tl;dr How are their rounds and their flats so well balanced despite their non standard tensions?
I was skeptical (and still am, really) about spending so much $$ on strings, especially because the listed tensions are so wacky.
Earlier this year I spent a bit of time trying out different flatwound sets on my new P, a Fender Postmodern precision. I'm used to fairly low tension strings because I use DR Sunbeams 100-40 on my Jazz which up until recently was my only bass. I wanted to explore higher tensions (i.e, 45s) because I thought that it was only way to get a strong attack and the powerfully 'thud'-y sound I associate with flats. I went through DR Legends, Ernie Ball Cobalts, Chromes, Labellas (low tension, and set the 760 FS) Dunlop
& eventually took the plunge on TI.
Initially, I loved the sound of Chromes and the Cobalts but as they aged I found that I missed some midrange character that I'm used to with rounds. I knew the TI's could compete in that area but I was hesitant to use them because they were so low tension -- I play mostly in rock/soul bands and wanted to have a pretty strong attack, but I also wanted at least the option of sustain so that I could get some legato smoothness.
I reluctantly decided to try out the TI's with the rock band expecting them to get trampled on in the mix because they're so soft but when listening to some recordings of rehearsals I realised that they easily a strong enough attack to keep up with quite a loud rock band and unlike any of the 45+ tension rounds that I had used, never sounded choked -- they were very alive, expressive and very even in tone, the G in particular had an unusual (but good!) roundness to it. They have a punch to them, as well as a wood-iness that is really difficult to find in other strings.
What surprises me, though, is that they are just so well balanced -- both from the perspective of tone and feel. Recently I've tried out their rounds on my Jazz and have found the same thing -- the tension is a bit out there but it really works -- the strings have a very even tone and feel and despite being relatively low tension come off very well on record.
What I want to know is, why is it that TI have settled on non-standard tensions? Given that they sound and feel so good to so many people why haven't other string brands replicated it?
On a broader note, I'd love to know the thinking behind the design of the TI strings. What are they optimising for? How do they figure out the tension? For me and from what I've read from others it's clearly working, but certainly divisive.
I was skeptical (and still am, really) about spending so much $$ on strings, especially because the listed tensions are so wacky.
Earlier this year I spent a bit of time trying out different flatwound sets on my new P, a Fender Postmodern precision. I'm used to fairly low tension strings because I use DR Sunbeams 100-40 on my Jazz which up until recently was my only bass. I wanted to explore higher tensions (i.e, 45s) because I thought that it was only way to get a strong attack and the powerfully 'thud'-y sound I associate with flats. I went through DR Legends, Ernie Ball Cobalts, Chromes, Labellas (low tension, and set the 760 FS) Dunlop
& eventually took the plunge on TI.
Initially, I loved the sound of Chromes and the Cobalts but as they aged I found that I missed some midrange character that I'm used to with rounds. I knew the TI's could compete in that area but I was hesitant to use them because they were so low tension -- I play mostly in rock/soul bands and wanted to have a pretty strong attack, but I also wanted at least the option of sustain so that I could get some legato smoothness.
I reluctantly decided to try out the TI's with the rock band expecting them to get trampled on in the mix because they're so soft but when listening to some recordings of rehearsals I realised that they easily a strong enough attack to keep up with quite a loud rock band and unlike any of the 45+ tension rounds that I had used, never sounded choked -- they were very alive, expressive and very even in tone, the G in particular had an unusual (but good!) roundness to it. They have a punch to them, as well as a wood-iness that is really difficult to find in other strings.
What surprises me, though, is that they are just so well balanced -- both from the perspective of tone and feel. Recently I've tried out their rounds on my Jazz and have found the same thing -- the tension is a bit out there but it really works -- the strings have a very even tone and feel and despite being relatively low tension come off very well on record.
What I want to know is, why is it that TI have settled on non-standard tensions? Given that they sound and feel so good to so many people why haven't other string brands replicated it?
On a broader note, I'd love to know the thinking behind the design of the TI strings. What are they optimising for? How do they figure out the tension? For me and from what I've read from others it's clearly working, but certainly divisive.
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