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thomastik jazz flats question

R

robert neville

Nov 21, 2009
8
1
#1
Hi
I've been recommended these for my 62 reissue fender jazz.I play a lot of ska and reggae and like a mellow tone.the only flats I've tried were rotosound and they were a bit stiff for my taste.my question is:i keep seeing reviews where they're described as floppy,and suggestions that I'd need to raise the action on the bass to compensate.this would put me off as I like a really low action.I don't play really hard but not that soft either.any one got any thoughts?
 
#2
The raising of action with regards to TI's is somewhat overstated, IMO. I prefer a low relief and action regardless of how loose the strings feel. If you are especially heavy handed, you may feel the need to re-setup slightly, but we're talking micro adjustments. It depends on your attack really. One thing I personally notice about TI's is that they prefer the frets to be near immaculate as far as height and crowning go, so if you do play with low relief and action and have a heavy attack, the TI's will bring those flaws to the forefront as any light gauge strin will, but less so than similarly light gauged rounds. I say go for it. They are really something everyone should try at least once. Also, give them a chance. Don't make any tone judgements on them until you hear them with a band.
 
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#3
thanks for getting back.if I'm putting them on after a standard gauge set of rotosound rounds,do you think the tension of ti's will affect the truss rod greatly?I do my own set ups so it's not a problem,but can't say I enjoy doing it!
 
#4
robert neville said:
thanks for getting back.if I'm putting them on after a standard gauge set of rotosound rounds,do you think the tension of ti's will affect the truss rod greatly?I do my own set ups so it's not a problem,but can't say I enjoy doing it!
Click to expand...

Try it first and play a while. If it's low to the point of excessive rattle or choking out, then adjust. You may find it settles perfectly without the need for anything other than adjusting for intonation, you may not, but definitely check your intonation either way.
 
#6
Agree with petrus about the TI flats. Some ppl criticize them for being floppy. They are definitely less tense than many other flats, but I am able to adjust to them very quickly, and they dont cause me any issues. Love their tone on J's or P's. I like a relatively low action as well, and even with that action I am able to use a hipshot to downtune the E without excessive floppiness and absolutely no buzzing. Give yourself a couple days playing with them to get used to them. It does not take long. And the payback is your tone will be much richer than those Rotos, you will be heard in the mix, and your high strings will have the same booty as your low strings. Record yourself in a band mix and you will see. I've had several positive comments from other musicians about their tone when I've used them in a band. Great strings. I've also used the sadowsky flats *a lot*, and while they are nice, they can't produce the same level of richness in the mids that the TIs provide. And the last reason I will give you is....you will always wonder about them, so you need to try and hear them for yourself. you might as well do it now, and not rely solely on the internetz to guide you. Wait...this is the internetz...well, you know what I mean.
 
#7
I'll second the Sadowsky Black Label Flats.

But of course, each bass, set-up, pickups, playing style, all come into play.

TI Flats are also a great choice. As mentioned, anything you may have read about excessive floppiness is greatly exaggerated. TI Flats do feel and play really weird right out of the box, but after a few day, they are fine.
 
#9
Buzz E said:
I never understood the "floppy" issue with TI's either. They have less tension than most other flats. They have a similar tension to a round wound like Sunbeams or Dunlop Super Brights. They're nice!
Click to expand...

Ditto on the tension compared to a .100 set of Sunbeams or Dunlops. They aren't that loose. The rounds....

For reggae you probably want to use a light touch for the right tone. If you are doing a lot of fast ska with a pick that might change what you want.
 
#12
After trying many different strings over the years, I have settled in on TI flats. Personal taste has a lot to do with it, but I use a very low action and have no problems at all. I suppose others with a different technique may have a different experience. Because of the cost, I was reluctant to try them originally, but now I wouldn't use anything else. Full disclosure, I play Gibson basses.
 
#13
I went from rounds to TI flats on one of my J basses, and was able to adjust the truss rod and bridge to get the same low action with no issues. I'm probably going to try lowering it even more, now that the neck has "settled in".

As far as the tension/stiffness of the string goes, they are a bit more flexible than other flats. They feel similar in stiffness to the Sunbeams on my other j bass, maybe just a bit more flexible.
 
#15
Just picked up another set of Jf344's, the next gauge up from the light gauge, only cause my g string on my last set was cut short for a Stingray and wouldn't fit my P. Best flats in my opinion, well for me anyway, and once they break in a bit, you gotta love those rich syrupy mids. And the action is stupid low with no problems at all. I'm not really heavy handed.
 
#16
I have TI's on 2 basses. Recently discovered Labella LTF on my Yamaha. TI are wonderful strings tone wise. I have low action and don't find them floppy. The Labella are a lot like the TI just a hair former and a little more thump. They may be worth checking out.
 
#20
JJR58 said:
Well, there is a set that has a 96 E string, also the D and A are slightly heavier along with the 100 E on the new set i have, i can take a pic tonight and back that up., so i beg to differ.
Click to expand...


Just realized the packaging i have is for the new set, not the slightly lighter set, and that packaging i don't have, so i can't prove the lighter e,a,d's on my claim.
But Sam Ash in NY has got em, so i know they exist, if even only there.
 

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