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Thomastik vs D'Addario Flats
- Thread starter bgavin
- Start date
Where is? I didn't find a tension calculator on their website - can you post a link for us? Thanks.
I use both and like both, for many of the reasons stated above.
The TI's really play like butter, but Chromes in a light gauge do too. If I were a pick player, I would definitely prefer Chromes, but if I were a folk or soft jazz player it would be the other way around.
For me, the TI's ended up being best for my MM Cutlass, but Chromes better for my Fender JP90. I have not tried TIs yet on my Hamers and currently have Chromes on both. I think heavier gauge chromes require a bass with a very stable neck.
The TI's really play like butter, but Chromes in a light gauge do too. If I were a pick player, I would definitely prefer Chromes, but if I were a folk or soft jazz player it would be the other way around.
For me, the TI's ended up being best for my MM Cutlass, but Chromes better for my Fender JP90. I have not tried TIs yet on my Hamers and currently have Chromes on both. I think heavier gauge chromes require a bass with a very stable neck.
Agree.....Chromes give your right hand a run for their money...
If you dig in a good bit in right hand style, the Thomastiks are likely to seem floppy. D'Addarios stops 'em from floppin'.
I have played both and found that although my right hand prefers chromes, my left hand overwhelmingly prefers Ti's. Also, the tone of ti's over the twelve fret is simply amazing. TI's are not your grandfather's flatwound. They have a very unique tone that sounds like an old set of rounds on the E and A string but the D and G string have WAY more fundamental than any round. I have found them to be ideal for what I do and have used them from country to jazz fusion. On the traditional stuff they thump away, and with a versatile bass, they really sing on the upper register and sustain more than any other round. It is nice to be able to play on the 22nd fret and the tone rings right out.
Chromes have a more traditional flatwound sound with less mids and more high end than the TI's. They are MUCH stiffer and my left hand couldn't take it. Also, the high end stuff really didn't do it for me. Other have the exact opposite opinion, you really need to try both to see which works for your style, your amp, your bass, etc.
Chromes have a more traditional flatwound sound with less mids and more high end than the TI's. They are MUCH stiffer and my left hand couldn't take it. Also, the high end stuff really didn't do it for me. Other have the exact opposite opinion, you really need to try both to see which works for your style, your amp, your bass, etc.
I had a set of Chromes on my '62 reissue Jazz bass and didn't like the tone or playability. I might have liked them better on my Precision Bass.
I found the TI's to be more expressive and less fatiguing. Still, I agree that they could have a tad more tension to them.
So, I guess I'm saying, Chromes on P Bass; TI's on Jazz Bass??
I found the TI's to be more expressive and less fatiguing. Still, I agree that they could have a tad more tension to them.
So, I guess I'm saying, Chromes on P Bass; TI's on Jazz Bass??
I found Sadowskys to be in the TI camp. The 45-105 are tight compared to rounds of the same gauge. I played EB 50-105s (which I read are nearly the same as Chromes) on a few different basses and I never found the magic. Too bright and clanky. They were punchy but I did not care for the harsh tone.
hey guys, about to pull the trigger on my first TIs but I have a few questions first. I've heard the tone on them is amazing but:
- Can they get me an awesome funk tone when playing fingerstyle? (Near the bridge)
- Would slapping sound good on them?
- Woudl they sound amazing on a Jazz Bass?
Basically I want my G&L JB-2 to sound out-of-this world (aka awesome) and think these are the strings for just that goal...
- Can they get me an awesome funk tone when playing fingerstyle? (Near the bridge)
- Would slapping sound good on them?
- Woudl they sound amazing on a Jazz Bass?
Basically I want my G&L JB-2 to sound out-of-this world (aka awesome) and think these are the strings for just that goal...
I had a set of Chromes on my '62 reissue Jazz bass and didn't like the tone or playability. I might have liked them better on my Precision Bass.
I found the TI's to be more expressive and less fatiguing. Still, I agree that they could have a tad more tension to them.
So, I guess I'm saying, Chromes on P Bass; TI's on Jazz Bass??
I've found I prefer TI's on P-basses, LaBellas on Jazz basses, and Chromes on my Ric.
1, They get an AWESOME funk tone when plucked near the bridge. This is what I do, and they are perfect for this.
2. Slap tone is OK at best. CHromes slap better. I have a tune where a few bars of slap is required for my band, and they do the job well enough.
3. YES they would sound amazing on a j bass. They have a strong mid range content that would sound nice on a growly jazz. The bass I use them on is quite bright and punchy and they sound great. Just remember they are flats and are going to sound more like early Larry Graham and Joe Osborn than Geddy Lee.
FYI. Viritually all of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers Staduim Arcadium Dual Cd was recorded with a J bass with TI flats on it. If you like the bass sound in Dani California, that is a good example.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I can relate to what you're saying about the sensation of strings rolling beneath your fingers, because that's how I felt the first time I played a Rick Turner Renaissance strung with Thomastic Phosphorbronze strings; it was an eerie feeling!
TI flats are my string of choice because I Like the way they sound, and because their slightly greater flexibility enables me to wring a little more expressiveness out of my basses, especially when playing ballads on fretless.
i could see that on a fretless, especially if you're worried about the wood. they would actually be really good on a fretless.
I have TI flats on my Lakland Bob Glaub (P) and love love love them. its a 4 string.
I am thinking of trying TI flats on my new Lakland 55-02, but have not tried the TI low B. Is it floppy as folks have been saying? Since the TIs are very pricy, mebee I try Chromes first, and then the TIs later. I don't really like floppy B's.
Someone, somewhere, posted a better place to acquire strings (D'adds or TIs) than the usual GC/MF/M123 cabal. Always lookin to save some coin, any help out there?
I am thinking of trying TI flats on my new Lakland 55-02, but have not tried the TI low B. Is it floppy as folks have been saying? Since the TIs are very pricy, mebee I try Chromes first, and then the TIs later. I don't really like floppy B's.
Someone, somewhere, posted a better place to acquire strings (D'adds or TIs) than the usual GC/MF/M123 cabal. Always lookin to save some coin, any help out there?
If the tension of the E string doesn't bother you, then the B won't either. The B is very balanced with the rest of the set. The B actually has *slightly* more tension than the E string.
The B string is very nice on the TI's, I find it very musical and useful. I get my strings from juststrings.com better prices, great service, fast shipping and you can get individual strings. I am pretty sure that Flea used TI flats but I could be wrong about that! FYI, you can get a good deal on TI's from carol kaye's website.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I'm currently using both. Chromes on a fanned fret custom and the TIs on a fretless. There is a bit more mwah to the TIs and they really sing nicely on fretless. As others have said the chromes give a nice satisfying 'thump.'
Also, the chromes are available in an extra long set that will fit the 37" B string of a Dingwall.
MMMM 37" B string
Also, the chromes are available in an extra long set that will fit the 37" B string of a Dingwall.
MMMM 37" B string
