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First time installing TI flats

ryanfenderbass

ryanfenderbass

Jan 15, 2006
324
4
Washington, DC
#1
I asked this question in a semi-unrelated thread and didn't get a response (mods, I will delete the dupe). My fault.

Okay, so my first set of TI Jazz flats will be in my hands today. I have never been more nervous about installing a set of stings. Don't get me wrong, I am a BOSS at normal (read: less than $30) string installation, but Sun Beams come with that disclaimer about crimping the stings before cutting to avoid "killing" them. Are TIs the same way? Will I even need to cut them? I ordered a proper long-scale set for my P FYI. Also, I read that the G is extra noodly and you have to give it special care to avoid breakage while wrapping around the post. Aaaahhh!
 
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#2
It's not necessary to crimp or anything- the part you will cut is only a partial wind and silked. If you have full size 'Fender' style tuners you may find you only need to trim the E. The bit about the G is nonsense - the fully wrapped part never gets near the tuner. The only one that will is the E.
 
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#3
It's no thing, you've done it before, I did have to cut a lil length off but NoBigDeal.
The ends are wrapped in silk so I wouldn't worry about the bend before you cut thing.
After you wrap them on the post and have tightened all the slack out, make sure the string isn't twisted by pulling it from the nut to bridge aloowing the ball end to spin and untwist if neccesary in the bridge hole. Just go slow, you got this. takes about 2 weeks to break those strings in fully btw.
 
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#4
I don't think you need to crimp them before cutting. You most likely won't need to cut the D and the G at all, and maybe not even the A.

Lately with flats, I have started making a very tight "V" with the last inch or so of the string, and putting that in the tuner's hole. It seems to hold a little better tuning up that first week or so.

I have had issues with Chromes (not TIs) slipping on the G string in the past, so now that paranoia has extended to all brands. lol
 
#8
image-3431465339.jpg

Received and installed! The G and D wraps did seem a bit "rubbery" so I'm glad I took some caution haha. Didn't bother cutting. Didn't feel right for some reason.

Nothing wrong with 4 wraps on the A and 5 on the E, right? Shouldn't affect intonation, even with the D-tuner, right?

I feel like a noob all over again LOL.
 
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#12
Don't worry - I just replaced a set that had been on various basses over several years, including a year-long stint on a bass I had up for sale in a store and never got sold. Now those old string are about as 'dead' as a new set of your run-of-the mill flats.

So they not only stay good long, they also can take abuse pretty well ime. Totally worth the money-enjoy them!
 
#13
First impression - OMG! I was using light Chromes up until now and liked those, but had trouble with the G sounding too "roundwound" and intonating the E. Not any more, baby! The G with these TIs seems much more balanced, and the E intonated 100% perfectly. Didn't even have to do anything! I just raised A & D saddles one full turn do to lighter gauge (E and G were so close to Chrome's gauges, they were fine). Loving the tension so far. I have very mild damage in my left hand and wrist from years of tense tuba playing in college (bet you never heard that one before), so these strings are a nice change of pace and should help with fatigue.

Thanks, all. Can't wait to fire up the SVT!
 
#19
So, I need some advice now. I finally got a chance to turn up my amp a really get to know these strings. However, I am having the same issue as discussed here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/ti-jazz-flats-d-g-different-628268/
The E and A sound like gnarly rounds or new Chromes. The D and G sound thumpy and woody and lack sustain relative to the E and A. It's a 2 vs 2 imbalance. What I mean is the E and A sound like they belong together, and the D and G sound alike, but together they sound like a mixture of 2 sets of strings.

Should I:
1. accept that this is normal and give them time to break in and settle? OR
2. order a new set from Amazon, swap out the D and G, and send them back as defective. This is easy as a Prime member, but I won't waste my time if this is a normal TI thing.

Thanks for your help!
 

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