Has anybody comapred the flatwound DR's to the Thomastik-Infelds

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by aluminumbassguy, Jan 1, 2009.

  1. Has anybody tried the DR's flatwound string in either the 5 or 4 string set. I was wondering if they are as "flexible" as the Thomastik flats. I found the Thomastiks to be way to flexible for myself and I was wondering if the DR's were a little stiffer. Kind of between a conventional set and the infeld's. I haven't read much about the DR's. Supposedly the DR's have a round core.
     
  2. Psychicpet

    Psychicpet Guest

    Mar 13, 2004
    Friend and Endorsee of Larry
    I'm using a set of DR flat 5's (Hmmm.... -7(b5) ) :smug:
    right now and to my memory when I had used a set of Thomastik 4s, the DRs are definitely a bit more stiff than the Thomastiks.
     
  3. I've got TIs on a few of my basses and a new box DRs waiting its turn. What I've read is nothing in flats is as flexible as TIs, but the DRs are supposedly more flexible than La Bellas and Fenders. Try them and see what you think.
     
  4. The infelds say they have a "highly flexible core". Almost sounds braided doesn't it? At least when I tried them it felt like that. I thought that the DR's might be a really great alternative. Standard flats, I guess hex-core, can get a little stiff if you know what I mean?
     
  5. Skywalker83

    Skywalker83 Guest

    Oct 19, 2008
    Tampere, Finland
    Can't say i've "comapred" anything to be honest. :bag:
     
  6. lmfreeman9

    lmfreeman9

    Sep 1, 2007
    Arizona
    +1 The DR's are stiffer.
     
  7. greenboy

    greenboy

    Dec 18, 2000
    remote mountain cabin Montana
    greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
    DRs are a true, traditonal design/materials flat, and they are going to sound and feel much like flats have ever since the "classic" recordings so many revere, a variation on a common theme.

    TI's are made out of other materials and construction is entirely different. Therefore, they do not really sound and feel like "traditional" flats. Not bad - just not the same as what people refer to when they talk about the kind of flats Jamerson, McCartney, a gazillion other have used... Somewhere up on the web there's probably a pictoral article by a TI rep that shows how they are different. Here's a quote and post from just yesterday about the difference:

    Flats with balls?!?
     
  8. greenboy

    greenboy

    Dec 18, 2000
    remote mountain cabin Montana
    greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
    If I recall they have bunched nylon filaments for a core instead of round-wire or hex-wire, and the wrap winding has little ridges between each wrap so that the surface of the string is a little less "smooth" than what is found on traditional flats. This entirely different approach is why they sound a lot more mid-rangey with less attack, and feel more supple, flexible.
     
  9. ljazz

    ljazz

    Dec 10, 2002
    Cookeville, TN
    If memory serves...... I believe the TI JF's have a round steel core, with a silk wrap between the core and the flat winding.

    Ljazz
     
  10. greenboy

    greenboy

    Dec 18, 2000
    remote mountain cabin Montana
    greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
    That too could be... I suppose I should google for that old article the TI rep put together.
     
  11. Billy-Bob

    Billy-Bob Guest

    Nov 4, 2005
    So Cal
    DR flats are killer. I have no idea of how much flex they have, but they are nice playing and great sounding. I'd give them a try, I think you'll love them.

    Billy-Bob