The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: drbassman on November 19, 2012, 05:47:17 PM
-
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!
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
Yeah, I've experienced lots of different rounds, especially on new basses. Thus far, TIs do it for me.
-
are they still slightly sticky when new?
-
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!
-
That is semenly still the issue with those strings, especially the G-string can get all stucky.
I hate to disappoint.
-
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.
-
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?
-
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.
-
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". :mrgreen:
Diese Amerikaner ...
-
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 ;D
-
Paging drbassman,email me please.
-
Seriously, it must be something in the manufacturing process. There were also reports of TI flats being sticky at first.
-
Seriously, it must be something in the manufacturing process. There were also reports of TI flats being sticky at first.
I've been through a few sets and never encountered that.
-
I didn't find any sticky either. Must be a chemistry thing.
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!
;)
-
I don't remember them being sticky either, though it's been many years -- I really dislike them so didn't buy again. But I do remember there was talk about it, how they could be sticky at first until played for a while.
-
In all seriousness I must be doing it wrong.
I put a set of TI Flats on my '89 Bird once...........just once, I sure didn't hear the magic - just me tho.
-
In all seriousness I must be doing it wrong.
I put a set of TI Flats on my '89 Bird once...........just once, I sure didn't hear the magic - just me tho.
You're not alone. I bought a couple of sets after hearing all the buzz and tried them on several basses before giving up. Wide, blurry midrange with not enough fundamental. Definitely not for me.
-
The first set of TI Flats I got had me adjust my action a little. I had never played low tension strings before and they took a little changing of some small things to get the magic out of them.
-
The first set of TI Flats I got had me adjust my action a little. I had never played low tension strings before and they took a little changing of some small things to get the magic out of them.
That wasn't my issue at all. I had been using LaBella tapewounds on a couple of my basses, and they are very low tension.
-
It's simply a matter of tightening the truss rod adjustment just a bit to flatten the neck out since the lower tension tends to let the neck relax a little. Not a big deal. Then, they sound great. Don't know about magic, don't believe in it!
-
The TIs are .043 .051 .068 .089 The 'Low Tension' is mainly a result of the thin diameter
You can buy much less expensive strings of similar diameters and get good results, for example D'Addario EXL220TP Extra Light .040 .060 .075 .090, twin packs for $24.98. They are a smooth nickel roundwound.
I like the sound of fresh roundwounds. I'd rather change a decent set five times than play one expensive set five times as long, especially nickel which loses tone quicker than stainless. Gibson pays less than $5 a set for their OEM strings, that's probably why they are so rough.
My favorite reasonably priced nickel Roundwounds are Ken Smith Bass Burners, around $22 a set. Silk wrap at both ends, bright even tone and smooth. Only available in .045-.105 but that's what I like in a roundwound. Fairly long life.
Strings and Beyond is having a 15% off Black Friday Sale lasting until Monday, including TIs. Free shipping with $35 order. I've been very happy with freshness, service and quick shipping.
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/bagust.html
It's simply a matter of tightening the truss rod adjustment just a bit to flatten the neck out since the lower tension tends to let the neck relax a little. Not a big deal. Then, they sound great. Don't know about magic, don't believe in it!
Lighter strings require LOOSENING the trussrod to attain the same relief as thicker strings. It's basic physics, not magic. I'm not saying you didn't have to tighten the trussrod when doing a set up but it wasn't due to the lighter TIs vs what were taken off.
-
Righty tighty - lefty loosy. I think it was more a case of that. Der gute Doktor surely meant loosening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-bmeQ-OrS4
-
The TIs are .043 .051 .068 .089 The 'Low Tension' is mainly a result of the thin diameter
You can buy much less expensive strings of similar diameters and get good results, for example D'Addario EXL220TP Extra Light .040 .060 .075 .090, twin packs for $24.98. They are a smooth nickel roundwound.
I like the sound of fresh roundwounds. I'd rather change a decent set five times than play one expensive set five times as long, especially nickel which loses tone quicker than stainless. Gibson pays less than $5 a set for their OEM strings, that's probably why they are so rough.
My favorite reasonably priced nickel Roundwounds are Ken Smith Bass Burners, around $22 a set. Silk wrap at both ends, bright even tone and smooth. Only available in .045-.105 but that's what I like in a roundwound. Fairly long life.
Strings and Beyond is having a 15% off Black Friday Sale lasting until Monday, including TIs. Free shipping with $35 order. I've been very happy with freshness, service and quick shipping.
