Cheaper version of TI flats?

[gimmeagig]

Hi
I am new to the world of P basses and Flats. The Youtube videos I have seen showed me that The TI flats are brighter than others and seem to keep the sound of the P bass pickups. I also looked at Labellas Deep Talkin Flats ( because of Jamerson) which seem to be much darker. Is that right? Coming from active J basses with roundwounds I have not developed an ear for what is good about one type of flats vs another. But I do like the sound of the TIs. I just don't like the Price tag. Almost 100.-? Jeez. Is there a cheaper alternative? I can get a set of the Labellas for $40 bucks. Are the TIs that much better or is it just because Pino is using them? Is there another string that sounds similar that doesn't hurt you as much in the pocket book?

 

[michael_t]

TI Jazz Flats are a class on its own, designed and wound by an Austrian company who specializes in orchestral strings. Nothing else like them.

That said, your P bass doesn't have to wear them to sound good. Mine wears the Ernie Ball Group IV (40-95) stainless steel flats and I love them! Not too dark and thuddy like traditional flats, and not too bright and roundwound-ish like the Cobalt Flats. They're a nice middle-of-the-road flat with a good midrange clarity.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[michael_t]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ernie-ball-group-iv-flats-pleasant-surprise-40-95.1529293/

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hi
I am new to the world of P basses and Flats. The Youtube videos I have seen showed me that The TI flats are brighter than others and seem to keep the sound of the P bass pickups. I also looked at Labellas Deep Talkin Flats ( because of Jamerson) which seem to be much darker. Is that right? Coming from active J basses with roundwounds I have not developed an ear for what is good about one type of flats vs another. But I do like the sound of the TIs. I just don't like the Price tag. Almost 100.-? Jeez. Is there a cheaper alternative? I can get a set of the Labellas for $40 bucks. Are the TIs that much better or is it just because Pino is using them? Is there another string that sounds similar that doesn't hurt you as much in the pocket book?

This link will self-destruct...sooner or later, as they all do.
(Read up on the now legendary "accordion accessory" supply channel...)

 

[Iofflight]

Get the TI flats. And go with the link @HaphAsSard gave. I put these on my JMJ Mustang 5 years ago and they're still going strong. I haven't found another flat that really sounds like them though I've liked other flats.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Get the TI flats. And go with the link @HaphAsSard gave. I put these on my JMJ Mustang 5 years ago and they're still going strong. I haven't found another flat that really sounds like them though I've liked other flats.

One thing the OP should be aware of, as a random perusal of past TB posts will reveal, is that the price fluctuates.
(Or I guess it squeezes and expands, like accordions do?)

He may or mayn't want to monitor it for a while.

 

[Iofflight]

I have found them for a little over $50 but that was before Covid. I think $66 is totally 'reasonable' in the current market. It beats the $90 bucks I see the typical packaging going for.

 

[bobcruz]

Amazon has at least two "Accordion Accessory" sellers, the one linked above at $73 currently and this one at $66 currently.

 

[gimmeagig]

Amazon has at least two "Accordion Accessory" sellers, the one linked above at $73 currently and this one at $66 currently.

Thanks for the link. I ordered a set. Why mess around. I'll be able to send the Labellas back.
Now I'll sound like Pino in no time LOL

 

[jamro217]

Don't look at the price as you would as buying a meal, look at it as a mortgage. These strings will last for decades. Broken down over the course of time they are a great purchase and a bargain. Compare their longevity to that of guitar strings, which only last for a short time (in some cases, one gig). Hope this helps.

 

[gimmeagig]

I saw in the listing that the strings are coated. Is that like the coating on the elixirs? Or is it something different. Will this coating last or will it wear off or maybe even flake of with time?

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I saw in the listing that the strings are coated. Is that like the coating on the elixirs? Or is it something different. Will this coating last or will it wear off or maybe even flake of with time?

TI flats last forever....make sure they are installed properly....great price!

 

[jdjk7]

Amazon has at least two "Accordion Accessory" sellers, the one linked above at $73 currently and this one at $66 currently.

Good to know that the good ol' "Accordion Accessory" is still going strong.

 

[rodl2005]

Afaik there's no 'coating' on TI's. They STILL last years

 

[logdrum]

MY 5-string fretless bass came with them and it has been there since 2014 according to the original builder. I got the bass in 2021 and did not like them so I took them off. They are not for everybody. But yeah, they sounded like new and were still supple after 7 years. I am not sure if the bass got played a lot, but did not look like it. I still have them and may put them on my modded Squire after the Cobalt Flats stop sounding good. But long lasting flats are not exclusive to TI's. MY oldest bass has the same Chromes since 2012. Granted I don't play it that much but it still has that Chrome brightness but they are stiff now.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I saw in the listing that the strings are coated. Is that like the coating on the elixirs? Or is it something different. Will this coating last or will it wear off or maybe even flake of with time?

Are you sure what you ordered is TI Jazz Flats? They do not have a coating on them.

 

[2saddleslab]

While the initial investment is on the high side they are still a bargain when you consider their longevity, which can last a decade or more.

 

[gimmeagig]

It will be nice to try something different. I listened to a bunch of youtube videos and for my taste the TIs won every time. They sound like flats but you can still hear the tonal character of the P Bass.

 

[Mastermold]

Thanks for the link. I ordered a set. Why mess around. I'll be able to send the Labellas back.
Now I'll sound like Pino in no time LOL

I like TI flats and have them on several basses, but keep in mind they aren't "magic" they're just strings. Some basses will sound great with them and others not as much. You'll probably want to experiment with a few different strings to find what your bass likes best.

 

[Tom Kinter]

There are lots of great-sounding strings out there; the thing with TI jazz flats is they just go on sounding great literally forever. not only great but reliably consistent: if I break one that's 5 years (or heck, 10 years) old, replace it with a new one, after a couple of hours the new one is right in the pocket. For me they are the way lots of stuff used to be: expensive in the short run, a bargain in the long run.