TI SuperAlloys -vs- PowerBass -vs- Jazz Rounds

jallenbass

jallenbass

Commercial User
May 17, 2005
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#1
I've been moving a set of TI SuperAlloys around to different basses and am really enjoying their sound on every bass I've tried them on especially in a band setting. Great mids, articulate when played softly and aggressive (but not abrasive) when played hard. I get the most dynamic range from them out of any string I've tried. I'm now curious about the other TI rounds. Any experiences?
 
#2
Jazz Rounds are a totally different world, they are thin, almost flatwound (they are kind of compression wound), and sound extremely mellow and middy. if you search, there is a topic I opened about them, with samples and pictures.
 
#3
I found the TI PowerBass set very mellow and nearly flatwound-like in tone, like Pier_ described the Jazz Rounds. I thought they were extremely high quality strings overall, but "mellow and nearly flatwound-like" was not what I was hoping for out of them. If that's what you want, buy a set today! Great product.

And in turn, I am curious what their Super Alloy set sounds like...
 
#4
trothwell said:
I found the TI PowerBass set very mellow and nearly flatwound-like in tone, like Pier_ described the Jazz Rounds. I thought they were extremely high quality strings overall, but "mellow and nearly flatwound-like" was not what I was hoping for out of them. If that's what you want, buy a set today! Great product.

And in turn, I am curious what their Super Alloy set sounds like...
Click to expand...

The SuperAlloys are definitely not "mellow and nearly flatwound-like".
 
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#5
i only have experience with the jazz rounds = i like them a lot and gig with them regularly. i like the small/thin gauge, the 'loose' tension feel, and the overall feel of the round windings.

i may have to try the superalloys. edit: whoops: they are to heavy for my fretless style!
 
#6
I will only add that the SuperAlloy's just sound "bigger" and maybe not as focused as the Jazz Rounds. More lows and highs--but not brittle or harsh, but not scooped like many rounds. They are not similar at all. The Jazz Rounds seem to go more in the flat direction as Pier said. The really loose tension of the Jazz Rounds takes some getting use to--and I like light strings. The SA's are really nice, but don't get much love for some reason. I have them on a '64 T-Bird and it sounds fantastic. The strings sounded good on other basses from what I recall, but it's been a while since they were on anything else.
 
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#7
I've used all the TI strings over the years. I like them all, but don't use the power strings. I don't remember why...
The power and superalloys are the only round-type string that has the tension and gauge similar to industry standard. The Jazz Rounds are downright floppy, and can be impossible to set up if your bridge only goes so high and your truss only goes so far to provide relief. The Flats are also low tension and can have the same problem with setup.
The Jazz rounds and Flats do last forever it seems. And there are no strings like them from anywhere else. I think of the flats as the spircore of e-bass.
The Superalloy are great, but they do die, and when they go they get rather tight and harsh. There are other strings similar from US brands- the alloy is the 52% nickel type. I like the lighter gauge, but it's only made in the XL string length and at that length, they tend to break up in my tuners.
On that note, I'm curious if anyone has tried 52% nickel strings from other makers? I just learned all of this recently and would prefer to use American companies if their 52% nickel strings have a similar tone/tension profile. La Bella 52, GHS balanced nickel, DAddario half rounds (which I haven't tried in 25+years), B52's, etc. Do these sound like
 
#8
SeayBass said:
I'm curious if anyone has tried 52% nickel strings from other makers? I just learned all of this recently and would prefer to use American companies if their 52% nickel strings have a similar tone/tension profile. La Bella 52, GHS balanced nickel, DAddario half rounds (which I haven't tried in 25+years), B52's, etc.
Click to expand...

What TI calls "Super Alloy" is very similar to "Alloy 52 (nickel-iron)" used by GHS for the Progressives (rounds), Pressurewounds (rollerwound) and Brite Flats (half-rounds).

The Pressurewounds (ML7200) are my favorite for their responsiveness with extra punch and crunch with smoother surface texture.

(Note: GHS Balanced Nickels and D'A Half-rounds are both pure nickel, which is very different in their tonal characteristics from the nickel-iron alloy.)
 
#11
SeayBass said:
are pure nickel strings darker lower tension? I notice a smoother feel and warmer tone with more mid presence from nickel plated strings. I also hear more creamy mids from the superalloy. Is pure nickel that on steroids?
Click to expand...

My experience is with the GHS Balanced Nickels (pure nickel), Round Core Boomers (nickel-plated steel) and the Pressurewounds (nickel-iron alloy).

The BNs are warmer than the RCBs.
The mids are creamier with the BNs than the PWs, which have crunchier mids than the BN.

Here's an interesting fact about the tension... (as in the actual pulling weight)

The BN Light (40-56-76-101) and the RCB Medium (45-65-85-105) are almost identical at 172-173 lbs. in total tension.
 
#12
more great info- thanks. I might have hijacked this thread a little. . . sorry.
I just ordered a few sets to try from BSO- Fender pure nickel, DR Hellborg, and La Bella 52's... And I chose lighter gauges and now I read your info on tensions, I'm glad I chose lighter!
thanks man.
 
#14
honestly it is because I find GHS G strings to be oddly tight and thin in relation to the rest of the strings in their sets. I have used Progressives, Boomers, and Pressurewound before, and found this consistently the case. I suspect this is less true for the Balanced Nickel sets. Oh yeah and Everything I bought is cheaper than GHS Balanced Nickel. :)
#cheapskatemusician
 
#15
SeayBass said:
honestly it is because I find GHS G strings to be oddly tight and thin in relation to the rest of the strings in their sets. I have used Progressives, Boomers, and Pressurewound before, and found this consistently the case. I suspect this is less true for the Balanced Nickel sets. Oh yeah and Everything I bought is cheaper than GHS Balanced Nickel. :)
#cheapskatemusician
Click to expand...

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