*TI Flats MegaThread*

[HaphAsSard]

I have TIs on my Fender Jazz since a year now and I notice some intonation issues that seem to get worse.
1. Usually the bass holds it's tuning extremely well. Doesn't need tuning sometimes in weeks of not touching it. But with the TIs that's not the case. If I play today, I'll have to tune it again tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised on another bass but on this that didn't happen with other strings.
2. The intonation over the fret board seems quite wobbly. It's not consistent and sometimes there are funky notes on a fret and 2 bars later it's all fine on the same fret.

Check the usual suspects.
- Are the problems confined to one or two strings, or the entire set?
- Any chance of the strings being twisted? Can you loosen them and let the ball ends turn freely before retuning to pitch? Toploading or through the body?
- Any chance of strings getting caught at the nut while tuning, then suddenly slipping through the slots?
- How are the windings at the posts? too many turns? overlapping turns?
- Are the pickups egregiously close to the strings, their magnetic pull influencing their vibration?
Just off the top of my head, and no offence meant if you've already taken care of all or most of the above.

 

[markusd]

I went and checked but non of these points apply here. All seems fine. I don't change strings often so when I do I pay attention for a fine setup.

Is it possible that it's the strings themselves?

There ist just one thing that might be part of the issue I can think of. I usually had quite low action. But with the TIs I set it quite a bit higher for that double bass like sound.
Could this cause the strings to have wobbly intonation?

 

[4 Out of 5]

Hi Folks. Has anyone found that basses are easier to play with TI flats versus other strings?

I've got TI flats on my Gretsch Junior Jet short scale, and when I play it, it feels like it's got lower action than my short-scale P bass strung with Ernie Ball Group 2 flats.
But, I've measured the action of both basses with feeler gauges, and the Gretsch is higher at every point along the fretboard.
The neck relief is the same on both basses.

The difference in playability is so great that I'm seriously thinking of shelling out for a set of Ti flats for the P bass even though I'm very happy with the tone of the EB flats.

 

[mcnach]

Hi Folks. Has anyone found that basses are easier to play with TI flats versus other strings?

I've got TI flats on my Gretsch Junior Jet short scale, and when I play it, it feels like it's got lower action than my short-scale P bass strung with Ernie Ball Group 2 flats.
But, I've measured the action of both basses with feeler gauges, and the Gretsch is higher at every point along the fretboard.
The neck relief is the same on both basses.

The difference in playability is so great that I'm seriously thinking of shelling out for a set of Ti flats for the P bass even though I'm very happy with the tone of the EB flats.

They're a lot more flexible/compliant than most other strings, so they can feel a lot softer to play. Maybe it's that?
I like them a lot, I have to resist the urge to bend strings as it's so easy but they feel and sound great. Pity they're so costly... but then they last forever, pretty much.

 

[Yahboy]

Hi Folks. Has anyone found that basses are easier to play with TI flats versus other strings?

I've got TI flats on my Gretsch Junior Jet short scale, and when I play it, it feels like it's got lower action than my short-scale P bass strung with Ernie Ball Group 2 flats.
But, I've measured the action of both basses with feeler gauges, and the Gretsch is higher at every point along the fretboard.
The neck relief is the same on both basses.

The difference in playability is so great that I'm seriously thinking of shelling out for a set of Ti flats for the P bass even though I'm very happy with the tone of the EB flats.

Thanks to low and flexible tension make your fretting finger feel easy and comfort , bring the illusion that you think the action set lower than bass with EB group flat.

Beside Jf344, I also love la Bella LTF4A and EB 2814 , Ti flat has best fretting feel .

 

[PDW30]

I have to resist the urge to bend strings as it's so easy .

Why resist?

 

[4 Out of 5]

They're a lot more flexible/compliant than most other strings, so they can feel a lot softer to play. Maybe it's that?
I like them a lot, I have to resist the urge to bend strings as it's so easy but they feel and sound great. Pity they're so costly... but then they last forever, pretty much.

Yes I think you're spot on about them feeling softer. It takes so little effort to fret the note, so my brain is thinking the action must be lower than it really is.
I also suspect the particularly small gauge of the A string is factor.

 

[Selim]

The greatest thing about the TI flats for me is that they are inspiring - they just make you want to pick up the bass and play it. And the ideas seem to come quicker for me on the bass that have them on it.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My set of TIs from 2020 finally played their last notes. At least the D string did. It snapped on me while I was stretching them during setup on my Sire P5R.

I’ve never been so sad about bass strings until that day.

 

[Luckydog]

Have yall noticed how tuning stable the JF’s are? Dont know if that is related to the silk between core and windings, or perhaps something else, like lesser harmonics. When tuning other strings, I see a much greater wobble with pitch, than I see with the JFs. I’ve used JFs for decades, and this is apparently a very consistent property with these strings. Even when new, the JFs seem to have a much purer note, they settle down quicker and then stay that way for a long long time.

 

[Yahboy]

The greatest thing about the TI flats for me is that they are inspiring - they just make you want to pick up the bass and play it. And the ideas seem to come quicker for me on the bass that have them on it.

Ti flat also help me playing from gorilla plucking style to flying floating style...... Soooooo enjoy to play with.

