Tension of Hi-Beams vs. Thomastik-Infeld Power Bass?

Cube Bass

Cube Bass

Feb 1, 2015
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#1
Hi,
I`m considering some new set of strings - probably Power Bass by Thomastik, mainly because the brand is known for long lifetime of its products. And from the description of this set`s sound I guess I should like them.
My current set is DR Hi-Beams 45-105 and I wonder what is the comparison with Power Bass in terms of tension, so whether the set up of my bass would be necessary. I can fiddle with the bridge but am afraid to touch the truss rod.. My bass has a quarter sawn neck so maybe if the tension difference is slight, there should not be no need..

I found the tension chart of T-I PB (here in pounds):

E - 40.78
A - 42.76
D - 53.68
G - 46.40

But I was not able to find similiar chart for Hi-Beams. The Power Bass` gauge is thicker, but their cores are probably thinner.

So which of those have higher/lower tension and how much?

Thanks for any advice.

QBass
 
#3
The TI PowerBass strings are very flexible, but I do not remember them being drastically different than more typical strings in terms of tension. I would guess you might be okay going from Hi Beams to PowerBass without much, if any, truss rod adjustment.

In my opinion, the PowerBass strings do go very dead very fast. After about six weeks strung up on a bass that I barely used during that six week period, they ended up sounding like this (sorry for neglecting to mute the click track!):



Not a bad sound at all, but not what I was hoping for from them.
 
#4
Cube Bass said:
I found the tension chart of T-I PB (here in pounds):

E - 40.78
A - 42.76
D - 53.68
G - 46.40

But I was not able to find similiar chart for Hi-Beams. The Power Bass` gauge is thicker, but their cores are probably thinner.

So which of those have higher/lower tension and how much?
Click to expand...

Those tension numbers add up to 183.62 lbs., which is in the same general ball park as a typical set of medium-gauge (45-105) rounds.

Based on my experience with the DR Sunbeams 45-105, which are the nickel-plated version of the Hi Beams, I wouldn't expect them to be drastically different in term of tension (pulling weight on the neck).

I can't comment on the playing feel (stiffness/flexibility) as I have no experience with the TI's.
 
#5
It will probably not make any drastic difference with the neck at all. And if it does, just turn the truss rod a quarter! There's nothing to be afraid of if you only go one quarter of a turn a day.
 
#6
Thanks for the replies. So I'm not worried about the tension now.

But Trothwell's comment on them going dead very fast confused me - lot of user reviews of Thomastik-Infeld strings, including this set, mention quite an opposite. Which to be honest was big motivation to buy them. If they don`t last long I`m not sure given that price..

Anybody can comment on their life span?

This set is not available in my country, so I`m considering to add them in cart within my abroad order to benefit from free shipping.
 
#7
Cube Bass said:
Thanks for the replies. So I'm not worried about the tension now.

But Trothwell's comment on them going dead very fast confused me - lot of user reviews of Thomastik-Infeld strings, including this set, mention quite an opposite. Which to be honest was big motivation to buy them. If they don`t last long I`m not sure given that price..

Anybody can comment on their life span?

This set is not available in my country, so I`m considering to add them in cart within my abroad order to benefit from free shipping.
Click to expand...

I've had them on my jazz bass since august. They have since mellowed out, but I still love the tone.
 
#8
I think I misspoke claiming that the TI PowerBass strings went "dead" in a matter of weeks. The sound was still good, but it became pretty warm and dark. Not necessarily "dead", as in, "time to replace". They just took on this sound a lot faster than I wanted.
 
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