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BGRA: Thomastik-Infeld Powerbass
| Manufacturer |
Thomastik-Infeld |
Model |
Powerbass |
| Reviewer |
Jay Lewis |
Email |
n |
| Experience |
10 |
Item owned |
1-6 months |
| Review Date |
2001-09-23 |
Price paid |
NA |
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Gauge | Close to 45-100. |
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Material | Steel |
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Length | Long |
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Other | Received this set at a discount price through the mail during a promotional campaign when Thomastik had just introduced its new line of electric bass strings. The guage and construction may not be exactly what is currently on the market, but should be very close. |
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As I mentioned above, I received this set for free when TI first came
out with their line of electric bass strings several years ago. I received
a set ofwhat is now called their Powerbass set along with two sets of Jazz
flats and a set of Jazz roundwounds prior to their official release. These
were still prototypes, and I think that the names of the sets and the
guages may have changed slightly once they were finally released to the
public. The reason why I originally ordered the sets is because they were
SO expensive and I was able to get an incredible deal on them...something
like 50% or more off... remember exactly. Anyway, I don't change strings
all that often, and I still have several of these sets hanging around, and
recently decided to try out the Powerbass set on my '77 Fender Jazz (ash
body, maple fretboard).
Compared to strings I've used in the past (DR Highbeams, TI Jazz flats,
Alembic, etc., the quality seems to be exceptionally high. I play
fingerstyle and rarely ever slap/pop or play with a pick. I tend to like a
string with medium tension and a relatively firm feel, yet that still
retains flexability. This set fits those criteria very well. I have
extremely acidic sweat, and tend to dull and tarnish strings very easily.
I also don't like an overly bright string, but these strings would
probably be great for anyone who plays a variety of styles. They do should
great with a pick, and have great body and punch for fingerstyle. I've
played blued, rock, funk, and country with them and they are a
well-balanced string for many musical styles. Another interesting point is
that, in spite of a great deal of use and my corrosive touch, they have
retained their brilliance and snap extremely well over the last several
months. I don't anticipate changing strings anytime soon, and would guess
that these strings will last me well into the next year when I take my bass
into the shop for its annual checkup, thus surviving the temperature and
humidity changes that Chicago and the midwest are famous for. It is
difficult for me to compare the TI Powerbass set to the set of DRs that I
have on my '62 Reissue Jazz, since the '62 has a rosewood board, but I
think that the highs and presence of the TI's have lasted longer than the
DRs, not to mention that they have not corroded and discolored like the DRs
have. One last point is that Thomastik claims that this string will give
you more volume and will push your amp harder. I've not noticed this to
be the case. I think that this was their attempt to position this string
in the market and to try to destingish it from the rest of the pack.
Nevertheless, the Powerbass set is a great set and I would recommend them
to a fellow bassist who could afford the hefty price tag. However, whether
they are "worth" the prices that I would have to pay now is a different
story!
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| sound |
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| feel |
| (95%) |
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| life |
| (90%) |
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| value |
| (85%) |
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| overall |
| (95%) |
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