I hope this hasn't been covered; if it has, I can't find it.
I've had a set of LaBella DTFs on my Schecter Banshee for nearly 4 years now, and although they still sound great, I think it may be time to change them. I've been looking at TI flats and have 2 questions. 1. Is the length an issue? I note that they are medium scale. 2. Are they really that good? They cost twice as much at
Sweetwater. I like the LaBellas but would try the TIs if there's a good reason. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Well...
Other than being flat wounds, La Bella DTF's and TI Jazz Flats don't really have much in common. I use them both, but I have them on very different basses, and play very different music with those basses. So...
- TI Jazz Flats. Made in Austria by a company that's been making orchestral/acoustic strings for a
very long time. They make the TIJF bass strings similar to the way they make their orchestral strings; a very thin, flexible core wire with at least one silk inner wrap; very thin inner metal wraps; and a thin, nickel outer wrap. Which results in a very flexible flat wound string, with one of the lowest pull-to-pitch tension ratings of any flat wound strings. And, unlike (IMO) the majority of flats, TI's have a lot of harmonic overtones - that are very orchestral in nature. Because of how they're made - and because they're imported from Austria; yeah, TI strings are expensive. There are other flat wounds that are equally expensive, and some that cost even more than TI's do. And, yes; I use those, too...
- La Bella Deep Talking Flats. The quintessential Rock/Blues/MoTown/ American flat wounds. Not a lot of sonic range - or overtones - especially the heavier gauge DTFs; but on the right bass? They do have some... But, no matter what the gauge is, they all have that low end emphasis that says "Flats". The tension is considerably higher that TI's have, but... man, do they work with a pick... I have them on several basses, in several lengths and gauges. For the majority of what I play? La Bella DTF's are... pretty hard to beat. So...
If you want to play music that would benefit from complex overtones, and you think you can live with flats that define the term "flexible"? Save up, and give the TI's a try. I have them on my '95 Alembic Epic. I only use it for Jazz, and it's the only bass I never play with a pick. But, for the music I try to play on that bass? I honestly cannot think of better strings. And, as far as the cost goes? Considering that there are people here who are gigging with TI's that are close to 2 decades old, the amortized cost is... miniscule. Mine are at least 16 year old, and still sound great. But if you don't think you really need what they offer? No shame in that; just save your $$'s, and enjoy your La Bella Flats. I enjoy mine...
