TI Jazz Flats on a 5-string Active Jazz Bass

[JenderBazzFass]

The title pretty much tells it.

I have two basses, a passive Precision Bass with flats and a 5-String active Jazz Bass with rounds. This pair really covers a lot of ground.

I have grown to love the TI flats on my precision bass as providing a flatwound playing experience and some of the body associated with flats, while also preserving some of the higher harmonic richness of roundwound strings. I know some people call the TI Flats 'flats for people who don't usually like flats'.

I also have a 5-string active Jazz Bass which has had the same set of roundwounds on it since purchase, but I'm wondering how others have found the TI Jazz Flats on a 5-string active Jazz like mine.

Do the strings still do everything you want and expect, vs rounds, on this type of bass?

Did you feel they compromised anything that you'd still like the bass to be able to do? Did you lose too much top end? How are they when played active?

Normally I'd just buy a set and give it a go, but let's face it, a 5 string set of TI flats is expensive to buy on a lark.

Anyone have any experience with this combo?

 

[MochiBass]

I have TI's on my 5 string active jazz and love the combo. I rarely use the active circuit so I can't really comment on that aspect, but they work great in passive mode. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, if I want something closer to the sound of rounds I add a bit of drive and open up the tone to get there.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[HaphAsSard]

Anyone else have thoughts?

A number of testimonies (albeit unclear of number of strings) on page 2 of this thread:

Are Flatwounds wasted on an Active Bass?​

You could contact the relevant TBers and ask them to elaborate.

 

[rkr4evr]

The title pretty much tells it.

I have two basses, a passive Precision Bass with flats and a 5-String active Jazz Bass with rounds. This pair really covers a lot of ground.

I have grown to love the TI flats on my precision bass as providing a flatwound playing experience and some of the body associated with flats, while also preserving some of the higher harmonic richness of roundwound strings. I know some people call the TI Flats 'flats for people who don't usually like flats'.

I also have a 5-string active Jazz Bass which has had the same set of roundwounds on it since purchase, but I'm wondering how others have found the TI Jazz Flats on a 5-string active Jazz like mine.

Do the strings still do everything you want and expect, vs rounds, on this type of bass?

Did you feel they compromised anything that you'd still like the bass to be able to do? Did you lose too much top end? How are they when played active?

Normally I'd just buy a set and give it a go, but let's face it, a 5 string set of TI flats is expensive to buy on a lark.

Anyone have any experience with this combo?

I put the TI flatwounds on my Carvin custom 5 string with J99 p/u's and will never use anything else. I then put a set on my other Carvin custom with Alnico p/u and it sounded like mud. Changed that one to roundwounds. If they ever quit making TI flats i'll go back to GHS flats.

 

[DrBnz]

I have tried flats on a J-bass before (J4 & J5) and didn't like it much. It was just out of place and lacking (to me). Kinda like a J-bass with the tone knob turned down. Still that's all personal opinion.

On mine - I have LO RIDERS on the J-5 and LTF on the P-5 just cause I felt I got the best sounding "B" string with those.

I do have TI Rounds on a P-4 bass w '58 pups and thats an impressive combination. But still they feel soft so I use that bass for the more mellow playing. Sure you can play anything on them. But the loose strings throw me off a bit when I'm digging in hard.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Recent convert to TIs on a Jazz.

I have TIs on a 5 string fretless Carvin "J" loaded with Wilde PUs & Audere pre. They replaced a set of Pressure Wounds.
(and yes, that bass has held a place among my vintage & custom shop Fender Jazz basses!)
Immediately after install, I wasn't quite sure, but every time I've picked it up since, they just sound fantastic - including the B.

Also, though not active, TIs just knocked me out on my Roscoe Beck V.
And if I kick in the Aguilar DB925 pre - to me, it's more or less the equivalent to an active bass....

Are Flatwounds wasted on an Active Bass?

I don't "get" the premise....
TIs were the "magic sauce" on my Fretless Stingray - and pretty much saved me from parting with it. (not a 5 string though)

TI Flats 'flats for people who don't usually like flats'

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats better fits that description.

IMO / IME TI Flats are no where near as bright, and I wouldn't 'mistake' TIs for rounds....
TIs however, have recently surpassed the Cobalt Flats as my most used string.