I’ve had TI flats on one of my basses for probably three years now. I haven’t used the bass nearly as much as a different bass but lately I’ve used it most (maybe an hour a day on average). I just noticed little marks in the strings where they contact the frets. Does this appear to be an urgent string replacement situation to those who have used these strings? Thanks for any input.
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TI Flats Longevity Question
- Thread starter Govner22
- Start date
Hey there!
My TI flats sport the same marks you describe. In fact, all the flats that I've used (from other brands) ended up showing these same marks if left long enough.
It's like small indentations where the strings contact the frets, right?
In my experience this has never been a problem at all: I don't feel it while playing and I haven't noticed any worsening in the string functions (tuning/intonation issues), so I don't see any reason for a string change.
If you're worried about that leading to string break, what I can tell you is that every time I've broken a flatwound it was always at the silk part (where you wrap it around the tuning pegs). And that was caused by excessive string switching, rather than by simple use (string sets that I switched the most had the silk wrap zone weakened).
My TI flats sport the same marks you describe. In fact, all the flats that I've used (from other brands) ended up showing these same marks if left long enough.
It's like small indentations where the strings contact the frets, right?
In my experience this has never been a problem at all: I don't feel it while playing and I haven't noticed any worsening in the string functions (tuning/intonation issues), so I don't see any reason for a string change.
If you're worried about that leading to string break, what I can tell you is that every time I've broken a flatwound it was always at the silk part (where you wrap it around the tuning pegs). And that was caused by excessive string switching, rather than by simple use (string sets that I switched the most had the silk wrap zone weakened).
This is typical wear of strings. Nothing to be concerned about.
20 years and still sound great, got about a dozen years out of Labellas DTF's but they got much more use to be fair.
Unless the wear is to the point it effects the intonation and or creates unwanted buzz, you're fine. Enjoy.
Thanks. They’re sounding great; have a gig tomorrow so it’s nice to have one less worry.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I have TI Jazz flats on nine basses, some for two decades. No worries, no problems, no issues. 
If your intonation starts to sound wonky, it could be the strings loosing their shape due to all the fret wear. This plagued James Jamerson eventually.
Having said that my TI flats are at least 5 years old.
Having said that my TI flats are at least 5 years old.
I've had my TI flats for at least 15 years
including ~5 years of regularly gigging
including ~5 years of regularly gigging
I have some TI flats still in the package. i also have some 50year old Labella flats that I just put back on a Precision bass. They still sound great and I'm not worried about them, either.
Play your bass and have some fun.
Play your bass and have some fun.
All strings will get fret marks over time. Use ears to evaluate strings more than eyes And you’ll be OK.
I'm guessing the longest I've had a set of TI's is over 15 years. I'm always surprised I can move them from bass to bass and they still sound great and hold up for years.
Don't worry. As you said, they already sound great, but they're only 3 yo. In another couple of years, you'll have them fully broken in, and they'll sound great for decades.
Some of my listeners might prefer I not have strings.
(I think they don't like distortion, fuzz and feedback.)
D
My oldest set of TI flats are probably close to 20 years by now. They're still great!
Dents under the strings are perfectly normal. Some strings dent more easily than others though. Pyramid Golds are a good example. They develop dents over the frets VERY fast but they still last for DECADES. In fact, like most flats they just get better with age.
Dents under the strings are perfectly normal. Some strings dent more easily than others though. Pyramid Golds are a good example. They develop dents over the frets VERY fast but they still last for DECADES. In fact, like most flats they just get better with age.
