TI Jazz Flats on a modern sounding 6 string?

Bassist4Life · #1 09-04-2006, 03:31 PM

I love how the TI Jazz Flats feel and sound on my P-Bass. I'm thinking of putting them on my TRB1006. This bass has a much more modern sound than the P-Bass.

Has anyone tried these strings on a modern sounding 6 string bass? I'm wondering how the high C sounds played open. Also, how do these strings sound in the upper register? Do they sound brittle and thin or am I going to be pleased with chordal/solo playing?

On the P-Bass I can get a warm thump; however, I can also play some nice chordal stuff and not get mud. I love these strings. I know that some jazz guitarists use jazz flats on their instruments with great results.

7flat5 · #2 09-05-2006, 09:50 PM

Hi, Joe,

Looks like you need a little bump here. I have been curious about this, too. I have a 5-string modern-sounding active bass I have had LaBella Tapes on, and I have been not entirely happy. So, I am interested in the TI option. Anyone have TIs on a G&L, MM, or similar active bass who can comment on this, or anyone use them on a 6?

half-dim

Bassist4Life · #3 09-05-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7flat5

Hi, Joe,

Looks like you need a little bump here. I have been curious about this, too. I have a 5-string modern-sounding active bass I have had LaBella Tapes on, and I have been not entirely happy. So, I am interested in the TI option. Anyone have TIs on a G&L, MM, or similar active bass who can comment on this, or anyone use them on a 6?

half-dim

Hey man! Thanks for the bump, I appreciate it.

What don't you like about the LaBella Flats? Are the LaBella's a higher tension string?

Joe

Luckydog · #4 09-06-2006, 07:38 AM

had them on a 5 string Sadowsky jazz and it was very nice. Of course you may not consider the Sadowsky jazz to have a modern sound, but it is active.

ElBajista · #5 09-06-2006, 08:39 AM

When I had TIs on my 55-02, the string-to-string tonal consistency was something I had never heard before. Every fret on every string, even up on the higher frets, had this sweet midrange quality and punchy tone. I've never played a high-C TI string, but judging from the tone of the other string, I don't think you can go wrong!

bassmonkeee · #6 09-06-2006, 08:46 AM

I have had TI flats on US Curbow 6 strings, US Curbow 5 strings, and both of my Bongos.

Right now, I've got a set tuned EADGC on my fretless Bongo. It sounds great.

When I had my Curbow and/or my fretted Bongo with TIs tuned EADGC, the chords sounded great.

I think you'll be pleased with the result if you go for it.

ElBajista · #7 09-06-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

Right now, I've got a set tuned EADGC on my fretless Bongo. It sounds great

How is the "mwah" factor with those strings? I'm debating on rounds or flats for my fretless 5-er, but I definitely would like to get that singing "mwah" quality.

Fuzzbass · #8 09-06-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

When I had TIs on my 55-02, the string-to-string tonal consistency was something I had never heard before. Every fret on every string, even up on the higher frets, had this sweet midrange quality and punchy tone. I've never played a high-C TI string, but judging from the tone of the other string, I don't think you can go wrong!

The same is true when I put TI's on my Fender RB5. Yes, it's a passive bass, but some settings are bright. I especially loved the G string: sounded nice and fat, not guitar-like at all. But the B string was nice too. TI flats sounded surprisingly good when slapped: not exactly modern, but not at all flabby.

As you likely know, TI flats have much lower tension than most other strings. You'll likely have to reset action, maybe even tweak your trussrod. But I had no trouble setting my bass for TI's, and it didn't take too long for me to get used to playing with a lighter touch.

DavidRavenMoon · #9 09-06-2006, 10:15 AM

I haven't used TI-flats, but I used to use La Bella 760FL Deep Talkin' Bass stainless flats. They are very clear and punchy, and you can actually slap on them!

These aren't like the traditional La Bella flats. The tension is lower and they aren't thuddy sounding.

They sounded great on a modern sounding bass.

I'm sure the TI's would too.

bassmonkeee · #10 09-06-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElBajista

How is the "mwah" factor with those strings? I'm debating on rounds or flats for my fretless 5-er, but I definitely would like to get that singing "mwah" quality.

I get plenty of mwah. Honestly, though, the Bongo is my flatwound fretless. If I want over the top mwah, I use my Curbow Petite with TI Powerbass strings.

I'll record a short sample of the Bongo/TI Flats when I get home today so you can judge if there is enough mwah for you, or not.

ElBajista · #11 09-06-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

I get plenty of mwah. Honestly, though, the Bongo is my flatwound fretless. If I want over the top mwah, I use my Curbow Petite with TI Powerbass strings.

I'll record a short sample of the Bongo/TI Flats when I get home today so you can judge if there is enough mwah for you, or not.

That would be great! I can't wait to hear the clip.

bassmonkeee · #12 09-08-2006, 05:46 PM

It took a couple of days, and all I managed to record was noodling, but you get the idea.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bionicman...go_TIflats.mp3

This is my fretless Bongo (SC/H/P) tuned EADGC through my Low End True Voice preamp. I used a little bit of Bongo EQ, and I'm not sure where I had the pickups, but I know the piezos are 50/50 with the magnetics.

Forgive the questionable intonation and sloppy play.

Fuzzbass · #13 09-08-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

It took a couple of days, and all I managed to record was noodling, but you get the idea.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bionicman...go_TIflats.mp3

This is my fretless Bongo (SC/H/P) tuned EADGC through my Low End True Voice preamp. I used a little bit of Bongo EQ, and I'm not sure where I had the pickups, but I know the piezos are 50/50 with the magnetics.

Forgive the questionable intonation and sloppy play.

Mwahlicious.

ElBajista · #14 09-08-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

It took a couple of days, and all I managed to record was noodling, but you get the idea.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bionicman...go_TIflats.mp3

This is my fretless Bongo (SC/H/P) tuned EADGC through my Low End True Voice preamp. I used a little bit of Bongo EQ, and I'm not sure where I had the pickups, but I know the piezos are 50/50 with the magnetics.

Forgive the questionable intonation and sloppy play.

Wow, VERY nice! Those strings sound phenomenal....I love TIs. Your playing is great!!

I like the added clarity from the piezo pickups. I'd love to try out a Bongo with Piezos.

Bassist4Life · #15 09-08-2006, 10:59 PM

Bassmonkeee,

Nice sound clip. I really appreciate it. Don't worry about the intonation, we ALL struggle with that (on fretless of course).

I don't know if it's possible, but I'd love to hear those strings on some frets. Do you have a fretted bass set up EADGC with the TI Jazz Flats?

Joe

7flat5 · #16 09-10-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

Hey man! Thanks for the bump, I appreciate it.

What don't you like about the LaBella Flats? Are the LaBella's a higher tension string?

Joe

They are fat and not flexible. But, it's not so much the tension as the sound. They are "hollow" sounding, for want of a better word. They are very warm, and do thump some. But they don't have any of that very lively midrange the TIs do. I have TI Jazz Flats on an old Gibson I have, and the mid-neck and high notes are just SO sweet. Someone used the phrase "not at all guitar-like" and that describes the sweet tone of the TIs on high notes. But they are also loud strings. They are very lively and make lots of sound as they ring, where the LaBellas have a more upright-like sound envelope--thump then sustain at a lower level, if that makes any sense. I like the LaBellas, and you might find them very nice for a small-group jazz gig, but they get lost in the mix. I guess no string does it all...