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TI flats and chromes

#22
I just put Chromes (super softs) on my '66J and it sounds fantastic (classic rock), this bass is tuned down 1/2 and the tension feels perfect (I do have a hard attack on the edgier songs, e.g. Flirting With Disaster). In fact, when the Sunbeams wear out on my '59P, Chromes are going on it.

I'm getting a set of TI flats for my Zon 519 (Country Band, standard tuning), I'm already running them on my Jack Cassidy (also standard tuning) and like the tension for standard tuned instruments (but wouldn't like them tuned down), and TIs cut through like no other string I've used.
 
#23
Thumper said:
I just put Chromes (super softs) on my '66J and it sounds fantastic (classic rock), this bass is tuned down 1/2 and the tension feels perfect (I do have a hard attack on the edgier songs, e.g. Flirting With Disaster). In fact, when the Sunbeams wear out on my '59P, Chromes are going on it.

I'm getting a set of TI flats for my Zon 519 (Country Band, standard tuning), I'm already running them on my Jack Cassidy (also standard tuning) and like the tension for standard tuned instruments (but wouldn't like them tuned down), and TIs cut through like no other string I've used.
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I just ordered a JC which is supposed to arrive Friday, and I've got a set of TI flats alread waiting for it. I've read a lot of really good things about JCs with TIs so I'm looking forward to hearing it for myself. :bassist:
 
#24
billoetjen said:
Had to add a +1 about the Chromes not being nickel.

Also, someone posted that the TI's are mid-scooped. Not according to every review I've ever seen about them, or from my experience. They seem very mid heavy to me.
Chromes have a much more pronounced fundamental and extra sizzle in the high end, at least with my pickups and axe...

Most important feature of the Chromes for me is the huge range of tone that I can control through my right hand. Way more than TI's.
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I have TI's on my Tribby L2000 and I think I would have to agree that they are NOT very mid scooped. In fact, I think you need to scoop your tone a bit to really bring out their true character. I dialed in some contour on my Peavey Max 700 last night and was getting a really nice "woody" tone.
 
#25
peakdesign said:
TIs are softer and will work better for you if you play with a light/controlled touch. You don't have to play hard to get them to sing. Play them hard and they HONK.
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When I play my TI's too hard and unamplified the sound and feel almost remind me of snapping a rubber band. I guess the TI's force to me play with a lighter touch, which is probably a good thing.
 
#26
mrjim123 said:
I have TI's on my Tribby L2000 and I think I would have to agree that they are NOT very mid scooped. In fact, I think you need to scoop your tone a bit to really bring out their true character. I dialed in some contour on my Peavey Max 700 last night and was getting a really nice "woody" tone.
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Yeah TI's are pretty flat actually, so says that chart that someone posted here a short while ago.
 
#27
billoetjen said:
...Also, someone posted that the TI's are mid-scooped. Not according to every review I've ever seen about them, or from my experience. They seem very mid heavy to me.
...
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Someone == me. :cool:

Ok. I think " slightly mid-scooped" was a poor choice of words. I was thinking in terms of flats that have basically no highs. TI's obviously do have a brighter top than say broken in Fenders, LaBellas or EBs.

Mids---yeah OK. But there is an open space in the tone of them for me...perhaps it is my ears. :D :D :D

Don't get me wrong, I dig them and use them all the time. :bassist:
 
#28
Thumper said:
I just put Chromes (super softs) on my '66J and it sounds fantastic (classic rock), this bass is tuned down 1/2 and the tension feels perfect (I do have a hard attack on the edgier songs, e.g. Flirting With Disaster). In fact, when the Sunbeams wear out on my '59P, Chromes are going on it.
Click to expand...

I typically do the same thing with chromes.... tune down a half step.

They actually sound better to me like that, and their tension starts to match the TI's at that point. The big problem, for me, with the chromes in normal tuning is that the E string is very boomy, and the G string doesn't sound like it belongs in the set. Everything starts to even out a bit when tuned down. The only other issue I have with the chromes.... which is actually a DA issue, and not chrome specific.... is that their QC sucks. Their gauge listings are more like a "ballpark" figure instead of what they actually measure. I've had .100" E strings measure from .103 down to .98. Nothing bothers me more than a lack of string to string balance, and set to set consistancy.

Ljazz

(edit... with chromes, set to set consistancy shouldn't be a big deal, because they last a long time.)
 
#29
My experiances on a warwick corvette fretless are alot like the other responses.

For that growl tone. ( you know that burrr burrr sound ? ) The Chromes are upfront and center. Really great growl if you roll off the tone/ treble. They are significantly more sticky feeling than TI's. Its really the difference between steel and nickel.

As for playability, nickel is always the softest slippery feeling. The TI's feel sooo good. The sound is boomy and woody. The attack is not as focused to me. For tension/ playabiliy, both are offered in at least 3 different tensions/ thickness.
 

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