I have the TI Super Alloys on two basses.
They are totally different to the Jazz Rounds. Great strings, but think of them as a normal string that is incredibly high quality and has the perfect growl.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
TI Jazz Rounds are dangerous. Heed my warning.
- Thread starter g-dude
- Start date
I have the TI Super Alloys on two basses.
They are totally different to the Jazz Rounds. Great strings, but think of them as a normal string that is incredibly high quality and has the perfect growl.
Here are the tension figures:
G 043 - 34.61
D 051 - 30.20
A 068 - 29.54
E 089 - 27.99
B 118 - 27.55
Thanks! Is the tension and flexibility about what you’d expect given the gauges and hex core? Similar to other 45-105 / medium sets like maybe Roto or DR?
Under my fingers they felt more refined - closer to DR Lo-Riders than the relatively crude-feeling Rotos. To me they felt like NPS but louder.
Last edited:
Can’t comment on DRs, but I once put some Rotosound rounds on a bass, played three notes, and literally took them off and threw them in the garbage immediately.
TI Super Alloys aren’t hard on the hands. They don’t play as fast as the TI Jazz Rounds do, but if you want a string that you don’t need to adjust technique on, that’s the way to go.
I tried a set of JR 364 on my 4003. The length is just about perfect, probably due to a bit of extra length taken up at the bridge, and some extra distance from the nut to the E string tuning post. Maybe 1/4 wrap of the non silk area around the E and G string tuning posts.
Sound and feel is fantastic. I’ve been looking for the right string for this bass and have found them! Tried JR 344 and found them a bit anemic on this bass. Also tried TI powerbass (too stiff), Roto 66 nickel and pressure wound (sound like Roto 66 just slightly mellower), Pyramid nickel (ok)…. The JR have such a unique sound and presence.
Sound and feel is fantastic. I’ve been looking for the right string for this bass and have found them! Tried JR 344 and found them a bit anemic on this bass. Also tried TI powerbass (too stiff), Roto 66 nickel and pressure wound (sound like Roto 66 just slightly mellower), Pyramid nickel (ok)…. The JR have such a unique sound and presence.
D-Day!
First time holding this golden treasure.
I like the silk color, and dark\grey shade of the windings.
Not the usual shiny silver color of my other nickel sets.
Feels really smooth to touch also.
First time holding this golden treasure.
I like the silk color, and dark\grey shade of the windings.
Not the usual shiny silver color of my other nickel sets.
Feels really smooth to touch also.
Because of this thread, I put a set on my five string jazz. So smooth and easy to play! I’ve got some tendinitis from over use so now I’m putting another set on my four string jazz. My other two basses wear TI flats.
And I’m pretty sure they are made for it…
And I’m pretty sure they are made for it…
Last edited:
Shoot... I'm not worried. I'm a born n' bred flat wound guy; in 50+ years of playing bass, there are only 2 kinds of rounds I've ever voluntarily put on a bass - and left them there. One is hex core GHS Boomers. The other is TI Jazz Rounds. But, spiffy as the TIJR's are, on the bass they're on? Not much chance of them showing up on any of the other 22 basses... Flats and Tapes, for them...
The Jazz Rounds are on my '94 Gretsch Broadkaster; a bass that fought me for... well, more years than I care to think about. Every flat wound I tried on it - and I tried a lot of them - just sounded like inarticulate mud. The TI Jazz Flats were probably the best of them, but... slightly inarticulate mud wasn't what I wanted. Tapes? Uh... no. As for rounds? Well, if I wanted a hollowbody Gretsch guitar? I wouldn't have bought the Broadkaster... Until the TIs, the best rounds were a set of La Bella Super Alloy 52s; they managed to sound like a baritone guitar...
I'd bought a set of Jazz Rounds by mistake, 3 or 4 years ago (doesn't pay to be in a hurry). A year ago, out of... desperation, I guess... I thought; well, I've tried everything else; might as well try these things. And... they worked! The Broadkaster now sounds like a real bass guitar. Maybe a hair brighter than I'd like from a big hollowbody bass; but, that's what the amp's controls are for. And, yeah, they don't feel much like other rounds, either. Best of all; none of that squeaky finger noise that irritates the Bejeezus out of me...
