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Are TI Jazz Flats worth the $?

#5
To some they are, to some they aren't. The first time I bought TI Jazz flats I didn't like them as I was in to higher tension strings at the time. As my playing style changed over the years, I gravitated towards light gauge strings, so I tried them again. Now they are my main flats and I've never been happier with a string. They've been on for years and will likely stay on for many more. I also have years-old sets of Chromes, Cobalts and Sadowsky flats in the closet that go on other basses occasionally.
 
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#6
I have never liked flats, not the sound, not the feel.
Then I tried the TI flats on a recommendation from a friend and I was blown away by how mellow but clear and articulate they sound.
They are also very "soft" to the touch, very flexible and low tenasion which I love but that's not everybody's cup of tea.
I doubt I will ever put any other strings on my precision.
 
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#7
noeinstein said:
Just out of curiosity, what makes these so much better than the best of the other flats? Material? Construction? FM?
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For all of the reasons listed below. I have been using TI's for almost a decade (some Talkbass members have had the same set on their on their bass for double that time,) and currently have them on 4 of my basses. They simply feel and sound wonderful, whether on a solid body, semi-hollow body, etc., played with fingers or a pick. You can't go wrong.

Prices are pretty consistent on most websites, however, every once in a while Amazon has them on sale for around $60 per set. I've purchased them through Amazon twice, and yes, these are legit.

2saddleslab said:
They just bring out the best tone, nuance, & character of each bass. Plus, they're easy on the fingers and last for over a decade or more.
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I couldn't agree more.

bwildt said:
If you like the sound and the feel, TIs are inexpensive when comparing to cost and longevity. I have TIs that have been on one instrument for over 20 years, and the sound doesn't change. That comes out to about $2/year for strings.
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Well said, sir.:thumbsup:

subdude67 said:
I have never liked flats, not the sound, not the feel.
Then I tried the TI flats on a recommendation from a friend and I was blown away by how mellow but clear and articulate they sound.
They are also very "soft" to the touch, very flexible and low tenasion which I love but that's not everybody's cup of tea.
I doubt I will ever put any other strings on my precision.
Click to expand...
+1
 
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#8
noeinstein said:
Just out of curiosity, what makes these so much better than the best of the other flats? Material? Construction? FM?
Click to expand...
The only possible "issue" I can think of with TIs is that either a) you just don't like the sound or b) you just don't like the feel.

As far as the sound, the most remarkable thing to me is just how variable the sound can be. Playing different positions with your plucking hand really brings out different sounds... all strings do this to a degree, but it's super apparent with the TIs. Plus, they sit nice and smooth when slapped.

The feel to me is what could be the main issue. They're loose compared to most flats-- even compared to most rounds. Usually for most people that's a plus, but some people just prefer some resistance on the string.
 
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#9
Just to make y’all feel better about the cost of TI bass strings I just put a set of TI flats on my mandolin. $55.00 for eight little strings of which only six are wound. That having been said, they sound great and are easy to play.
 
#10
I was at a jam session at a friend's house not long ago, and at some point in the evening I let the other bass player who was there play my bass for a while. Afterwards I asked him how he liked it, and all he could talk about was the strings. He was just blown away by them and kept going on about how great they were and how he was going to have to get some. They were, of course, TI Jazz Flats.
 
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#16
I have, mixed reviews. I tried them a few years ago and tossed a set on my 25 year old Ibanez ATK305. LOVE them on that bass. Phenomenal. The feel, the tone… perfection.

I bought another set for my Fodera 2 years ago. I hate them on that bass. HATE. The A string is incredibly floppy and considerably louder than the rest of the strings, D and G strings have multiple dead notes, and the B has very little definition except for the open B. No such issues with rounds.

Worth trying? I’d say yes. But I don’t think every bass likes em.
 
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#18
Fretbuzzard said:
Why are they expensive? I suppose material (nickel ribbon) and labor (Vienna, Austria) costs come into play, plus import costs if you are in the States, UK, etc.

As for whether they are worth the cost to you… not to be a smartass, but they are worth it if you like them, not so much if you don’t.
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I just bought my first set and put them on last night. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like them, and I especially like the stories of people who have had the same set on for 10 or 20 years. I guess I'd like to know what there is about the manufacturing process that makes them so much more expensive and long-lasting.
 

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