These seem to be priced at $75-$95 for a 4-string long scale set, But I found out from a poster at TDPRI that an Amazon seller has them listed as an accordion accessory (?!) and has them priced at $57.81.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00162ZSW6
I'm not interested but some of you might be.
Do we experience a T-I string craze resurgence? :mrgreen:
I remember those things becoming kind of a mono-theme at the Dudepit. Those T-I Flats especially were a rubbery lot - in weird gauges. Not for someone like me who digs the manly pull (and eternal life!) of D'Addario Chromes. 8)
Beware of Austrians! We should know.
You need a light touch , but they're great strings.
Mostly play short scales now and I like something stiffer on a short scale.
Good price!
They're still loved by some. Nothing at all wrong with that if it suits your style (and ear).
Dude was a T-I dealer and really hyped them. Some members would jump on anything he promoted.
TI's and Darkstars were the saviors of all bass at the Dudepit. My fretless Ripper came to me with TI Flats and after a while I changed to Chromes which I usually prefer. I've been thinking of switching back because on the fretless it feels better with looser tension.
TIs and the Pit got me to try flats for the first time, but as soon as I tried some Chromes (and then LaBellas) a few years later, I was done ever wanting or buying TIs again. I'm glad I learned about them though because for some reason I'd never considered flats before then.
They're still the most common string on the 34 in basses I have. If you play with a light touch they're a great string. I do put fresh rounds on the old Ray every once in a while.
I do prefer something stiffer with a short scale. Most have LaBella flats , but the Longhorn I tend to gig with has 24 year old rounds , and I keep fresh BriteWires on the Jr.
Quote from: doombass on December 02, 2022, 05:09:07 PM
TI's and Darkstars were the saviors of all bass at the Dudepit.
and the J-Retro.
Don't forget the Cafe Walter.
Quote from: morrow on December 04, 2022, 05:43:18 AM
Don't forget the Cafe Walter.
Yes!
I like TI JF344's for flats. I just like Ernie Ball Group IV a little more.
Walter is still around, but he only makes the piezo buffer, not the headphone amp.
Whatever the bass related product, if Steve could make a buck or so on commission, he was all in hyping it up. Even if he wasn't an authorized dealer. Most of those products were good, but regardless, there were always a bunch of members ready to jump on any bandwagon he started.
Last time I checked, a couple of years ago, Steve was working on a ranch in New Mexico. Now he says he's a certified Level 1 ski instructor at a resort about 25 miles south of Taos. Whatever, I hope he's found himself.
Quote from: morrow on December 04, 2022, 05:43:18 AM
Don't forget the Cafe Walter.
I still use my headphone amp regularly. That is, when I can get it away from my 15 year old son. I love that thing.
I have them on my 5 string AEB and that's it... my only 5 string too... has a nice tone... stuck with Roto 77's for too many years on my other fretless instruments...
If it ain't broke... lol
I always liked the low tension and textured sound of TI's.
I broke a G string recently and put an La Bella (low tension) in it's place and they feel and sound the same.
Quote from: Rob on December 15, 2022, 12:03:26 PM
I always liked the low tension and textured sound of TI's.
I broke a G string recently and put an La Bella (low tension) in it's place and they feel and sound the same.
That's interesting.
I put the Labella low tensions on one of my short scale basses and really couldn't tell any difference compared to the Labella 760FL light gauge flats that I normally use. At least they're less expensive than the TIs.
Quote from: Pilgrim on December 17, 2022, 10:01:42 AM
That's interesting.
I put the Labella low tensions on one of my short scale basses and really couldn't tell any difference compared to the Labella 760FL light gauge flats that I normally use. At least they're less expensive than the TIs.
Agree! I bought the TI's initially thinking they would resolve any tension problems on my old P bass (like yours).
I do like the textured sound they deem to bring but the Labella's do it too.
I tried the low tension Labellas and thought they sounded quite different from the regular Labellas. Didn't care for the tone.
Quote from: Dave W on December 19, 2022, 11:15:02 PM
I tried the low tension Labellas and thought they sounded quite different from the regular Labellas. Didn't care for the tone.
I have medium scale LaBella LTF's on almost all my Höfners. Too bright when new but once they're broken in I like them. They're not easy to find in medium scale so when I do find a dealer that stocks them I get a couple extra sets.
For long scale flats, as some of you know, I'm a big fan of Ernie Ball Group IV (
NOT the Slinky flats!). I switched to EB after years of TI JF's. The .040 set is a little stiffer than TI's, and has better tone and feel for my taste. And they cost about half of TI's.
I use the Group III. Great flats and moderately priced. But I still like rounds more.
Quote from: Dave W on December 20, 2022, 07:47:15 AM
I use the Group III. Great flats and moderately priced. But I still like rounds more.
For me it's rounds on the Jazz, Rics, Yamaha, and EB-0L; and flats on the P's and hollowbody Höfners.