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Finally have given up on TI Jazz Flats

Gyver

Gyver

Jul 17, 2011
1,253
1,982
Binghamton, New York
#1
I love the tension and the sound of TI Jazz Flats, and consequently have had four different sets on four different basses over the past couple of years. But for some reason every set I have used has had at least one string that sounded different from the others. I have read the online comments and applied the advice from people about being careful not to twist them when installing, not to stretch them after installing, etc. to make sure they are not compromised in some way and I still have had issues with every set. I have also left them on each bass for months to see if they would even out (and they have not), and I have replaced individual strings on a couple of occasions with limited success. I have considered the issues could be with my basses as well, but no other string has given me these problems.

I feel like I must be doing something wrong when I put them on, because obviously they are a great string that many people swear by and have used problem-free. I wish I could make them work because the individual strings that sound good give me the sound I want, but I just can't get past the random inconsistency anymore. Fender 9050L for me from now on - at least they are inexpensive!
 
#2
If you're definitely not stretching them (apparently something never to do with round core strings), and if you're not twisting them on installation, and there's nothing wrong with your basses, maybe your standards of string-to-string evenness are too high. Four strings of different gauges and at different tensions are always gonna sound somewhat different.
 
#3
Gorn said:
maybe your standards of string-to-string evenness are too high. Four strings of different gauges and at different tensions are always gonna sound somewhat different.
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I agree and have tried to convince myself of this many times. But for example my P bass currently has TIs and the E and A strings sound rich and aggressive while the D and G strings sound dull and thuddy - completely different attack and decay and not just the typical difference in sound you would expect between heavy and light gauge strings. This is also why I feel like I either messed them up when I put them on or I got a couple of bad strings. I would love someone to convince me that this is normal for TIs (or perhaps for P basses), but again I have not come across these issues with other flats I have used.
 
#4
hmm. I had what I thought was this problem on my TIs. I then discovered that the person who sold me my bass had mixed up his sets of strings. So I had some that were newer and some that were older. It drove my fricking nuts! I totally understand your frustration. I hope this problem isn't as prevalent as it seems. $70 is a lot to cough up for lousy strings.
 
#6
2saddleslab said:
Been playing TI's over a dozen years on multiple basses and have never had an issue, ever. Sorry to hear your experience is different.
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So I swapped out the D string with a TI from another bass and that fixed it - the string was dead. So now I just need to figure out how I keep killing TIs when I install them, assuming I'm not just really unlucky and keep getting dead strings in the sets I receive (which seems unlikely).
 
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#9
Gyver said:
So I swapped out the D string with a TI from another bass and that fixed it - the string was dead. So now I just need to figure out how I keep killing TIs when I install them, assuming I'm not just really unlucky and keep getting dead strings in the sets I receive (which seems unlikely).
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i was about to suggest swapping the 'good' strings onto the same bass to see if you could assemble one 'good' set. sometimes strings are just no bueno even when new.
 
#10
Pier_ said:
the difference in sound between E/A and D/G goes away with an intensive use. I had three sets (now only one, due to less basses at home), and they were perfect.
bright basses when new, but deep and thuddy when used.

you can read and hear my post in this topic: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/thomastik-flats-inconsistent.1124180/#post-16773103
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The E/A "round" vs. D/G "flat" described in the thread above has been my experience exactly. Thanks for the link, makes me think I wasn't losing my mind after all.
 
#12
Gyver said:
The E/A "round" vs. D/G "flat" described in the thread above has been my experience exactly. Thanks for the link, makes me think I wasn't losing my mind after all.
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I found out that many players are led to think that is an actual issue. the fact is that these strings are produced to sound this way, and that's why they make it only in one gauge.
with any other brand you can buy strings from .030 to .140 and mix them how you prefer. a 45-105 set will never be balanced in tension, and probably not in the overall sound. a .030 can be a C or a light G (in a 30-90 set tuned EADG), and you can mix strings to balancing the feel (D'Addario started producing balanced sets only a year ago).
the TI set is unique and made to sound that way, and they don't make other gauges, so you buy exactly the set as it was meant.

obviously, if you don't like it, it won't fit your needs.

I'm a big fan of the Jazz Flats, but my first try was not that good, exactly for the same reason, the difference in sound from lows to highs. but after months of intense use they broke in and became balanced in sound and smoothness, and now I can't use anyhting else... I've tried other flats and retried flats I've used before, tried again rounds in many styles (steel, nickel, roundcore, hexcore...), but every time I go back to my old set of TI.

it's a matter of tastes, nothing else. for example, I can't like them on fretless basses, where my favourite are the D'Addario Chromes (wich I don't like on fretted basses), and I can't stand them on my new Classic 50's Precision, because the large neck with small strings is a thing I can't get used to...
 
#13
Gorn said:
If you're definitely not stretching them (apparently something never to do with round core strings), and if you're not twisting them on installation, and there's nothing wrong with your basses, maybe your standards of string-to-string evenness are too high. Four strings of different gauges and at different tensions are always gonna sound somewhat different.
Click to expand...
stretching strings?
Doesn't that happen on stringing the bass anyways?
 
#15
Gorn said:
Stretching by tugging on them after installation. It's a common practice but with round core strings like DR hibeams and sunbeams and TIs, it can apparently cause damage.
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Aahh. I can't really remember doing that, but then I can't remember using anything but round core stings. Maybe I was warned to not do it when I first started using them.
 
#16
This is interesting hear. I was leaning toward getting a set of these, but this gives me pause. The midrange complexity is what appeals most to me about this string, and I'm not sure I'd want any of the strings, let alone just one or two, to be too much of a dead thump. Is this much of a concern for a new user? Not all that interested in playing "call the manufacturer repeatedly until you get a full working set" game.
 
#17
Red Four said:
This is interesting hear. I was leaning toward getting a set of these, but this gives me pause. The midrange complexity is what appeals most to me about this string, and I'm not sure I'd want any of the strings, let alone just one or two, to be too much of a dead thump. Is this much of a concern for a new user? Not all that interested in playing "call the manufacturer repeatedly until you get a full working set" game.
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don't worry about it-

just get them they are awesome strings
 
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#20
Red Four said:
This is interesting hear. I was leaning toward getting a set of these, but this gives me pause. The midrange complexity is what appeals most to me about this string, and I'm not sure I'd want any of the strings, let alone just one or two, to be too much of a dead thump. Is this much of a concern for a new user? Not all that interested in playing "call the manufacturer repeatedly until you get a full working set" game.
Click to expand...

Don't shy away from them because of my issues, they are a great string that are rightfully preferred by many...
 
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