Rounds like Thomastik flats

[DrBnz]

Yeah.... Ti rounds. They're perfect for a P bass.

 

[GIBrat51]

TL;DR - I’m looking for roundwound strings that have a very similar feel to the TI flatwounds.

Back story: I’ve been using TI flats on my Pbass for a few years after I heard all the rave about them. I can’t get away from them. I just love the tone, the feel, and the tension. However, I also love the sound of rounds on the Pbass.

On my jazz bass, I’ve used NYXLs because I totally dig them for the same reason as TIs on my Pbass (although tension is totally different!). So one day, I finally decided to put some NYXLs on my Pbass…..and they didn’t work for me! Sound was okay but I couldn’t jive with the feel and tension. This happened both on my Squier CV60s and Lakland SK464 (w/ jazz neck). Is it because I’m totally married to the TIs with my Precision bass!? Do any of you have recommendations on roundwounds that have a very similar feel and tension to the Thomastik flat wound strings?

TI Jazz Rounds are lower tension than Jazz Flats, but seem to be popular with Jazz Flat fans. I mostly use TI Jazz Flats. I tried the Jazz Rounds and liked them, but tension was a touch low for me. Recently started using Dogal Hellborg Rounds and prefer the feel of those over the TI Jazz Rounds. I am still mostly using TI Jazz Flats, but Dogal Hellborg Rounds are my go to rounds on the few basses I keep with rounds.

Not my video, but I found it to be a reasonable overview of the strings.

Well...
TI Jazz Flats are just about the last flats I'd put on my '78 P-Bass, but... you do you. I do use TIJF's on my '95 Alembic Epic, though. For what I play on that bass? They're the cat's ass... For what I play on my P-Bass? Uhh... No, not on your Nelly...
I also have TI Jazz Rounds on one of my basses; a '93 Gretsch Broadkaster. They're on that bass for... well, "why" doesn't really matter here. It's the only bass - out of 27 - that wears rounds; again, "why" doesn't matter, here. They do feel pretty "flat wound-ish", and they also sound a lot like TIJF's, but... a little brighter, with a fair bit more harmonic overtones, IMO.
When you say "Tension", I'm assuming you mean "Stiffness". "Cause, they aren't really the same. But, in any case? On the Broadkaster, the Jazz Flats' stiffness was about the same as the Jazz Rounds (yes, I did try a set of TIJF's on it; not a big success). As for the Dogal Hellborg strings? No opinion; I do use Dogal's R44 "Traditional" flats, and their JC106A "Jaco" Carbonsteel Flats, though. I have a set of the Hellborg Flats, but... at the moment? No bass to put them on - unless I pull the flats - that I like - off of something. Or, just wait for some flats to die - before I do...

 

[ahbass2500]

When you say "Tension", I'm assuming you mean "Stiffness". "Cause, they aren't really the same.

Nope. When I said tension, I meant tension. It is a physical measurement and the rounds are lower tension than the flats. Difference is enough you can feel it. See TI’s published specs (published in both Lbs and Kgs).

Jazz Flat Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

Products in the overview. Orchestral strings, guitar strings, folk strings

www.thomastik-infeld.com

Jazz Round Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

Products in the overview. Orchestral strings, guitar strings, folk strings

www.thomastik-infeld.com

 

[Winton]

Try Curt Mangan Nickel extra lights:

40-95 Nickel Wound Extra Light 4-String Bass Set

Curt Mangan makes high end USA made guitar strings with the best quality nickelwound, pure nickel, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, and 80/20 bronze wire…

www.curtmangan.com

I do TI’s when I want flats and the above Mangan’s for rounds. I haven’t been interested in other roundwounds since I started using them.

Looks like we don’t get much Curt Mangan here in Japan (except the $100 pair on Amazon Japan). It says they have a hexagonal core though. Wouldn’t that make them tighter?

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Rounds.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

One thing to note for the OP is round cores by GHS are firmer in feel than the ones by DR; Balanced Nickels 40-101 feel more like Sunbeams 45-105.

That said, GHS Round Core Boomers 40-55-75-95 may be another option.

Yup.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Thanks, guys, for all the responses!
Seems like I’ll be checking out the DR Sunbeams and DR Hi-beams. It may be the Hi-Beams because I also agree that I also like how steels sound when they go off. Cheers!

The Fat Beams are similar but better, IMHO. They have a little less high mids, more low mids, and maybe a little more consistent feel. I also really have gotten to know and love the Pure Blues…great strings. Similar to Sunbeams, a little less highs with more pronounced mids, a bit warmer. They are nothing like Balanced Nickels.

 

[Winton]

Cool, thanks for the suggestion!

I have another question concerning gauge. Since the Thomastiks are 43-56-70-100, should I get the same gauge for rounds? Or even lighter?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

TI Jazz Rounds. Same gauge..

 

[Winton]

What about with any of the DR strings?
Hi, Fat, Sun, Pure Blues?

 

[Winton]

My order of DR Sumbeams finally arrived and I put them on this morning! You guys weren’t kidding. These are just as flexible as the TI flats. I decided to get the lighter 40-100 gauge because I calculated that they were roughly the same gauge as the TI flats.

I recorded the first minute of Scary Pocket’s cover of “Stayin’ Alive” because the bass is exposed. I kept the volume the same on both my bass and interface and recorded direct. I used my Lakland SK-460 Pbass with Antiquity II pickups. Interestingly enough, the TI flats were noticeably bigger sounding! I recorded with the Sunbeams immediately and they weren’t clangy or bright at all. Just like you guys said, it already sounds warm.

My thoughts on the DR Sunbeams: although lighter gauge (I’m still curious about the 45-100) I’m very happy with how these strings feel and also quite satisfied with the sound, thanks to all of your advices! Cheers! Other than recording direct, I only played it through my small amp. I have rehearsal with my band at the end of this month so I’m curious how they’ll sound.

I recorded with both TI and DR and also included the bass only tracks so you can hear the difference. I’m still partial to the TI flats but the Sunbeams has the exact Pbass w/ rounds sound that I wanted.

 

[woodyng2]

I’ve used Kalium hybrid metal balanced tension rw string sets on a number of my basses over the years. Very flexible, great feel, and the website has a seemingly infinite number of gauges to choose from. I haven’t ordered any strings in the last several years, and have read reports of lackluster service/response times more recently. They are terrific strings, though.
I used Sunbeams a lot years ago, but switched to Pure Blues sets more recently and feel they have more punch.

 

[Winton]

Hey guys,

So I decided to make a comparison video on my YouTube channel so you can hear the subtle difference (plus, I wanted to record this song anyways). I gave a shout out to y’all on there, too!

 

[woodyng2]

Bass Sounds fab, (both sets), Winton!
Never ever thought I would say it, but really enjoyed that version of a song I couldn’t stand in the original version.

 

[Winton]

Bass Sounds fab, (both sets), Winton!
Never ever thought I would say it, but really enjoyed that version of a song I couldn’t stand in the original version.

Thanks! Listening back to it, I’ll always be partial to the TIs but I’m digging the DRs.
And ya, I really enjoyed this arrangement! They made it a completely different song and Travis Carlton’s bass lines are great!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Bass Sounds fab, (both sets), Winton!
Never ever thought I would say it, but really enjoyed that version of a song I couldn’t stand in the original version.

How about this version?