Lifespan of TI's

[inthebassclef]

Hi,
been getting some flack from my guitar player.
how long do you guys get out of TI jazz flats?
I usually can run a set for about 4 years.
What have you been doing?

edit: added a poll, cause everyone loves them!!

 

[tbplayer59]

Do you mean "Flack"? Lol mine are about 8 years old, but I only use that bass (fretless jazz) when that particular sound is needed.

 

[Mastermold]

I've got a few sets at 5+ years.

 

[Jefff]

I change them every year, whether they need it or not.

 

[inthebassclef]

Do you mean "Flack"? Lol mine are about 8 years old, but I only use that bass (fretless jazz) when that particular sound is needed.

Indeed I do. Good call

 

[smperry]

moved to strings

 

[experimental bassist]

I ran mine at least 7 years, only took them off when I joined a band that was better suited for a round wound tone.

Although I still have that set and would use them again in an instant if necessary.

 

[FranF]

Got them on 10 basses. Oldest set is on my Hofner V62. 14 years. Yes. 14. The set on my '60 P is 10 years old. Others from just put on this past month to 6-8 years.

 

[GregT]

I usually just leave them on practically forever. I have a 70's Japanese Memphis P-style bass I just picked up that I'm going to put some on. If I had ever changed a set, I'd put the old ones on it.

 

[MD]

Why should your guitar player give a flying hootenanny how old you strings are? He's not a bass player running flats. He knows nothing. Tell him to shove it.

 

[Petethebassman]

Mine have been on my '75 P since I bought it 2 years ago. I play it every day and the strings are still fine, no need for changing.

 

[Philonius]

I only voted 3-4 because I haven't had them longer than that, but honestly don't know when I'll see (hear) the need to change them. Maybe never?

 

[BobaMosfett]

My Pino signature (bought in '09) had the factory strings (wich are TI's) until last year, so I guess 4 years.
One day I had a gig and it didn't sound as good as I was used to. At first I thought it might be the acoustics of the room, but to my surprise it also didn't sound right the next day at home. All muddy lows, and no nice mids. Suspecting it might be the strings, I put a new set of TI's on, and the glorious sound was back.
So now I know even flatwound strings have a lifespan.

 

[The Bass Clef]

TIs last so long! I started using them in about 2002, and still have that same 1st set I ever bought on the same bass. So I guess 12 years for me (and they still sound good)! I have them on several basses, and most of the sets are 1-5 years old.

I change them every year, whether they need it or not.

Let me know when your year is up, I'll buy em from you every year from now on!

 

[inthebassclef]

cool! thanks for all the replies guys. Keep them coming. I think I am going to run my next set longer!!

 

[2saddleslab]

I've got 2 basses that have been sporting the same set of TI's for over 8 years.

 

[Bassworship1]

One question for all of you users. How do you keep them looking clean after using them that long. We play for long periods of time and even wiping my strings piratically every time they still show grime and buildup on the strings.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I bought a Fender Classic '50s P in 2007 and installed a set of TI Jazz Flats on it. In 2009 I bought a Fender AVRI '57 P and traded strings with the '50s because I thought I was going to sell the '50s to a guy who wanted round wounds.

Eventually I decided to keep the '50s and I strung it with a new set of TIs. Then I put a set on my '51 P RI, then last year I bought a '99 SR5 and put TIs on it!

So all of my basses are strung with them, including the first set I bought, 7 years ago. In other words, I have yet to replace a set.

 

[hdracer]

One question for all of you users. How do you keep them looking clean after using them that long. We play for long periods of time and even wiping my strings piratically every time they still show grime and buildup on the strings.

At least once a year I take the strings off and clean the fret board and polish the fret's. At that time I use a rag soaked with denatured alcohol to wipe them down good and get any crud off of them.

 

[ICM]

I would say they have an infinite lifespan.
The more dead and rubberbandy they get, the better they sound.
My hofner CT came with TI's so I don't know how long they've been on, but I don't plan on changing the strings.
With all my flats, I consider them a one time investment. Because I never change them.