Solving TI Jazz Flats low tension

[JustDavid]

I often read here about Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats being such a low tension string.

Anyone out there ever try up-tuning them?

[rythman6969]

the low tension is what makes em so yummy

[Johnny Alien]

To be honest I think the whole low tension thing is a tad overblown. People make them sound like they flop around like wet noodles.

While they are low tension for FLATS they are not really low tension compared to roundwounds that people normally play.

If you are used to a standard set of roundwounds then you will not find the TI strings particularly low tension. If you are used to super high tension piano cable like flats then the TI flats may bother you.

[tlr1293]

First I ever heard a comparison to Rounds - finally, awesome, and thanks!

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

To be honest I think the whole low tension thing is a tad overblown. People make them sound like they flop around like wet noodles.

While they are low tension for FLATS they are not really low tension compared to roundwounds that people normally play.

If you are used to a standard set of roundwounds then you will not find the TI strings particularly low tension. If you are used to super high tension piano cable like flats then the TI flats may bother you.

Have you observed there isn't a strong voicing about TIJF's low tension from those who've switched from Rounds?

[RCCollins]

I recently switched my TI flats from one bass to another with only one major difference: the bridge.

Now that the TIs are on my Warwick Fortress Flashback with 2Tek bridge (and action set medium low) the tension is significantly increased. I actually find that the heavy mids of these strings is balanced out significantly as well. It was a great switch (keep in mind the only difference between these basses is the bridge - the former one has a Warwick 2-piece bridge)

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Have you observed there isn't a strong voicing about TIJF's low tension from those who've switched from Rounds?

I can't say that I have heard a strong voice in regards to that switch BUT I would guess that someone coming from rounds to flats for the first time especially will not think the TI's are very low in tension at all. Flats are typically much higher tension than rounds. For those people used to typical high tension flats TI's seem really low tension when in reality they are about the tension of a typical set of rounds.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

I recently switched my TI flats from one bass to another with only one major difference: the bridge.

Now that the TIs are on my Warwick Fortress Flashback with 2Tek bridge (and action set medium low) the tension is significantly increased. I actually find that the heavy mids of these strings is balanced out significantly as well. It was a great switch (keep in mind the only difference between these basses is the bridge - the former one has a Warwick 2-piece bridge)

This is bizarre....the bridge should really have nothing to do with the tension of the string.

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

I can't say that I have heard a strong voice in regards to that switch BUT I would guess that someone coming from rounds to flats for the first time especially will not think the TI's are very low in tension at all. Flats are typically much higher tension than rounds. For those people used to typical high tension flats TI's seem really low tension when in reality they are about the tension of a typical set of rounds.

True that!. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[Deep]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

This is bizarre....the bridge should really have nothing to do with the tension of the string.

All I can think of is maybe the 2Tek bridge somehow makes the strings "feel" like there is more tension somehow.

[9mmMike]

I have the TI's on two basses now. I do not find either one especially "low tension". They are a lighter gauge than I am used to but I would not have used the word "floppy" or "low tension" to describe them.
Playability-wise, the only difference that I have seen is that they do not slap or pop well but then I have never been good at that anyway. I like these strings very much. My action is set very very low.

[interp]

I just switched from TI flats to Thomastik JR344 nickel roundwounds on my 62 Jazz. So far I really like them and they are even lower tension than the TI flats. The gauges go from .043 for the G string to .089 for the E string (!), but they play really nicely and sound great.

I did have to raise the action slightly, but playability remains very very good (for me).

However, if you like to dig in or have a heavy touch, you may not like these strings.

[stuonbass]

Perhaps a good way to describe the tension is in what it does to the neck. I recently changed a bass over from RW's to FW (EB custom gauge 105). The immediate effect to the neck was a concernable amount of bowing resulting action of say 3/8 to 1/2" at the 12th fret. I would call this high tension. A truss rod adjustment brought the action down but I think I would prefer something with tension more in line with the RW's. Do I have to mail order or Etail these? I dont think GC carries them.

[Kael]

I used TI flats on one of my instruments for a good while. Just short of a year if I recall correctly. They are lower tension than most rounds IME. In order for me to get any ghost notes or anything quicker than perhaps 8th notes at quicker tempos, I had to root my hand FAR closer to the bridge than I've ever had to do with other strings be they flat or roundwound. I don't care how good they sound (and they do sound excellent). Any string that requires me to completely alter my technique that much is useless to me. Every bit of equipment should work with me, not hinder me. I like to play up the neck a lot with my right hand. Doing so with TI's resulted in a lot of flop.

For the record, I don't go for uber low tension rounds like Sun/Fatbeams. I wouldn't be surprised if those strings were lower tension than TI flats. D'addario XLs are a pretty good generic roundwound to use for comparison here IMO. Most everyone has used them at some point. The special light gauge XL set (like a regular light set with a thinner G string) I have one my fretless J right now has more tension that the TI flats they replaced.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by stuonbass

Do I have to mail order or Etail these? I dont think GC carries them.

I shot you a PM.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

To be honest I think the whole low tension thing is a tad overblown. People make them sound like they flop around like wet noodles.

While they are low tension for FLATS they are not really low tension compared to roundwounds that people normally play.

If you are used to a standard set of roundwounds then you will not find the TI strings particularly low tension. If you are used to super high tension piano cable like flats then the TI flats may bother you.

+1 My experience mirrors yours; For my money, the "low tension" of TI flats seems overblown. Granted, a string with relatively low tension requires somewhat higher action. But, I'm not particularly interested in low action, have never had a problem with TI flats on 34" or 35" scale instruments, and have not had to change my technique to accommodate them. FWIW, I've only been playing since 1968; YMMV, etc.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by Kael

For the record, I don't go for uber low tension rounds like Sun/Fatbeams. I wouldn't be surprised if those strings were lower tension than TI flats. D'addario XLs are a pretty good generic roundwound to use for comparison here IMO. Most everyone has used them at some point. The special light gauge XL set (like a regular light set with a thinner G string) I have one my fretless J right now has more tension that the TI flats they replaced.

Sunbeams are defintely lower tension than TI Flats.

D'Addario is a great example for 2 reasons. 1) they are a very common and well used round with hex core string and 2) they post their string tensions online.

If you look at their light set which is 40-100 the tension is very very close to TI Flats. Juststrings.com posts the tensions.

http://www.juststrings.com/dad-exl190.html
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jf344.html

As a comparison look at the tension for D'Addario Chromes

http://www.juststrings.com/dad-ecb81sl.html

As you can see the flats are much higher tension but the TI flats are very close to the light roundwounds.

[CrimsonGhost]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

To be honest I think the whole low tension thing is a tad overblown. People make them sound like they flop around like wet noodles.

While they are low tension for FLATS they are not really low tension compared to roundwounds that people normally play.

If you are used to a standard set of roundwounds then you will not find the TI strings particularly low tension. If you are used to super high tension piano cable like flats then the TI flats may bother you.

Idk I used to use nothing but roto 45-105 rounds and when i tried Ti's they flopped around like wet noodles for me, Some of you guys are over passionate about them I guess, thats not a bad thing.
I really wish they would release a heavier gauge because they sound good.

[pbass888]

i found them to be very floppy.... my solution was la bella 760... way more thump and bump and deeper sounding.... (was ideal for walking lines and reggae.ti had a lot more midrange than la bella but labella blew them away on the low end.

[bluesblaster]

If you have a thru body bridge I think that helps a little with the tension issue, as for floppy...I go back and forth between TI,s and labella 760fl,s and have no problem, but I suppose I do tend to play closer to the bridge then over the end of the neck.