Low-ish tension roundwounds, similar feel to TI Flats?

[Paul S]

My default for the last few years has been to fit TI Flats to all my basses.  I like the feel under my fingers, I particularly like the tension and tone.  However my most recent bass, a '54 single coil P bitsa, came fitted with rounds and I quite liked that extra bite in this instance.  But they were far too high tension to feel comfortable.  I am wondering which rounds would feel similar to TI Flats in tension? Preferably cheap ones  

[Lozz196]

The most comfortable steel rounds I’ve played were D’Addario Pro Steels, that may have been due to the tension. I chose 45-100s so would think that a lighter gauge would be even more comfy. 
 

Most comfortable nickels have been Ernie Ball Super Slinky, again 45-100.

[Paolo85]

I agree ProSteels 45-100 are extremely pleasant. Plus they have a massive growl. To me they did not feel as soft as TIs though. You may get closer to that with DR Hi Beams (very bright, nit as growly as the ProSteels) and even more the supersoft DR SunBeams (very dark though, not sure how much extra bite you would get)

[Paul S]

Thanks guys.  I think any growl is good - it is more the tension of the strings I am trying to replicate.  After playing TI Flats for so long I found fretting these particular rounds, whatever they are, to be hard work!   I seem to recall using DR Hi Beams in the dim and distant past, so may have a look at those.

[Paolo85]

You should be happy in that sense. The Hi Beams have a round core as the TI's, which gives a bit of that rubbery/bouncy feeling

[samuelcroberts]

I really like DR Sumbeams 40-100 gauge as a similar feel to the TI flats. Going between basses with TI flats, DR sunbeams and LaBella black nylons and, although there are obviously some differences, the tensions are quite similar overall!

[fretmeister]

Ti Jazz Rounds.

 

/thread.

[Clarky]

I personally find the TI Jazz Rounds even lower tension than the Flats (might just be my perception, rather than reality). I can also recommend DR 40-100 nickel rounds with round cores, either the Sunbeams or the Blues

[Paul S]

TI Jazz Rounds!  Never knew such things existed.  Off to explore, although I fear they will be expensive.

[fretmeister]

48 minutes ago, Paul S said:

TI Jazz Rounds!  Never knew such things existed.  Off to explore, although I fear they will be expensive.

 

 

I bought some by accident once!

 

Check multiple places though - prices vary a lot.

[three]

4 hours ago, Paul S said:

TI Jazz Rounds!  Never knew such things existed.  Off to explore, although I fear they will be expensive.

They're usually very expensive - lovely feel but very little growl in my experience.  I'm not a big growl user these days, but the TI JRs are so smooth that I removed them from one bass as I needed a little more bite.

[Dan Dare]

Chromes work for me. Definitely more bite (not as much as a round, of course) than Thomastiks. Only a little more tension than TIs. Last well, too, if you keep them clean.

[shoulderpet]

On 17/12/2022 at 13:54, Paul S said:

My default for the last few years has been to fit TI Flats to all my basses.  I like the feel under my fingers, I particularly like the tension and tone.  However my most recent bass, a '54 single coil P bitsa, came fitted with rounds and I quite liked that extra bite in this instance.  But they were far too high tension to feel comfortable.  I am wondering which rounds would feel similar to TI Flats in tension? Preferably cheap ones  

Rotosound swingbass 90-35 set

[BlueMoon]

On 21/12/2022 at 18:09, Dan Dare said:

Chromes work for me. Definitely more bite (not as much as a round, of course) than Thomastiks. Only a little more tension than TIs. Last well, too, if you keep them clean.

^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^

[Paul S]

Funny, I have tried chromes, still have some knocking about, but find them to be duller than TI Flats.

[Dan Dare]

2 hours ago, Paul S said:

Funny, I have tried chromes, still have some knocking about, but find them to be duller than TI Flats.

 If you stick to lighter gauges in Chromes, they are brighter in my experience. I use the 40-95 set, which was closest to the 43-100 TI set I tried and felt the same under the fingers. The 70 A string on the TIs was too slack and I found I had to practically wind the saddle off the adjustment screw to get it to intonate correctly. The A in the Chromes set is 75. Only slightly heavier, but much better.

[Owen]

Someone is selling barely used TI Jazz Rounds on here. Also you could look at Newtone round core nickels. The round core is more pliable than hex core which is what tends to be the standard core.

[Owen]

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/462666-thomastik-jr345-5-string-roundwounds-£38/#comment-4833978

[Paul S]

Unfortunately they are cut for 4+1, so the G wouldn't fit.

[Owen]

Sad times

[tedmanzie]

On 17/12/2022 at 13:54, Paul S said:

My default for the last few years has been to fit TI Flats to all my basses.  I like the feel under my fingers, I particularly like the tension and tone.  However my most recent bass, a '54 single coil P bitsa, came fitted with rounds and I quite liked that extra bite in this instance.  But they were far too high tension to feel comfortable.  I am wondering which rounds would feel similar to TI Flats in tension? Preferably cheap ones  

 I used TI Flats for ages on my P-bass and couldn’t use any others with higher tension (even labella low tension were too much even though I preferred the sound). Switching to round wounds I’ve found DR Sunbeams (lightest possible) to be great for tension & sound but they go dull pretty quick, so I have ended up with DR Fat Beams - stainless steel wrap for brighter growlier tone but round core for lighter feel (hex core DRs are too high tension).

Tried the TI rounds at some point but they are weirdly thin and I seem to recall not liking them at all.