Issue with Thomastik Infelt Jazz Flats

[shughey]

It is normal. And by normal I mean this is just what TIs are like. The A string is a fairly light gauge (a .070 I think). Most players who use "normal"/"normal/light" gauges are playing .085 and .080s. My only issue with the TIs IS that the A string is a little too bouncy/lively compared to the other strings in terms of feel, so I understand what you're saying. The lively feel mellows out a little when the set is broken in (which could be a few months depending how often you play, how much you sweat, and what's in your sweat, etc....). I'll say I find the A string is tonally similar enough to the other strings when broken in. For me it's just the feel that's a little off.

 

[InstantEctobass]

It is normal. And by normal I mean this is just what TIs are like. The A string is a fairly light gauge (a .070 I think). Most players who use "normal"/"normal/light" gauges are playing .085 and .080s. My only issue with the TIs IS that the A string is a little too bouncy/lively compared to the other strings in terms of feel, so I understand what you're saying. The lively feel mellows out a little when the set is broken in (which could be a few months depending how often you play, how much you sweat, and what's in your sweat, etc....). I'll say I find the A string is tonally similar enough to the other strings when broken in. For me it's just the feel that's a little off.

So you understand. So that set is far from having the right value. There's not equal until months, that's a joke, totally. Not buying again

 

[shughey]

So you understand. So that set is far from having the right value. There's not equal until months, that's a joke, totally. Not buying again

I'll clarify. I actually misread your original post. I don't think the timbre of the A string is much different from the other strings when broken in. The TIs E and A strings come brighter out of the package (almost roundwound sounding), while the D and G sound like proper flats. This all changes when they break in. Just curious, have you let them break in yet? This probably means at least a few months of regular play.

I thought I read you mention something about the feel of the A string in your original post, but I guess not. The feel of the A string to me is always a little unbalanced compared to the other strings. If you play a little heavy and don't compensate when playing the A string, that string can "ping out" easier than the others. If it does that, it'll appear like it has a different timbre. If you put in some time and let them break in and learn to play on the set, it'll sound tonally balanced for sure.

 

[shughey]

I don't understand why I would have to wait 2 months to even out... that doesn't make them as perfect as people tell... but I guess I was wrong getting them, maybe?

Also, I'll expand upon this like I did in another thread: needless to say, flats need to be broken in to hear their tone as intended. They're not a set of Swing bass 66 (even though I like those broken in!). * That's not to say you can't like the sound of a new set of flats, but that's not what most guys are using flats for*. Furthermore, Thomastik engineered these strings to sound better (more clarity, but still warm) than the typical thuddy E and A string flat when broken in. How did they do this?: Among other things, they made the E and A string with wider spacing in the outer-wrapping. Out of the pack, the E and A sound and feel rougher than the D and G; this keeps the E and A string from sounding like a dull, muddy thud w/o clarity when they break in. IME, this dull thud happens on a lot of flat string sets such as GHS P flats, La Bellas, and Chromes, to name a few. When TIs break in (give 'em a few months), they are very tonally balanced (I have sound clips to show this).

So... if you want a flat to sound great out of the pack, maybe TIs aren't your string. Your string is probably GHS flats which sound pretty good and warm out of the pack. However, if you plan on keeping those flats on for a long while (like most people), just let the TIs break in!

 

[InstantEctobass]

I mean maybe.. but I got Fender flats and they were equally balanced when new, even though their feel and tone wasn't my taste on my bass. Anyway, Thomastik strings require a new nut and I just got a bone nut filled for 45 65 80 100 strings, so the A string when plucked opened is a nightmare because the nut can't hold a 70 string, and even when playing freted notes calmly, they still sound a bit different. Won't buy again soon got a full set for sale!

 

[shughey]

I mean maybe.. but I got Fender flats and they were equally balanced when new

I'll agree w you that the new Fender flats are more tonally balanced out of the pack than TIs. I personally don't rock fender flats bc they're a little hyped (read nasal, imo/ime) in the upper-midrange, whereas I find the TIs have a broader, more even midrange presence. The TIs just sound more musical to me. I'm definitely not trying to convince you to like TIs, but I am trying to make it known that you have to let them break in, like any proper flat, before judging. No two ways about that. Like I asked before, did you let them break in over the course of a few months? I don't need the answer, but the answer will help you and maybe others not write them off before the TIs come into their own. I posted a sound clip here that features these strings on a P w a stock nut when broken in: Ultra boutique P bass pickups
If you can hear a tonal imbalance in the A string in that clip, maybe you have the hearing of a dog!

