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First time ever using Flats
- Thread starter specs
- Start date
In my experience TI Jazz Flats are simply the best. I’ve tried many of the brands mentioned but none of them has Thomastik’s combination of well balanced sound with a bit of zing, low tension and smooth feel. If you consider that they last for years with no noticeable drop in performance they’re absolutely budget friendly.
Morning from my side of the world (Uk),
Wonderful to wake up to these posts, the information about TI, La Bella, and general is enlightening to me.
Especially the length of time some of you have had them on there!
I honestly really appreciate you guys sharing your experiences with me about this.
Because strings are a personal thing of choice to each of us, so it’s nice to get some more perspective of flats for the very near future.
Should be picking the bass up from the shop today!
Wonderful to wake up to these posts, the information about TI, La Bella, and general is enlightening to me.
Especially the length of time some of you have had them on there!
I honestly really appreciate you guys sharing your experiences with me about this.
Because strings are a personal thing of choice to each of us, so it’s nice to get some more perspective of flats for the very near future.
Should be picking the bass up from the shop today!
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Watch this space….(or watch TV or something for a bit. It will be a little while yet)
I’m thinking that if you like the zing of rounds such that you find them dead after a couple of gigs, then the flats will seem dead right from the start. Best of luck though.
After 22 years it may be time to learn to do your setups. A tweak of the truss rod and a couple of turns of a screw are not exactly rocket science. How do you even deal with seasonal adjustments of the neck?
Flats are not really high tension, maybe a bit more than rounds. They are stiffer, though. Many people mistake stiffness for tension.
Low tension (aka light gauge) flats exist. Noodle-like TIs have always been popular and the low tension Labellas are all the rage now. I hate low tension strings but at the same time there is no need to play the 52-110 set that Jamerson used. In fact the most popular Labella gauge is 43-104 and not different from your average 45-105 rounds. And they are balanced, unlike Fender flats and their floppy E string.
As for dead rounds, embrace it. I can't imagine changing strings all the time on guitar, let alone on bass. Not only is it expensive, you become a slave to brightness. Who needs all that brightness anyway?
Flats are not really high tension, maybe a bit more than rounds. They are stiffer, though. Many people mistake stiffness for tension.
Low tension (aka light gauge) flats exist. Noodle-like TIs have always been popular and the low tension Labellas are all the rage now. I hate low tension strings but at the same time there is no need to play the 52-110 set that Jamerson used. In fact the most popular Labella gauge is 43-104 and not different from your average 45-105 rounds. And they are balanced, unlike Fender flats and their floppy E string.
As for dead rounds, embrace it. I can't imagine changing strings all the time on guitar, let alone on bass. Not only is it expensive, you become a slave to brightness. Who needs all that brightness anyway?
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Your story is a lot like mine: I played rounds exclusively and only liked my tone when the strings were fresh.
In my case, I instantly preferred flats from the moment I switched. It’s all about how it sounds in the mix; rounds “cut through” the mix but flats “punch through.”
I tried a number of different brands before settling on TI Jazz Flats for the best combination (IMO) of tone, feel and longevity. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
In my case, I instantly preferred flats from the moment I switched. It’s all about how it sounds in the mix; rounds “cut through” the mix but flats “punch through.”
I tried a number of different brands before settling on TI Jazz Flats for the best combination (IMO) of tone, feel and longevity. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Thank you for your input.
I have a guy I’ve been seeing for those years who does it for me every year, he doesn’t charge me at all. I don’t have any measuring tools or anything like that. I know about the truss rod and that you turn it ⅛ of a turn a time and check the relief.
Yes, it is expensive & it’s only going up, mhmm slave to brightness sir.
Yes, rounds certainly cut through indeed, it’ll nice to punch through as you say!
Thank you man, these TI strings, sound interesting
I can only do but have a go & see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I got there in the end!, thank you man!
The earth ain't flat, but strings should be he he. A journey starts with the first step. It tickles me pink seeing someone giving flats a go, partic after so many years using rounds.. Could be you don't like em. Could be you love em.Main thing is you are giving them a whirl. Cheers
@specs I think you'll have some fun with the flats - I certainly did when I was subbing in a blues band last year and needed something a little less aggressive sounding. I got the cheapos from Amazon (Adagio flats - £17). They sounded great for that band and the feel was nice, not a lot of tension at all compared to a couple other basses I'd tried strung with flats. I played them for a couple months covering daily practice, 2 shows and weekly rehearsals and they held a consistent sound throughout. Customer service was great as well as the A string seemed DOA and the company sent me a replacement string next day delivery.
