Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Rounds

[Awesome Sauce]

I really love Sunbeams, and I dig a low-tension, flexible string; but what I really need to know from all of you TI Rounds users is: are they growly? Because that's what I need most out a string right now- grrrowwwlll. Dunlops have it the best, but are just too imbalanced.

Thanks guys!

Rob

 

[Gorn]

I just bought a used 5 string set from the classifieds. I'm gonna try tuning the BEAD to EADG. SHould be pretty awesome.

 

[ArtechnikA]

I just bought a used 5 string set from the classifieds. I'm gonna try tuning the BEAD to EADG.

OK - you lost me there...

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I think Thomastik-Infeld has hatched an Evil Plot upon bass players. For 4 decades I used Pyramid Gold Flat strings on my various Hofner basses. I tried the Jazz flats and was impressed, excellent strings.
Then, I bought a set of the short scale Jazz Roundwounds to try.
The change was dramatic and completely unexpected. These strings made my Hofner come alive, but they still had a warm depth to them. They have a low tension, that required a re-adjustment of the bridge and relief of the neck. Nothing unusual in that, going from one type of string to another.
They are so easy to play, and so clear to hear that they have absolutely spoiled me. After a year, I tried putting the Pyramid flats back on the bass, but I missed the sound of the T-I Jazz Roundwound so much that I re installed them after 2 days.
This is an Evil Plot. If they get you to try them, you may not like your old brand afterwards. Be warned. And, be very happy with your new strings.

 

[Gorn]

OK - you lost me there...

I bought a 5 string set. I'm gonna use the B, E, A, and D from that set and tune them to EADG on my four string. I love TI rounds but I've always thought with more tension, they'd be perfect. So rather than the regular 043 .051 .068 .089 tuned EADG, I'd have .051 .068 .089 .118 tuned EADG. Maybe DGCF. I'll see how it goes.

 

[ArtechnikA]

You're tuning a B to E?
Be careful...

 

[Gorn]

You're tuning a B to E?
Be careful...

Always. I'll be delicate. But it's not exactly a normal B string. 115's tune up to E just fine and this is 118. It's something I've wanted to try for a while with a 5 string TI round set but I never wanted to shell out 90 bucks for an experiment. I got these cheap so If I break a string it's not a big loss. I'll be wearing these during the process:

 

[jasper383]

This is an Evil Plot. If they get you to try them, you may not like your old brand afterwards. Be warned. And, be very happy with your new strings.

I can definitely see this about TI Jazz Rounds. They are unique, and if you love them, no other string comes close.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

Question bump.

Can I get a witness?!

I really love Sunbeams, and I dig a low-tension, flexible string; but what I really need to know from all of you TI Rounds users is: are they growly? Because that's what I need most out a string right now- grrrowwwlll. Dunlops have it the best, but are just too imbalanced.

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[ColinBell]

I've had the TI Jazz rounds on my J for a few years now. They are not very high output or aggressive compared to most RW strings, but for me they are great sounding and do everything pretty well

 

[MKA]

I bought a 5 string set. I'm gonna use the B, E, A, and D from that set and tune them to EADG on my four string. I love TI rounds but I've always thought with more tension, they'd be perfect. So rather than the regular 043 .051 .068 .089 tuned EADG, I'd have .051 .068 .089 .118 tuned EADG. Maybe DGCF. I'll see how it goes.

Please tell us how this experiment went! I love TI jazz rounds but the tension and gauge have been too low for me.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Having just read through all three pages of posts thus far, there seems to have been some lingering confusion regarding what these strings are all about. A few points would seem to bear emphasis:

* Based on the multiple descriptions of actual users, TI Jazz Rounds would seem to be one the very best roundwound strings on the market, specifically designed for playing electric jazz & fusion.

* As such, the questions & remarks about their lack of "thump" and "decay" would seem to completely & utterly miss the point: Since when are "thump" and "decay" considered normal, typical attributes of any roundwound string? Answer: They're not. Those attributes are characteristic of upright bass strings or electric flatwounds - not roundwounds.

