TI flat tone equivalent in a roundwound?

[limit6]

Well, I got a set of TI Flats for Xmas and I'm stupefied! It's my first time and my god, the tone is outrageous. It's the exact sound I've been looking for for so long. I was wondering what kind of roundwound string can achieve this same kind of tone/balance. Sorry in advance if this sounds like a dumb question of if I'm not explaining myself properly.

[mccartneyman]

Originally Posted by limit6

Well, I got a set of TI Flats for Xmas and I'm stupefied! It's my first time and my god, the tone is outrageous. It's the exact sound I've been looking for for so long. I was wondering what kind of roundwound string can achieve this same kind of tone/balance. Sorry in advance if this sounds like a dumb question of if I'm not explaining myself properly.

Start with nickel wounds, but they still won't have the same character. I like Lakland Nickel Rounds, available from the Lakland website (usually, but they can be sold out). I've heard good things about DR Nickel Lo Riders but haven't tried them myself. In any event, be prepared to dial back the treble on your bass or amp with a roundwound.

[Honk'n_down-low]

Originally Posted by limit6

Well, I got a set of TI Flats for Xmas and I'm stupefied! It's my first time and my god, the tone is outrageous. It's the exact sound I've been looking for for so long. I was wondering what kind of roundwound string can achieve this same kind of tone/balance. Sorry in advance if this sounds like a dumb question of if I'm not explaining myself properly.

I don't think you will find it - but try Dean Markley Ground Wounds - outside is flat - inside against the core is round.

[nealw]

I've never heard a roundwound that sounds remotely like TI flats. If they have the sound you want, why not just use them rather than look for something else that sounds like them?

[limit6]

The TIs have quite a bit of high end, and good thump too. When my amp isn't plugged in I was able to get a great Kim Deal Pixies type sound out of my P bass. I could never do that with my rounds, acoustically. Been a believer in D'Addario nickels for a while. I'm thinking the Sadowsky black pack may be right up my alley, but I remember wanting just a bit more high end the last time I used them.

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by nealw

I've never heard a roundwound that sounds remotely like TI flats. If they have the sound you want, why not just use them rather than look for something else that sounds like them?

+1. I keep a set of well-worn DR Sunbeams on one of my basses in my attempt to have a roundwound set that sounds and plays somewhat like my TI flats. They're not the same by any means, but they don't have all that high-end "zing" that the brighter roundwounds have.

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by limit6

The TIs have quite a bit of high end, and good thump too. When my amp isn't plugged in I was able to get a great Kim Deal Pixies type sound out of my P bass. I could never do that with my rounds, acoustically. Been a believer in D'Addario nickels for a while. I'm thinking the Sadowsky black pack may be right up my alley, but I remember wanting just a bit more high end the last time I used them.

I'm no expert on strings -- or much else for that matter (but that's why we have talkbass, right?) but on the advice of some fellow TBers, I changed over my fretless Fbass AC6 from Fbass round wounds (special gauges of exposed core round wounds made for Fbass by D'Addario I believe) to Thomastic Infeld Jazz Flats.

Before I made the change, I played a few random bass lines -- whatever came into my head -- then I made the changes and recorded what I remembered playing minutes before on the rounds.

In the recording, which I did for myself just to compare the strings, I cut it so that the first line I heard was the rounds, and the second version of the same line was the TIJFs.

Here's a link to the mp3 if you want to check it out too.

BTW, this unlined fretless was new to me at the time and I was still learning to play it with good intonation, and you'll hear that in the recording... along with a lot of other problems I hope you'll over look as you check out the strings. :-)

Needless to say, I haven't put rounds on that bass since.

A question though... if you are that happy with the TIJFs, why are you looking for rounds that sound like them? To slap?

[M0ses]

I don't mean to offend, but it DOES seem rather like a sort of dumb question

The TI's are flats, and distinctive flats, at that. No roundwound string is ever going to sound like them, ever. If they are the perfect sound, you're going to have to use them to get the perfect sound. I promise, once you get used to flat's silky smooth feel, you'll never go back. Not to mention, they only get better with age.

[4Mal]

Originally Posted by M0ses

I don't mean to offend, but it DOES seem rather like a sort of dumb question

The TI's are flats, and distinctive flats, at that. No roundwound string is ever going to sound like them, ever. If they are the perfect sound, you're going to have to use them to get the perfect sound. I promise, once you get used to flat's silky smooth feel, you'll never go back. Not to mention, they only get better with age.

