TI jazz flats vs D'A chromes

[Ken Lloyd]

Any advice on whether TI jazz flats will give me more growl and blossom, warmer tone on my fretless basses? I've been using D'Addario Chromes, and they're great, but a bit bright. I'm most interested in finding a new (less bright) sound for my Godin A4 Fretless I use in a big, loud swing band. Also may try something new on my Precision fretless and my G&L fretless.

Thanks

[Ken Lloyd]

I forgot to ask about length. Do the standard TI string sets fit all 34" basses or do I need to look for extra long, super long, or incredibly long?

Merry Christmas

Originally Posted by Ken Lloyd

Any advice on whether TI jazz flats will give me more growl and blossom, warmer tone on my fretless basses? I've been using D'Addario Chromes, and they're great, but a bit bright. I'm most interested in finding a new (less bright) sound for my Godin A4 Fretless I use in a big, loud swing band. Also may try something new on my Precision fretless and my G&L fretless.

Thanks

[fretlessrock]

Ken, the trick is to put the TIs on and then leave them on. At first they are a bit middy, but not as bright as the Chromes. As they break in they warm up even more and really rock that bass. The TI JF344 set should be good to go on a typical 34" bass. They were fine on my string-through American Standard P, if that helps.

Pete

[phat5]

Ken, I'm a recent "Chromes" convert myself....I now use the TI JF-345's on my RBV bass, and all I can say is, WOW!
I did have the 344's on my Epi Jack bass (great match!) but that bass is gone. I couldn't be any happier with my new set of TI's. My first TI JF-344 experience, was with Tornadobass' fretless Godin A4. I was knocked out! The bass sounded wonderful, even when unplugged.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by fretlessrock

Ken, the trick is to put the TIs on and then leave them on. At first they are a bit middy, but not as bright as the Chromes. As they break in they warm up even more and really rock that bass. The TI JF344 set should be good to go on a typical 34" bass. They were fine on my string-through American Standard P, if that helps.

Pete

I agree. I have Thomastic JF344s on my Godin acoustic electric fretless. They sound very good. Bright for a few days, then they settle in to a nice rich, musical sound, with lots of definition that brings out the best in the Godin. Lots of warmth in the midrange and very nicely balanced. I've tried other strings on it and didn't like them. For a big, loud swing band they'll sound great and stay that way for many years. I have a set on all of my basses now. The ones on the Godin are about 4 years old at least. The oldest set, on my Fender P are over 6 years and still sound great. No problems getting them to fit. You may have to back off on the truss rod a bit as the tension is a bit lighter than many other flatwounds. Not at all floppy though. They seem loose for a few hours until they stretch in, then they play great.

Try using a small amount of foam muting under the strings at the bridge. Not enough to deaden the sound, just to take out some of the bright overtones the Godin has. The foam should just touch the strings, not press hard against them. I usually cut a strip about 1"-11/2" wide. I think you'll like the sound for swing.

[gomez hacienda]

TIs are the best. They're on my Fender P and will soon be on the Warwick 5er. Smoothest strings out there, but then I always used TI Spirocores on my URB. These are like the little brother.

[Ken Lloyd]

Thanks everybody for sharing your experiences with TI jazz flats. I ordered a set last night and hopefully will get them broken in on my Godin A4 fretless before a little demo recording session set for 3rd week in January.

Happy 2007.

Originally Posted by gomez hacienda

TIs are the best. They're on my Fender P and will soon be on the Warwick 5er. Smoothest strings out there, but then I always used TI Spirocores on my URB. These are like the little brother.

[ElBajista]

IME, TIs over Chromes, no contest.

I had TI flats on my 55-02 for a while, and I once had a 44-02 with Chromes on it.

I found the Chromes to be a great sounding string, but more prone to being "clanky" and of higher tension. They lacked the warm, sweet midrange I was used to with TIs. The Chromes actually slapped incredibly well, something that the TIs don't do very well at all, IMO. So for a more aggressive sound I'd go for Chromes, but for that warm growl it's TIs all the way!

Another thing to remember is that TIs have lower tension than most flats. Some people call them "floppy" but to my hands they have about the same if not a little more tension as any normal round-core roundwound string. It took a little while to get used to, but now I love TIs for the feel just as much as the sound because they require a softer touch and therefore improve dynamic range, IMO.

TIs are simply one of the most musical set of strings I've ever laid my hands on. I'm sure you'll love them!