Long term they definitely didn't fit with my main band (loud, grungy) and I went back to D'Addario NYXL's. I normally get a year out of these (weekly rehearsals, 10+ gigs) before they lose the crisp and zing factors that I like, but last year I put fresh set on for our 2 week tour. I played HARD for those 2 weeks, a lot of sweat, some blood, spilled drinks etc and they still have plenty of life left in them (I still haven't replaced them actually due to band break up). I found fast fret to do a good job after each set/rehearsal for keeping them fresh, so to summarise I'd recommend checking out NYXL's or the new XT's from D'Addario if you haven't already tried them. The brands you listed normally using (EB, Roto, Dunlop) I associate with shortest life spans in terms of their "new" string sound to their broken in sound. In the rounds game, I went through almost every big brand over the years and always came back to D'Addario. DR was a close second and I'd probably would still use them if they weren't so expensive here - NYXL's are about £30, DR's about £45+).
Long term they definitely didn't fit with my main band (loud, grungy) and I went back to D'Addario NYXL's. I normally get a year out of these (weekly rehearsals, 10+ gigs) before they lose the crisp and zing factors that I like, but last year I put fresh set on for our 2 week tour. I played HARD for those 2 weeks, a lot of sweat, some blood, spilled drinks etc and they still have plenty of life left in them (I still haven't replaced them actually due to band break up). I found fast fret to do a good job after each set/rehearsal for keeping them fresh, so to summarise I'd recommend checking out NYXL's or the new XT's from D'Addario if you haven't already tried them. The brands you listed normally using (EB, Roto, Dunlop) I associate with shortest life spans in terms of their "new" string sound to their broken in sound. In the rounds game, I went through almost every big brand over the years and always came back to D'Addario. DR was a close second and I'd probably would still use them if they weren't so expensive here - NYXL's are about £30, DR's about £45+).
I just tried 77´s once and they were too bright for my taste, maybe you like them because of that.
Actually I have TI's on my Precision and Chromes on my Jazz. Cobalt Flats incoming ro my PJ-555 soon, I'm just letting the set of Ernie Ball Slinkies they have to come to their end.
Actually I have TI's on my Precision and Chromes on my Jazz. Cobalt Flats incoming ro my PJ-555 soon, I'm just letting the set of Ernie Ball Slinkies they have to come to their end.
Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Smooth, punchy, articulate, and long-lasting! Brightest sounding flat I’ve ever used. I would start with these.
Here’s my concerns for you from most to least.
1. Tension / stiffness: you didn’t get very flexible flats AND you didn’t a light gauge. The strings will feel stiff compared to almost any rounds you have played in the past. You might not have a problem with you picking hand, but they will feel stiff under your fretting hand. Light EB Cobalts, light Chromes, or LaBella LTFs would be more like rounds tension.
2. Tone: If you need piano string ring / tone, you will be disappointed. EB Cobalts get closest to doing that, but not like a round. You using a pick will help.
3. Playing style: if you do any slapping, flats might not satisfy. Once again, EB Cobalts will get there to some degree.
4. Stickiness: if you have a problem with that, it will probably be short term. Any flat I’ve tried that was sticky didn’t stay that way for long. Difference in humans / body chemistry might affect how sticky or how long sticky.
I think flats with a pick cuts like no other tone. I’m no good with a pick or I would use one exclusively on flats. You have a step up in that.
Good Luck!
1. Tension / stiffness: you didn’t get very flexible flats AND you didn’t a light gauge. The strings will feel stiff compared to almost any rounds you have played in the past. You might not have a problem with you picking hand, but they will feel stiff under your fretting hand. Light EB Cobalts, light Chromes, or LaBella LTFs would be more like rounds tension.
2. Tone: If you need piano string ring / tone, you will be disappointed. EB Cobalts get closest to doing that, but not like a round. You using a pick will help.
3. Playing style: if you do any slapping, flats might not satisfy. Once again, EB Cobalts will get there to some degree.
4. Stickiness: if you have a problem with that, it will probably be short term. Any flat I’ve tried that was sticky didn’t stay that way for long. Difference in humans / body chemistry might affect how sticky or how long sticky.
I think flats with a pick cuts like no other tone. I’m no good with a pick or I would use one exclusively on flats. You have a step up in that.
Good Luck!
It's not only the tone that needs breaking in, the whole experience does. Most fresh flats feel terrible. They are uncomfortable to play and stick to the fingers. Playing them for a while will not only mellow the tone, but also smooth the strings by a lot.
