TI flatwound strings

rxtech · #1 12-12-2006, 09:50 PM

Are these similar (at least feel-wise) to the strings that came stock on my MIM Jazz fretless (9050m flats)? I currently have Curt Mangen(spell?) flats on now but they don't have as smooth of a feel like the Fender flats did which I really like.

62bass · #2 12-13-2006, 03:02 AM

I don't think the Thomastic flats feel the same as any other flatwound I've used. I don't find them rough or sticky as one or two people have said. Their tension is lower than other flatwounds which makes them very easy on the left hand. Very responsive feel to them. If you're used to whacking away pretty hard to get a sound out of other strings, you'll have to lighten up your touch somewhat.

Soundwise, there is also no comparison. They are much more lively and well balanced across the frequency spectrum. After a few days of playing the sound improves and then they stay sounding that way for years. I don't know if you read the other long thread on Thomastics, but there are many opinions on them, most in favour of the Thomastics.

All I can say is they've improved the sound and playability of every bass I've used them on and I currently have 5 basses of various types strung with them.

I'll be adding a set to one more bass I just bought, an Ibanez Artcore. Just waiting for the strings to arrive in the mail. I'm sure I'll like them just as much on this new bass.

The Thomastics I use range in age from 6 years old to 2 years old. They all sound good and don't need to be replaced yet. The 6 year old set is on my main bass, an old Fender P and used a lot. Practice for about an hour a day and gigs 3 or 4 nights a week. Amazing strings and well worth the extra cost. Something I can't say about much of the expensive stuff out there. I don't lavish any particular care on them. I just wipe them down with a clean cotton cloth after a night's use.

BaldBass · #3 12-13-2006, 05:13 AM

Strings are something that everyone seems to have an opinion about. Personally I don't care for TI's but that is just my preferance. They are certainly a good string. Many people love them, they just aren't my cup of tea.

rxtech · #4 12-13-2006, 07:54 PM

How much do they go for?

62bass · #5 12-15-2006, 06:50 AM

They retail in the one Toronto store that stocks them for $56 Canadian, taxes included. Depends on the value of the Canadian dollar. If you're in the US there are several places to buy on line. I got a set from Carol Kaye at www.carolkaye.com for $44.95 plus a couple bucks shipping. She ships fast.

T.I.s can be hard to find in stores. They last so long in comparison to other brands that they can't sell a lot of them.

Taurus · #6 12-15-2006, 11:39 AM

62bass, I live in Toronto and was thinking about getting a set of the TI's. Can you tell me who's selling them?.

62bass · #7 12-15-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus

62bass, I live in Toronto and was thinking about getting a set of the TI's. Can you tell me who's selling them?.

Yes, the Twelfth Fret on Danforth at Woodbine. That's where I always bought mine and as far as I know they're the only ones in Toronto that carry them.

JimmyM · #8 12-15-2006, 09:14 PM

If you like Fender flats, you will hate TI flats. TI flats bear no resemblance to Fender flats whatsoever.

Bassist4Life · #9 12-15-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxtech

Are these similar (at least feel-wise) to the strings that came stock on my MIM Jazz fretless (9050m flats)? I currently have Curt Mangen(spell?) flats on now but they don't have as smooth of a feel like the Fender flats did which I really like.

NOOOOOO! They are the opposite! Totally opposite. I almost died when I felt the stock strings on my MIM Jazz. I couldn't believe how tight thost strings felt. I have a rant thread somewhere on TB about those strings. I know that other people like high-tension strings; that's cool, but I'm not one of them.

That being said, I love the TI flats. They are smooth and supple and provide that fretless mwah sound that I love. They were around $40. I don't remember exactly.

Do not get TI flats if you liked the stock Jazz flats. Get Fender flats, they're cheap and high-tension.

Joe

rxtech · #10 12-16-2006, 11:48 AM

thanks again

Taurus · #11 12-19-2006, 10:14 AM

Thanks 62bass, been away from the 'net for a few days. Will give the 12th fret a try.

Beefbass · #12 12-19-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

NOOOOOO! They are the opposite! Totally opposite. I almost died when I felt the stock strings on my MIM Jazz. I couldn't believe how tight thost strings felt. I have a rant thread somewhere on TB about those strings. I know that other people like high-tension strings; that's cool, but I'm not one of them.

That being said, I love the TI flats. They are smooth and supple and provide that fretless mwah sound that I love. They were around $40. I don't remember exactly.

Do not get TI flats if you liked the stock Jazz flats. Get Fender flats, they're cheap and high-tension.

Joe

The strings that come on an MIM fretless are the mediums. My suggestion would be for the lights, or medium lights. Both are stiffer than TI's, but they are actually quite easy to play, and get a real nice thumpy tone. I actually think the light Fender flats sound great on a fretless.

The mediums are like bridge cables, and IME don't sound as good as the other Fender sets.

#13 12-26-2006, 09:51 PM

I like TI's tone-wise but they are too low tension for me and they are not as smooth as the La Bella medium low tension 760FL's which I also love tone-wise, YMMV.

George

mntallpaul · #14 12-30-2006, 08:41 AM

I agree..... I love em, but they have low tension....but the great woody upright tone you get......yummy
So if you like tension......dont get em.