TI flats and chromes

Fretlessdude · #1 11-22-2008, 05:00 AM

whats the diffrence between TI jazz flats and chromes
im thinning about swithcing them out for my fretless jazz which i use for Jazz

lmfreeman9 · #2 11-22-2008, 06:03 AM

Chromes are much cheaper, TI flats have much lower tension.

Jim Carr · #3 11-22-2008, 06:29 AM

I use super light chromes and TI Flats. These are D'Addario ECB80 (or ECB80SL--super long) and TI Jazz flats. The ECB80 gauges are .040-.095, and are on my 1955 P-bass.

I have had TI Flats on my 1971 P-bass when it was my main fretless. Now that it has a refretted 1969 P-bass B neck on it, it now sports Ernie Ball .045 - .100 (P02806). They are fine.

I now have TI Flats on my Valenti fretless 5er (#19 the "blackest black" stealth bass). They are from a six-string set (.136-.033), because I tune the instrument E-C. The gauges on the E-G strings from the six-string set (.100-.043) are similar to the XL Chromes.

TI's are nickel flatwound round core (steel?) and the Chromes are steel flatwound hex core (steel?)

They don't sound the same. Chromes are, to me, a little more conventional. They also don't keep their bright edge quite as much as TI Flats. Though both are bright for flats, neither is a really bright string to me. Both strings do last a long time without becoming dead in the good old-fashioned La Bella or Fender flat way--which is not bad--it is just not what Chromes or TI Flats do.

If I were pressed to describe the difference in tone in more detail, I'd say the Chromes are more mid-present, and have a bit more "zing" than TI Flats. The TI Flats have a slight mid scoop. Don't get me wrong. I don't like mid scoop on EQ, but on strings it is different. The string tone "EQ," (actually a constantly changing frequency spectrum consisting of an amplitude envelope on each of the harmonic partials) travels with the fundamental of the pitch. Think of it this way, while an EQ spectrum is a fixed "filter," string tone spectrum is a moving "filter" that largely re-anchors on each pitch, giving a set of strings a similar tone color all over the bass. I'd better stop this before I get really too far afield and put too many feet in my mouth.

They don't feel the same. TI Flats are more flexible than Chromes. I think this has partly to do with the hex core producing a stiffer string. Also, the Chromes are brightly shiney, but the TI Flats have a much duller finish. TI flats feel like they have lower tension--not sure--but you could check some of the tension specs on the web pages and perhaps get a definitive answer.

I think for fretless, TI Flats are superior. For a fretted bass, either is great. Try both!

All IMHO, YMMV, etc.

SteveC · #4 11-22-2008, 06:30 AM

I had TI's, tried Chromes, and am back to TI's. The Chromes had too much attack for me, a litttle too bright I thought.

mrjim123 · #5 11-22-2008, 06:49 AM

TI's have a silk wrap between the core and outer winding. I have them on my G&L Tribute L2000 and love them. I can't speak about Chromes because I've never played them.

funkmangriff · #6 11-22-2008, 07:00 AM

after using TI jazz flats, i dont think ill ever go back to any other brand. theres just a certain feel to them, not everyone will like them, but i love them!!!

JustDavid · #7 11-22-2008, 07:18 AM

I've both on extremely similar stock basses; fretted Ibanez 485 & 405. I find I can get the TIs to do all the Chromes do but not vice versa.

Unless the low tension or the cost are prohibitive, hands-down TI.

JohnDavisNYC · #8 11-22-2008, 07:32 AM

i think TI's have a an extremely musical quality to them that many strings are lacking, do to their pedigree, coming from a string maker that specializes in orchestral strings...

there is a depth to the feel and sound that doesn't exist in any other string that i have played...

i want to try the jazz rounds, as well... some of my basses need to stay with round wounds...

john

JLS · #9 11-22-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

i think TI's have a an extremely musical quality to them that many strings are lacking, do to their pedigree, coming from a string maker that specializes in orchestral strings...

there is a depth to the feel and sound that doesn't exist in any other string that i have played...

i want to try the jazz rounds, as well... some of my basses need to stay with round wounds...

john

TIs make my bass react like a BASS, not a guitar. Nothing like them!

I didn't know that Steve Barr was no longer a dealer, until just lately; I got my last set of 5 flats from him in 2002, I think--still playin'! Now I want another set, for a very nice Yamaha 5 that I scooped up.

JustDavid · #10 11-22-2008, 07:44 AM

Oh frig; what's the buzz on Jazz Rounds?

"Musical" I can get behind. For me, "Responsive" & "breadth of voicing" come up as descriptions.

DavePlaysBass · #11 11-22-2008, 06:33 PM

There is a thread with sound clips between chromes and TIs. Use the search. They are good clips.

I just put a set of TI Flats on my Sadowksy RV5 and I have a set on my 61 Fender J. I have used Labella 760FLs and EB 45-105. Many say the EB are similiar to Chromes.

The EB flats are a little clanky to me for flats. They have a high mid focus. I did not find them to sit well in a band mix on two different basses. They were not very musical to my ears on those two basses (Highway 1 P bass, G&L L2K).

Labella 760FLs on a P bass are good. The tension is about like a ML set of rounds. They can get buried in a dense mix but if the mix has room, these strings have a great thumpy vintage sound that is rich for lack of a better word. And they are fairly deep sounding.