 

[Yahboy]

My set of TIs from 2020 finally played their last notes. At least the D string did. It snapped on me while I was stretching them during setup on my Sire P5R.

I’ve never been so sad about bass strings until that day.

Are you sure it is Ti flat , not EB Cobalt flat ?????

 

[Bighouse]

Finally got around to installing these on my PBass. They sound amazingly good! Big sound, thunks, solid. I expect them to sound a bit brighter and jazzier, but no, they’re rock solid.

 

[Yahboy]

Finally got around to installing these on my PBass. They sound amazingly good! Big sound, thunks, solid. I expect them to sound a bit brighter and jazzier, but no, they’re rock solid.

If you wanna squeeze some treble out from your P bass , you can try swap the volume pot from 250K to 500K , or swap the tone pot with No load tone pot.

Hope help

I am waiting for new pickup for my Pbass ( currently has Model P install ), a set of Ti flat and 500K Volume / 250K tone / .1uf cap are prepare .

 

[Just Wrong]

Does anyone know if TI makes custom-length flats? I tried emailing them but got no response. Thanks.

 

[GIBrat51]

Hi Folks. Has anyone found that basses are easier to play with TI flats versus other strings?

I've got TI flats on my Gretsch Junior Jet short scale, and when I play it, it feels like it's got lower action than my short-scale P bass strung with Ernie Ball Group 2 flats.
But, I've measured the action of both basses with feeler gauges, and the Gretsch is higher at every point along the fretboard.
The neck relief is the same on both basses.

The difference in playability is so great that I'm seriously thinking of shelling out for a set of Ti flats for the P bass even though I'm very happy with the tone of the EB flats.

Well... I'd have to say; yes... and no.
Out of my 27 basses, only one wears TI Jazz Flats; my '95 Alembic Epic. I pretty much only use that bass for my attempts to play Jazz; and for that? I can't really think of any flats - except for (maybe) Dogal's Hellborg Flats - that would work better. But, that's the only bass that I play finger style 100% of the time. For anything else I play? They're just too flexible, and I don't really need - or want - the complex harmonics that TIJF's are famous for. The bass line for Ticket to Ride, or Fortunate Son just... doesn't need them. Plus, I've been playing flats - pretty stiff flats - with a pick, for 50+ years, now. For me, the technique adjustments needed to play the TIJF's with a pick, are just not worth the time - or effort. So, since Jazz is very seldom played with a pick? I only have the TI's on the one bass that I don't play that way. So...
For me? TIJF's are pretty much "One Trick Pony" strings. And, for that one trick? They're abso-frickin'-lutely the cat's ass. For every thing else I play - 98% of the time? No, the other flats I use - with a pick - are much easier to play - and sound much better, too...

 

[4 Out of 5]

Well... I'd have to say; yes... and no.
Out of my 27 basses, only one wears TI Jazz Flats; my '95 Alembic Epic. I pretty much only use that bass for my attempts to play Jazz; and for that? I can't really think of any flats - except for (maybe) Dogal's Hellborg Flats - that would work better. But, that's the only bass that I play finger style 100% of the time. For anything else I play? They're just too flexible, and I don't really need - or want - the complex harmonics that TIJF's are famous for. The bass line for Ticket to Ride, or Fortunate Son just... doesn't need them. Plus, I've been playing flats - pretty stiff flats - with a pick, for 50+ years, now. For me, the technique adjustments needed to play the TIJF's with a pick, are just not worth the time - or effort. So, since Jazz is very seldom played with a pick? I only have the TI's on the one bass that I don't play that way. So...
For me? TIJF's are pretty much "One Trick Pony" strings. And, for that one trick? They're abso-frickin'-lutely the cat's ass. For every thing else I play - 98% of the time? No, the other flats I use - with a pick - are much easier to play - and sound much better, too...

Thanks for your detailed reply. Coincidentally, I've just started playing with a pick a bit. So far I've found it fine on my bass that has the TI flats. It's a 30" scale, so not sure if that might be a factor.
Anyway, I've pulled the trigger and ordered another set of Ti flats for my short scale P bass too.
Got a good deal on them with free delivery from Amazon UK to New Zealand.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Dear fellows, yesterday I received a pack of TI JF344 for the only bass I’ve got not yet equipped with these strings, an AO ‘60s P-bass.
Night and day difference with how it sounded before putting them onto it; the bass is now super playable and there’s a clearly audible extra-grit added by the strings to its tone one can take advantage of, if required.
Now I just have to find a good J-neck to fit

 

[Yahboy]

Feel so good the Ti flat on my Bacchus bpb1.....

 

[bbjonz]

I have them on my Stingray Special 5H and love the feel and sound--sort of like Bernard Edwards (without the feel and talent...). A few weeks ago, out of boredom, I tried a set of Chromes and then La Bella DTFs on it, but nothing feels or sounds the same as the TIs, so those went back on the SRS 5H to stay. Just picked up an Am Pro II Jazz V with a maple neck and roasted pine body (8lbs, 3oz!), though that neck/body combo seems to scoop the mids. I tried Chromes, La Bellas, and even bought a set of Dunlop flats, but nothing felt right. So I bought another set of JF345s, which solved the problem. As others have experienced, those strings brought a smile to face in terms of playability and feel, and they accentuate the mids in a way that just works for me. Great strings.