Flatwound tension

[Big Tony]

I want to try some flatwound strings for the first time.

Have been reading a lot of good reviews about TI Flats, but I'm a bit worried about their low tension - I don't want floppy strings. On the other hand, some people say that the Fender 9050s have a very high tension and can be hard to play, and put a lot of stress on the neck of the bass.

(Another factor is that the TI Flats are very expensive, while the Fender strings are more reasonably priced.)

I have never tried a bass with flatwounds, but my interests in bass-playing leans towards old blues, other roots styles, '60s soul/r&b, and "upright style" jazz walking - so I think flatwounds could be just the thing for me.

I would be very grateful for any input on this subject.

Thanks! / Tony

[brock29609]

The TI flats sound truly amazing, but the feel is not for everyone. They're also expensive, so if you don't like them it's an expensive mistake.

I use a D'addario Chromes. Rotosound flats are fantastic too. Medium gauge flats in both those brands will be very high tension. That's why I use a lighter gauge in flats than I do for rounds.

My recommendation would be to try the Chromes in a softer-than-your-usual gauge. I use 45-100.

On a side note, ever tried a pressurewound string? The GHS's are great. All the bite of rounds, without that steely twang. Not the thumpity-thump that flats give, though, if that's what you're looking for. I think they sound better on a Jazz than a P. Flats go great on a P.

[4mal]

I use the Fenders on a fretted 4 for old school rock / blues / rootsy stuff. I like them a lot and the tension doesn't seem high to me. Not as soft as a round wound but then you wouldn't expect it to be. Very strong fundamental and not a lot of ringing which is what I want for that particular feel.

I use Chromes on my fretless. Very nice harmonic content. A very rich sounding string. Woody and warm. I haven't tried them on a fretted bass but I think they would lack the punch and *girth* of the Fenders.

I tried a set of flats and they are a fine string. I didn't think as much of them as the Chromes though so there I stay.

[martini]

Flats on a fretted bass sound awesome: A very big, deep and full tone. You are'nt restricted to the '60's muffled sound either, especially with modern amplication.
They do absorb a lot of energy from your fretting hand and this takes a bit of getting used to.
Go for it, you won't be sorry.

[Bob Rogers]

I love my TI flats, but I have a pretty light touch. The D'Addarios have a bit stiffer feel - might be better if you really have a hard attack. I have a set of GHS flats coming for my short scale Turser Beatle bass. We'll see how that goes and report back. Let us know what you end up doing. Trying different bass strings is expensive, but worthwhile.

[fenderslaper]

tape wounds. I have them on my fretless and like them a lot. I'm thinking about putting them on my Jazz bass too. I like the tension of these strings. I'm using La Bellas.
slaper.

[Big Tony]

Thanks for your thoughts, good people!

I play with regular two-finger technique, and have a tendency to be a bit heavy-handed (on both Telecaster and bass). Maybe that's a result of playing a lot without plugging into an amp... I'm trying to develop a softer touch to avoid carpal trouble, and to get a better tone as well. I'm currently using a set of 45-100 roundwounds. My idea was to slap the flatwounds on my Squier P-bass Special. I will keep the roundwounds on my main bass, a Yamaha BB1500A, for the time being.

At my local Swedish music store the price for a set of Fender 9050s is SKR 305:- / = c. $42:-
D’addario Chromes are SKR 520:- / = c. $71:-
GHS 3050 Precision Flatwounds are SKR 295:- / = c. $40:-
GHS 3070 Brite Flats are SKR 495:- / = c. $68:-
GHS Pressurewounds are SKR 350:- / = c. $48:-
Rotosound 77LD are a whopping SKR 599:- / = c. $82:-

Thomastik-Infeld bass strings don’t seem to be available in Sweden, and buying just one set via the Internet seems to be too expensive. Also, I’m not sure I will like the low tension.

I’ve heard that tapewound strings can get a bit hot from the friction, and some people don’t like that.

I guess I will try a set of Fender 9050s, and hope that I (and my bass!) can cope with the tension.

Thanks for your input! I will let you know what I think when I’ve tested the flatwounds.

[martini]

Hey Tony, whereabouts are you in Sweden?
I was there in June 2003 and my band kappa (ladies coat in Swedish I believe!) Played at the Skelleftea festival.

[Big Tony]

Originally Posted by martini

They do absorb a lot of energy from your fretting hand and this takes a bit of getting used to..

I'm not sure I understand... How does that affect your playing?

I live in the opposite end of Sweden, in the deep south of Scania.

[fenderslaper]

"I’ve heard that tapewound strings can get a bit hot from the friction, and some people don’t like that. "

I have heard someone say that too, but they don't seem to heat up on me. YMMV

[martini]

It takes more effort to play them.

[Big Tony]

Originally Posted by fenderslaper

tape wounds. I have them on my fretless and like them a lot. I'm thinking about putting them on my Jazz bass too. I like the tension of these strings. I'm using La Bellas.
slaper.

I haven't been able to find La Bella strings in the stores, but they have Fender tapewounds. I wish bass strings weren't so expensive, so you could just buy a bunch and experiment.

[maxvintage]

TI jazz flats are really great. They have the round mellow tone you associate with flats, but none of the stiffness, inarticulate pitch and intonation problems flats often have. If you want them to sound more like a really old, dead set of flats, slip a foam mute in there. I use them on my p-bass and my j-bass and I love them on both. They are a little lower tension, but i can't say i really notice all that much. (I play a lot of upright and all electrics seem low tension) Also they last FOREVER

Ti flats are what--30-35 bucks? I've had a set on my p-bass since 1999, so they have cost me a little over ten dollars a year. I can't promise you'll love them, but they sound like exaclty what youre after

[fenderslaper]

You can order the La Bella's from Carvin.

http://www.carvin.com/cgi-bin/Isearch.exe?P1=ACC

[Bob Rogers]

Originally Posted by fenderslaper

You can order the La Bella's from Carvin.
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Juststrings.com also carries them. One warning if you go for the Jamerson set - they are sized for Fender toploaders. Will not fit string through.

[Tim Armstrong]

Maxvintage mentioned that some flatwounds seem prone to intonation problems, and I'm curious about this. I'm still having problems with my TI Jazz Flats, particularly the A string. I get it so it's good open and at the 12th fret (harmonic and fret), and end up with sharp notes down around the 2-8 frets. I get the same problem (but not as bad) with my E string. It's very frustrating!

I'm going to have the local guitar tech check it out, as I've run out of ideas on my own, but if any of you have suggestions, I'm listening!

Cheers, Tim

[Bob Rogers]

Tim- Did you switch to TIs recently? Do you have rather high frets? This could have something to do with the relatively low tension of the TIs and your touch with the fretting hand. This is a typical story when a long time acoustic player switches to an electric with high frets. Left hand death grip pushes the string down to the fretboard and pulls it sharp. How much can you move the needle on your tuner by varying the pressure on the string? Just a guess.