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*TI Flats MegaThread*

#61
Seems the balanced tension sets are noticed/preferred by some and not so much by others. I went back and forth swapping sets over the course of a few weeks, and honestly, although the balanced/non-balanced sets felt very slightly different to me, it wasn't much and I really noticed no significant difference in the way I played or the way it sounded. So, I just went back to "normal" gauge sets. Of course, if I get a balanced set, I don't mind, but it really doesn't matter at all to me.

Best thing to do is try a set. If it feels good and inspires your playing then it's worth it. Otherwise... well, otherwise it probably won't matter to you one way or the other.
 
#62
After everything I've read on here, I still can't get a good grasp on where the TI's are in terms of tonality. For reference, Chromes are a favorite of mine and I would prefer something "darker" for my 2nd P bass (to complement the one with Chromes). The 2nd P bass currently has LaBella DTFs on it. I find them to be alright so far, but I'm still really curious about TIs.

Given that Chromes and LaBellas are the 2 flatwounds I'm especially familiar with, can someone help describe what I can expect (in terms of sound) from the JF344s, relating it to those 2 strings?
 
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#63
Icculus said:
Given that Chromes and LaBellas are the 2 flatwounds I'm especially familiar with, can someone help describe what I can expect (in terms of sound) from the JF344s, relating it to those 2 strings?
Click to expand...

well, Chromes are bright on the highs, and more "twangy". TI start bright, in particular on the low strings, but them mellow out to a middy and woody tone, and you can hear my samples with them in the pages before.

let's say that Chromes keep a "stainless steel" vibe, and Thomasitk are clearly nickel flats.

Labella are bright at the beginning, being stainless, and a bit scooped on the mids, and with a thumpy E string (instant decay of the note). I've tried only the 0760M set, the 52-110, and in a band mix they were a bit less "cutting through" due to their scoop on the mids, but they have clearer highs compared to the Thomastik, but non bright as Chromes.

in my experience, Chromes are the brightest and cutting-through of all, Thomastik cut through but not that much, and are "warmer" for the band context, and Labella are deep, going side by side with the kick drum, and cutting through only going up on the register (obviously in a sound like the motown one, where sometimes there are no guitars at all(think about "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"), they work perfectly and are clearly audible even on the lowest notes).
 
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#69
Has anyone here put the JF344's on a G&L Lb100? What are the differences sonic-ally versus the stock Rounds? Could I pull off "Death Race" by White Wizard with TI's? Check this song out.
Or "LIve Free or die"
 
#70
Icculus said:
Got my first set of JF344's coming on Friday! Do you guys do anything to prep these before putting them on the bass? For example, Chromes are kind of sticky so I wipe them down with rubbing alcohol and a cloth to get the gunk off.
Click to expand...
You should just know that you'll have to do a complete setup, these strings are probably lower tension than anything else that might be on your bass now. Be open to possibly running more relief and higher action than 'normal', if necessary.
 
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#71
FunkHead said:
Has anyone here put the JF344's on a G&L Lb100? What are the differences sonic-ally versus the stock Rounds? Could I pull off "Death Race" by White Wizard with TI's? Check this song out.
Or "LIve Free or die"
Click to expand...

Don't know yet . I have a LB100 on order as we speak . I either putting jf344s or sadowsky black labels on it . Most likely the latter , the black labels have a little more tension
 
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#73
tallboybass said:
You should just know that you'll have to do a complete setup, these strings are probably lower tension than anything else that might be on your bass now. Be open to possibly running more relief and higher action than 'normal', if necessary.
Click to expand...

You mean these $80 strings don't set themselves up!?!?

markjazzbassist said:
nothing, enjoy the ferrarri of strings. they sound fantastic.
Click to expand...

:bassist:
 
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#76
So I got home from work to find a small package on my front step, and my strings showed up 2 days ahead of schedule. Initial impressions:

- The low tension is quite different than the LaBellas and Chromes I've been using and will take some getting used to, but I do like it. I've had some chronic hand/wrist issues as of late so this one trait may help keep me playing.
- They definitely have some characteristics that remind me of rounds.
- Lots of presence and mid-range. I really like the tone as is, but at the same time can't wait to let them age.
- My A string sits really loosely in the nut (recent MIA precision as someone else mentioned earlier). The bass still needs a set-up so we'll see if there's any buzzing after that. The only buzz I get right now is about 1-2 seconds after I hit an open A, and it needs a little force to get it there. I can definitely live with it.

All in all, I'm quite impressed and am looking forward to the "journey". If I get used to the tension, it's very possible I'll be ordering a set of these for my jazz bass.
 
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#77
Icculus said:
So I got home from work to find a small package on my front step, and my strings showed up 2 days ahead of schedule. Initial impressions:

- The low tension is quite different than the LaBellas and Chromes I've been using and will take some getting used to, but I do like it. I've had some chronic hand/wrist issues as of late so this one trait may help keep me playing.
- They definitely have some characteristics that remind me of rounds.
- Lots of presence and mid-range. I really like the tone as is, but at the same time can't wait to let them age.
- My A string sits really loosely in the nut (recent MIA precision as someone else mentioned earlier). The bass still needs a set-up so we'll see if there's any buzzing after that. The only buzz I get right now is about 1-2 seconds after I hit an open A, and it needs a little force to get it there. I can definitely live with it.

All in all, I'm quite impressed and am looking forward to the "journey". If I get used to the tension, it's very possible I'll be ordering a set of these for my jazz bass.
Click to expand...

great news. yes the tension is something. if you can't get used to it, the thing i did when going from labella 760FL to TI was just take a week or so off of playing. When i came back to the TI's without having played and having the labella reference, they felt fine and were plenty tense. i'm used to them again now.
 
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#80
Jason at bassstringsonline.com turned me on to a set of TI Flats for my 5 string P/J. I used Chromes for awhile and loved the sound of the E-A-D-G strings, but the B string was muffled and had no character. I switched to a set of GHS Pressure wounds and they didn't do anything for me.

I just put the TI flats on so they are still brand new, but what a difference they are. Totally comfortable and smooth. They don't have the boomy "harbinger of doom" sound I got with the chromes, but they are terrific right out of the box after a good setup. And the b string is much more useable. Looking forward to hearing them age.
 
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