't help to fix them.
So just ask for a replacement.

I'm pretty convinced that the kinks happened due to the strings being packed in a simple padded envelope instead of a box. It looks like the kinks happened where the string was wrapped around itself to prevent it from un-winding.

I'm guessing that the envelopes had some weight on them, and bam, the wrappings around the coiled string kinks it.

Still waiting on the seller to resolve the situation. If this doesn't get taken care of in a couple days I'll be filing a dispute with PayPal.

CapnSev · #12 12-09-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

*** is a "wolf tone"?

It's an extra, unwanted frequency or vibration that appears when certain notes are played.

Johnny Alien · #13 12-11-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowburger

O man, now I'm scared, I was planning on getting a set of these on ebay cause it's the only place I could find TI 5 st in 36" please let me know if this gets resolved, and if you would maybe P.M. me the seller?

Feel free to PM me if you want to go through a Talkbass member versus ebay.

Handyman - TI is VERY good about replacing bad strings. It happens from time to time and what are describing is not normal. The ebay seller should be able to help you and he is the best method of getting a replacement string but if it ends up not working let me know and I will make sure you get a good one.

mccartneyman · #14 12-11-2010, 09:06 AM

Bass Emporium usually has 36" TIs.