P.S. I understand the TIs didn't work for you on the feel level as well. The A string does have a lot of excursion relative to the other strings, esp w/o a nut w the right size slot. That I can understand, and it is a legit concern for some players. But not letting a flat break in before judging the string on a tonal level is silly. Again, only useful if you're like Steve Harris and pull them off after every gig bc you like the sound or feel of fresh flats.... then by all means judge them how they sound when new.

 

[InstantEctobass]

I'll agree w you that the new Fender flats are more tonally balanced out of the pack than TIs. I personally don't rock fender flats bc they're a little hyped (read nasal) in the upper-midrange, whereas I find the TIs have a broader, more even midrange presence. The TIs just sound more musical to me. I'm definitely not trying to convince you to like TIs, but I am trying to make it known that you have to let them break in, like any proper flat, before judging. No two ways about that. Like I asked before, did you let them break in over the course of a few months? I don't need the answer, but that'll help you and maybe others not write them off before the TIs come into their own. I posted a sound clip here that features these strings on a P w a stock nut when broken in: Ultra boutique P bass pickups
If you can hear a tonal imbalance in the A string in that clip, maybe you have the hearing of a dog!

P.S. I understand the TIs didn't work for you on the feel level as well. The A string does have a lot of excursion relative to the A string, esp w/o a nut w the right size slot. That I can understand, and it is a legit concern for some players. But not letting a flat break in before judging the string on a tonal level is silly. Again, only useful if you're like Steve Harris and pull them off after every gig bc you like the sound or feel of fresh flats.... then by all means judge them how they sound when new.

Trust me, I like TI's tone, I was in love just by hearing other players using them. I'm just very disappointed that they do not "rock" out of the box. I'm still using them and hopefully the A string will calm down very quickly. It's so crazy that we have to play it more calmly compared to the 3 other... or it buzzes, even with a higher action!! Thomastik should truly offers another gauge selection like 100 79 56 43 or so It's been 3 weeks now, but work has been hard these past weeks so I calmed down my bass playing. I also tried to put dirt on the A string to make it die quicker but didn't make much change.

Is the hearing of a dog a bad thing? About Steve Harris, some day I'm going to go for a shiny maple necked PBass with his rotosound's! I love his tone, he's in my top 3 bass players (for his melodics bass lines mostly). I mean I love rosewood and maple, dead strings, woody, and alive/twangy/clicky strings... all kind! All is good! It's bass

 

[InstantEctobass]

Wow!! Can you show me your PBass... ?? your tone is yummy bro! I should make a clip for you to hear too... I do not get the same tone at all!!! Totally different.

 

[shughey]

Is the hearing of a dog a bad thing?

No, that's a good thing! dogs can hear stuff (like higher freqs) we can't. I was being slightly snarky though! Yeah, if Thomastik made a set w a heavier A string that was still tonally balanced, I'd be in heaven. I've considered not playing them just bc of the feel imbalance, but I always come back for the tone! And if you you want a flat that sounds good out of the pack, TIs wouldn't be my choice either. Honestly, if you haven't tried them, I'd pick up a pack of the new Dunlop flats if I were you. They sound like they'd be right up your alley.

 

[shughey]

Wow!! Can you show me your PBass... ?? your tone is yummy bro! I should make a clip for you to hear too... I do not get the same tone at all!!! Totally different.

It's the bass in my avatar. I'll try to find another pic though. It's just a '63 AVRI w an Arcane 65 pup. The TIs are maybe 3 yrs old. This is just direct into my interface. I could get a similar tone when I had a 2012 Am Std P too. If you ever decide to restring the TIs, let em break in (they take a while) and you can get that same tone on a P. The TIs went from that Am Std onto this AVRI actually!

And yeah, post a clip of yours!!

