Question for TI Flat Fans...

I love TI Flats. But, I don't think that they are the one and only flat wound string for everybody.

They definitely are not a string for solos, generally speaking.

The "living room" sound is definitely different than the "live band" scenario with anything, speakers, amp setting, strings. Seems like what has been posted here on TalkBass, the "in the mix" sound doesn't sound as good as the "living room" sound with the "smiley face" eq setting.

I guess you'll just have to find out with rehearsal tonight. Bring 2 basses with different strings, maybe.

 

this is generally a pretty good rule of thumb for anyone playing with more than just a drummer.

 

When I used TI flats on a P bass they sounded great at home and at gigs. I did find they were a bit of a one trick pony though, albeit and very good trick. I now prefer rounds on my P bass which are better for slap and have more sizzle. But TI strings on a P bass with the tone down to 80-90% is hard to beat for a classic P bass tone.

 

Lots of great flat wounds out there. TI's just happen to bring out the best on all my basses. As stated above, solo vs a band mix is huge and I find TI's really sing in the mix. Only a live test will tell.

Keep us posted.

 

Short answer: yes.

I played TIJFs for 2-3 years in a variety of settings from contemporary pop to jazz fusion to Motown and I have always been pleased with how they sound “in the mix.”

Playing solo it’s easy to convince yourself that you need more bass or treble response but in a typical live band setup they just work.

 

When practicing I have my multi effects pedal connected to my laptop as well as my gigging rig (900W 4x10). I can play music on the laptop which goes to the rig along with the sound from my bass. I play it quietly of course! This way I can hear exactly what my bass sounds like in the mix. Very different to playing it on its own. Strings that are too sizzly dry can cut through nicely in the mix.

 

Glad they worked for you in the mix.

Having been at this for over 3 decades an early lesson learned was a not so great sounding bass played by itself can still exceed in a band mix.

However, w/ TI flats I find my basses sound their best with or without any other instruments involved. That's how I knew these were the strings for me. You might come to love the solo tone as well.

 

I have been playing TI’s since the beginning of the pandemic, which means that I’ve been cooped up in the house, practicing unplugged. I love the feel of them, but I barely know what they sound like through my amp. I guess it’ll be a big surprise someday.

 

I like TI flats on my old Rick either in a band mix (just a couple people) or solo at home, however my favorite band mix bass is my old P with Fender flats. It's just right!

 

For those of you saying you dislike the ‘solo’ sound of these:

Are they the TI Jazz flats, with the silk inlay?
If so, can you describe what it is about the solo sound that you dislike?

 

I rotate through sets of flats though none are ever thrown away. TIs have been on my active PJ5 for a while now. I love the way the feel and how they sound with the band, especially when I want that vintage, slighty dirty sound. They eq well and I have found then to be quite versatile for what I need.

 

Another bass player discovers the bigger picture of bass tone.

 

Def not the strings for soloing IMO. I'd never think of using them for doing any solos, but for thick, warm thumpy, in the pocket goodness they are fab. My go-to string on the hoffy. Have tried these on several other basses and they don't work on everything IME. YMMV

 

Old worn TI jazz rounds sound best to my ear. Little bit of twang.

 

Yes, they are magic in the mix! I've had the same set of TI Flats on my P-Bass since May 2015, and they always sound good to my ears when playing with others. I like the tone so much that I'm not afraid to use that tone on any song that my band does.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that my tone is "versatile". I'm saying it's just one tone that, to ME, works really well with almost everything. Some will disagree, but I'm OK with that.

 

Rounds emphasize timbre in the mix
Flats emphasize pitch in the mix

That's how I think of it, in general.

 

I don't think they are the best string on the planet, but they are OK.

10 minutes to change strings and intonate, AND my amp has knobs that turn, so a good sound can be had from most anything.

Just another tool in the arsenal.