* Likewise, all the questions & speculations about their slap tone would seem to miss the point. Yes, I am aware that just about any type of string can be slapped...just as nearly any type of electric bass can be used for playing just about any kind of music. But realistically, would you use a 1968 Hagstrom short scale semi-acoustic bass with flatwounds to play contemporary progressive metal? Would you use a hot pink pointy starburst-shaped six-string bass with active humbuckers to play old skool country & western tunes in a honky-tonk? So by the same token, why would you evaluate what is clearly meant to be a clean, warm, natural-sounding string for playing jazz & fusion on the basis of its slap tone? Why wouldn't you just get strings that are already optimized for that application - like DR Hi Beams or Ken Smith Slap Masters?

That said, I haven't actually heard these yet - though I more or less trust the impressions of those who have. And based on their recommendations, I'm very close to ordering a set of TI Jazz Rounds for my Carvin Bromberg 5 (fretted), and a set of TI Jazz Flats for my Carvin Bromberg 5 (fretless), which seems as if they might just make for an ideal combination, i.e. playing strictly finger style, in an application that requires, a smooth, warm, expressive, highly articulate string: electric jazz & fusion. I'm especially encouraged by the reports of the long life of the Jazz Rounds (not concerned about the Jazz Flats), and the likelihood that a set could last for at least a year in regular use. At around $90 a set, they'd better!

MM

 

[Tom Howland]

I use virtually nothing but TI flats, which are my favorite string. I put a set of TI jazz rounds on my Sadowsky, but didn't really like them. I really did like the warm finger tone, but I missed the thump of the TI flats and the tension really did cramp my style too much. I found that since I love TI Flats, if I want rounds, I want rounds with more punch and growl like Dr. The TI's rounds are too much like the flats for my to really dig them. Just my opinion though.

I in the same boat as you. Mad love for TI-Flats.
And when I want rounds, DR Sunbeams.

 

[Gorn]

I'm especially encouraged by the reports of the long life of the Jazz Rounds (not concerned about the Jazz Flats), and the likelihood that a set could last for at least a year in regular use. At around $90 a set, they'd better!

MM

The only strings I like better than TI rounds are old TI rounds. I bought a used set so old that it had divots along the strings from frets, but they still sounded amazing. All the warmth of old flats with enough brightness to cut through. But it's the feel of these that make me love them. I've tried other super light sets of "normal" strings, but it's not the same.

 

[jasper383]

a set of TI Jazz Flats for my Carvin Bromberg 5 (fretless), which seems as if they might just make for an ideal combination, i.e. playing strictly finger style, in an application that requires, a smooth, warm, expressive, highly articulate string: electric jazz & fusion. I'm especially encouraged by the reports of the long life of the Jazz Rounds (not concerned about the Jazz Flats), and the likelihood that a set could last for at least a year in regular use. At around $90 a set, they'd better!

MM

I think they are perfect for what you describe.

Not sure about longevity, although right off the bat they sound broken in. They are never bright, but rather buttery smooth and warm for rounds.

As far as the question about growl--these don't really growl. They "purr" more than growl.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

I think they are perfect for what you describe.

Not sure about longevity, although right off the bat they sound broken in. They are never bright, but rather buttery smooth and warm for rounds.

As far as the question about growl--these don't really growl. They "purr" more than growl.

I find this VERY intriguing, actually. I can get all of the growl I want out of my Dunlops, but that description is rife w/ possibilities.

Looks like a Want Ad and continued Classifieds combing is in order.

Thanks!

Rob

 

[Gorn]

I find this VERY intriguing, actually. I can get all of the growl I want out of my Dunlops, but that description is rife w/ possibilities.

Looks like a Want Ad and continued Classifieds combing is in order.

Thanks!

Rob

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[Awesome Sauce]

Thanks for the heads up!

Rob

 

[Gorn]

I put the bead TI's on my jazz bass. Pretty great. The tension is high. Higher than I want on a jazz bass so they're coming off. I'm hoping to get a pbass soon and I think they'll work better on that.

 

[zacmac]

hey are these strings wrapped in red at the top and the ball end? I played a 63 pbass that sounded and played incredible the other day and it had round-wounds that had the same red thread as my TI flats