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I finally get the hype with TI strings

#81
Jeff Scott said:
Not familiar with any of those basses (never played any of them), but given your options (of course, this depends on your own personal tone goals) I'd do the Jazz Bass first. I have owned a lot of Jazz Basses over the decades (got my first one, a late '60s model in 1971); all of them were MIA, most from the early '70s with the classic '60s pickup spacing. I have a few recordings of my former 2003 AV '62 Jazz Bass with TI JFs on it that has been posted here several times in the past. Most TBers seem to have liked the tone of them on that Jazz Bass.
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I think I'll try them on the Jazz. The TI videos posted here sound great. Thanks to the fine TBers who replied so quickly. Let's all hold down the low end and stay healthy!
 
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#82
mobeme23 said:
i was thinking about stringing up my L1505 with some TIs.
currently, i have some chrome flats on it. they seems fine, but i'm curious how TIs sound on the L1505.
what do you like about them? and do you have the 43-136 set?
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I do have the JF345 (.043 - .136) strung on my L1505. Can't help comparing them to chrome flats as TI Jazz flats are the only flats I buy. As for the TI's on the L1505, I slapped them on the day it was delivered. I believe the L1505/1500 have a bit of a reputation for being overly aggressive to some and the flats might soften the sharp edges if you get my meaning. That being said the L1505 with TI's is still extremely punchy with plenty of crunch but so silky smooth under finger.
 
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#83
brian579 said:
I have tried pretty much every brand of flat wound string on my Pbasses. Granted some were definitely better than others. I could never justify paying $70+ dollars on a set of strings when it came to TI flats. But, when I bought my Pino CS pbass a few months ago, I finally understood. I immediately went online and bought another set for my 63 pbass. These strings are unreal. Slinky and buttery with tone for days. Really exceptional. I can never dream of buying another brand of flats. The second best would be DR legends but TIs have really changed the game for me. Anyone out there agree?
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I love TIs on my P. The lower tension makes me play differently, and further enhances their warmth. My#2 choice is DRs as well. A little more tension, but silky smooth right out of the box. Feel like a broken-in set of GHS.
 
#84
As a newbie in the bass world, of course that in my first year I've searched for the right :) strings. I'm very glad that I've found the TI flats, it is all that I need at this moment...and most probably in the future too.

stringsII.jpg


Take care of you!
 
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#86
I looooooove TI Jazz flats......I use 'em on one of my Fender J5s, but for me, the sleeper application for 'em is my Emerald Baylor ABG......they tame the noise factor and provide warmth, excellent feel and are still bright enough to project. I hate the price, but they are the Sultan of all flats by a country mile.
 
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#88
oldskoolskatedad said:
I do have the JF345 (.043 - .136) strung on my L1505. Can't help comparing them to chrome flats as TI Jazz flats are the only flats I buy. As for the TI's on the L1505, I slapped them on the day it was delivered. I believe the L1505/1500 have a bit of a reputation for being overly aggressive to some and the flats might soften the sharp edges if you get my meaning. That being said the L1505 with TI's is still extremely punchy with plenty of crunch but so silky smooth under finger.
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I have them on my L1500 fretless and would agree completely. Very nice matching indeed.
 
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#89
I've been trying to catch a used set of TI for less than $(way too much) for a while now, just to see what the hub bub is all about. I have a set of Pyramid flats on my Alembic Series bass 'cause that's what they were shipped with back in the day (can't be by accident) and love the feel and tone. I have some other flats (Chromes) on both basses (70's P bass and 60's Gibby EB2) and skinny string guitars and they're fine, sound nice 'n' mellow but feel machined.

The other problem is most of my (played) basses (besides the Series) are 5 strings strung E to C, which usually necessitates purchasing a 6 string set. Needless to say those are all round wound .

I'm not able to spend $100 to see if I like 'em. So, somebody sell me a lightly used set for less than $40 so I can join the club.
 
#90
brian579 said:
I have tried pretty much every brand of flat wound string on my Pbasses. Granted some were definitely better than others. I could never justify paying $70+ dollars on a set of strings when it came to TI flats. But, when I bought my Pino CS pbass a few months ago, I finally understood. I immediately went online and bought another set for my 63 pbass. These strings are unreal. Slinky and buttery with tone for days. Really exceptional. I can never dream of buying another brand of flats. The second best would be DR legends but TIs have really changed the game for me. Anyone out there agree?
Click to expand...
It’s kind of ironic that you would balk at $70 strings but not at a $5000 p bass.
 
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#91
oldskoolskatedad said:
I do have the JF345 (.043 - .136) strung on my L1505. Can't help comparing them to chrome flats as TI Jazz flats are the only flats I buy. As for the TI's on the L1505, I slapped them on the day it was delivered. I believe the L1505/1500 have a bit of a reputation for being overly aggressive to some and the flats might soften the sharp edges if you get my meaning. That being said the L1505 with TI's is still extremely punchy with plenty of crunch but so silky smooth under finger.
Click to expand...


thanks for the follow-up. i've had TI Flats on a few other basses, with mixed results. I am still on the fence, but based on your description, i think they may be just what i'm looking for.
 
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#93
They are certainly great! I never got the floppy complaints, as they don’t feel floppy in the slightest to me. They’re just not as tight or sticky as others for sure.

As far as tone is concerned, and also longevity, I think they’re great but in my experience DTFs have them beat.

I recently had a pair of 4.5 year old TIs on my P, and they lost their authoritative voice and developed a rattle. There are unpleasant overtones present (not the normal open string harmonics- more akin to a ringing bell and fret buzz combo). I reluctantly changed them for a set of Cobalt Slinky Flats and my bass was twice as loud and popped out of the mix instead of being buried.
 
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#99
FunkHead said:
Yes they are great strings but La Bella LTF's are off the chain. I like them even better....
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I've had LTFs on my main Tele bass for around 6 months. They're a decent string, but they don't have that upright thunk with thumbs and palm muting that the TIs do so well. I'll be moving them over to a backup bass soon.
 

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