Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Rounds

Johnny Alien · #1 01-26-2010, 04:01 PM

So we have a thread about the flatwounds but not the rounds. Also searching the forums I see there is a 4-1 ratio of flat threads to rounds.

I just picked up a set and it will be my first try with them.

I have played every other TI string including the Flats, Superalloys and Powerbass but these will be new to me. I am still a tad apprehensive about the low tension but I do enjoy a lower tension and I wanted a smoother easier round for a Fullerton reissue I have coming to me.

Anyone using these? Like them? Is the E string too skinny?

improvpwnd · #2 01-27-2010, 04:07 PM

I use them on my Roscoe 6. My favorite string on that bass so far. The E is great. Its skinny, but balanced with the other strings. Plenty of low end for my needs. I really, really love these strings. They feel and sound excellent. I wish more people talked about them too!

BluesWalker · #3 01-27-2010, 04:12 PM

I used to use them on my Fender Roscoe Beck 5-string. They still are the best single-bass, round-wound strings I ever played. The low tension, string feel and sound were a perfect for my playing style and the sound I strive for. The only reason I no longer use them is that I switched to headless basses and double-ball strings.

Johnny Alien · #4 01-27-2010, 05:07 PM

I got the strings today and the bass comes on Friday. I am anxious to try them but fear I may need to have a new nut cut.

GML · #5 01-27-2010, 05:23 PM

Could you comment on your experience with the Superalloys and Powerbass strings? I am looking for a round wound 5 string set that is very clean with a reduced amount of growl. (No flames please). I have had the Superalloys on my list of strings to try for some time.

Graeme

Johnny Alien · #6 01-27-2010, 08:42 PM

Superalloys are a great string. Medium tension and very mellow. They sound broken in from the time you put them on. I would go for them on this bass but I wanted something a little lower tension.

PowerBass are higher tension (although not too high) fairly close to a standard set of D'Addario's or similar. Very high output and very zingy. The zingyness tends to last awhile to. I like these for aggressive rock but not my favorite TI string. Also much pricier than the Superalloys.

KYJazzy · #7 01-27-2010, 09:52 PM

I love TI Jazz rounds and still have my set, even though they aren't strung up on any of my basses currently (mainly because of travel and only having one bass, a P, at the moment).

they are EXTREMELY well balanced strings from bottom to top. Effortless to play and you will have to change your play style for sure if you've only played 105-45 strings your whole life. that said these really articulate every nuance of your playing and sound great while doing it. A very natural sounding roundwound to me.

check out tb member lokire's videos on youtube to hear them in all their glory. here's one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYcZ5BoV2Yo

Johnny Alien · #8 02-04-2010, 06:33 PM

Got them put on this bass today.

Amazing. Easily my favorite roundwound string now. It does require a slightly different touch but it loses no low end with the lower tension and the mids are great.

sal4bass · #9 02-05-2010, 11:59 PM

These strings became my favorite the first time I used them. Great "woody" tone and they last forever. The older they get the better they seem to sound. I had a set that was over 3 years old that was killer but finally wore out. I even like to slap them, though they are not a bright sounding string. The only other string I use now is the DR Sunbeam in .40-.95, but I prefer the TI Jazz Rounds most of the time. You may grow to like them even more over time.

strappa · #10 02-06-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

Superalloys are a great string. Medium tension and very mellow. They sound broken in from the time you put them on. I would go for them on this bass but I wanted something a little lower tension.

absolutely agree with this.
the superalloys are a great string.
a nice smooth overall sound.
I had them on my rick and loved the sound.
but i also found the tension was a little to high for me.

theJello · #11 02-07-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sal4bass

These strings became my favorite the first time I used them. Great "woody" tone and they last forever. The older they get the better they seem to sound. I had a set that was over 3 years old that was killer but finally wore out. I even like to slap them, though they are not a bright sounding string. The only other string I use now is the DR Sunbeam in .40-.95, but I prefer the TI Jazz Rounds most of the time. You may grow to like them even more over time.

After 3 years did they start to lose their intonation? Or just sound bad?

sal4bass · #12 02-08-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theJello

After 3 years did they start to lose their intonation? Or just sound bad?

They slowly changed tonally to the point I decided to put a new set on. Intonation remained just fine.

theJello · #13 02-13-2010, 10:36 PM

Curious how they would sound if you cleaned them in alcohol. I'll try that sometime. I just put a B E A and D on a Bongo 4 string and it sounds incredible. I'm guessing it would be at least 2 years before I will need to clean them though.

Jazzdogg · #14 02-13-2010, 11:18 PM

I have TI flats on all of my electric and upright basses, and have never understood comments saying the string tension on TI jazzflats was remarkably low. I played a Turner Renaissance RB5FL strung with Thomastik Infeld phosphorbronze strings strings; the sound was warm and rich with overtones, but those were the lowest tension bass strings I've ever played!

Can anyone comment on the tension and finger noise of TI rounds relative to jazzflats?

Lokire · #15 03-10-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I have TI flats on all of my electric and upright basses, and have never understood comments saying the string tension on TI jazzflats was remarkably low. I played a Turner Renaissance RB5FL strung with Thomastik Infeld phosphorbronze strings strings; the sound was warm and rich with overtones, but those were the lowest tension bass strings I've ever played!

Can anyone comment on the tension and finger noise of TI rounds relative to jazzflats?

The jazz rounds are lighter tension than the jazz flats. They have less finger noise than your average roudwound strings too, since they use smaller windings (smoother feel). TI Jazz Rounds are my favorite electric bass strings, by far!!

Number27 · #16 03-13-2010, 04:17 AM

do you guys play with super high action to avoid major fret buzz?... i can't imagine being able to dig in at all with an E string thats only a .89 o_O

sal4bass · #17 03-13-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number27

do you guys play with super high action to avoid major fret buzz?... i can't imagine being able to dig in at all with an E string that's only a .89 o_O

I play low action setups, but use a fairly light right hand touch. I set my basses to the lowest action I can to avoid fret buzz with the TI Jazz Rounds.

Johnny Alien · #18 03-13-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number27

do you guys play with super high action to avoid major fret buzz?... i can't imagine being able to dig in at all with an E string thats only a .89 o_O

I will take a photo later but I have fairly low action.

I play in a loud Ramones style band mainly and my touch isn't exactly light. PLaying acoustically you might hear some fret buzz if you dig in but playing at loud volumes through an amp I have never noticed it.

I don't mind any fret buzz that does not amplify. I like a light string and low action.

Number27 · #19 03-13-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sal4bass

I play low action setups, but use a fairly light right hand touch. I set my basses to the lowest action I can to avoid fret buzz with the TI Jazz Rounds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

I will take a photo later but I have fairly low action.

I play in a loud Ramones style band mainly and my touch isn't exactly light. PLaying acoustically you might hear some fret buzz if you dig in but playing at loud volumes through an amp I have never noticed it.

I don't mind any fret buzz that does not amplify. I like a light string and low action.

ok cool. i may have to try these then.

you guys say that it gets a "woody" tone and that they are not a bright string (which i like). how would you compare the tone to flats or ground rounds?

andertone · #20 03-16-2010, 04:07 PM

I play these strings on my Guild Starfire II short scale bass, and like them better than the flats everyone raves about. As you go up the neck, they blossom, and plenty of low end on the E string.

Yes, string diameter (especially the E) takes getting used to especially after the flat 0.106 monster, but I like the zingyness