WELL I JUST ORDERED TI FLATS FOR THE FIRST TIME!

[superblues]

If you like the sound but find the TIs are too floppy for you, try LaBella Low Tension Flats. They are very similar, just a little less floppy.

I don't agree about the sound. TIs do not sound like LTFs. LTFs sound much more like DTFs than they do TIs. TIs really have a very unique tone that is difficult for me to describe.

Once broken in, LTFs are very good feeling and sounding strings. They're just not much like TIs.

 

[Luckydog]

Something I noticed with the TI flats is an underlying high frequency distortion from these strings. At first I thought it was something vibrating or rattling around the bridge or nut, but checking revealed nothing. I also checked the speaker cabinet and amp, but found nothing. Listening through headphones through an SCR-DI revealed the same underlying distortion.

I'm thinking now this is part of the TI flat sound, perhaps caused by the string winding or core material, as opposed to a round wound string that rings clear, like a piano.
Whatever it is, I do like the sound.

you know, I think I agree with you about the slight distortion enhancing the TI's performance. I've used TIs for a lot of years, and never could describe that concept as well as you did. I would bet too that this was designed into the string.

 

[MVE]

Where did you see that? I got no special install directions in my package. I just bend a 90 with a pliers a few inches past the tuning post, then cut about an inch past the bend like I do with all my strings.

The TI's I have have been on and off more basses than I can recall. Going on 8 years now and they sound and perform just fine.

They are more sensitive to proper setup than other strings though. Things like not enough break angle, string buried in too deep of a nut slot, etc., can cause buzzing and intonation issues. I just remember to set my witness points and I'm good to go! And all my nuts are sanded down to leave at least 1/3" of the string's diameter exposed above the top edge of the nut.

I couldn't find the package info anywhere online so I emailed TI to ask them. I'll let you know what they say.
I could just be mis-remembering. But I do have TI flats on two different instruments. The first one, I did like I normally would: trim, jam in the hole, bend, wind, tune.
The second one, I noticed the package info and was careful to cut the excess only after the strings were at pitch overnight.
And to support your observations, I can't tell a bit of difference between them.

 

[TC.65]

I've been doing some extensive reading about the TI's today and have come to the conclusion that more people like these strings than not. Also more people call them flexible or supple than floppy. I feel like I'll be able to adjust ok. While I do sometimes use a heavier attack I also play lightly at
times too and I can always raise the action some. The hardest part is the wait as they won't ship till mid January.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

The second one, I noticed the package info and was careful to cut the excess only after the strings were at pitch overnight...

How can you string a bass without cutting them? Some basses such as a Precisions with 4 in-line and fat & long tuner posts may allow it, but what about 2x2 tuners? Thinner tuning posts? Shorter tuning posts? You wind up with so many wraps they begin to overlap.

 

[MVE]

How can you string a bass without cutting them? Some basses such as a Precisions with 4 in-line and fat & long tuner posts may allow it, but what about 2x2 tuners? Thinner tuning posts? Shorter tuning posts? You wind up with so many wraps they begin to overlap.

You just use the slot, make your bends, and start winding with the piece of excess sticking out.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

You just use the slot, make your bends, and start winding with the piece of excess sticking out.

That entire statement is one of the worst way to put on strings. I don't doubt that it worked in your situation, but it is strongly advised against.

If I'm wrong on this, please correct me. I'm always open to new information.

 

[MVE]

That entire statement is the worst way to put on strings. I don't doubt that it worked in your situation, but it is strongly advised against.

Why? Physically it isn't any different from making a cut and sticking the end in the machine.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Not the same physics at all.

There are two bends. The 90 degree one one made with the pliers, and the one that happens at the slot end as it begins to wrap. When you string your bass by inserting the cut end into the hole first, then allowing the second bend to occur where it wants to as you wind it, that second bend happens at its correct natural point.

Your method creates that second bend first, resulting in the 90 degree bend and the slot bend no longer being at their optimal positioning/spacing.

 

[MVE]

Not the same physics at all.

There are two bends. The 90 degree one one made with the pliers, and the one that happens at the slot end as it begins to wrap. When you string your bass by inserting the cut end into the hole first, then allowing the second bend to occur where it wants to as you wind it, that second bend happens at its correct natural point.

Your method creates that second bend first, resulting in the 90 degree bend and the slot bend no longer being at their optimal positioning/spacing.

Im sorry, Im not following you.
How does it make any difference if the 90 deg bend is down or to the right?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Put it this way: The chances that you place the 90 degree bend in the exact correct spot is now very small.

 

[byacey]

I don't make bends with pliers. If the bend radius is too sharp, the string is weakened there and is more likely to eventually break at that point.

 

[MVE]

Put it this way: The chances that you place the 90 degree bend in the exact correct spot is now very small.

I think you are misunderstanding me.

lay the string across the winder slot. Then bend the excess, clockwise, where you would normally cut it. Begin winding normally and let the string bend at the post naturally.

It is exactly the same, except for the several inches of string that's getting in the way every time it goes around.

 

[fermata]

My current conundrum is deciding how badly I want to try a set of TI Jazz Rounds. I think they'd work really well with a few basses I've got. So maybe next string change I'll finally pull the trigger on a set of those.

