New string choice for Gibsons

[drbassman]

Some of you might remember that I've always been a TI flats fan.  Recently, I've been trying the TI jazz rounds on my new basses and I am really liking them!  I put them on the NR reissue and the Midtown and the basses really boom and resonate.  The TIs have several advantages from my viewpoint.  First, they are lower tension and lighter gauge than most round strings.  Easy to play and bend, if you're into that.  Second, the outer wire wraps are much smaller and closer together than most rounds, thus they feel much smoother than typical rounds and are easier on your fingers.  They have that signature round wound ring and clarity to them and I'm leaving them on the two new Gibson.  They sound great and I love the way they play.  Overpriced and maybe overrated?  A little maybe, but I am sold on them for now unless there is a very close alternative.  Do you know of any?

The genuine Gibson rounds that came on the two basses could be used to cut down tree limbs for cryin' out loud!

[OldManC]

Years ago when everyone was buying TI flats from some guy I ordered some to try (I'd never played flats) and I ordered some Jazz Rounds as well. I really liked both but I think I've come to understand why some have issues with the flats. I'd happily buy more Jazz Rounds the next time I need some.

[drbassman]

Hey George, the first time I tried the TI jazz rounds was on your black TB I bought from you.  They sound great on that bass!

[gweimer]

I had TI Rounds on the Holy Crap bass, and they sounded outstanding.  For my fanfret Precision, I went with Roto RB-40's.  I loved those on that bass, but I'm back to being a TI Flat devotee on both of my remaining basses.

[drbassman]

Yeah, I've experienced lots of different rounds, especially on new basses.  Thus far, TIs do it for me.

[nofi]

are they still slightly sticky when new?

[drbassman]

are they still slightly sticky when new?

I haven't noticed any stickiness on the ones I've installed recently.  Boy have we opened a can of worms here.  Hope Uwe doesn't see this, he can't help himself!

[uwe]

That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.


I hate to disappoint.

[gweimer]

That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.

I hate to disappoint.

Play a series of fast triplets on the sweet spot, and they will loosen up quite nicely.

[drbassman]

That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.


I hate to disappoint.

I got that!!!  Yuck.  You mean all you have to do is play them to make them sticky?  Oh, I thought you'd come up with something more nefarious!  Well, fortunately for me, I have underachieving sweat glands in my hands, so they are very dry.  No gunk or stickies left on my bass strings/necks after I play.  The one bright side to eczema!

Is it their construction or small grooves created by the tighter windings, I wonder?  

[drbassman]

Play a series of fast triplets on the sweet spot, and they will loosen up quite nicely.

I just tug on them after tuning a few times and they stay put very nicely.

[uwe]

That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.


I hate to disappoint.

There were no spelling mistakes in that first sentence, meine Herren! It's not "seemingly" and its not "sticky". 

Diese Amerikaner ...

[TBird1958]

That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.


I hate to disappoint.

 I think you're just used to the basses I send you 

[CJ737]

 Paging drbassman,email me please.

[Dave W]

Seriously, it must be something in the manufacturing process. There were also reports of TI flats being sticky at first.