I've heard great things about these very expensive strings. Just curious what metal the "superalloy" actually is. Is it just a fancy way of saying steel core wrapped with nickel?
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Anyone ever use Thomastik Infeld “Superalloy” strings?
- Thread starter tb-player
- Start date
I've been using Infeld Superalloys on my Ric 4003S and they're a perfect fit for me with that bass. The Superalloys are not low tension like TI Jazz flats and rounds, as the prior post mentions. I'm not sure of the exact metallurgy involved in their manufacture, but they are a high quality string that I found worth purchasing even at their comparatively higher cost (I paid $43 US per set, though the MAP price here went up recently).
If cost is a significant factor, your experience might be different as the Superalloys are not nearly as distinctive as the TI Jazz flats and rounds. I like the Infelds a bit better than the Roto 66 nickels I'd been using previously on the Ric, but then the Rotos cost half as much.
If cost is a significant factor, your experience might be different as the Superalloys are not nearly as distinctive as the TI Jazz flats and rounds. I like the Infelds a bit better than the Roto 66 nickels I'd been using previously on the Ric, but then the Rotos cost half as much.
Alloy 52, which is a nickel-iron alloy. The same alloy used by GHS for the Pressurewound and the Brite Flats. Rotosound calls theirs Ultramag.
"Unique" may be a better word to describe TI Jazz Rounds. They are distinctive in that no other roundwound string is their equivalent. I've used TIJR on three basses (the Ric, my Tony Franklin fretless and a Guild Starfire II) and enjoyed the experiment with all three, but there are other strings that I've found since that work better for me on those basses.
TIJR require a very light right hand and while I could deal with it, I came to find the compromises necessary to be too much. I wouldn't describe Infeld Superalloys as distinctive or unique, but rather as high quality strings that (so far) are worth the extra cost to me over comparable Rotos or DR strings, and they're much more "normal" and not so expensive as to make one feel cheated if not totally impressed by them.
Not to dissuade anyone from trying the Jazz Rounds as they are perfect for some players and basses, and you could always sell them on TB if you find they aren't for you.
TIJR require a very light right hand and while I could deal with it, I came to find the compromises necessary to be too much. I wouldn't describe Infeld Superalloys as distinctive or unique, but rather as high quality strings that (so far) are worth the extra cost to me over comparable Rotos or DR strings, and they're much more "normal" and not so expensive as to make one feel cheated if not totally impressed by them.
Not to dissuade anyone from trying the Jazz Rounds as they are perfect for some players and basses, and you could always sell them on TB if you find they aren't for you.
I appreciate the detailed explanation. I'm going to give the Superalloys a try, since I'm not a huge fan of super low-tension strings like the jazz rounds. I found them 1/2-off sale, so they're a bit more attainable. And yeah, I've sold many a used set of TI Flats here on TB, so that's always an option if they don't work out. Thanks!
I have them on two basses: my Spector Euro 4LT and my G&L L2500 series 750.
Great strings. They are more like a normal string than the Jazz Rounds, but I like their sound and how they play.
Great strings. They are more like a normal string than the Jazz Rounds, but I like their sound and how they play.
I've tried them both (SuperAlloys & Jazz Rounds) - and I found the former were serviceable but underwhelming, and the latter are MY FAVORITE STRING EVER 
I've not tried TI's on Bass, but on my acoustic guitar (Maton CE60D) their "Plectrum" strings are great! YMMV.
Pu-239 is one of several isotopes ranging from 238 to 242. Pu -239 is the most common because it is the most desirable from a weapons standpoint, so almost all Pu is initially synthesized as 239. In fuel rods, U-235 creates some Pu 239 is which is then converted over to 240 and other isotopes.
There are several alloys of Pu-239 including the 5% Ga dope which is useful in thermonuclear weapons. Pu has been alloyed with Ga, Si, Al, Fe, Rb,many different rare earths. Pu has some very undesirable properties that cause easy phase change which can lead to criticality if not cautious. Also, neutron emission affects the parent crystal structure.
Pu glows in the dark becuse it is pyrophoric (buring in air). Pu oxides are extremely carcinogenic if inhaled.
drumvsbass
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The Super Alloy strings are the closest thing I have felt to the legendary D'addario Slow Wounds.
D
Great strings!
Short version: Think standard nickel plated rounds (like XLs) but with slightly smoother highs, stronger mids and more powerful output.
Long version:
The Superalloys (and to some extent the Power Bass strings) are TI's most "normal" bass strings. Their other strings, like the Jazz Flats/Rounds, are completely unique and VERY different from any other strings out there. The Jazz Flats/Rounds are also very expensive. The "Infeld" Superalloys are much closer to "standard" bass strings like D'Addario XLs and also much cheaper than other TI strings.
The Superalloys do have a slightly different tone than standard nickel plated strings though. They have a very strong mid presence, which seems to be typical with alloy 52 strings. It's not the harsh, clanky, "metallic" sounding upper mid presence of fresh D'Addario XLs though. (I keep comparing with XLs because these are strings that almost every bass player have tested at some point).