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/bagust.html
Lighter strings require LOOSENING the trussrod to attain the same relief as thicker strings. It's basic physics, not magic. I'm not saying you didn't have to tighten the trussrod when doing a set up but it wasn't due to the lighter TIs vs what were taken off.
Assuming the neck has a natural relief when then tension is released when higher tension strings are removed. Otherwise, you make sense with your comments and I may have forgotten which way I turned the rod! I can't remember squat these days!
-
I'm the odd man out with my preference for Labella 760FL Deep Talkin' Flats....and the older the better. I play the light gauge .043-.104 sets on most of my basses.
-
I've pretty much gone all round core. I used DR Hi Beams and TI Jazz Flats. I find the TI's sound really good on P basses. It did take some time to get used to the looseness but now I can't stand medium or high tension strings.
-
How sad that I'm always the only guy that loves the way EB Cobalts sound. They're just so damned punchy in all the right places. You guys can keep your flats ;D
-
Horses for courses. I'm omnivorous. There is a place and a time for roundwounds and one for flats. And everything in between.
-
It only took one set of those TI Flats.
Rounds forever for this girl ;)
-
Regular nickel plated steel Ernie Ball Slinkys in rounds, La Bella in flats for me.
-
I'll try anything once, twice if I like it!
-
I like the sound of fresh roundwounds. I'd rather change a decent set five times than play one expensive set five times as long, especially nickel which loses tone quicker than stainless.
Agree. Thats why I'm sticking with webstrings. Their sound may not be "top" lets say like rotos, but they're cheap enough to buy bulk and change 'em often. Their stainless are bright and not so rough as rotos, nickels are good all-around strings, and also their flats are very good. Now where's my free string sets webstrings people? :P
Also they got good electric and classical guitar sets, their acoustic guitar sets are not so good thru, they die quickly.
-
Having an array of basses (as most have here) ranging from long & short scale solids & hollow & semi hollow, I have tried a lot of the strings out there, my preference over the years has been for flats and only in the last couple of years or so have I ventured in the rounds. So each bass has it's possibilities. For example having @ Les Paul Signature basses, one has flats one has rounds. The Epi JC has GHS Flats and the Epi JC Prototype has Roto '66 LDN's as does the Fender 60AV Precision. The FEnder Jazz has La Bella Flat ML's (they are a little less tense). The Hofner's all have Pyramid Flats, except the 500/2 violin varnished critter.
The TI's always required extreme neck adjustment (esp. on the Fenders whose necks are a pain in the something or other to take on and off). Gibson Supreme GHS flats. PRS 4 '86 Dean Markley flats as do the Celinders. My Martin acoustic does have the same set of flats since '95 (not sure what they are). I do love old flat strings. I think with rounds you have to keep them fresh. I do have an old Silvertone with rounds that have almost turned black and that sounds supreme however. So each instrument has it's place in my sound and feel facet.
-
I have gone back to Slinkies for rounds...GHS for flats
-
I'm using TI Jazz Rounds on my 73 Ric and I love them. I always get compliments on the tone.
-
You can buy much less expensive strings of similar diameters and get good results, for example D'Addario EXL220TP Extra Light .040 .060 .075 .090, twin packs for $24.98. They are a smooth nickel roundwound.
Thanks for posting this. I have these strings on my '66 NR T-Bird that has had the head broken many times and I'm scared to use a higher tendion string. The last time I tried to order them they were not available. Good to see they're available again.
-
Thanks for posting this. I have these strings on my '66 NR T-Bird that has had the head broken many times and I'm scared to use a higher tendion string. The last time I tried to order them they were not available. Good to see they're available again.
You're welcome. This week was the first time I'd seen Extra Lights Twin Packs (actually Super Light EXL 220TP) on the Strings and Beyond site. Before that they'd only had Regular Lights, Med and Light top/Med bottom TPs.
-
Righty tighty - lefty loosy.
Unless you have a pre-1969 Chrysler... :)
I'm the odd man out with my preference for Labella 760FL Deep Talkin' Flats....and the older the better. I play the light gauge .043-.104 sets on most of my basses.
You're not! I love LaBella Deep Talkin' flats and have them on 5 of my basses. They are awesome.
-
Unless you have a pre-1969 Chrysler... :)
Yeah, adjusting old Chrysler truss rods was always a problem.
You're not! I love LaBella Deep Talkin' flats and have them on 5 of my basses. They are awesome.
I have them on one bass.
LaBella makes some extra light rounds and flats too, though they're more expensive than D'addarios.
