Are this 2 a bad mix? I've been reading about TI's and have gotten a set. But want to also add a D-tuner to my bass. Will they not play well together or am I just over thinking it?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Thomastik-Infeld and a D-tuner?
- Thread starter munkeyfish
- Start date
My first set of TIs is in the mail as we type, I'm interested in this answer too. From what I understand you only want the silk around the post, so I can't really see an issue with tuning down.
I was thinking more of the tension of the strings. As I understand it, they have less tension/more flex? Like I said, maybe over thinking. I'm sure someone here will have some great insights.
TI's are very loose strings, generally, but the E is probably the one where that loose feeling is least obvious. If you don't mind the low tension of the strings as they are now, it shouldn't be a big deal, but to each their own. I prefer a more "normal" level of tension, personally, but a D-tuner plus TI's won't be bad for the bass or anything
I've never used TI's before. So was checking the hive mind before I used them. Worse case, I'd put them on a different bass.
I have a set of long scale TIs on a 32" bass with a detuner. It works with no issues.
TI Flats are my favorite strings, the tension is one of its qualities, in my opinion.
TI Flats are my favorite strings, the tension is one of its qualities, in my opinion.
I've used TI flats and rounds with D tuners and haven't had any issues at all.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,024
- 1
- 31,754
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Worked just like any other string on a MM Caprice, well, I hate TI's, but functionally like any other string.
I use TI Spirocores on double basses with an extension going down to around 47" scale with a low B; your D tuner will be fine.....
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
They sound good. They play good. They're a little odd. But overall, a good string. If you like flats, you'll like them. If you don't like flats, you'll rip them off in a week. But the drop tuner, will stay.
TIs are on all my basses, and all my 4 string basses have D-tuners. I like low action.
They do fine.
I don't d-tune the TI Flats all that often as I'm scared they won't like it, but the rounds work like a champ.
Of note, the d-tuning does kill the E string faster than the rest of the set, and that's true no matter what strings you use.
They do fine.
I don't d-tune the TI Flats all that often as I'm scared they won't like it, but the rounds work like a champ.
Of note, the d-tuning does kill the E string faster than the rest of the set, and that's true no matter what strings you use.
D
TI sell four VERY different types of electric bass strings. Which type are we talking about here?
I've actually had some issues with string breakage when de-tuning/re-tuning TI Superalloys for setup/intonation. But I think most (or probably all) of those happened with the horrible fluted tuning posts on the Fender AmPro series. Those tuners are a shockingly poor design that can make the strings "grab and snap" when bringing the string back up to pitch after loosening them because the downward pressure from the fluted post sometimes "locks" the string at the bottom of the post before they're all the way back up to pitch. So it snaps.... Of course, in these cases I loosened the string a LOT more than a D-tuner would and chances are it would happen to ALL kinds of strings. I've not really tried that many other strings on that bass because I love the tone of the TIs so much but I do remember a set of Rotos breaking in the same way on those nasty fluted tuning posts. I don't think a D-tuner would be a problem at all. Even with those horrible fluted tuners I think you would be fine as long as the position of the windings don't shift relative to each other on the tuning post, which they won't with a D-tuner. I've used TI Superalloys on many other basses too and as far as I can remember I've not had any problems.
I've never had any issues with the TI Power Bass strings, except that they go "dead" really fast and their "broken in" tone got a little bit too muddy too soon for my taste. They sounded absolutely amazing when they were "semi-dead" but unfortunately this didn't last very long. I've never heard a set of string go from ULTRA-bright to muddy so fast! This of course means that I haven't used them long enough to know about any long term issues but they seemed like TIs most robust set of electric bass strings BY FAR so I don't think they would snap easily.