The Superalloys do have a strong upper mid presence but the the main focus of the mids seem to be centered slightly lower than with XLs. Definitely more going on in the "mid-mids". This give the Superalloys slightly more "growl" to my ears, bordering on a slightly nasal tone. They used to be extremely popular around here a couple of years ago but are rarely mentioned these days.
I've got them installed on a couple of my basses and I like them. They're not as unique as TI's other strings but they're good quality strings. They will last significantly longer than XLs in my experience so they're great value too.
Whether you will like them is a matter of personal taste. Personally I found the strong mids a bit too much with some basses. Particularly with P-basses that already have a strong mid presence. I'm not a huge fan of bridge pickup tones and I felt like the Superalloys shifted the mid character of a P-bass SLIGHTLY towards a bridge pickup tone. More "growl". Like a fuller sounding bridge pickup, if that makes any sense. I didn't like the GHS Pressurewounds (also alloy 52) on the same basses for more or less the same reason. Too mid-focused for a P-bass for MY taste (but I'm sure others will disagree).
Even P-basses can vary though. I found the Superalloys to be a good match for Fender AmPro P-basses, as the V-Mod pickup can be slightly lacking in the mids compared to a "classic" P-bass pickup. The magnetic properties of alloy 52 strings also give them a very strong output which helps with the rather weak output V-Mod pickup.
The sets are nicely balanced both tonally and tension-wise but like all TI bass strings you have the selection of ONE gauge. In this case it's 45-105. Take it or leave it.
I don't think the Superalloys stray too far from "standard" nickel plated rounds that anyone will truly HATE them but they do have a character of their own. Whether you will like that character is a question only YOU can answer.
Short version: Think standard nickel plated rounds (like XLs) but with slightly smoother highs, stronger mids and more powerful output.
Long version:
The Superalloys (and to some extent the Power Bass strings) are TI's most "normal" bass strings. Their other strings, like the Jazz Flats/Rounds, are completely unique and VERY different from any other strings out there. The Jazz Flats/Rounds are also very expensive. The "Infeld" Superalloys are much closer to "standard" bass strings like D'Addario XLs and also much cheaper than other TI strings.
The Superalloys do have a slightly different tone than standard nickel plated strings though. They have a very strong mid presence, which seems to be typical with alloy 52 strings. It's not the harsh, clanky, "metallic" sounding upper mid presence of fresh D'Addario XLs though. (I keep comparing with XLs because these are strings that almost every bass player have tested at some point).
The Superalloys do have a strong upper mid presence but the the main focus of the mids seem to be centered slightly lower than with XLs. Definitely more going on in the "mid-mids". This give the Superalloys slightly more "growl" to my ears, bordering on a slightly nasal tone. They used to be extremely popular around here a couple of years ago but are rarely mentioned these days.
I've got them installed on a couple of my basses and I like them. They're not as unique as TI's other strings but they're good quality strings. They will last significantly longer than XLs in my experience so they're great value too.
Whether you will like them is a matter of personal taste. Personally I found the strong mids a bit too much with some basses. Particularly with P-basses that already have a strong mid presence. I'm not a huge fan of bridge pickup tones and I felt like the Superalloys shifted the mid character of a P-bass SLIGHTLY towards a bridge pickup tone. More "growl". Like a fuller sounding bridge pickup, if that makes any sense. I didn't like the GHS Pressurewounds (also alloy 52) on the same basses for more or less the same reason. Too mid-focused for a P-bass for MY taste (but I'm sure others will disagree).
Even P-basses can vary though. I found the Superalloys to be a good match for Fender AmPro P-basses, as the V-Mod pickup can be slightly lacking in the mids compared to a "classic" P-bass pickup. The magnetic properties of alloy 52 strings also give them a very strong output which helps with the rather weak output V-Mod pickup.
The sets are nicely balanced both tonally and tension-wise but like all TI bass strings you have the selection of ONE gauge. In this case it's 45-105. Take it or leave it.
I don't think the Superalloys stray too far from "standard" nickel plated rounds that anyone will truly HATE them but they do have a character of their own. Whether you will like that character is a question only YOU can answer.
There was a period of resurgence in Pu chemistry and engineering properties. Pu has a lot of strange and wonderful properties that have been relatively easy to figure out. In my opinion it was just science for science's sake there neverr have been any realistic applications other than bomb making and we know that very well.
Pu, itself, is now increibly abundant as a result of fuel rod reprocessing and the security threat of stockpilint Pu is horrifying.
As you proceed up the Periodic Table past Pu (#94), the elements become increasing unstable until you get to the heavist currently know Ognesson at 118. Limited applications except for Am. There is a hope that there is "an island of stability" somewhere in the 127 to 145 at wt range and the elements will be both low radioactive and possibly unique properties. I hope we name the first stable ultra-actinoid element "Dilithium".
Pu, itself, is now increibly abundant as a result of fuel rod reprocessing and the security threat of stockpilint Pu is horrifying.
As you proceed up the Periodic Table past Pu (#94), the elements become increasing unstable until you get to the heavist currently know Ognesson at 118. Limited applications except for Am. There is a hope that there is "an island of stability" somewhere in the 127 to 145 at wt range and the elements will be both low radioactive and possibly unique properties. I hope we name the first stable ultra-actinoid element "Dilithium".
String manufacturers need to start touting not only their products' long life, but also their half-life.
