TI Powerbass Strings

[psychomagnetic]

I have read a million threads on here over the last couple of days, and watched more videos than I care to admit about TI Powerbass strings. I still can't decide if I want to pull the trigger on a $75 set of strings.

I have been using DRs for the last six years because they feel a little smoother on my fingers, they feel less stiff when I fret and bend, they have some warmth—but retain some punch and bite.

It seems like the opinions are all over the place on these strings. Some say they feel stiff, some say they aren't stiff. The same is true with string life, tension and every other parameter you can think of.

I guess I will ask this question again. Does anyone have experience with Sunbeams and TI Powerbass strings? Are they smoother or more rough feeling? Do they feel stiffer or more floppy than Sunbeams? Are they warmer or brighter?

They will be going on a USA Spector with an active preamp and active EMGX pickups. I play through an Ampeg Portaflex PF-50T tube amp and 2X10 cab. I have plenty of warmth because of the amp, so I didn't want a string that is going to add too much extra warmth to my setup. But I don't want a super bright string either, the active Spector can bring it all by itself with a little EQ tweaking.

Hell, I might end up putting them on my 50s reissue Fender P bass. That guitar seems to sound good with whatever string I put on it. lol

 

[Vinny_G]

Hello!

I haven't tried DR Sunbeams but I'm familiar with Hi-Beams, so I think I can make an extrapolation based on the material, since I believe the construction method is the same.

To me they are flexible strings, less than roundcores like Sunbeams or Hi-Beams, but much more than regular hexcores. They're also the softest roundwound strings I could put my fingers on, they are really pleasant to play.

Tone-wise, I find them a little rounder and warmer than your typical nickel roundwound, with more clarity (the fundamental predominates over the harmonics). The sound is well defined and not muddy at all. They also don't have that metallic zing of new strings. They're not bright, aggressive strings.

Bonus point: they have gorgeous magenta/purple silks.

Of course, these are just my own impressions, based on my recollection of my experience with these strings (on a Fender-style passive 4-string PJ), so obviously YMMV.

I'm in Europe so I can find them around 40€ but at $75 I don't know if I should recommend them to you. They're great strings, sure, but given similar construction methods and materials, the differences between string brands aren't that big, IMHO. In your case, I'm not sure that these small differences justify such a price tag.

Up to you!

 

[psychomagnetic]

Hello!

I haven't tried DR Sunbeams but I'm familiar with Hi-Beams, so I think I can make an extrapolation based on the material, since I believe the construction method is the same.

To me they are flexible strings, less than roundcores like Sunbeams or Hi-Beams, but much more than regular hexcores. They're also the softest roundwound strings I could put my fingers on, they are really pleasant to play.

Tone-wise, I find them a little rounder and warmer than your typical nickel roundwound, with more clarity (the fundamental predominates over the harmonics). The sound is well defined and not muddy at all. They also don't have that metallic zing of new strings. They're not bright, aggressive strings.

Bonus point: they have gorgeous magenta/purple silks.

Of course, these are just my own impressions, based on my recollection of my experience with these strings (on a Fender-style passive 4-string PJ), so obviously YMMV.

I'm in Europe so I can find them around 40€ but at $75 I don't know if I should recommend them to you. They're great strings, sure, but given similar construction methods and materials, the differences between string brands aren't that big, IMHO. In your case, I'm not sure that these small differences justify such a price tag.

Up to you!

Thanks for the comment, that was exactly what I was looking for.

The TIs sound like great strings, I'm not sure why some of the other posts I read on here were so divisive. I know string opinions are very subjective though.

I think I am going to give them a try. I'm sure I will not hate them. Its the $75 price here in the US that has kept me from giving them a try sooner. That's nice that you can get them in Europe for 40€.

 

[GTHintz]

I haven't played ti strings before but I understand how 75$ for a set of nickel rounds just doesn't sound too great. I guess if you can afford it and whether you keep them on the bass a day or a year as long as it's not going to be a detriment to your savings and your sound I say go try them. I know from reading other's posts that they tend to keep their sweet spot tone a long time much like most Dr strings. I love great strings but I also love competitive and reasonable priced. To me Sadowsky strings seem to be priced a little higher than most but they are really nice strings. The best b string I've ever heard was when I was using them. So I can see why they want to be a little more expensive than most of the big box brands. But still that means they are around 40-45$ which is much cheaper than 75$. Good luck and if you go with the ti strings let us know what you think of them.

 

[psychomagnetic]

I haven't played ti strings before but I understand how 75$ for a set of nickel rounds just doesn't sound too great. I guess if you can afford it and whether you keep them on the bass a day or a year as long as it's not going to be a detriment to your savings and your sound I say go try them. I know from reading other's posts that they tend to keep their sweet spot tone a long time much like most Dr strings. I love great strings but I also love competitive and reasonable priced. To me Sadowsky strings seem to be priced a little higher than most but they are really nice strings. The best b string I've ever heard was when I was using them. So I can see why they want to be a little more expensive than most of the big box brands. But still that means they are around 40-45$ which is much cheaper than 75$. Good luck and if you go with the ti strings let us know what you think of them.