I agree on all poionts. If you are looking for a round would set in a similar level of quality. There are none better than the TI Super Alloy or Power Bass sets. String to string balance is very good, each set has more beef than most other rounds. The high's are corrspondingly more laid back. I've been a big fan of the Super Alloy for a long time. I've made a few converts by selling basses that had them loaded. Six months later I get a call going - what are those strings and where do I get them ...

I recently moved to the TI Power Bass. I've decided that I like the setup posibilities that the extra stiffness provides. The larger string has a little more beef to it yet.

The only other round that I think get's an honorable metion is the coated DR. Mostly it is that the coating knocks the hi's back a little and that makes it seem that it has more low end... I'm trying a set of GHS Progressives on my 55-01 at the moment. Not enough experieince with them yet to have an opinion.

My disclaimer is that I dig guys like Conrad Lozano and Johnny Castle and I do not like the Marcus Miller tone at all ... I play the bass, not piano after all ...

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by M0ses

I don't mean to offend, but it DOES seem rather like a sort of dumb question

The TI's are flats, and distinctive flats, at that. No roundwound string is ever going to sound like them, ever. If they are the perfect sound, you're going to have to use them to get the perfect sound.

No offense, but this.

It's a little like saying, hey, I found this great full-size pickup truck. How do I get the same pickup truck functionality out of a subcompact hatchback?

[Tom7]

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I agree on all poionts. If you are looking for a round would set in a similar level of quality. There are none better than the TI Super Alloy or Power Bass sets. String to string balance is very good, each set has more beef than most other rounds. The high's are corrspondingly more laid back. I've been a big fan of the Super Alloy for a long time. I've made a few converts by selling basses that had them loaded. Six months later I get a call going - what are those strings and where do I get them ...

I recently moved to the TI Power Bass. I've decided that I like the setup posibilities that the extra stiffness provides. The larger string has a little more beef to it yet.

The only other round that I think get's an honorable metion is the coated DR. Mostly it is that the coating knocks the hi's back a little and that makes it seem that it has more low end... I'm trying a set of GHS Progressives on my 55-01 at the moment. Not enough experieince with them yet to have an opinion.

My disclaimer is that I dig guys like Conrad Lozano and Johnny Castle and I do not like the Marcus Miller tone at all ... I play the bass, not piano after all ...

I don't have experience with other TI strings other than the jazz flats, but this post makes me want to give 'em all a try.

I can +1 the DR coated strings though. They take a bit of getting used to but are nice.

[Jaco who?]

Semi-dead DR sunbeams can get pretty close. I can't get along with the TI's on my jazz because they don't seem to stay in tune very well, and the slick spongy feel can be annoying, so I know where your coming from, or maybe not, but I'm sure you have your own perfectly legitimate reason(s) for asking.

[ljazz]

TI Jazz Rounds

[Deep]

Originally Posted by 4Mal

I agree on all poionts. If you are looking for a round would set in a similar level of quality. There are none better than the TI Super Alloy or Power Bass sets. String to string balance is very good, each set has more beef than most other rounds. The high's are corrspondingly more laid back. I've been a big fan of the Super Alloy for a long time. I've made a few converts by selling basses that had them loaded. Six months later I get a call going - what are those strings and where do I get them ...

I recently moved to the TI Power Bass. I've decided that I like the setup posibilities that the extra stiffness provides. The larger string has a little more beef to it yet.

The only other round that I think get's an honorable metion is the coated DR. Mostly it is that the coating knocks the hi's back a little and that makes it seem that it has more low end... I'm trying a set of GHS Progressives on my 55-01 at the moment. Not enough experieince with them yet to have an opinion.

My disclaimer is that I dig guys like Conrad Lozano and Johnny Castle and I do not like the Marcus Miller tone at all ... I play the bass, not piano after all ...

How do you find the stiffness/flexibilty with TI Super Alloys and Power Bass compared to DR Hi-Beams and Low-Riders.

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by M0ses

I don't mean to offend, but it DOES seem rather like a sort of dumb question

The TI's are flats, and distinctive flats, at that. No roundwound string is ever going to sound like them, ever. If they are the perfect sound, you're going to have to use them to get the perfect sound. I promise, once you get used to flat's silky smooth feel, you'll never go back. Not to mention, they only get better with age.

+1

[ljazz]

I'll say it again......

TI Jazz Rounds

[eyecandy]

try listening to john mayer's live with pino palladino that's the TI flats tone..