TIs are closer to the 760FLs than they are to the EB but have more bite than the 760FLs. They are not as deep sounding but have a great midrange punch. I even like the B string. Many talk about the low tension. It is not a big deal to me. If you set up the relief and action properly, they do not seem floppy to me. Last night jamming with three guitar players the B, E, and A sounded huge on my RV5. The D and G were not cutting thru as well. I think I need to slant the pickups. The overall tone was rich and punchy on the low strings. Not the same bite as round wounds but a great sound. And as with most flats, they are very articulate in the way the notes decay quickly.

Dave

zombywoof5050 · #12 11-22-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

TI's are nickel flatwound round core (steel?) and the Chromes are nickel flatwound hex core (steel?)

Chromes are not nickel.

billoetjen · #13 11-22-2008, 10:22 PM

Hey,

After experimenting with every flat set I could find, I keep coming back to the TI/Chromes dilemma.
I've ridden both on fretted and fretless. A lot.
The tension thing aside, many players like the plateful of "mwah" that comes so easily with the TI's. I've come to prefer harder attack and greater degree of control over the tone that I get from Chromes. And, once they play-in, the Chromes are (to my ears) beautifully, colorfully musical.
The stiffer feel of the Chromes is more responsive to my playing style too. TI's always feel a little more out of control (floppy) than I like.
Who knows - in another year I may have the TI's back on all my basses again. That's what makes it all so much fun....

4Mal · #14 11-22-2008, 10:59 PM

Chomes are a little brite, steely sounding. JF's are kinda woody - there's a lot of extra harmonic stuff in the woody though. A very complex string tonally.

IMO - they are both really good strings. Chromes have a crisper attack if that works for you and if the bass in question likes a stiffer string to setup - Chromes are a good choice. Other wise I'd go the JF's.

Technique wise, you may have to lighten up a bit with your picking hand due to the lower tension. Not a bad thing IMO.

Other strings worth thinking about -

GHS Brite flats are a ground wound a worthy successor to the old formulation D'Addario Half Round.

Rotosound Monel Light flats. Very stiff, ion between the steely of the Chrome and the woody of the JF. Not my fav string but not bad either.
For the guy interested in Jazz Rounds - those are super light. I really prefer the Super Alloy - my fav round string of all and it lasts like a Thomastic...

ljazz · #15 11-23-2008, 03:22 AM

Search for Pino Palladino on youtube and listen to the stuff with John Mayer..... That will give a really good idea of what the TI's sound like.

I've discovered that I don't really like JF's on my jazz bass..... I actually love the sound of Fender flats on it, but the tension is just too friggin' much. I'm going to go with either a set of chromes, or go back to rounds on it.

My SB2 has a set of Labella flats now, but as DavePlaysBass mentions, they get a little lost in a dense mix. It's a real bear for me to get the TI's to set up right on that bass, so I'll be putting chromes back on it.

My SB1 has a set of TIJF's on it..... and I don't see them ever coming off...... Simply perfect. I had my heart set on saving for a Pino P bass, until I heard my SB1 with JF's. Absolutely fantastic.

So, in short, I'm not so sure there is a one string for all basses solution. I think you have to experiment to find which string gives you the sound you have in your head for that particular instrument.

Ljazz

Jim Carr · #16 11-23-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

Chromes are not nickel.

+1

Corrected, thanks.

billoetjen · #17 11-23-2008, 09:12 AM

Had to add a +1 about the Chromes not being nickel.

Also, someone posted that the TI's are mid-scooped. Not according to every review I've ever seen about them, or from my experience. They seem very mid heavy to me.
Chromes have a much more pronounced fundamental and extra sizzle in the high end, at least with my pickups and axe...

Most important feature of the Chromes for me is the huge range of tone that I can control through my right hand. Way more than TI's.

JustDavid · #18 11-23-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Most important feature of the Chromes for me is the huge range of tone that I can control through my right hand. Way more than TI's.

Now I'm experiencing the exact opposite; TIs being WAY more responsive than Chromes.

I envy you; getting better results on the less expensive strings.

markjazzbassist · #19 11-23-2008, 04:38 PM

chromes - more tension, more "flat" like
ti jazz - very loose tension, their own "tone" thing going on

i prefer chromes. they are on my main axe and i love them.

peakdesign · #20 11-24-2008, 10:22 AM

Chromes are stiffer, the specs show more tension. They play stiffer. Both strings have a good range of tone, but the TIs are more unique, woody is a good word, not thumpy woody, nice organic expressive woody like a beautiful piece of wood. TIs are softer and will work better for you if you play with a light/controlled touch. You don't have to play hard to get them to sing. Play them hard and they HONK. Hard to explain, and not a negative. I guess Chromes are maybe more versatile in tone if you play really hard? But I can't get as much of a musical note out of the bottom of the Chromes low B, they sort of thud, maybe it's just this one set. TI's have a lot of mid high end when they are new, then they are said to "mature", I'm not sure what that means yet. TIs are considered old when you've played the same set since when your daughter was born and she's getting married next week. I have them on a vintage pBass and a shortscale fretless, and they sound great on both. But now I'll have to adjust the truss rod on the pBass because I had steel Rotos on there before the JF344s. Chromes also are shorter from ball to silk (36") and if you have a through the body bridge, the 37+" on the Ti will save yo' butt.