Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

New Flatwound Strings Too Taught


Bloc Riff Nut
 Share

Recommended Posts

I got some Rotosound flats as a present. i couldnt believe how tight they are.
They dont feel good at all. This is my first set ever and I dont want to give up on flats, so I'm going to leave them on my jazz for a few weeks.
In the meanwhile I'm looking for a different type/make with less tension to put on my ACG.

What do you guys use?
Any ideas for a softer smoother flat?

Thanks,

Phil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly what Bluejay said. Have two 4s, one with ECB81 Chromes, the other with TI 344 Jazz Flats. P5 has ECB81-5 Chromes.
Will change the Chromes to ECB84s when needed, as I find that the D and G are noticeably to stiffer on the 81 sets. If you want easy and good - sounding, grit your teeth and your wallet and get the TIs. They're cheaper, really, as you won't have to change them for 5+ years if you look after them!

Edited by Telebass
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will not go wrong with TI's get them from [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/product/thomastik-infeld-jf344-jazz-bass-flat-wound-43-100/"]here[/url] for the cheapest UK price I know of, but also check the price over at [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomastik_jf344.htm"]Thomann[/url].

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm using the Chromes ECB84s and I think they're the perfect tension for me. I've had them on the Precision for a couple of years now.

I didn't buy flats to sound dull and thuddy, I bought them as I'm not a fan of zingy roundwound strings but wanted something bright and smooth on the fingers and these fit the bill nicely

I found the Tis tension wise to feel like a floppier version of the strings that come standard on Rickenbackers and they're floppy to me.

Rotos don't have enough top end on them for me.

I found the same with TIs that they were too dull and not enough clarity for me. That was on an Ibanez SR1016


There expensive to buy if you buy the wrong ones but there are always second hand sets for sale on here to try them out.

Edited by Delberthot
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1421163635' post='2657866']
The Fender Flats 45-100 have a nice balance and sound (and price) Been through most of the others and the Fenders are my choice.
I found the TI's a little too low tension on the A string when I dig in, nice sound otherwise.
[/quote]

I like those too, but the 50-100 set - bit more balanced across the strings.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1421015006' post='2656303']
I think La B's looser than Chromes
[/quote]

Yes - I found Chromes to be alarmingly high-tension! Frighteningly so, in fact.

Edited by discreet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

If you like the strings (apart from the tension) it might be worth tweaking the setup. My TI's feel a lot less floppy with a raised action and more relief. Without knowing the strings you had before it's hard to be certain, but (IMHO) flats of the same gauge tend to feel stiffer than rounds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like Sadowsky flats. They're not high tension & not as slack as TIs. Tone wise have quite a bit of mid presence, not unlike Thomastiks.
For a more traditional, thumpier tone try Laklands - lovely to play.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I tried rotosound flats, they lasted one gig due to being such high tension. I also tried pyramid flats (as the band I'm in had is endorsed by them) they only lasted one gig as well. So I've stuck with La Bella's.

Those of you that use TI's how is their tension compared to regular roundwounds? Are the similar or slightly tighter?

Edited by natjag
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='natjag' timestamp='1425395138' post='2706878']
I tried rotosound flats, they lasted one gig due to being such high tension. I also tried pyramid flats (as the band I'm in had is endorsed by them) they only lasted one gig as well. So I've stuck with La Bella's.

Those our you that use TI's how is their tension compared to regular roundwounds? Are the similar or slightly tighter?
[/quote]

I went from Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 50-105 (mostly) & GHS Boomers 45-105 (occasionally) to TI Flats and found the TI's were noticably lower tension. Felt OK on the left hand, but moved around a bit more than I liked under my right.

Then I bought a fretless bass which had a set of LaBella 760 FL[color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=3](43/60/82/104) - and they seem more like the Regular Slinkies in terms of feel, so I've binned the TI's off the fretted and got another set of LaBellas for it...[/size][/font][/color]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...