The price tag is what has kept me from trying them for all these years. I ordered a set that will be here tomorrow, so we shall see.

I've heard that Sadowsky strings were good, a lot of guys on here play them, but I have never tried them. I wouldn't mind giving them a try one of these days.

 

[GTHintz]

The price tag is what has kept me from trying them for all these years. I ordered a set that will be here tomorrow, so we shall see.

I've heard that Sadowsky strings were good, a lot of guys on here play them, but I have never tried them. I wouldn't mind giving them a try one of these days.

I tried the blue label stainless. They are really nice. The tension and feel are quite soft and refined. The b string was really strong and I was impressed with how good it sounded. Tonally they are not that treble focused but have lots of mids and a great fundimental. Lots of punch. I want to try the black label next. They sound like what you're trying to achieve with the ti strings. If you get tired of paying big bucks for importing them it would be a good alternative. I'd buy the blue labels again but I think I'd put them on my fretless because the tone lends itself closer to what I want for that particular bass. The black labels are supposed to be a little brighter and for my fretted bass I like brightness. Gotta love the purple ti silk too. Purple was reason enough to try Ken Smith strings. They were great for me but possibly too stiff and bright for what you want though.

 

[Spupilup]

I had the Power Bass on my L-2000 for awhile. I thought they were very good but after getting used to Jazz Flats on my L-1000, I ditched the PB’s for a set of Jazz Rounds. Now, those are amazing and worth the money at least to me. I’m done looking for strings. I even have the Jazz Rounds on my Sterling shortie.

 

[psychomagnetic]

I tried the blue label stainless. They are really nice. The tension and feel are quite soft and refined. The b string was really strong and I was impressed with how good it sounded. Tonally they are not that treble focused but have lots of mids and a great fundimental. Lots of punch. I want to try the black label next. They sound like what you're trying to achieve with the ti strings. If you get tired of paying big bucks for importing them it would be a good alternative. I'd buy the blue labels again but I think I'd put them on my fretless because the tone lends itself closer to what I want for that particular bass. The black labels are supposed to be a little brighter and for my fretted bass I like brightness. Gotta love the purple ti silk too. Purple was reason enough to try Ken Smith strings. They were great for me but possibly too stiff and bright for what you want though.

I watched a video not long ago of a guy that played a few songs on the blue and black strings. It got me wanting to give them a try.

 

[psychomagnetic]

I had the Power Bass on my L-2000 for awhile. I thought they were very good but after getting used to Jazz Flats on my L-1000, I ditched the PB’s for a set of Jazz Rounds. Now, those are amazing and worth the money at least to me. I’m done looking for strings. I even have the Jazz Rounds on my Sterling shortie.

I wanted to try those but I normally run 105s, I would probably have to do a setup just to check them out. That is the one thing that has been keeping me from trying them.

 

[Spupilup]

Yes, it will require a set up but I love the lower tension on both the flats and the rounds and it was more than worth it.

 

[psychomagnetic]

Update

I just put the Powerbass strings on my USA Spector yesterday and let them sit overnight. So far I like them, the tension is about the same as the DRs. I didn't have to tweak my setup at all. I found the stiffness about the same as the DRs. Fretting and bending felt the same to me. The DRs feel a little bit smoother to me, but not by much. Overall, I thought the TIs were a little more punchy in the mids compared to the Sunbeams. The highs really ring out on the TIs without being overpowering. Overall, I would say that the TI Powerbass strings are good strings and I will leave them on until the die out. The only negative thing that I can really say about them so far is the price. We shall see how long they last.

 

[psychomagnetic]

Yes, it will require a set up but I love the lower tension on both the flats and the rounds and it was more than worth it.

I plan on giving them a try one of these days, I keep hearing good things about them.

 

[BOOG]

Update

I just put the Powerbass strings on my USA Spector yesterday and let them sit overnight. So far I like them, the tension is about the same as the DRs. I didn't have to tweak my setup at all. I found the stiffness about the same as the DRs. Fretting and bending felt the same to me. The DRs feel a little bit smoother to me, but not by much. Overall, I thought the TIs were a little more punchy in the mids compared to the Sunbeams. The highs really ring out on the TIs without being overpowering. Overall, I would say that the TI Powerbass strings are good strings and I will leave them on until the die out. The only negative thing that I can really say about them so far is the price. We shall see how long they last.

I am wondering, do you still have the Powerbass strings on? What are your long term thoughts on them?
tyia