TI Flats on Jazz Bass

basssoundbass · #1 02-16-2011, 03:36 PM

I have TI Flats on my Fender Highway Jazz bass and although I have been happy with this combination I am considering changing to either a different set of flatwound or roundwound just to comapre the sound.

Just wondering has anyone else moved from the TI Flats/Jazz bass combination and liked or disliked the change, if so what strings did you change to?

Gab124 · #2 02-16-2011, 05:57 PM

Hey,
I have been on and off the flats wagon several times now. Most recently, as in this last couple weeks, I put some TIJF on my jazz. I have had Chromes on it, did not like them even after a long try, 2 sets. Then Sadowsky, my fav really as they have a great growl to them. And as mentioned the TI's lastly. It all came to a head last night during practice when my drummer mentioned my sound was kind of narrow, or constricted in his terms. Had depth he agreed but was missing something that he liked. For reference, we are a trio that plays classic to alternative rock. They, flats, sounded good while in the mix, but during sections where i had more room they sounded kinda off for lack of a better term. In contrast when I play rounds I finally settled on Circle K balanced standard 106 - and to be very honest, they have all the fundamental of the flats but sound so much more rich in sections with just me having all the room. Today I pulled off the TI's and put my K's back on. It is a shame, I wanted to be a flatwound convert as I like not paying for strings, but it just is not there for me, or my band members. I will try again in 6 months or so I am sure

As to the TI's, I really like the tension and will admit the tone is very mid focused. My bass happens to be pretty mid heavy anyway so they may not have been the best match. I really liked the Sads though.
Good luck,

DavePlaysBass · #3 02-16-2011, 09:11 PM

TI flats on a jazz bass are a match made in heaven. But they don't sound like rounds. You should try a set of Steel or Nickel rounds and see if that's what your after. Having two basses, one with rounds and one with flats is a nice option to have.

JimmyM · #4 02-17-2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

TI flats on a jazz bass are a match made in heaven. But they don't sound like rounds.

they do to me. that's the reason i got rid of them. ti's are a love/hate thing. i'm on the opposite side

mccartneyman · #5 02-17-2011, 09:33 AM

I found that Chromes worked better on a Jazz for me. Second choice, Rotosound flats. Third coice, Rotosound Swing Bass 66 rounds.

ljazz · #6 02-18-2011, 03:09 AM

I'll second the chromes on a J......

I find TI's sound much better on basses with more mid punch and aggresiveness. I don't like them on my jazz.... not at all. I guess they sound ok if I'm running one pup or the other..... but both pups up just sucks the tone right out of them.

DavePlaysBass · #7 02-18-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

they do to me. that's the reason i got rid of them. ti's are a love/hate thing. i'm on the opposite side

That interesting. I keep switching between a Sadowsky with nickel rounds and a 61 Jazz with TI flats. To me there is a night and day difference. The TIs are well worn in.

I find the TIs to have a bit more attitude than La Bellas particularly at volume. But if La Bella is one end of the spectrun and rounds are at the other end, the TIs are like right next to the La Bellas.

DavePlaysBass · #8 02-18-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

I'll second the chromes on a J......

I find TI's sound much better on basses with more mid punch and aggresiveness. I don't like them on my jazz.... not at all. I guess they sound ok if I'm running one pup or the other..... but both pups up just sucks the tone right out of them.

I think that's true for more than just TI flats. Favor a pup and you find the mids regardless of string type.

f.clef · #9 02-18-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

they do to me. that's the reason i got rid of them. ti's are a love/hate thing. i'm on the opposite side

I've had them on my Jazz for several years. Have not looked back, and do not intend to (sorry for butting in, per your original criteria, on this thread, OP).

Note, though: I am fretless, the bass is heavily modified, the pickups are SCN's from a few years back. I am also a committed Rob Allen devotee (MB2-5 no frets); the Jazz is an older brother, who always comes through when I need it.

So, yes, JimmyM, that would be a love thing for me and the TI's.

ljazz · #10 02-19-2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

I think that's true for more than just TI flats. Favor a pup and you find the mids regardless of string type.

You're right. I guess the point I was trying to make was that the beauty of the TI's is all that mid stuff happening. Scooping mids kinda ruins the point of the TIJF's...... it relegates them to less than average, IMO.

Of course, if you're favoring one pup or the other all the time, then they probably sound great.

Chazinroch · #11 02-19-2011, 06:54 AM

I have TI flats on my go to Jazz bass. I'll never change 'em. The older they get the better they sound. And they feel sooooo good.

DavePlaysBass · #12 02-19-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

You're right. I guess the point I was trying to make was that the beauty of the TI's is all that mid stuff happening. Scooping mids kinda ruins the point of the TIJF's...... it relegates them to less than average, IMO.

Of course, if you're favoring one pup or the other all the time, then they probably sound great.

I hear you. My 61 is volume volume (not a stacked knob arrangement). When I run both volumes wide open the sound is scooped and compressed which I typically shy away from. Roll off the bridge pup just a bit (the opposite of Jaco) and its tone galore at least in my opinion.

I have been playing my Sadowsky 5 string with rounds for the last 3 years in a gospel band. It sounds great. During Christmas I took the 4 string 61 jazz to a service and have not been able to take back the Sadowsky. The band leader and incredibly talented pianoist insist on the 61 Jazz with TI Flats. I have reconnected with my old bass that I have had since the mid 80's.

The 61 Jazz ended up with TI flats because the frets are so wore down that the rounds were eating into the fretboard on the E string. So I threw the TI flats on there several years ago and there has been no looking back. I feel that the bass with low vintage frets and TI flats is truly unique.