My vote still is set on the labellas for now but i'm messing around with a set of GHS regular and a set of light on two different basses and i have to say that for about half the price of the labellas i like them a lot... might have to try a light set of labellas to compare ( currently have a set of 760M on my fender p ) but one of those set is gonna stay on that's for sure
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The low B in the new set of TI flats works great on my Jazz V. The notes are clear and sustained, with minimal fluctuation in pitch, which is sometimes a problem with B strings.
TI makes only one gauge for each string, and their B string is .136 -- which is even chunkier than the B string in the set of Ernie Ball Slinky flats that this set is replacing (which was .135). Yet the TI set has less tension than the Ernie Ball set, which I worried would lead to a floppy sort of B string response, but it's actually less floppy than the Ernie Ball was -- which maybe helps explain the more consistent pitch response. And because of the lower tension, the truss rod can be (needs to be) loosened.
Also, in comparison with the Ernie Ball set, the entire TI set is smoother to the touch, and this is most noticeable on the B string itself, just because it's so big.
Note: these strings are brand new, so YMMV after breaking them in.
I reached out to Thomastik-Infeld for the manufacturer's stance on stringing: "Thank you for your interest in our products. Please note, the strings in the set JF344 where designed for a standard bridge, however musicians often do stringing them also through the body.
I hope this helps."
I hope this helps."
Out of the list I've only played Roto 77, La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats, Fender, TI Jazz, and Chromes. Chromes on a P did nothing for me--way too zingy and mid-forward. TI Jazz lost the zing but still had too much midrange for my taste, not worth their expense. Bought a bass with Fender flats on it which sounded OK.
My winners are LaBella DTF's are Roto 77's, the former if I want a more old-school sound, the latter for a more lively feel and a more modern/versatile overall sound.
My winners are LaBella DTF's are Roto 77's, the former if I want a more old-school sound, the latter for a more lively feel and a more modern/versatile overall sound.
I cast my vote for TIs, but it is all subjective. I say they are supple, not floopy and require a lighter touch. I have to work on that a bit but able to use a light touch is a good idea, inho. Can still dig in a bit if action allows. As was expressed earlier, it's the tone and feel you are looking for. Have fun.
So. Many. Opinions! And here's yet another...
You'll find absolutely no love whatsoever in my house for any LaBella or TI strings. The former are pure sonic mud (I've tried DTF and LTF, *and* a set of their SS rounds. Barf!), the latter are like little elastic bands, and I just cannot take them seriously. I realize these are by far the two most popular things among the hive mind here, but that's been my experience. My P-Bass is something of a "treble eater" though, and so I find it gets a more balanced tone with slightly brighter strings.
My favourite for a while was the GHS Precision flats, but after using stainless steels on that P for many a year, I've got some Roto 77 flats on it now. These are great (for flats)! This is my first experience with them, but no problems whatsoever with balanced output that others have mentioned here. They are flats, so it's definitely a warm, old school thump, but there's a little presence and zing to them which I rather enjoy. I only use this bass now for old school soul/RnB gigs, so it doesn't need to do anything but be thumpy; hence my return to flats.
You'll find absolutely no love whatsoever in my house for any LaBella or TI strings. The former are pure sonic mud (I've tried DTF and LTF, *and* a set of their SS rounds. Barf!), the latter are like little elastic bands, and I just cannot take them seriously. I realize these are by far the two most popular things among the hive mind here, but that's been my experience. My P-Bass is something of a "treble eater" though, and so I find it gets a more balanced tone with slightly brighter strings.
My favourite for a while was the GHS Precision flats, but after using stainless steels on that P for many a year, I've got some Roto 77 flats on it now. These are great (for flats)! This is my first experience with them, but no problems whatsoever with balanced output that others have mentioned here. They are flats, so it's definitely a warm, old school thump, but there's a little presence and zing to them which I rather enjoy. I only use this bass now for old school soul/RnB gigs, so it doesn't need to do anything but be thumpy; hence my return to flats.
So i just installed 760FL where the 760M where and mannnn... they might never come off of that bass.
760FL and 3025 and officially my 2 favourite set to date
760FL and 3025 and officially my 2 favourite set to date
About the 760FL you mean ?
To me they sound a little fatter then the 760m. I think high tension strings might have more mids or are more balanced then light strings... but at the price of bottom sometimes. Not saying the 760m don't have booty but the 760fl seem to have a tad more or it is rounder but with the same kind of mids. They almost sound saturated to me specially when you play near the 12 fret. You get that deep yet rich sound that reminds me McCartney ( i have them paired with a Ori62 Pickup ) The tension is also way more comfortable. The E string on the 760FL is very close in feel ( size wise ) to the A string of the 760M. So yeah HUGE HUGE difference. The feel of the material is super smooth ( like on all the labellas i'm guessing ). Very noticeable when you do slides. String noise is at a minimum. And they just vibrate more then the 760m so you can feel it when you're playing. Less fatiguing and more vibe.
To me they sound a little fatter then the 760m. I think high tension strings might have more mids or are more balanced then light strings... but at the price of bottom sometimes. Not saying the 760m don't have booty but the 760fl seem to have a tad more or it is rounder but with the same kind of mids. They almost sound saturated to me specially when you play near the 12 fret. You get that deep yet rich sound that reminds me McCartney ( i have them paired with a Ori62 Pickup ) The tension is also way more comfortable. The E string on the 760FL is very close in feel ( size wise ) to the A string of the 760M. So yeah HUGE HUGE difference. The feel of the material is super smooth ( like on all the labellas i'm guessing ). Very noticeable when you do slides. String noise is at a minimum. And they just vibrate more then the 760m so you can feel it when you're playing. Less fatiguing and more vibe.
760FGS sound and feel quite good on my Wilkins P/J when I use them. Right now I have rounds on it though. I puts 760FGS on my Warwick Corvette Fretless (not a P I know but...) and am very happy.
If you can get pass the fact that the lighting makes it seem as if i had boobs lolol...
Labellas 760FL + Ori62 is such a classic tone to me
Labellas 760FL + Ori62 is such a classic tone to me
I liked the brightness of Chromes and the present mids.
I can roll the tone down for more mellow tones but when I need it to spank I roll it up to max.
I can roll the tone down for more mellow tones but when I need it to spank I roll it up to max.
I am a bit surprised to see TI Jazz Flats as the top choice. I knew they had a lot of diehard fans, but holy cow, more than LaBella? They're some very polarizing strings IMHO. I don't like the way they feel like they're rolling under my fingers, and even though I hear a lot of bassists sound great with them, I couldn't get them to sound like anything but rounds without as much finger noise. But the results speak for themselves.
TI JF344 on one of my P-basses:
Klein Epic ‘59 sampler II
Specs:
Am. Pro. body
Klein Epic ‘59 pickup
Am. Std. J neck
Tone progressively being rolled off ..
Klein Epic ‘59 sampler II
Specs:
Am. Pro. body
Klein Epic ‘59 pickup
Am. Std. J neck
Tone progressively being rolled off ..
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Deleted member 165050
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I prefer low tension flats myself... TIJFs and LTFs are my favourite for feel. Currently have a set of standard gauge DTFs on one bass but finding them very stiff and switching to light.
I agree .. DTF sound superb but it’s not easy for me to play on them ..
