Another TI Jazz Flats thread? Well, yeah.

#21
I don't find Jazz Flats "floppy" at all. Are they low tension compared to other flats?? Absolutely. That's because most flats are fairly high tension. But are they low tension compared to a normal set of rounds? Nope. The tension is about equal to a medium to light set of D'Addario rounds. Anyone used to playing a normal set of rounds shouldn't feel that Jazz Flats are floppy. Now if all you are used to is other flats then you will certainly feel the tension difference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cephas45, Klonk, Levin and 1 other person
#23
Without a doubt the TIs are the best!!! They just bring so much out of the instrument and the the player.

I must mention that the new LaBella Low Tension Flats are a close alternative if your wallet is feeling poor. I don't think that they have the same level of mids as the TIs, but I have not yet been able to compare them on the same bass.
 
#24
Johnny Alien said:
I don't find Jazz Flats "floppy" at all. Are they low tension compared to other flats?? Absolutely. That's because most flats are fairly high tension. But are they low tension compared to a normal set of rounds? Nope. The tension is about equal to a medium to light set of D'Addario rounds. Anyone used to playing a normal set of rounds shouldn't feel that Jazz Flats are floppy. Now if all you are used to is other flats then you will certainly feel the tension difference.
Click to expand...

I agree I didn't find them floppy at all. After setting up both basses, i have nice low action. They freaking sound and feel great.
 
#25
The low tension changes my style of playing. It opens up possibilities. The tone is superb and exploring the tonal nuance they avail is a big part of the fun as well. I have several basses with different strings and electronics.

I am currently using mine with a set of Dimarzio Area PJ's. I have found that I don't like them with my Fralin Js.
 
#26
I just restringed my Jack Casady Signature with a set and WOW! I guess it is fair to say that there hasn't been a better thing that happened to me for quite a while. :D I know that could have been expected considering all the good reviews but still... Can't even imagine how the bass will sound as the strings get better over time (hope I'll feel the same way). Anyone considering these stings for their JC, I'd say do not overthink, go for it!
 
#27
TI flats are the best! I used a jazz bass strung with them on our album we recently recorded. I like that they are lively and the gauge/tension doesn't bother me coming from play ghs precision flats for years. I just got sick of the completely dead sound the ghs strings have. I am really interested in trying the TI power bass strings. Here's a clip of one of the recordings
 
Last edited:
#28
OP here. Thanks for all of the generally positive comments. To the snarky among you, thanks for the entertainment and waste of bandwidth.

I have had a few more chances to play these strings live. My goodness! I DO NOT mean to be a fan boy, I take those kind of comments with a grain of salt, but the statements that these get better with age are really true - if thye are what you like. I am about three weeks in or so and it truly is an experience that ages well.

Let me reiterate what I use and am going for stylistically: solely finger style, main bass is a 2015 Am. Std. Precision (strung thru body as Jason said they would), GK MB200 amp (hi and lo mid eq points are 1K and 250hz and both are boosted 3-4db, treble and bass in true "flat" positions or slightly less), 2 home brew cabs with 3015 Kappa's (non-LF) - no tweets or mid driver. Add in the TI strings, and for what I like to hear (fat but articulate bass that is mid-forward and not scooped), all of these things work together well - after playing bass for 21 years and spending thousands playing with my eyes and struggling to figure out how things are intended to work and how they work together in the absence of awesome internet guidance in the early years like this place, I feel like I have amassed enough knowledge to put things together to serve my purposes well as opposed to working against the way things are designed to be that I was ignorant of and wondering why I was frustrated.

Again, TI's may not be for you in the least if your goals are different than mine. Reading the list above, it is easy to think that I am a vintage tone freak - maybe I am, but to my ears, from country (all forms), classic rock, modern rock, hymns, contemporary Christian music, blues, jazz, R&B, whatever, I think the strings and rig covers it all well. Jaco/Claypool/Geddy/Clark/slap/fusion/distortion/detuned I ain't, but otherwise, this set up feels like the right tool(s) for the job I enjoy doing. Maybe I am doing it wrong, and to some of you, undoubtedly, I am, but hey, I am happy and the room is shaking with glorious articulation and warmth. Bring on even better tonal days ahead!
 
#29
J-wall said:
OP here. Thanks for all of the generally positive comments. To the snarky among you, thanks for the entertainment and waste of bandwidth.
Click to expand...

Lol! I get hacked on so much for gettin' my snark on I hadda go back through the thread and make sure I hadn't unintentionally been a dick. Honestly man I didn't see one post that mighta possibly maybe been construed as "snarky" that didn't have useful on topic info. Some folks got a little more edge in their every day manner than others but if the info is there they probably have a genuine interest in helping you out. Maybe consider that.

Glad the strings are working for you.
 
#30
Jeff Bonny said:
Lol! I get hacked on so much for gettin' my snark on I hadda go back through the thread and make sure I hadn't unintentionally been a dick. Honestly man I didn't see one post that mighta possibly maybe been construed as "snarky" that didn't have useful on topic info.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think it was just me.
J-wall said:
To the snarky among you, thanks for the entertainment and waste of bandwidth.
Click to expand...
Why, you're very welcome!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Bonny
#33
Another week, another live performance, another happy customer convinced the price was worth it!

And the feel: Amazing! This is just "right" on all levels I have thought to inspect so far. These strings have me wanting another American Std. Precision so I can have these strings on two equally awesome basses!
 
  • Like
Reactions: basslicks
#34
I've had mine on for 7 months and have put a ton of mileage on them, when I look closely I notice a nice little layer of funk. I honestly can't believe these strings sound so good!

I'm actually surprised by their versatility. If I roll the tone back on my P-bass and dig in I can actually play heavy metal and it doesn't sound out of place, or more specifically, when I listen back it's not immediately apparent that they are flats. I was playing Master of Puppets the other day and I can get a really nice chunky tone that actually sits in the mix really well!

I feel like the strings really complete the versatility of my MIA P-bass. When I play softer with the tone rolled back they have almost a double bass sound that sits perfectly in a jazz mix or wherever a double bass would sit well. When I crank the tone the old school flat sound starts to come out more, but they still have a character of their own. Muted they sound boomy and sexy as hell!

It took me a little while to get used to their tension, and it took a little while for my neck to really settle in (multiple adjustments over the course of a few weeks) but now that I'm used to them, other strings sound/feel inferior in my opinion.

As someone who used to exclusively play rounds, I'm officially a convert!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back