-
Anyway, string tension isn't magic. For a given frequency and scale length, it's determined by the weight of the string. There's an exact formula for it: T=(UW x (2 x L x F)²) / 386.4 where T is tension, UW is weight in pounds per linear inch, L is scale length in inches and F is frequency. (h/t D'addario for the formula).
Since the core of a steel string is solid and the windings aren't, if you have two strings of the same diameter and one has more tension than the other, it's usually because of different core weight/size.
I'm talking about actual tension on the neck, not how stiff the strings feel.
-
labella tape wound strings are the only ones i use. i first discovered them in the early seventies on a used ric that i bought.
-
Yeah, adjusting old Chrysler truss rods was always a problem.
The lug nuts on the left front wheel of those Chryslers were "righty loosey, lefty tighty". When I got my first '66 Dodge I didn't know that and spent at least an hour tightening those damn things!
-
I remember those Denis. Do you know why they did this? Was it only on the front wheel on the one side? I thought it was on all of the wheels but I can't remember that far back!
-
I remember those Denis. Do you know why they did this? Was it only on the front wheel on the one side? I thought it was on all of the wheels but I can't remember that far back!
My '66 Dodge had reverse threading on the left side tires. I found out about this the hard way, when I broke a lug wrench trying to change tires.
-
Do you know why they did this?
Supposedly it's to keep the lug nuts from rotating loose due to the direction of rotation being opposite the way they tighten. Standard procedure for knock off wheels but totally unnecessary for lug nuts.
-
The lug nuts on the left front wheel of those Chryslers were "righty loosey, lefty tighty". When I got my first '66 Dodge I didn't know that and spent at least an hour tightening those damn things!
Same on Studebaker and Fiat. More than a few stretched lug studs were replaced because of this.
-
Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried the DR Sunbeams???
-
Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried the DR Sunbeams???
I used a set in March per customer request on the NR51 that recently went from California to Scott to Jim. I liked them but only had the bass built for a few days before shipping it out so I don't know about longevity.
-
What company is Gibson using to make their (bass) strings out of their factory?
-
I used a set in March per customer request on the NR51 that recently went from California to Scott to Jim. I liked them but only had the bass built for a few days before shipping it out so I don't know about longevity.
Are they nickel round wounds or flats?
-
New to the herd in short scale (faded brown SG w/rounds)
-
Are they nickel round wounds or flats?
Roundwound
-
Roundwound
Thanks, they never say on the DR site! You just have to assume. Did you take note of the tension or effort required to play them?
-
Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried the DR Sunbeams???
I have a set on one of my Carvins and I love them. I had forgotton which DR string they were with names like Hi-Beams, Lo-beams, Sunbeams, moonbeams, I got confused. But after just looking, the Sunbeams are roundwound nickle,, so that is what I got. I won't buy SS strings.
EDIT: Now I'm really not sure. The packaging on the Lo-Riders looks familiar. It might be those that I have.
-
Thanks, they never say on the DR site! You just have to assume. Did you take note of the tension or effort required to play them?
They don't say on their site, but I would assume that their strings are all roundwound except the "Flat wound Bass LEGEND ™" strings, which I assume are flatwound.
-
Thanks, they never say on the DR site! You just have to assume. Did you take note of the tension or effort required to play them?
Not much effort is required with action set at .07" (1/16+" at the 12th fret. :).
-
Not much effort is required with action set at .07" (1/16+" at the 12th fret. :).
Sounds right up my alley. I'm gonona try a set. Thanks!
-
Sounds right up my alley. I'm gonona try a set. Thanks!
Look forward to your review.
-
I now have the newish fancy pants Ernie Ball Cobalt strings
(http://cdn.ernieball.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/product_325x325/13270907472733.png)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAU1n1HM5oA
on my BFG LP Bass, just for the heck of it, will play it tonight at a rehearsal. Last I heard the term cobalt, it was in connection with a cobalt bomb and these guys were praying to it: "Glory to the Bomb and the Holy Fallout ...". It can't be healthy playing them then.
(http://johnrfultz.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/mutants.jpg?w=717&h=306)
-
I now have the newish fancy pants Ernie Ball Cobalt strings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAU1n1HM5oA
At 1:55 he says "I mean these speak probably better than any string on the market, I think" while he's shaking his head "no". It's gotta be tough to be an endorser.
What do you think of them Uwe?
-
Let me play them at the rehearsal first, I'll then report. They have a nice midrange, bit like pressure wounds, but more comfortable in feel.
