Thomastik Infeld flats!

[jmorbita]

I've read through some threads here and found that TI flats are supposed to be lower tension than most flats, though they might be around the same tension than rounds.

The kick is that I tune my 4 string bass half a step flat (Eb - Ab - Db - Gb) I'm wondering if anyone has tried this with TI flats longscale and wether they had any issues.
I tried researching the tension for other strings I've used but couldnt find them.
I've never played flats, I wanted to try ROTOSOUND flats because I loved their round set, but back home both TI flats and rotosound flats go for the same price... while rotosounds would cost about twice what they cost in the states, TI flats cost the same. so i figured i might as well try TIs that seem to be a bargain round here!

thanks for the help!

[M0ses]

TI's are REALLY low tension. It takes a lot to get used to normal tuning. I would go for the Rotos first. Bummer about the price, though.

[Johnny Alien]

If I was going to downtune half a step with rounds I would get a set of higher tension/larger gauge rounds.

TI Flats are similar in tension to a light gauge set of roundwounds. Very close to D'Addario 40-100 set.

With that in mind, tuning down a step with TI Flats might very well be too loose for many people. I probably wouldn't normally suggest it although jazz rounds are lower tension than the flats and I get around with those just fine.

If you are comfortable with a medium gauge set of roundwounds then I would think you would want a normal tension set of flats for downtuning. Rotos are pretty high tension IMO. If I had to make a suggestion I would say Chromes would be a good pick.

Hope that makes sense.

[jmorbita]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

If I was going to downtune half a step with rounds I would get a set of higher tension/larger gauge rounds.

TI Flats are similar in tension to a light gauge set of roundwounds. Very close to D'Addario 40-100 set.

With that in mind, tuning down a step with TI Flats might very well be too loose for many people. I probably wouldn't normally suggest it although jazz rounds are lower tension than the flats and I get around with those just fine.

If you are comfortable with a medium gauge set of roundwounds then I would think you would want a normal tension set of flats for downtuning. Rotos are pretty high tension IMO. If I had to make a suggestion I would say Chromes would be a good pick.

Hope that makes sense.

thanks for the advice guys.
I'm actually most comfortable playing 45-105 sets, but 40-100 is great for me too. I guess I'll give the TI's a try, mabye rise the action a bit, see what happens...

[rockinrayduke]

I have TI's on a P-bass tuned 1/2 step down that I use live, no problems with tension at all.

[markdavid]

Originally Posted by jmorbita

I've read through some threads here and found that TI flats are supposed to be lower tension than most flats, though they might be around the same tension than rounds.

The kick is that I tune my 4 string bass half a step flat (Eb - Ab - Db - Gb) I'm wondering if anyone has tried this with TI flats longscale and wether they had any issues.
I tried researching the tension for other strings I've used but couldnt find them.
I've never played flats, I wanted to try ROTOSOUND flats because I loved their round set, but back home both TI flats and rotosound flats go for the same price... while rotosounds would cost about twice what they cost in the states, TI flats cost the same. so i figured i might as well try TIs that seem to be a bargain round here!

thanks for the help!

Half a step is such a small amount i doubt your gonna run into any problems

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by markdavid

Half a step is such a small amount i doubt your gonna run into any problems

+1

Now, tuning to C or something...

[Johnny Alien]

OK. It has been awhile since I tuned down a step (probably about 7 years) so I don't remember that well.

If it doesn't make a difference and you are comfortable with a 40-100 light scale round then I would say that TI flats might work out very well for you.

[Meatrus]

Might be useless info, but here goes! I play my P with light gauge Fender flats (med roughly, tension in this gauge), and also play half a step down (Hendrix mainly on this bass). The tension of half a step down compared to standard is minimal really with these strings. Or come to think of it, a lot of rounds too.

I wouldnt be bothered about the TIs being too low in tension. I'm sure it makes a difference between half a step down and standard if you were to calculate it, but I honestly cant feel it.

[wideyes]

IME with flats on my p, they didn't downtune so gracefully. YMMV, but I might give a +1 to the chromes suggestion.

