TI Jazz flatwounds: year first manufactured?

Bruiser Stone

Bruiser Stone

Supporting Member
Dec 7, 2017
1,884
4,123
4,926
Dayton, TN
#1
This will probably be answered in short order, but I've researched several places to determine when Thomastik-Infeld first manufactured its JF344 flatwounds. According to its website, TI has been in business since 1919, and makes strings for many different instruments, but I haven't found when it started manufacturing this particular set. I'm curious as to early bassists who first used them, and maybe even why TI designed them as they are...to me, they are a curious anomaly in the realm of flatwound strings. I know Carol Kaye and Pino Palladino are fans, but I'm interested in other notable players who favor them.

I've had a set on my bass for 3 months that I've taken off and on twice, alternating with La Bellas, and I'm on the fence. Sometimes a little historical context helps me understand the intentions behind design and marketing.
 
#4
michael_t said:
How would knowing when TI started making the JF344 help you decide if they're the right strings for you or not?
Click to expand...

It won’t necessarily help. It’s more of a curiosity, but sometimes knowing the intended market demographic behind a design is enlightening, or it is for me.

As for playability, I’ve got pros and cons, and that of course is the ultimate factor, but I like context.

The above, plus shaking the tree with random questions sometimes jostles loose unintended fruit.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jim Ingraham and Marihino
#5
I started using the jf344 sometime in the mid 90’s. Dude Barr (the Dudepit) was extolling their virtues, so I dropped them on a couple of basses I had with great results. Sometime in the late 90’s a local GC was blowing them out for $25/set, so I picked up a couple more sets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yahboy and Bruiser Stone
#6
Luckydog said:
I started using the jf344 sometime in the mid 90’s. Dude Barr (the Dudepit) was extolling their virtues, so I dropped them on a couple of basses I had with great results. Sometime in the late 90’s a local GC was blowing them out for $25/set, so I picked up a couple more sets.
Click to expand...

Bruiser Stone said:
The above, plus shaking the tree with random questions sometimes jostles loose unintended fruit.
Click to expand...

Here’s a good example of happy tangential produce from the TB tree:
What is the Dudepit?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back