It probably wasn't the smartest thing to put them on the BFG LP Bass. That bass is such a large chunk of maho, it's a bit dark and sluggish in tone, you're most aggressive mid-devoid stainless steel strings would likely do well there.
-
Yeah, I'm waiting for an unbiased review! Especially how they feel to play. The tone sounded nice enough to me in the video. Again, I'm slowly moving toward more treble in my output, just not too much.
-
Not to change the subject, but has anyone tried the DR Sunbeams???
I'm in the process of switching all my roundwound equipped basses to Sunbeams. Somebody gave me a set almost two years ago which I installed on my "go-to" bass - a Frankenstein P-style bass with a TB+ at the bridge. I just replaced them with another set, as the tone and top end had finally started to wane. I can't think of a bad thing to say about 'em - they obviously held up well, the tone is exactly what I wanted and they were sufficiently pliable to satisfy a bender/hammer-er like myself. One thing I did not expect is that they seemed to be much easier on the fingers than any other string I've played - ever. DR is also located - literally - just down the road from me here in NJ, so that's a plus as well. I'm amazed i hadn't tried them sooner.
-
I'm in the process of switching all my roundwound equipped basses to Sunbeams. Somebody gave me a set almost two years ago which I installed on my "go-to" bass - a Frankenstein P-style bass with a TB+ at the bridge. I just replaced them with another set, as the tone and top end had finally started to wane. I can't think of a bad thing to say about 'em - they obviously held up well, the tone is exactly what I wanted and they were sufficiently pliable to satisfy a bender/hammer-er like myself. One thing I did not expect is that they seemed to be much easier on the fingers than any other string I've played - ever. DR is also located - literally - just down the road from me here in NJ, so that's a plus as well. I'm amazed i hadn't tried them sooner.
Cool, I'm looking forward to trying them. Thanks for the report.
-
Cobalt Slinkys: because some people will believe anything.
And I say that as an Ernie Ball fan. String companies are always looking for the next big thing to hype. But that's what it is: hype. Find the sound that works for you. It's not magic.
-
Cobalt Slinkys: because some people will believe anything.
And I say that as an Ernie Ball fan. String companies are always looking for the next big thing to hype. But that's what it is: hype. Find the sound that works for you. It's not magic.
That goes for everything, and is the reason I really hate marketing companies. "Hey look, 87 flavors of vodka!" :-\
-
Buyer beware..........and smart about your choices.
-
Cobalt Slinkys: because some people will believe anything.
And I say that as an Ernie Ball fan. String companies are always looking for the next big thing to hype. But that's what it is: hype. Find the sound that works for you. It's not magic.
Any brand of strings I see I give a try unless they look totally fishy. I'm rarely disappointed. All strings sound in a certain way and don't sound in another, sometimes it fits the bass, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes you like it, sometimes you don't.
-
Any brand of strings I see I give a try unless they look totally fishy. I'm rarely disappointed. All strings sound in a certain way and don't sound in another, sometimes it fits the bass, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes you like it, sometimes you don't.
There are only a few sets of guitar or bass strings I've tried that sound bad to me. OTOH because a certain set works with a certain bass it's not because the strings are better and certainly not because of the manufacturer's hype. It just happens to sound better with that bass.
-
The Cobalts sound ... even! There, I said it. Everything is there, but everything is a little subdued. Depending on your nature you either like that or find it boring. There is focused bass, focused mids and focused presence, but no mud, no grinding mids and no sizzzzzzzzzling treble. And they feel nice. Probably the right string for you if you don't want to (or need to) pull your bass into one direction. If anything they have richer mids than most strings, but of the type that never get in the way with the music or sound "honky". Don't use them for your Motörhead tribute, ok?!
That is probably an anticlimatic surmising of mine (and not too far away from what Herr Jackson found): Strings that don't change the world, but make it a nicer place! :mrgreen:
-
Thanks Uwe. A little less biased than Herr Jackson's review.
-
I wonder how uranium strings would sound.... :D
-
I'm sure they would have amazing half-life periods. Like a couple of thousand years? Eat your heart out Elixir!
Of course the industry will never make them because they could only sell one set for one bass and never have a repeat customer.
-
I'm sure they would have amazing half-life periods. Like a couple of thousand years? Eat your heart out Elixir!
Of course the industry will never make them because they could only sell one set for one bass and never have a repeat customer.
Sure they would. They would come out with coated uranium strings, then after that market is saturated, color coatings would follow. There will always be customers who will have to try out the latest fad.
-
"For a radiant sound!"