• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

TI Flats Question

#22
I have gone quite fond of my P-bass strung with Ti Jazz flats. I mean I pretty much immediately loved how they felt to play.. low tension, smooth. At first I loathed the sound of them, but I was plugged direct into my audio interface at home rather than an amp/cab. Coming from a set of Rotosound 77 jazz flats .045-.105 it sounded like the bass lost it's booty.

Plugging into my WD-800 + B410 the first time with them? Sounded great. *sigh of relief* Plugged into my Pod Go with the right amp/cab sim combo? Sounds great. They may have also settled down a little bit after about 6-7 months. My current amp/cab combo I wasn't all that impressed but in a band mix, it would probably be just fine.

That being said, my 4 string P-bass is sporting them, and while she's a lifer, the bass is not my #1 so I felt no rush with them. My other two basses are active 5 strings with P/J configs and rounds. I have a 55-02 on the way, and if I keep it I may actually try a set of Ti Flats on one of the P/J's.

I guess long story short, if you're used to thicker gauges be prepared for Ti Jazz Flats to sound mayhaps a bit thinner and retain a weird brightness for months on end. IMO though put them through their paces in every setting you can before you make a decision if you have other basses you enjoy playing as well.

If you aren't taking them off/putting them on over and over again they can probably last a very long time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nozkcb, EatS1stBassist and LukeSlywalker
#24
Thomastik-Infeld makes a bunch of different roundwound strings and just the single set of flatwounds: JF344, the famous "TI Flats".

The roundwound JR344 strings (get it? JF for flat, JR for round) are also kind of amazing, slender round wound strings. Like the TI Flats, the TI Rounds don't feel or sound like anything else out there. Personally, I think they're terrific-sounding, punchy like nothing else, and well worth the money.

I think it's fair to say that both sets of strings are pretty polarizing and you'll find players who'll use nothing else and players who won't go near them (mostly on feel). Neither type comes in different gauges, but they do come in different lengths. I find that the success of TI strings depends on a good match with the instrument in hand. On some of my basses, they're the cat's ass; on others, not so much.

TI also makes the roundwound SuperAlloy and PowerBass strings, and strings for an acoustic bass, but I've no experience with any of them.

The TI catalog of their bass guitar strings is here: https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/guitar-strings/bass-guitar. They have a complete list of all the individual strings and their characteristics listed if you click on each string type's package.:bookworm:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nozkcb, Clutchcargo and 2saddleslab
#27
smtp4me said:
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"??
Click to expand...
Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats

I just put on my first set. So far, I dig them. And I hate flats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EatS1stBassist, nixdad and smtp4me
#30
JeezyMcNuggles said:
You might know, how long (generally speaking) do a set of TIs take to break in? I just got my first set ever yesterday.
Click to expand...

I installed them on my p-bass in October. I think maybe they've started to settle down a bit, I was enjoying them last night and I haven't quite felt the need to completely roll off the tone knob as of late. That being said.. I don't play this bass regularly. Still that's a long time lol.

Find a good backing track and play along though, that's the important part, right?

I personally find they sound their best with some warm speakers, or a cabinet simulation that can produce the effect when I'm not running into an amp.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: nozkcb, EatS1stBassist and JeezyMcNuggles
#31
smtp4me said:
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"??
Click to expand...
Model JF344 … 43-100 that’s it
 
  • Like
Reactions: roccobass, EatS1stBassist and smtp4me
#32
Matty Koff said:
I installed them on my p-bass in October. I think maybe they've started to settle down a bit, I was enjoying them last night and I haven't quite felt the need to completely roll off the tone knob as of late. That being said.. I don't play this bass regularly. Still that's a long time lol.

Find a good backing track and play along though, that's the important part, right?

I personally find they sound their best with some warm speakers, or a cabinet simulation that can produce the effect when I'm not running into an amp.
Click to expand...
TI sound pretty much the same all along their whole lifespan, that’s one of the pluses these strings are characterised by ..
 
  • Like
Reactions: roccobass, EatS1stBassist and Jeff Scott
#33
OldSchoolFlats said:
BTW, it’s been years, but for 5-stringers, I seem to recall a massive B string. IF memory serves.
Click to expand...
Yep, it's .136
IMG_0049.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BSatt
#35
marchone said:
The first set I put on took about a week of playing to settle in. They had been quickly losing tune. Next set I put on I’ll stretch before tuning.
Click to expand...

Heavens, don't *stretch* strings before tuning.:eek: Every manufacturer of bass strings will warn you against that. It doesn't speed up the realignment mechanism associated with "settling in" and it can certainly damage the strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowplaces, EatS1stBassist, Mastermold and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back