I played only flats for several years, but a new project sounded better with rounds, so I took the plunge on TI Jazz Rounds. I have no plans to resurface. They are without question the best-sounding strings I've ever played. They're now going on three months old, and the tone hasn't changed much at all after the first two weeks. They offer everything I like about rounds and none of the things I don't; full lows, singing mids, and no zing.

I've read that they can last a good couple of years or more, but I like them so much I'd fork over the cash even if they had to be changed more frequently.

 

[40Hz]

I played only flats for several years, but a new project sounded better with rounds, so I took the plunge on TI Jazz Rounds. I have no plans to resurface. They are without question the best-sounding strings I've ever played. They're now going on three months old, and the tone hasn't changed much at all after the first two weeks. They offer everything I like about rounds and none of the things I don't; full lows, singing mids, and no zing.

I've read that they can last a good couple of years or more, but I like them so much I'd fork over the cash even if they had to be changed more frequently.

Thanks! Good info.

I have a few basses strung with a variety of strings. I'm primarily a rounds player. But I've recently gone back to my roots and gotten back into flats for some things. And (wonder of wonders!) I finally found a set of nylon tapewounds I actually like awhile ago. Most recent acquisition was a Jonas Helborg set since I wanted to check out that design. (Those are on a 2017 Gibson EB.) They provide an subtly different and quite interesting sound. I'm still trying to decide if I like it.

I've got someone here who was kind enough to offer to send me a used set of TI rounds so I could check them out before I went ahead and ordered any. Should be interesting. I think they'll sound great on a JB with 60s pickup spacing. That bass is currently rocking a light set of GHS Precision Flats. Those work really well on a JB but I still can't help thinking this particular JB really wants a set of non-strident rounds on it. So I'm really looking forward to trying the TIs.

 

[fermata]

I've got someone here who was kind enough to offer to send me a used set of TI rounds so I could check them out before I went ahead and ordered any. Should be interesting. I think they'll sound great on a JB with 60s pickup spacing. That bass is currently rocking a light set of GHS Precision Flats. Those work really well on a JB but I still can't help thinking this particular JB really wants a set of non-strident rounds on it. So I'm really looking forward to trying the TIs.

Perfect--hope you like 'em! As it happens, I went from GHS Precision Flats to TI Jazz Rounds on my bass, too. I really like those flats, but I wanted a more versatile string. With technique changes or perhaps a twist of the tone knob, TIs let me do everything from dull thumping to more sparkly/snappy chordal stuff. (Not that there's ever any occasion for this, but I can even play a first-position open E chord and have it sound musically coherent rather than a pile of mud-thunder.)

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Something I noticed with the TI flats is an underlying high frequency distortion from these strings. At first I thought it was something vibrating or rattling around the bridge or nut, but checking revealed nothing. I also checked the speaker cabinet and amp, but found nothing. Listening through headphones through an SCR-DI revealed the same underlying distortion.

I'm thinking now this is part of the TI flat sound, perhaps caused by the string winding or core material, as opposed to a round wound string that rings clear, like a piano.
Whatever it is, I do like the sound.

Funny you mention that. When they were on my Rics, I never noticed it. But once I put them on my Epi Jack Casady, I noticed a tiny tiny bit of 'growl' so to speak. Only thing I could think of is the Jack Casady has a very low impedance pickup vs the Ric and now it could be picking that up.

 

[byacey]

I wouldn't even describe it as a growl, just instead of a bell-like sinusoidal sound, it sounds more like a triangular or sawtooth wave distortion, if you happen to know what that sounds like; Just a slight bit of a buzz. It's most noticeable as the string movement starts to decay.
As an experiment, I should change one of the strings to a round wound and see if this distortion disappears altogether.

I'm using Wilde P46s, and they are reasonably high impedance; I don't think that has much to do with it.

 

[GIBrat51]

I will second this, I bought a set of the LaBella's at the same time last week. They are great as well, but with more tension.

-ScottM

Not if you bought The La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats. According to the posted info on their respective packages, The LTFs have 6 lbs. less tension than the TIs - but still manage to feel and play stiffer... I have them on this '73 4001 Rick, that's starting to develop the neck problem that plagues these older 4001s...

 

[frankie5string]

View attachment 3648867 Not if you bought The La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats. According to the posted info on their respective packages, The LTFs have 6 lbs. less tension than the TIs - but still manage to feel and play stiffer... I have them on this '73 4001 Rick, that's starting to develop the neck problem that plagues these older 4001s...

The LTFs are a straight metallic string, are they not? The TIs have dampening fabric woven under the top tape layer like a double-bass string. That could factor into the difference in feel.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I've been doing some extensive reading about the TI's today and have come to the conclusion that more people like these strings than not. Also more people call them flexible or supple than floppy. I feel like I'll be able to adjust ok. While I do sometimes use a heavier attack I also play lightly at
times too and I can always raise the action some. The hardest part is the wait as they won't ship till mid January.

You won't have any problems, your hand will adjust to the feel of the strings when playing aggressively. I can have a really really heavy attack when I play sometimes live, and I never found any issue playing with TI's when they were on my precision bass. Your hand lets you know how to touch the strings. They really do sound amazing especially when you're playing in a group, The Sound sits so nicely.