Thomastik JF324 - is the E string good on short scale basses?

[Pier_]

I've tried to answer the same question, but using the Mustang bass as the topic title was probably not a good idea!

let me explain: I'm using a set of JF344 on my new Mustang. the set is 43-56-70-100. I had it on another bass, but because of many switches from bass to bass, the D string broke on the tuner, and I couldn't use the set anymore on my 34" basses. on the Mustang is perfect, because the broken part of the D string was after the cutting point for the Mustang's scale.

well, the sound is wonderful (I've tried rounds on this bass, but I don't like them), and exactly how I wanted it, BUT the E string is too sloppy on this bass!
I've never had problems with it on my 34" basses, but on this one it seems to have less tension (so it's even harder to control while plucking) and the sound is not so good, it sounds a bit muffled and sloppy.

on the 32" scale set the only difference in gauge is the E string with a .106 instead of a .100, so I was thinking of buying a new set (this one is 4 years old, and used A LOT on my main bass before the D broke) in that scale, but I'm afraid that the .106 E string can sound too dull or being too hard and unbalanced.

I've red threads where they are praised, and other comments where they are described as unbalanced, with the E string doing only "boom" and being to different in sound and tension from the other three strings.

I don't want to spend 50 euros on the set, and then regret it because of this one string, and I don't want to use other flats, because TI are the only ones giving me what I want (I've tried Labella, Pyramid, D'Addario, Fender and Rotosound over the years, and TI are my favourite. I miss the GHS, but usually I don't like stiff flats, and I've heard that they are stiff...): I think that they are the only one with a "halfway sound" between rounds and flat: they sound lively and with lots of sustain even on the lower strings, but still have that "flatwoundish vibe".

so, if you've used the JF324 set, how does the E string compare to the other strings in the set?

 

[HaphAsSard]

I don't want to spend 50 euros on the set, and then regret it because of this one string, and I don't want to use other flats, because TI are the only ones giving me what I want (I've tried Labella, Pyramid, D'Addario, Fender and Rotosound over the years, and TI are my favourite. I miss the GHS, but usually I don't like stiff flats, and I've heard that they are stiff...): I think that they are the only one with a "halfway sound" between rounds and flat: they sound lively and with lots of sustain even on the lower strings, but still have that "flatwoundish vibe".

Thomastik JF32106 JAZZ Bass Nickel Flatwound, Short Scale 32'' VERSANDKOSTENFREI online kaufen bei SchneiderMusik.de
Since we're in old Europe, we might as well enjoy the few advantages, such as TI singles*... You could order the E and see if it's for you before getting the whole set; then, well, you could do worse than keeping a spare newish single string of your favourite make and model, even if they go on for ages without strictly needing replacement.
I'm about to order this very single string myself and very much hope it's not gonna sound dull: in fact I'm looking forward to finding a short scale flat E that's lively and with sustain.
A word on Schneidermusik.de, it's got a flat shipping rate (12.50 euros IIRC), so you might wanna look around for other stuff you need so as to make a more substantial order - or not, I don't work for them!

Ciao,
Andrea

*EDIT - Ha! Jason's got 'em too. How's that, Old Hag Europe?
Invalid Link Removed

 

[Pier_]

Since we're in old Europe, we might as well enjoy the few advantages, such as TI singles...

wonderful! I couldn't find the short scale singles! guess I'll try this way when I'll have to buy something else.

in fact I'm looking forward to finding a short scale flat E that's lively and with sustain.

with roundwounds I've never experienced that issue. I've used Rotosound short scale and D'Addario EXL short scale on a Danelectro Longhorn, and Harley Benton 40-95 on a previous Mustang I've had years ago.
trying this Mustang with a .090 DR Hi Beam I had at home, the sound was the opposite to "dull", but being too scooped and bright, I couldn't use it (on this bass I want flats, it sounds gorgeous with them!)

let me know when you've tried the .106 E string

 

[HaphAsSard]

with roundwounds I've never experienced that issue. I've used Rotosound short scale and D'Addario EXL short scale on a Danelectro Longhorn, and Harley Benton 40-95 on a previous Mustang I've had years ago.
trying this Mustang with a .090 DR Hi Beam I had at home, the sound was the opposite to "dull", but being too scooped and bright, I couldn't use it (on this bass I want flats, it sounds gorgeous with them!)

