How much does string gauge matter?

[mica]

Mica, if you thought Jazz Flats might be a tad floppy, you should try the Jazz Rounds.

Amazing strings, either way.

I'm gonna leave them all for you, Adriaan! I can't work with the flop, but like this whole topic reveals, it's highly personal, and there's no one right answer. I also like what Mario said about the taste changing in time. What is "it" today may not work for you tomorrow.

[Tennesseemick]

Yes, thank you, Adriaan!

[adriaan]

Just to show how the  34" TI Jazz Flats sit on my 6er, which has the tailpiece moved backwards about 1/2", which together with the tuners moved about the same distance away from the nut solved the issue with the thickest part of most B strings winding around the tuner post, but which of course might cause the red windings not to clear the nut.

The bass was set up for the 0.128" B-string in the Alembic set, and the 0.136" from TI fits right in.

[adriaan]

Just for good measure, here's how 34" TI Jazz Flats fit on a regular Epic 4.

[edwardofhuncote]

I think T-I must do that extry silk for string-through body Fender, and that type. Only thing I can come up with. 

I'll post a few of all my 32" scales with T-I Jazz Flats and/or Rounds here for additional reference. Good idea. 

[jazzyvee]

Ok one of my legenandary naive questions. 🤪. Are the silks actually real silk or is it just a generic term used now for the coloured bits of thread at the ends of the strings. 🤔😊

[Tennesseemick]

I've had the TI jazz flats on for a few weeks now and love them! Their silky floppiness is what I was looking for. With the dials set more to the neck-end pick up, treble down, and bass up, the tone is smooooooth, but when I kick up the saddle-end pick up and dial up the treble, I can get an awesome bite! They definitely perform up to their reputation.

[dannobasso]

My friend Tony Senatore raves about Ernie Ball Cobalt flats and I hear Percy Jones is a huge fan as well. I'm partial to DR DDT's myself.
Alembic strings are also in abundance on my 5 string Alembics too.

[Tennesseemick]

Ok one of my legenandary naive questions. 🤪. Are the silks actually real silk or is it just a generic term used now for the coloured bits of thread at the ends of the strings. 🤔😊

There is silk inlay between the core and winding. The winding is finished to a silky touch, though. So, it's both. https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/family-detail/jazz%20flat%20wound

[bigredbass]

Just always bear in mind:  A given set of sizes in bass strings (let's say, for instance, the usual 45-65-85-105 four-string set most companies offer) will vary in feel and tension from one brand to another, some not as much as others, and then some will have a marked difference.  Go from round to ground to flats (or exposed-core) strings, and you may feel a big difference and the action may need to be tweaked one way or another.

String-making (like pickups) is a Black Art, and T-I's can be right at the top of that list in the 'gee these are real close to my old sizes, but man they feel way different'.  Great strings, but they always provoke a mental picture of Teutonic hard-headed sureness to me.