TI jazz flats string height

[Selim]

I’m curious as how others have set up these strings—

Lowish string height and using a lighter attack (pluck)?
Or
Higher action and having at least the ability for a firmer attack?

My Fender 5 is set up with the Thomastiks with “medium low” action.

I’m think what I’m interested in is feedback from players who use these strings with a medium action (or higher). Also helpful— what kind of music context you play these strings under.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I set them medium-low when I use them.

 

[Hachimitsu]

On the high side of medium. I like to be able to play a little bit harder when I want to.

 

[Selim]

On the high side of medium. I like to be able to play a little bit harder when I want to.

I play more rhythm based music as opposed to soloistic stuff, if that makes any sense. (You could say all music is rhythm based...)

I’m new to these TIs but have played traditional flats my entire life. Also, the strings are fairly new (less than a month of daily playing).

 

[Element Zero]

Kinda medium high for me. Great strings.

 

[Mike N]

Low as possible for me.

 

[Martin Beer]

I find I like them a little higher than with stiffer flats, particularly the B,E and A. Also how they play seems very responsive to neck relief - they're the only string where I've had to actually use my dual action truss rod to increase the relief.

 

[Selim]

More bottom end/weight with higher string heights?

 

[Keger Jupit]

I like medium/low with roundwounds, but I bought a bass with TI's on it already, & it was a medium setup. I've left it alone, & really enjoy it. It makes me slow down & be more deliberate, which is a plus for this particular fretless. It compliments the character of this bass.

 

[Nashrakh]

Entwistle setup for me. That means "so low, the strings come out the back". Both on my P bass and my active six string. I play with a light touch, and if anyone else plays them, it's clank city. (At least no one has proven me wrong on this so far)

I play everything with them, from jazz, big band, rockabilly to doom metal. Love their versatility!

 

[Martin Beer]

More bottom end/weight with higher string heights?

I tend not to think of it as a timbre change, so much as optimising the point at which that string-meets-fret barky tone comes in. Though getting there too early could definitely result in more aggressive mids which would make the lows less prominent.

 

[e-flat]

I run my TIs on a 70s Aria P Bass w/ a Bartolini 8S Pickup , and the action is medium to medium-low. I tune down a 1/2 step on that bass & don’t ever find myself fighting the strings or thinking of them as “floppy”. They’re almost identical in Tension to the DR Sunbeams I ran for ages.

 

[Selim]

I tend not to think of it as a timbre change, so much as optimising the point at which that string-meets-fret barky tone comes in. Though getting there too early could definitely result in more aggressive mids which would make the lows less prominent.

Interesting.
At a medium low height, for me they are right on the edge of having more aggressive mids than I like — tho I think the TI’s rich midrange is a reason I like them.

I think what I’m looking for optimally from these strings (in addition to the rich midrange and playability) is what some in the DB world call “ping” — the front end of a note. As they are now set up on my bass, and being newish, they are beautiful but a bit too polite/smooth. Missing the “girth.”

Or am I asking too much from the TIs?

 

[Selim]

I run my TIs on a 70s Aria P Bass w/ a Bartolini 8S Pickup , and the action is medium to medium-low. I tune down a 1/2 step on that bass & don’t ever find myself fighting the strings or thinking of them as “floppy”. They’re almost identical in Tension to the DR Sunbeams I ran for ages.

What kind of music do you play and do you play with a light touch?

 

[Selim]

Maybe there’s an alternative to the TIs that gives you the best of both worlds, the TI’s clarity & richness, as well as a traditional flat’s girth and strong front end attack...

 

[Hachimitsu]

I play more rhythm based music as opposed to soloistic stuff, if that makes any sense. (You could say all music is rhythm based...)

I’m new to these TIs but have played traditional flats my entire life. Also, the strings are fairly new (less than a month of daily playing).

I came to these strings from labella black tapes, which are a fair bit slackers.

Maybe there’s an alternative to the TIs that gives you the best of both worlds, the TI’s clarity & richness, as well as a traditional flat’s girth and strong front end attack...

You could try some tapes if you don't mind the flexibility. I loved it but found the blacks a little bit scooped in the end (on my jazz, maybe more suited to a precision).

I haven't played them but from what I've heard the labella copper tapes could be similar to what you mentioned. Could somebody else chime in?

 

[e-flat]

What kind of music do you play and do you play with a light touch?

I play alt rock / shoe gaze type stuff with this bass and play with a pretty light touch. Digging in gets a nice “growl” with punch, but it’s not too buzzy IMO

 

[e-flat]

Maybe there’s an alternative to the TIs that gives you the best of both worlds, the TI’s clarity & richness, as well as a traditional flat’s girth and strong front end attack...

I’m finding the Optima RB flats to cover this territory. My new set on my main P Bass reminds me of my broken in TIs with a touch more low midrange and a little firmer feel. I can’t comment on how the Optima set will age, though.

 

[Selim]

I’m finding the Optima RB flats to cover this territory. My new set on my main P Bass reminds me of my broken in TIs with a touch more low midrange and a little firmer feel. I can’t comment on how the Optima set will age, though.

Those sound interesting

 

[Selim]

What about the new La Bella low tension flats? TIs with some thump?