TI Flat Tension VS Sunbeams

[Rock-Bassman]

I know I know another TI thread.. Tried searching but it turns out TI is less than 3 words and the search feature doesn't appreciate that too much.

I have a set of 45-105 sunbeams on my warmoth fretless jazz, but am interested in the TI's. How big of a tension difference would there be if I put the TI's on? Ive heard they tend to feel pretty noodley but I'm used to the sunbeams and the general consensus is that they are already pretty loose tension wise..

[jmattbassplaya]

TI's are looser, but they aren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be. Flats, in general, are stiffer than rounds. TI's feel maybe a hair looser than most rounds (which is why they get called 'floppy' in comparison to most other flats) but they really aren't that bad.

[ampegfuzz]

This is a good question because I want to do the opposite with my Ric and take the flats off and use rounds. I don't know if sunbeams have less tension but i know they feel looser due to the round core as apposed to a hex core. I still haven't tried TI flats on the Ric but i might have to try sunbeams first due to price and availability.

[scottbass]

I used to play DR Sunbeams, now I play TI Jazz Flats. As far as I can tell they are almost identical in tension. I checked the setup on my P bass after switching, and the neck relief was still exactly the same as before. Of course it IS an Am Std with a neck full of graphite, so maybe that contributes...

TI specs their 34" scale Jazz Flats at approx. 34/31/37/37 pounds (E/A/D/G). I was unable to locate similar specs for DR Sunbeam Mediums (45 -105) or Medium Lights (45 - 100), but I would bet they are within a pound or two of the TI tensions.

[ampegfuzz]

hmmmmb.

[Rock-Bassman]

Bumpin.. Any other opinions?

[dmusic148]

Ti's feel a little looser than Sunbeams. Not a big deal. Weird thing is you can run the Ti's really low if you want to and they don't buzz unless you are ham-fisted.

[CapnSev]

The only Sunbeams I've used were the 40-100s, and those were noticably lower tension than TIs to me.

[BassBob1]

I put a set of sunbeams that were 45-105 on my jazz a few days before a set of TI flats I ordered showed up knowing from TB that the TI's would be low tension. The TI's felt much looser and "floppier" when compared to the Sunbeams. The TI's are the lowest tension string I have ever played and just weren't for me. I like a stiffer string.

Edit: If you want to try flats and haven't yet I would recommend Chromes in the 40-100 set, they are a bit closer tension wise to sunbeams IMO/E or 45-100. I think GHS precision flats and DR's highbeam flats are both round core stings and my feel similar tension wise to sunbeams.

[Johnny Alien]

TI's are low tension for flats but equivalent to a standard low gauge set of rounds. Probably something similar to a .95 set of D'Addarios. Sunbeams on the other hand or low tension in comparison to other rounds so "most" sets of Sunbeams should be lower tension than the TI flats but a high gauge set (like a .105) might feel about the same or maybe a bit tighter due to the thicker gauge. DR doesn't post their tension so it's hard to put actual numbers to it. I would say they will end up feeling very similar to you but you are rocking the .105 gauge. I can honestly say that TI Flats while low tension do not feel floppy or noodley to me. I think they might feel that way to people that are used to higher tension flats but to someone used to low tension rounds you will be fine.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by BassBob1

Edit: If you want to try flats and haven't yet I would recommend Chromes in the 40-100 set, they are a bit closer tension wise to sunbeams IMO/E or 45-100. I think GHS precision flats and DR's highbeam flats are both round core stings and my feel similar tension wise to sunbeams.

I have used Chromes many times and I would disagree. I think the Chromes have quite a bit more tension than the Sunbeams and feel that way as well.

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

I have used Chromes many times and I would disagree. I think the Chromes have quite a bit more tension than the Sunbeams and feel that way as well.

+1