Are TIs the crack of strings?

pilmat · #1 08-21-2011, 03:25 PM

Put TI flats on my Lull M4V this week and love the feel and tone. Truss rod needed a tweak with the lower tension but that's it.

Now going back to my Solid 4 with Labella flats feels like a workout! It takes me 10 minutes to get back to the higher tension fretting, and even then I get a good bit more fret noise than I'd like.

If I play the S4 for a while, especially if I start on it, I don't notice a lot of fret noise.

Question is, am I setting myself up for some long term issues with adapting to differences? I'm not a strong player (nor a particularly good one

) so I don't need to develop any more disfunction! An addiction to anything never bears much fruit...

Jim Nazium · #2 08-21-2011, 03:32 PM

I use light, low tension strings on all my basses (including TI flats on one of them). I don't have the hand strength that I might develop from playing heavier strings, but so what? I like the sound I get now and I don't foresee any need to ever switch to heavier strings.

Also, something I've noticed as the years have gone by: the more experienced I get, the less strength I use to fret notes. The same is true in sports: when you first start swimming or skiing, for example, you use a whole lot of strength to compensate for poor technique. When your technique gets better, you don't need as much strength.

TL; DNR: use the strings you like and don't worry about it.

arsie · #3 08-21-2011, 07:42 PM

There will come a day, when someone points a gun at your head, makes you play a bass with a set of strings not of your choosing, and threatens to shoot you if you make any mistakes or excessive fret noises. Everyone needs to prepare themselves for that day.

BritPicker · #4 08-21-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsie

There will come a day, when someone points a gun at your head, makes you play a bass with a set of strings not of your choosing, and threatens to shoot you if you make any mistakes or excessive fret noises. Everyone needs to prepare themselves for that day.

Yeah those gun-related bass-player hostage incidents are becoming considerably more widespread these days.

I blame Guitar Hero.

pilmat · #5 08-22-2011, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsie

There will come a day, when someone points a gun at your head, makes you play a bass with a set of strings not of your choosing, and threatens to shoot you if you make any mistakes or excessive fret noises. Everyone needs to prepare themselves for that day.

You have this dream too?!?

Thanks guys, I get it

ricknote · #6 08-22-2011, 12:55 PM

I got a great laugh at the last two posts! Made my day.
I too love the TI's on my Lull P5.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #7 08-22-2011, 12:57 PM

More like an Everlasting Gobstopper than crack IMO.

stflbn · #8 08-22-2011, 12:57 PM

Playing bass doesn't have to be the equivilent of wrastlin' crocodiles... some make it seem so, but I say no.

chadhargis · #9 08-22-2011, 01:41 PM

Yes....the TI strings are like crack.

I have TI flats on two of my four basses and I'm SERIOUSLY considering some TI Jazz rounds for my jazz bass.

I LOVE the low tension. I'm seriously spoiled by TIs.

fretlessguy · #10 08-23-2011, 12:48 AM

TI Jazz Flats are the Bee's knees in my book. Toss that bailing wire feeling stuff and get something that in a few years won't lead you to having hand problems. I know.

rodl2005 · #11 08-23-2011, 01:02 AM

what are the opinions of PYRAMID flats??

I love T.I.'s also, prior to getting them I thought I loved Chromes... But T.I.s just........... do it!

markjazzbassist · #12 08-23-2011, 01:19 AM

yeah they are great. i thought i would hate the low tension, but i can be so much more expressive with bends and such.

plus that tone! the nice tight low end and mid bump is just perfect on a vintage jazz bass. my dream

Munjibunga · #13 08-23-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilmat

Put TI flats on my Lull M4V this week and love the feel and tone. Truss rod needed a tweak with the lower tension but that's it.

Now going back to my Solid 4 with Labella flats feels like a workout! It takes me 10 minutes to get back to the higher tension fretting, and even then I get a good bit more fret noise than I'd like.

If I play the S4 for a while, especially if I start on it, I don't notice a lot of fret noise.

Question is, am I setting myself up for some long term issues with adapting to differences? I'm not a strong player (nor a particularly good one

) so I don't need to develop any more disfunction! An addiction to anything never bears much fruit...

If you try TI PowerBass, you'll never like anything else.

raul · #14 08-23-2011, 09:28 AM

yes, TI flats,they are like crack...i get mine 3 for 5 from the guy at the corner...man, it's some good sh*t...

BobaFret · #15 08-23-2011, 09:31 AM

Crack is a short term high. TI's get you high for years.

They are in their own class of addiction

CapnSev · #16 08-23-2011, 01:10 PM

Freaking awesome strings. I've tried just about everything else, and nothing compares.

Jazzdogg · #17 08-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

If you try TI PowerBass, you'll never like anything else.

Roundwounds? Nah, too bright, and too much extraneous noise.

The reason I switched to flats was because I couldn't stand all of the upper-mid gank, the inordinate brightness and finger noise, overtones that sound like an effects pedal has been engaged, and the accumulation of string smegma that requires more frequent cleaning and replacement.

Higher tension strings are great for some playing styles, and while some may complain about the relatively low tension of TI flats, I find that they enable me to wring more nuance from the notes - especially on fretless - than higher tension strings.

**colcifer** · #18 08-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Eh. I've been using them (jazz flats) but I could go for higher tension myself. They sound great though.

JLS · #19 08-23-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobaFret

Crack is a short term high. TI's get you high for years.

They are in their own class of addiction

LOL--I have a 5 string set still going, from 2002.

Grateful · #20 08-23-2011, 10:35 PM

Tried 'em. Didn't care for them. Couldn't get past the tension or lack thereof. But that's just me.

I see them as kinda like the Jagermeister of strings. They're powerful, expensive, not everybody sells them, they're hardly ever on sale and it's fun to tell regale the masses with tales of their lusty adventures. But they're still, IMHO, an acquired taste and not for everyone.

I'm open (and probably due) to try them again since my string preferences have evolved since trying them last, but at $90+ for a 5 string set, that just ain't gonna happen! But there's no way I'm trying Jagermeister again after what happened last time...