Which Strings on Which Bass?

[Top_Ten]

Continuing my explorations into the world of flats, I have ordered a set of TI's and a set of Pyramid Golds. These two sets are destined for my Skyline JO and my Skyline Decade, but I haven't decided which strings should go on which bass yet. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks!

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Top_Ten

Continuing my explorations into the world of flats, I have ordered a set of TI's and a set of Pyramid Golds. These two sets are destined for my Skyline JO and my Skyline Decade, but I haven't decided which strings should go on which bass yet. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks!

No idea about the bass, but I'd say keep the allen wrenches handy for whichever bass you put the TI's on. Don't panic - the tension is really low so most likely you'll end up with too little relief soon as you string them up to pitch and you'll be rattling like crazy. I had to loosen the truss rod on my bunny nearly a full turn over where it was with the stock Carvin flats to get the relief back to where I wanted it. I also had to raise the action (blasphemy!) slightly on the E and A strings.

Also, the TI's are going to sound somewhere between pretty bad and horrible when you first put them on. They're very bright when new and it takes a long time for them to calm down. I've had mine installed for about a month now and theyre finally starting to die and really mellow out. Even so there's still a trace of rattle on the B, E and A.

Anyway, the bass is likely going to be so vastly easier to play with the TI's you may not care about the initial brightness. I just barely have to touch my bunny now and it gives this really nice, hefty bark.

On the downside, I'm not exceedingly happy with the quality of the TI's. They have a kind of waviness in the thickness on the lower strings that causes them to buzz more in some positions than in others. This may not be as much of a problem on a fretted bass tho. The low tension and overall sound is enough for me to look the other way on that, but it's a mild disappointment for a set of strings that costs 80 bucks.
As they age I'm hoping that sort of goes away, but it's still there on my set.

LS.

[Top_Ten]

Thanks for the detailed reply, UncleJane -- much appreciated. I have read about the oddness of the TI's, so I am mentally prepared! I've just been curious about them, so thought I would give them a shot.

I assume you must be using a 5 string set to have paid $80? I got a 4 string set for $46 shipped from Music123.

BTW, can you string the TI's through body?

[Slax]

Originally Posted by Top_Ten

Thanks for the detailed reply, UncleJane -- much appreciated. I have read about the oddness of the TI's, so I am mentally prepared! I've just been curious about them, so thought I would give them a shot.

I assume you must be using a 5 string set to have paid $80? I got a 4 string set for $46 shipped from Music123.

BTW, can you string the TI's through body?

I strung my TI's through body on my P bass. Worked fine. I think I've been cycling that set of flats between my basses (both top and bottom loading bridges) for a long while now. Still sound great too!

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Top_Ten

Thanks for the detailed reply, UncleJane -- much appreciated. I have read about the oddness of the TI's, so I am mentally prepared! I've just been curious about them, so thought I would give them a shot.

I assume you must be using a 5 string set to have paid $80? I got a 4 string set for $46 shipped from Music123.

BTW, can you string the TI's through body?

Oh good point. Yes I'm talking about the 6 string set, as my bunny is the 6 string version. The 4 string set is a lot less brutal on the wallet to try out

TI doesn't say anything about not stringing them through-body so I assume it's ok. I always top load myself, as everything stays in tune noticeably better when top loading and theres no sonic difference...

LS

[jasper383]

I would put the Pyramids on the Jazz Bass, and the TIs on the Lakland.

I did not care for TIs on my Jazz Bass; they made it sound, to my ears, too much like my Precision. They are really middy strings, and much of the charm of the Jazz sound is the "hole in the middle" sound you can dial in.

I know there are hundreds of happy TI users here who love their TIs on their Jazz Basses, no offense intended.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by jasper383

I would put the Pyramids on the Jazz Bass, and the TIs on the Lakland.

I did not care for TIs on my Jazz Bass; they made it sound, to my ears, too much like my Precision. They are really middy strings, and much of the charm of the Jazz sound is the "hole in the middle" sound you can dial in.

I know there are hundreds of happy TI users here who love their TIs on their Jazz Basses, no offense intended.

Actually.... you're completely right and for me this was the change I liked the most with the TI's. My bunny previously had Carvin flats on it (I believe these are made by LaBella) which were very high tension and gave a typical dark (but IMO weak) flatwound sound.

When I put the TI's on there was an immediate increase in the midbass bark, which just so happened to be the sound I was looking for.

Now that they're finally starting to die out and lose the brightness, I'm getting back to where I can go for the darker sound. But there's still a definite bark when I pluck in my normal position over the bridge humbucker and solo that pickup...
But that is something to keep in mind if you go with the TI's. They may be a little more midbassy than you might want.

LS

[dave_bass5]

whats a Bunny (other than the obvious furry creature)?

Thanks.

[Essential]

Originally Posted by Top_Ten

Continuing my explorations into the world of flats, I have ordered a set of TI's and a set of Pyramid Golds. These two sets are destined for my Skyline JO and my Skyline Decade, but I haven't decided which strings should go on which bass yet. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks!

I've got Pyramid Gold flats on my Decade - they work well with the Chisonics.

[Essential]

Originally Posted by Slax

I strung my TI's through body on my P bass. Worked fine.

I had an TI Jazz Flat A string break at the bridge when I strung through the body - mind you it had been on there for two years before the break. I always go through the bridge now.

[southpaw420]

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

whats a Bunny (other than the obvious furry creature)?

Thanks.

A Bunny is a Carvin Bunny Brunnel signature bass.