OT: TI Initial Observations / Feedback...

[AnthonyD]

So I've spent the weekend with my new fretless Bongo, strung with a set of TI Jazz Flats (JF344). My first impressions...

I love the tone (Bongo gets most of the credit here!) - and the balance from string to string. They are certainly "softer" under my fingers than the Chromes on my Sterling. What I expected (and hoped for) on this bass.

What's throwing me is the string sizing (100-70-56-43), in that there's a fat 'E' followed by three skinny strings. No issues with the sounds they produced - as I've already stated, I am very please with the balance in the volume and the tone across all four strings. It's simply a physical odditty that I need to accept.

One other observation is that there is a certain "tackiness" or "gripiness" to the strings, more so on the 'E' and the 'A' than the other two. Just enough to be noticeable, and very unique feel to me. I am wondering if this is normal for TIs or if there's something with this particular set, as this is my first experience with them.

Don't recall these angles being discussed in the recent past... Thoughts/commentary appreciated...

 

[shamus63]

I know exactly what you mean about the 'tackiness' and 'gripiness'...gotta keep your fingers greased (FastFret, bucket of the Colonel, whatever...) to eliminate that extra friction. Also, the reason you notice it more on the E and A strings is because of the thicker gauges on those strings.

But, they do thump!

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/forumdisplay.php?f=8

 

[adouglas]

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/forumdisplay.php?f=8

Geez. Not even a "shameless plug" disclaimer?

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Just trying to save you from the wrath of BP Anthony...just pointing you to my TI String forum where you can post any questions you want with answers to many questions. If I was "plugging" I'd have posted a link to my eBay store.

ps: Don't know where you got your TI's but you probably paid too much.

 

[neutrino]

I'm thinking about trying a set of the flat's with my bongo to see what all the fuss is about. Can I just slap a set on there? I don't want to crack the nut or whatever.



btw steve, 3 more posts and you hit 1k buddy

 

[basspastor]

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/forumdisplay.php?f=8

I read the thread on cleaning TI's. Gosh!! mine sound great; what would they sound like if I cleaned them?
p.s. I did buy mine from V.B....

 

[AnthonyD]

Thanks for the feedback... And thanks for the link Dude! I appreciate the additional information.

I'll certainly check you out when it comes to a replacement set though seeing as how flats seem to last forever, it'll be a while.

I don't expect to do anything re: the tackiness that I've described - I actually like the feel. I was just wondering if it was "normal" seeing as this is my first set of TIs.

I like, I like!

 

[Moondog]

Don't recall these angles being discussed in the recent past... Thoughts/commentary appreciated...

One thing I have heard and experienced is the very
low tension these strings provide. I've had them
on 2 Rays (fretted & FL) and I can barely provide
enough neck relief to make them work.

 

[bovinehost]

I had one bass that wouldn't - initially - adjust for proper relief with TIs. What I did was tighten the strings a bit past pitch so that the neck had more relief than normal. I let it sit like that for two days then readjusted. Voila! Perfect relief.

 

[AnthonyD]

One thing I have heard and experienced is the very
low tension these strings provide. I've had them on 2 Rays (fretted & FL) and I can barely provide enough neck relief to make them work.

They are noticeable "softer" to the touch than the Chromes on my Sterling, so I can understand - Luckily this was not a problem for me... I backed off the relief ¼~½ turn and I was fine.

As I expected, I like the TIs for the fretless - lots of expression with a very gentle touch. I like the Chromes on the fretted bass where I expect to play a bit more agressively.

 

[Moondog]

Thanks Jack, I'll give that a try

As I expected, I like the TIs for the fretless - lots of expression with a very gentle touch. I like the Chromes on the fretted bass where I expect to play a bit more agressively.

My FL came to me with Chromes & I really liked them. I switched
to TI's for experimentation and I'm not sure which I like better.
I had no issues with neck relief using the Chromes. When I
swapped in the TI's I had provide as much relief as possible.
Still, occasionally, when I fret the E-5th, I notice a slight buzz
against the board between the 5th and the nut. Other strings
are fine but I'm going to apply the "Bovine" method & see how
it goes.

 

[Bill]

I'm gonna have to try a set of these. My "other" bass's neck has too much relief with Chromes and EB flats, so I'd really like to try the TI flats on that bass.

 

[Golem]

So I've spent the weekend with my new fretless Bongo, strung with a set of TI Jazz Flats (JF344). My first impressions...

.........What's throwing me is the string sizing (100-70-56-43), in that there's a fat 'E' followed by three skinny strings. No issues with the sounds they produced - as I've already stated, I am very please with the balance in the volume and the tone across all four strings. It's simply a physical odditty that I need to accept...........

Actually, you may be feeling two oddities across the neck. One is the "different" choice of gages, but the other is more subtle to identify, yet you may be noticing it. That is the thing which TI accomplishes with that odd gaging: Nearly uniform tension for all strings, instead of the usual high tension D-G and low tension E-A typical of other string brands.

 

[Freddy-G.]

What I did was tighten the strings a bit past pitch so that the neck had more relief than normal.

I would stress the "a bit" part. I've read that overtightening a string will permanently damage it.

I don't know if the over tightening stretches the core, or pulls the windings apart. If so, this would change the sound of the string.

We may have to ask BP for confirmation.

 

[bovinehost]

Oh no, I definitely meant a bit - perhaps E would be F and so on across the board.

Just enough to get some bow in the neck, not enough to take up archery.

 

[smallequestrian]

My flats came in today, unfortunately a couple days later than expected (through nobody but the post offices fault). Too bad I have to fly to Austin tonight and I won't be able to throw them on the Penguin until tomorrow night.

 

[shamus63]

All this discussion regarding neck relief/ string tension has me wondering about the affects (if any) of occasional drop-tuning (1/2 step, in my case).

*Every now-and-then*, I have to tune down to accomodate the guitar player's tuning at certain gigs. Is that going to screw up my neck; not making adjustments?

 

[bovinehost]

You know, if it doesn't feel wrong to you, then it isn't.

I have often changed strings and not had to adjust relief at all, even though there were differences in tension between the string sets.

 

[shamus63]

Works for me! Thanks!