Aye, I'm starting to think this has something to do with the average flatwound user expecting thump from the E (or both E and A), and the manufacturer giving them what they (usually) want.

let me know when you've tried the .106 E string

Sure thing!

 

[Pier_]

I'm starting to think this has something to do with the average flatwound user expecting thump from the E (or both E and A)

yes, that's why I usually choose Thomastik over other brands, because they have bright and sustainish lower strings (in fact the winding is different, less smooth and with more space in between), that age well and keep a nice sound.

I found that even on the D'Addario Chromes or Fender Flatwound, but I don't like the way they age...

however, right now I've ordered a set of Rotosound Medium Scale, just to try a different set, because I had them on a Hofner Ignition, and liked them for the lively and balanced sound. maybe they'll help the Mustang the way I want it to sound.

if they won't, I'll buy the TI JF324 set and try it. it's the only way to know if a set is worth a try. I think that I'm not going to try only the E string because spending almost 30 euros for just the E string, when I can buy a new set for 50 euros shipped, it's not worthy. better spend a little more (in case I don't like the Rotosound) and try a new set. this one I have is 4 years old, and has gone through many mountings and dismountings, to be tried on many basses.

 

[cangaroo]

Reviving this old thread because i was going to ask the same question.

Im using the JF324 in an old hollowbody, but im quite dissatisfied on how the E and A strings sounds, very differently from the D and G strings even after weeks of use.

While the D and G sound very round and vintagey, the E and A mantain that unpleasant bright metallic tone that emphasize harmonics over the fundamental. It seems as the E and A strings are taken from a Daddario chromes but without the focus.

I think im going to sell the TI and get a tapewound or maybe i could try a light gauge short scale labella

 

[IgorRomanovsky]

Necro posting - just in case somebody would find it in search as i did. Same problem as above, tried both JF344 on P bass and JF324 on mustang bass. On both, D and G sound perfect, as i wanted from flats, but E and A are totally different, with round like metallic tone. I hate this and cant find a way to have string to string even tone from TIs.

 

[micguy]

I've never had problems with it on my 34" basses, but on this one it seems to have less tension (so it's even harder to control while plucking) and the sound is not so good, it sounds a bit muffled and sloppy.

If you look at the tension charts for that set, at 34 inches, the G and D strings have more tension than the A and E. When you go from a long scale to a short scale bass, the decrease in string length means, for the same tuning, the tension goes down about 24 percent. As the G and D strings start out with more tension, you (apparently) can get away with that, But the E and A - yeah, they're gonna be floppy. If you look at the 32 inch set, they use a .106 rather than a .100 to fix the E. A short scale E string for decent tension would probably be a .112 or so.

It's not magic, it's simple Physics. Yeah, I know if you didn't study Physics, it doesn't seem simple, but this is (compared to a lot of things) simple.

 

[GIBrat51]

If they are new strings? Sorry, but TIs are like most flatwound strings. Until they break in, virtually all flat wounds have a very uneven tone. Unless they get twisted during installation, or they're simply bad strings from the start, they will even out as they break in. That's how you can tell that they are broken in, actually. If it's instant gratification you're after, flats are not for you... Unfortunately, TI Jazz Flats are notorious for taking... oh, roughly forever.. to break in. Unless you play the snot out of them - every day. On the plus side? If you take reasonable care of them, they will last - and sound good - a very, very long time...

 

[IgorRomanovsky]

My other flats are LaBella and Ernie Cobalts, both sound good out of box. TI is disappointment now, not only with uneven tone, but also with floppy A string, especially on 30” scale.

Is there any way to make them break in faster without playing? Idont get pleasure playing them, and the sound is not what i’m looking for.

 

[DeepSouth]

My other flats are LaBella and Ernie Cobalts, both sound good out of box. TI is disappointment now, not only with uneven tone, but also with floppy A string, especially on 30” scale.

Is there any way to make them break in faster without playing? Idont get pleasure playing them, and the sound is not what i’m looking for.

I read an old thread and it was suggested to use Eucerin hand cream on them. I tried it a few months back when I replaced my TI flats on my P bass. It worked pretty well. It made them sound broken in enough so it didn't bother me to play on them while waiting for them to hit that magic point when a TI really settles in.

TI flats were the best sounding option on the short scale P bass I have.