 

[InstantEctobass]

It's the bass in my avatar. I'll try to find another pic though. It's just a '63 AVRI w an Arcane 65 pup. The TIs are maybe 3 yrs old. This is just direct into my interface. I could get a similar tone when I had a 2012 Am Std P too. If you ever decide to restring the TIs, let em break in (they take a while) and you can get that same tone on a P. The TIs went from that Am Std onto this AVRI actually!

And yeah, post a clip of yours!!

They're still on my Squier P-Bass right now. I got a new nut but the A slot is still too wide... I should have cut the string longer... to get more turns on the tuning peg. But I think that on the pickup side, I do not have the same vibe that you have, that I love!

 

[Lance Bunyon]

It takes at least 200 hours of play to break TI flats in. That was a long time to decide I don't like them.

 

[shughey]

But I think that on the pickup side, I do not have the same vibe that you have, that I love!

I hear ya. I won't pretend the pickups don't make a difference. I think if you use something fairly vintage- balanced like an Arcane 65, normal wound Lollar or Fralin, '60s Aguilar, or Fender '62 CS (the one that comes in the 2012 Am Stds) you'll get the same tone for the most part.

 

[InstantEctobass]

I hear ya. I won't pretend the pickups don't make a difference. I think if you use something fairly vintage- balanced like an Arcane 65, normal wound Lollar or Fralin, '60s Aguilar, or Fender '62 CS (the one that comes in the 2012 Am Stds) you'll get the same tone for the most part.

Do you think that your pickup (Arcade 65) adds mediums to the tone of your bass?

 

[InstantEctobass]

Some pics of the lady, and the setting of the new nut... (bone vs plastic crap):

 

[shughey]

Do you think that your pickup (Arcade 65) adds mediums to the tone of your bass?

I presume your talking about midrange, right? If so, then not really, imo. The Arcane 65 is really one of the most balanced (in a vintage way) aftermarket pup you can throw in a P. The midrange isn't scooped, but it's not out their in a way that the high mids are on the EMG GZR can be for example. And the low mids aren't as thumping as even a SD SPB-1, imo. But again, the Arcane is more even.

*Very cool bass. Almost looks like a Nate Mendel except it's a Squier. I see the TIs on there too!

 

[InstantEctobass]

I presume your talking about midrange, right? If so, then not really, imo. The Arcane 65 is really one of the most balanced (in a vintage way) aftermarket pup you can throw in a P. The midrange isn't scooped, but it's not out their in a way that the high mids are on the EMG GZR can be for example. And the low mids aren't as thumping as even a SD SPB-1, imo. But again, the Arcane is more even.

*Very cool bass. Almost looks like a Nate Mendel except it's a Squier. I see the TIs on there too!

To my hear, your bass is thumping a lot (which I do like) but maybe we don't perceive it the same? I was thinking about getting SPB1 too... Yes it looks like a Nate Mendel, because originally it had a white pickguard which was replaced by a black one. It just needs the Badass bridge? Also it's above the average "Affinity" PBass cause I got a higher quality neck. But the pickup/electronics are basic, very open sounding but lacks characters. Yes, the TI are there, I'm being patient...

 

[shughey]

To my hear, your bass is thumping a lot (which I do like) but maybe we don't perceive it the same?

I'm being patient...

Good! Those strings do need patience. Good luck w them or whatever you end up trying next!

P.S. yeah, there's some thump to my bass. I attribute some of that to the big ol' neck on the bass and the old flats. The Arcane certainly helps too don't get me wrong. I was just saying the midrange on the Arcane isn't really "boosted" compared to some other P pups I've heard; yet it's not scooped. It is right there in the middle.

 

[InstantEctobass]

Good! Those strings do need patience. Good luck w them or whatever you end up trying next!

P.S. yeah, there's some thump to my bass. I attribute some of that to the big ol' neck on the bass and the old flats. The Arcane certainly helps too don't get me wrong. I was just saying the midrange on the Arcane isn't really "boosted" compared to some other P pups I've heard; yet it's not scooped. It is right there in the middle.

That's cool, you really know what you're talking about. I'd love a PBass with a fatter neck. Slim are good too but I tend to prefer them on Jazz basses. I guess it also depends on the style of playing (not musical style, but really the way to have to play notes regarding a tune or whatever). Good talk with you, man!

 

[shughey]

Good talk with you, man!

Good talking to you too! Glad I could help a little bit