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TI Flat tension vs. other strings

brushfirewolf

brushfirewolf

Nov 12, 2016
882
1,236
Maryland
#1
Couldn't find much info on other strings but I just received my TI Flats in the mail and they say they're 31-37lbs. Could anyone enlighten me as to how this compares to other strings? They are 43-100s so do you think a setup will be necessary on a bass that comes with 45-105 rounds from the factory? Thanks!
 
#4
brushfirewolf said:
Couldn't find much info on other strings but I just received my TI Flats in the mail and they say they're 31-37lbs. Could anyone enlighten me as to how this compares to other strings? They are 43-100s so do you think a setup will be necessary on a bass that comes with 45-105 rounds from the factory? Thanks!
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First measure your neck relief with your current set up. Do you like where it's at? Is it factory spec? Once you install your new strings, measure again. Adjust truss rod if necessary. In your case, you may have to back off a tad. TI flats are very loosey-goosey and flippity-floppity. You may have to raise your saddle height to clean up the action from excessive fret clank. I had T-I Jazz Flats on my '76 Precision, and liked them the first year, but had to keep jacking up the action over and over again to compensate for their low tension. You can forget really digging into your strings for a powerful sound. And of course you have to reset your intonation each time. Their tone is unique and lovely but that is where the affair stopped for me. Never again. The divorce is final. Too Expensive & Too High Maintenance.
 
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#6
Gorn said:
So neck relief and string height and intonation doesn't change for you at all after multiple string changes on multiple basses? That's kinda amazing.
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Yea not enough to require a setup when the gauges aren’t too far off. Thanks for the condescending replies though.

All I wanted to know was if the tension of these flats is much different than rounds of the same gauge...
 
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#7
Linnin said:
First measure your neck relief with your current set up. Do you like where it's at? Is it factory spec? Once you install your new strings, measure again. Adjust truss rod if necessary. In your case, you may have to back off a tad. TI flats are very loosey-goosey and flippity-floppity. You may have to raise your saddle height to clean up the action from excessive fret clank. I had T-I Jazz Flats on my '76 Precision, and liked them the first year, but had to keep jacking up the action over and over again to compensate for their low tension. You can forget really digging into your strings for a powerful sound. And of course you have to reset your intonation each time. Their tone is unique and lovely but that is where the affair stopped for me. Never again. The divorce is final. Too Expensive & Too High Maintenance.
Click to expand...

Very helpful thank you!
 
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#10
Neck relief and action setup are necessary after string swap.
Ti flat are no floppy at all. Great balance string to string tension and tone balance .

Labella LTF4A are close tension to Ti flat but just little higher.
The GHS 3025 E and A string are close to Ti flat set, but the D and G are stiffer.

If you prefer thumpy tone, go with LTF4A. She give you 80% of broken in sound fresh from pack.
 
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#11
brushfirewolf said:
Couldn't find much info on other strings but I just received my TI Flats in the mail and they say they're 31-37lbs. Could anyone enlighten me as to how this compares to other strings? They are 43-100s so do you think a setup will be necessary on a bass that comes with 45-105 rounds from the factory? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a jazz bass I keep TI flats on, it's a new thing to me. The tension is less, the feel is different, and there's a break-in period before they feel and sound great. It took me about a week, playing it 20-30 minutes every day, and then I loved it.

The tension on the neck is going to be 20-25% less, so a truss rod adjustment is probably needed. Bridge saddles and intonation need to be set. Once it's setup, plays great in my experience. I do keep a jazz with rounds -- I wouldn't want to trade my rounds for TI flats exclusively but it's been fun to try. I tend to play very hard (Geddy Lee Rush origins), and these need to be played more softly.

I like the variety but I don't play TI's exclusively. I'm used to a stiffer string, mostly nickel rounds.
 
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#12
Most likely you will need a set-up, especially if you're going from a more "traditional" set of strings to TI's, which are pretty low tension, but don't freak out. A little turn of the truss rod, maybe a tiny action adjustment and check the intonation. Super easy to do yourself and should take less than an hour to do at home.
 
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#13
Vinnie Boombatz said:
Most likely you will need a set-up, especially if you're going from a more "traditional" set of strings to It's, which are pretty low tension, but don't freak out. A little turn of the truss rod, maybe a tiny action adjustment and check the intonation. Super easy to do yourself and should take less than an hour to do at home.
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Cool, yea I have all the proper tools and I've done all my setups myself. Don't have much experience with flats though but I love their sound and feel so I'm cracking into them. Thanks for the words of encouragement!
 
#14
brushfirewolf said:
Cool, yea I have all the proper tools and I've done all my setups myself. Don't have much experience with flats though but I love their sound and feel so I'm cracking into them. Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Click to expand...

I'd install the new strings, then first check the relief, which is the one thing that will most likely need to be adjusted. Get the relief where you want it, let it sit overnight, and check it again the neck morning. If it needs further adjustment, fine tune it, then check the action and finally the intonation. If you're super anal, you'll also want to check the pickup hinge after you get the action where you want it.
 
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#15
Vinnie Boombatz said:
I'd install the new strings, then first check the relief, which is the one thing that will most likely need to be adjusted. Get the relief where you want it, let it sit overnight, and check it again the neck morning. IF it needs further adjustment, fine tune it, then check the action and finally the intonation. IF you're super anal, you'll also want to check the pickup hinge after you get the action where you want it.
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Good call letting it sit tonight- I will do just that. Thank you!
 
#16
I’ve switched to TIs on many basses. I concur with everyone stating a setup. I had to do it on my 2016 American Standard when I first bought it. 50 bucks for a full setup at my local guys store. It’s been dead on and perfect since.

Changed the way I play somewhat for the better. The lower tension improved my speed and touch a bit. You don’t need to dig in to get a great tone IMHO. And when you do the “bite” comes out in em. Hands down my favorite strings. 2 years later and still going strong.
 
#17
Vinnie Boombatz said:
I'd install the new strings, then first check the relief, which is the one thing that will most likely need to be adjusted. Get the relief where you want it, let it sit overnight, and check it again the neck morning. If it needs further adjustment, fine tune it, then check the action and finally the intonation. If you're super anal, you'll also want to check the pickup hinge after you get the action where you want it.
Click to expand...

This exactly. I just had to do the Winter set up adjustment for my P bass with TI flats. The aTIs seem to be more finicky about setups and seasonal changes in the neck, but once they are dialed in they are my favorite flats by far.
 

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