The TI Jazz Flats and TI Jazz Rounds are a different matter. For all I know they could work GREAT with a D-tuner but they do feel a bit fragile and loose. Especially the Jazz Rounds. Very thin cores! But you won't really know unless you try. They're very expensive strings to experiment with though... I think I'd personally rather play it safe with those two. I've actually TWICE had TI Jazz Flats go bad when I loosened them for intonation. I guess the windings must have loosened from they core (the TI Jazz Flats and Jazz Rounds are round core strings and need to be installed as such!). But I don't think this would matter at all with a D-tuner. Your not loosening the tension THAT much. I would be more worried about breakage due to the thin core and also floppiness. Especially with the ultra-light rounds. At least make sure the nut is in good condition so the strings aren't grabbed in the nut slots. Maybe even put some graphite in the slots (powdered graphite from a soft pencil will work nicely, there's no need for any expensive snake oil products from various string/guitar brands).
I've actually had some issues with string breakage when de-tuning/re-tuning TI Superalloys for setup/intonation. But I think most (or probably all) of those happened with the horrible fluted tuning posts on the Fender AmPro series. Those tuners are a shockingly poor design that can make the strings "grab and snap" when bringing the string back up to pitch after loosening them because the downward pressure from the fluted post sometimes "locks" the string at the bottom of the post before they're all the way back up to pitch. So it snaps.... Of course, in these cases I loosened the string a LOT more than a D-tuner would and chances are it would happen to ALL kinds of strings. I've not really tried that many other strings on that bass because I love the tone of the TIs so much but I do remember a set of Rotos breaking in the same way on those nasty fluted tuning posts. I don't think a D-tuner would be a problem at all. Even with those horrible fluted tuners I think you would be fine as long as the position of the windings don't shift relative to each other on the tuning post, which they won't with a D-tuner. I've used TI Superalloys on many other basses too and as far as I can remember I've not had any problems.
I've never had any issues with the TI Power Bass strings, except that they go "dead" really fast and their "broken in" tone got a little bit too muddy too soon for my taste. They sounded absolutely amazing when they were "semi-dead" but unfortunately this didn't last very long. I've never heard a set of string go from ULTRA-bright to muddy so fast! This of course means that I haven't used them long enough to know about any long term issues but they seemed like TIs most robust set of electric bass strings BY FAR so I don't think they would snap easily.
The TI Jazz Flats and TI Jazz Rounds are a different matter. For all I know they could work GREAT with a D-tuner but they do feel a bit fragile and loose. Especially the Jazz Rounds. Very thin cores! But you won't really know unless you try. They're very expensive strings to experiment with though... I think I'd personally rather play it safe with those two. I've actually TWICE had TI Jazz Flats go bad when I loosened them for intonation. I guess the windings must have loosened from they core (the TI Jazz Flats and Jazz Rounds are round core strings and need to be installed as such!). But I don't think this would matter at all with a D-tuner. Your not loosening the tension THAT much. I would be more worried about breakage due to the thin core and also floppiness. Especially with the ultra-light rounds. At least make sure the nut is in good condition so the strings aren't grabbed in the nut slots. Maybe even put some graphite in the slots (powdered graphite from a soft pencil will work nicely, there's no need for any expensive snake oil products from various string/guitar brands).
Last edited:
They're pretty low tension if we're talking the Jazz Flats, but it all depends how much tension you like.
I personally tune the 5 banger set UP to C, F, A#, D# and find the tension to be perfect for me. No other set of flats has been able to cover the straight C tuning without feeling too tight for me.
But see how you go.
Have D tuners on 5 of my basses with TI Jazz Flats no issues. Wish Hipshot had a Rickenbacker D tuner
2 Geddy Lees
1 Geddy Lee Franken PJ
1 Thunderbird
1 P bass
2 Geddy Lees
1 Geddy Lee Franken PJ
1 Thunderbird
1 P bass
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,024
- 1
- 31,754
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,445
- 4,403
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I would recommend never ripping any flats off in a week. A month, maybe, but more like three months of fairly active playing to give them time to sound like themselves. Then, if you like what you hear, you can keep them on for pretty much the rest of your life.