[rokkitt]

I'm about to put TI flats on my 08 MIA pbass.....JF344's


I used to use roto 105's , and now use ghs boomers, extra light 95s

will let you know how the flats feel!

looking forward to exploring that sound....flats/08 pbass....might swap out pickups for quarter pounders too!


allen

[jmorbita]

Well, i guess like most things it's a matter of taste... at least i know some of you guys have done it and it's not a crazy thing.
Given the fact that locally the price is about the same, I'll give the TI's a try... I might be able to get a set of rotosounds in the future from somebody travelling to the states, and get them cheaper than i do here.

[ljazz]

Originally Posted by rokkitt

I'm about to put TI flats on my 08 MIA pbass.....JF344's


I used to use roto 105's , and now use ghs boomers, extra light 95s

will let you know how the flats feel!

looking forward to exploring that sound....flats/08 pbass....might swap out pickups for quarter pounders too!


allen

Switching out pups is exactly what you'll find necessary, if you plan on playing the TI's on the '08 MIA P. I love the TIJF's on my G&L SB1.... they're beautiful..... on the newer P, it was horrid..... the pup lacks the aggressiveness needed to make the TI's shine. I contemplated changing out the pup, but found chromes really brought the P to life.

[jmorbita]

My set of TI flats has arrived! too bad they only offer the long scale flats in one gauge.
I'll try them out tonight on rehearsal and let you know how they feel to me...

[jmorbita]

Well, finally last night i got to try the strings at band practice. The sound of my bass unplugged alone was very promising... I play a pedulla mvp 4 string... then I plugged, and i can tell you the sound i heard with flats was a lot closer to the sound i hear in my head. I guess I don't really like the brightness of roundwounds, TI flats seemed a lot fatter and rounder.
I had no problem with the tension, though flats did feel a bit strange under my fingers, and it seemed harder for me to play hammer-offs (is that the term?) with my left hand, but i suppose that will come with practice and getting used to the strings. I think the sound is definitely worth it for me.
My action was very low and i was intending to adjust the strings higher when i had rounds, so i did have a lot of buzz, but i don't think tension was the problem. didn't have time to adjust it yet, but just a little bit will do the trick for sure, and it will still be comfortable for me.

I WILL try other flats in the future. I didn't check earlier, but i was surprised when i found out that the A string on TI flats has a 70 guage, though it was no problem for me.
The G is 43. Next I'd love to try a flats set with a thicker G and D.

[rumblethump]

I bought a set of heavy gauge Fender Flats that I couldn't stand the tension with regular tuning. Tuned down a halfstep they were perfect, but if you are looking for lighter tension, but not as light as TI's I would also recommend Chromes. BTW, the word out is Fender Flats are really Chromes now. Big difference in price.

[rokkitt]

Originally Posted by ljazz

Switching out pups is exactly what you'll find necessary, if you plan on playing the TI's on the '08 MIA P. I love the TIJF's on my G&L SB1.... they're beautiful..... on the newer P, it was horrid..... the pup lacks the aggressiveness needed to make the TI's shine. I contemplated changing out the pup, but found chromes really brought the P to life.

I got the jf344's on there now, and yes I can see how they need the quarter pounder pickups....

but , even with the stock, the sustain and the power of the flats is really good.....the tension is very light too, which helps me.


total thumbs up! would reccommend to anyone, you have to try them....

they might not be your thing, but you have to give it a shot to find out.

allen

will let you guys know what happens when I switch the pups.

[engedi1]

The P pickup on the 08 and 09 P basses leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand, TI flats Pair well with bright, aggressive basses, like my Sadowsky!

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by engedi1

The P pickup on the 08 and 09 P basses leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand, TI flats Pair well with bright, aggressive basses, like my Sadowsky!

What's not to like about the stock pickup? I've got TI flats on my 08 P-fiver and the tone is wonderful.

[mongo2]

The tension of TI flats is so low...

How low is it?

It's so low that they don't pull the necks on some of my basses into relief even with the trussrod nut removed.

Yet, those same necks are fine with higher tension strings.