Thomastik Flats on a Jazz Bass?

[aproud1]

Tried several flats on jazz and precision basses. TI's are magic on a J bass. The strings really complement the natural tonal curve of jazz pickups. Better than any other flat I've tried. converted a friend last year and once he got over the sticker shock and used the string (especially live) he's sold. He's also happy he probably doesn't need to buy strings for another 20 years.

P bass is a different story.

 

[markjazzbassist]

i used to love them on a jazz, used them for years. just bought them again recently and they don't do it for me. reasons:

1. they have great midrange but lack on the low end, i usually had the neck pickup a lot closer to the E string side to get more low end but it wasn't ever enough. recording wise they usually got lost in the mix due to lack of low end.

2. they are a round wound sounding flat wound. i mean they have punch, midrange, treble, and sustain, whereas most flats have little sustain and have more bass/mids with no treble. not a problem just they are the most non-flat sounding flat.

3. the low tension and round core made it hard to do fast 16th, 32nd or 64th note runs because they have so much movement, i'm a low tension guy (had tendonitis, play with a light touch) but they were always buzzing out or i felt very restrained.

they are a very well made string and the sound is great if you like it. i just need more low end and less sustain. GHS or labella flats for me.

 

[Groove Doctor]

TI's on a Jazz bass are perfect for using in a Jazz Band and Big Band.

 

[Uncle Hanky]

You're asking TB members if they like TI flats?

 

[bassplace]

I've been curious about TI's for a while. Has anyone used them on a filter based pre styled bass? I have an ACG that has a similar preamp as Wal's and Alembic's.

I tried them on my Way ProIIe but wasn't getting the sound I wanted for the band I was using it with. That's not the filter pre though. Went back to sunbeams.

Have not tried on my ACG 5 string fretless. That would be an expensive experiment.

 

[Tom Howland]

I've had a set on my Jazz Bass since 2010. So yes, I think I like them on a Jazz.

 

[inthebassclef]

TI flats? what are those?

 

[Element Zero]

The only bass I ever put TI flats on and was disappointed was a Rob Allen MB2. On all other basses they've been great.

I had them on my Pedulla for a couple weeks and just never liked em. Put them on my Ibanez and there they will stay.

 

[JRA]

i've always been a round wound player (tried flats when i was a young player in an attempt to get around the need for proper calluses --- didn't like the sound!). after getting a set of TI jazz rounds for one instrument (and really liking them...a lot!), i decided to 'go-all-in' and so i purchased a couple more sets: now, both of my main players have them.

i realize that some like rounds, other prefer flats, yada yada. but i keep getting the impression here on TB that the TI flats have a lot of 'round wound quality' to them, so...

question: for those who have used both the TI jazz flats, and the rounds: what are the differences between the two besides any obvious 'finger pad feel'? can you compare them for me? thanks.

sorry if this is a wholesale derailing. i might be ashamed later.

my only J bass currently sports neon red DR strings because it looks cool in pictures i post on TB!

 

[pcake]

TI flats? what are those?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[WaldoNova]

I tried them on my Way ProIIe but wasn't getting the sound I wanted for the band I was using it with. That's not the filter pre though. Went back to sunbeams.

Have not tried on my ACG 5 string fretless. That would be an expensive experiment.

I totally agree! That's why I'm hoping to hear someone's experience.

 

[dirkdabass]

I use TI Jazz Flats on my '65 P, my '77 Kramer fretless, and on my Schecter 5 - love the slink, love the tone.

 

[PaulReside]

I've been curious about TI's for a while. Has anyone used them on a filter based pre styled bass? I have an ACG that has a similar preamp as Wal's and Alembic's.

I have the ACG preamp in a custom 6 string (not one of Alan's ) and I just love it with TI's. I had it built with mandolin frets and can get an almost fretless sound. They also have the most balanced C string out of 3 different sets I tried.
Edit; I didn't answer your question but the filters really didn't have much impact on string choice. I had a tendency to swap around strings with settings flat on this bass till I found the sound I was after, then I used the filters to correct for room problems or just to get interesting tones, and that pre can get weird sounds when asked to. The tension is the biggest thing to get used to if you haven't tried them before, well that and the $100 price tag. When I use them on my vintage Guild Starfire.. Instant Phil Lesh circa 1972. Pure sonic bliss.

For reference My rig is an Avalon U5->1250w poweramp->fEarful 12x6x1 cabinet with 12" sub

 

[mpdd]

not gonna buy a jazz to find out, but they have been amazing on a vintage L2000 and a 90s LB100

 

[Steve88]

I put a set on a jazz bass and they transformed the bass from one I was thinking of selling to a main player.

 

[FranF]

Got them on 20 of my basses, including the '65 Jazz. Sublime.

 

[trothwell]

I used them for about two years on my Precision bass, and enjoyed them much. (I have come to favor a stiffer string, but still highly regard TI Flats.)

On my fretless Jazz bass, I thought they sounded great for mellow music: ballads, slow jazz, etc.

On my fretted Jazz bass, I did not care for them at all.

 

[MordBass]

Ti jazz flats on my Lull V4 for almost two years now. LOOOOOVE them!!!!

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

How's the slap tone on these?

 

[ONYX]

TI Flats/Jazz user since 1999.