TI Flats Question

[smtp4me]

As a member of TB and a long-time bass player, I've heard about Thomastik Infeld flat wound strings too many times to count. But I've never used/played them.

According to their website, they have two types of flat wound strings: "Infeld" and "Jazz Flat Wound". Which of these are the more popular - which type are people referring to when they mention "TI Flats"??

 

[michael_t]

According to their website, they have two types of flat wound strings: "Infeld" and "Jazz Flat Wound". Which of these are the more popular - which type are people referring to when they mention "TI Flats"??

TI Jazz Flats.

 

[J_Bass]

Jazz Flat Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

 

[LukeSlywalker]

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flat Wound Bass Strings - 4-String 34" Long Scale .043-.100

 

[LukeSlywalker]

They sound great on my jazz bass. Didn’t care for them on the precision, I prefer Labella deep talkin flats. Good thing about these kinds of strings is that they’re easily sold used if you don’t like them.

 

[michael_t]

To the OP...

TI Jazz Flats come in two different packages as seen above. Don't let that confuse you; they're the same strings inside those packages.

 

[Mastermold]

They sound great on my jazz bass. Didn’t care for them on the precision, I prefer Labella deep talkin flats. Good thing about these kinds of strings is that they’re easily sold used if you don’t like them.

Opposite here, I like TI flats on a P-bass, Ric, and most any hollow body bass, but have not liked them on my Jazz basses. But I like LaBella DTF 760FLs on both P and J basses.

 

[kodiakblair]

According to their website, they have two types of flat wound strings: "Infeld" and "Jazz Flat Wound".

Where did you see Infeld listed as flats ?
If you look at the tech detail for the "Infeld" strings it says

Superalloy Roundwound Hexcore

 

[Killing Floor]

This is a fair question. There is also a yellow package that is labeled "Jazz Bass" with
Flat Wound" in small font on the corner. They also say JF344 only on the top edge of the package and are same gauge as in post 3.
I think if you were going to try your first set it is not obvious.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

This is a fair question. There is also a yellow package that is labeled "Jazz Bass" with
Flat Wound" in small font on the corner. They also say JF344 only on the top edge of the package and are same gauge as in post 3.
I think if you were going to try your first set it is not obvious.
View attachment 4303360

It’s referring to the fact it’s a wound flat. Signed “Cap’n Obvious”

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

This is a fair question. There is also a yellow package that is labeled "Jazz Bass" with
Flat Wound" in small font on the corner. They also say JF344 only on the top edge of the package and are same gauge as in post 3.
I think if you were going to try your first set it is not obvious.
View attachment 4303360

This is the packaging I had 10 years ago. I see the model is JF344: same as the model in the prior image. Looks like the packaging changed.

Just note the VERY low tension. They feel “mushy” under the fingers, as compared with ol’ time flatwound. Very “expressive” strings though, since by controlling how hard you pluck, you can get a lot of different sounds.

BTW, it’s been years, but for 5-stringers, I seem to recall a massive B string. IF memory serves.

 

[logdrum]

The funny thing is most TI - Jazz Flats here on TB is put on Precision basses even though the 2 packaging's show a Jazz Bass. And in case you are wondering Austrians do make pasta - in this case these strings - al dente

Seriously - Thomastiks have a numbering system - In both cases the strings are JF344 as in Jazz Flat 34 scale 4 string - even individual strings have a catalog number as well - My super long scale 6 string super alloy is IN366

The Red packaging is the current one

Guitar Strings Bass Guitar | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna
Jazz Flat Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna
Jazz Round Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

 

[nixdad]

Love the TI Flats. I have them on both of my Rics, and my Fender Starcaster.

 

[J_Bass]

Great strings.
I personally love the tension on these, the other flats are too stiff. In my opinion, of course.

 

[michael_t]

I see the model is JF344: same as the model in the prior image. Looks like the packaging changed.

They've had both of the two packages for a while now; not that one replaced the other as such. I guess it depends on where you're located and which retailer you get them from as to which package you end up with.

 

[Mastermold]

I’ve only seen the yellow packaging in the ones I purchased. Maybe it’s used for the US market?

 

[smo]

BTW, it’s been years, but for 5-stringers, I seem to recall a massive B string. IF memory serves.

Yeah it's massive, but didn't take long to adjust to. I tune them UP to C standard. Tension is goldy locks just right

 

[Killing Floor]

This is the packaging I had 10 years ago. I see the model is JF344: same as the model in the prior image. Looks like the packaging changed.

Just note the VERY low tension. They feel “mushy” under the fingers, as compared with ol’ time flatwound. Very “expressive” strings though, since by controlling how hard you pluck, you can get a lot of different sounds.

BTW, it’s been years, but for 5-stringers, I seem to recall a massive B string. IF memory serves.

Totally agree. Tension is different than many others. So give yourself a few days to get used to them. Worth it.

 

[Killing Floor]

They've had both of the two packages for a while now; not that one replaced the other as such. I guess it depends on where you're located and which retailer you get them from as to which package you end up with.

View attachment 4303445View attachment 4303448

Yellow package is objectively better on stage and in studio. Measured and verified with science.

 

[thmsjordan]

I know this is just a little off topic but has anyone used TI flats on a Yamaha BBP 34 or 35?

If so what was your experience. How close does the sound come to a regular Precision sound?