So... on the Gretsch? Yeah, the TIJRs are definitely the cat's ass. But, on any of my other basses? Nah; the bass that wears Boomers will keep them. So will the bass that wears Tapes. As for the rest? They'll keep wearing the flats they're wearing now...
The Jazz Rounds are on my '94 Gretsch Broadkaster; a bass that fought me for... well, more years than I care to think about. Every flat wound I tried on it - and I tried a lot of them - just sounded like inarticulate mud. The TI Jazz Flats were probably the best of them, but... slightly inarticulate mud wasn't what I wanted. Tapes? Uh... no. As for rounds? Well, if I wanted a hollowbody Gretsch guitar? I wouldn't have bought the Broadkaster... Until the TIs, the best rounds were a set of La Bella Super Alloy 52s; they managed to sound like a baritone guitar...
I'd bought a set of Jazz Rounds by mistake, 3 or 4 years ago (doesn't pay to be in a hurry). A year ago, out of... desperation, I guess... I thought; well, I've tried everything else; might as well try these things. And... they worked! The Broadkaster now sounds like a real bass guitar. Maybe a hair brighter than I'd like from a big hollowbody bass; but, that's what the amp's controls are for. And, yeah, they don't feel much like other rounds, either. Best of all; none of that squeaky finger noise that irritates the Bejeezus out of me...So... on the Gretsch? Yeah, the TIJRs are definitely the cat's ass. But, on any of my other basses? Nah; the bass that wears Boomers will keep them. So will the bass that wears Tapes. As for the rest? They'll keep wearing the flats they're wearing now...
My thoughts after 1 hour of playing:
1. This thread is legit. These strings are just something else.
2. They are so smooth to touch and slide on.
3. You almost make no effort playing with both hands, and the instrument feels more musical.
4. Bending strings is way more fun and easy than before.
5. They don't sound "new" when first installed. No extreme spark, just compressed focused and tight tone.
6. Double thumb or double pop is easier for those who like it.
7. Tapping and chords sound and feel better.
8. Playing fast with the right hand is something to work on.
9. Action\relief and pickup height adjustment must be done.
10. Worth the ~$80? Absolutely.
Some sounds are attached..
1. This thread is legit. These strings are just something else.
2. They are so smooth to touch and slide on.
3. You almost make no effort playing with both hands, and the instrument feels more musical.
4. Bending strings is way more fun and easy than before.
5. They don't sound "new" when first installed. No extreme spark, just compressed focused and tight tone.
6. Double thumb or double pop is easier for those who like it.
7. Tapping and chords sound and feel better.
8. Playing fast with the right hand is something to work on.
9. Action\relief and pickup height adjustment must be done.
10. Worth the ~$80? Absolutely.
Some sounds are attached..
Attachments
10/10 correct answers! Too bad I can’t put a golden star sticker on your post without ruining my iPad.
Bass teachers will hate this one strange trick.
Much as I like the feel of these and the solo’d tone, to my ears there is a big hole in the lower mids with the .89 set. Personal preference, just not my thing YMMv The .101s on the other hand have very strong lower mids and still keep the beautiful upper mids and highs.
For the past few weeks I’ve been mulling over a set of TIJFs for my SBMM Ray5. I had a change of direction and now I’ve got my mind set on some TIJRs. Gotta save up my fun money for a bit before I can pull the trigger.
Once I get them I’ll have the strings changed with a complete setup on my bass. Can’t wait!
Once I get them I’ll have the strings changed with a complete setup on my bass. Can’t wait!
Are you going to do your own setup? If you're having someone else do it, tell them the strings are super low tension, and have them let the neck settle a bit before they finish dialing it in. My first set, I had someone else do the setup, and then I needed to go and adjust their setup afterwards.
Changing strings and doing basic setups for same are quite easy to do. Saves a bunch of money and you get to dial it in just right, too.
