Like Chromes but not Chromes?

[Stan_da_man]

Okay - have some Chromes on my fretless atm. I like the feel, I like the sound (after a couple weeks) but I definitely do not like the tension.

Anything out there like Chromes but with lower tension? Ta!

[ikay]

TI s- but I expect you know that already!

Edited August 13, 2013 by ikay

[JapanAxe]

I'm glad you like the sound after a couple of weeks as I've just installed a set and they are pretty bright for flats! Personally I don't mind the tension - it's very [i]manly[/i].

[Highfox]

I'd say the Fender steel flats are pretty close.. I use them in lights 45-100 on 3 of my 5 basses Best flats for me.

[Stan_da_man]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1376418371' post='2173713']
TI s- but I expect you know that already!
[/quote]
I've tried TI rounds before and the tension was too low for my liking - how do the flats compare?

[Stan_da_man]

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1376421162' post='2173795']
I'd say the Fender steel flats are pretty close.. I use them in lights 45-100 on 3 of my 5 basses Best flats for me.
[/quote]
What strings would you say the tension is similar to?

[jaydentaku]

What about nylons?

[Stan_da_man]

Roto 88s were too low tension when I tried them.

[nugget]

Status half-wonds
Good tension without being too tight or too loose like TI's - I love TI flats and love the low tension
Sound acoustically just like chromes

[ikay]

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1376424737' post='2173883']
I've tried TI rounds before and the tension was too low for my liking - how do the flats compare?
[/quote]
Not tried TI rounds so can't compare but I've been using the same set of TI flats on my fretless for the last three years and just love the feel. They are significantly lower tension than chromes but don't feel at all floppy to me. Depends what your used to though I guess and what you're after. Total string tension for a 4 string set of TI flats is 140.2 lbs. Tension for a roughly equivalent set of chromes (40-60-80-100) is 165 lbs if that's any help.

[Lozz196]

If GHS Brite Flats are anything like their Precision Flats, they would be worth a try (as the Brites will probably be more tonally near Chromes). I found them a fair bit lower tension than Chromes.

[Beer of the Bass]

A lighter set of Chromes?

[Highfox]

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1376424879' post='2173888']
What strings would you say the tension is similar to?
[/quote]

Something in- between the TI's and the La Bella 760 FL- 43-104.

The above post is right! Look at a lighter set.
Getting the right gauge/tension has been the crucial issue for me in finding the right flats.

[Stan_da_man]

Hmmm food for thought, cheers guys.

[Delberthot]

I haven't found anything like chromes. They are brighter than any of the other flats I've used and couldn't be further away from the sound of TIs or Rotos.

I'm using 40-100 and they're fantastic but the E gets too floppy when I use my detuner to go down to D- to get a thicker E I need 50s but they're way too high tension

[fretmeister]

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1376551110' post='2175696']
I haven't found anything like chromes. They are brighter than any of the other flats I've used and couldn't be further away from the sound of TIs or Rotos.

I'm using 40-100 and they're fantastic but the E gets too floppy when I use my detuner to go down to D- to get a thicker E I need 50s but they're way too high tension
[/quote]


You can buy them as singles!

[Delberthot]

Ooh I didn't know that - just been onto stringsdirect - £10 for a 110 should do the trick

Cheers

[Delberthot]

And ordered

Back to the original question - I've never tried them but was going to try Roto Solo strings as an alternative on a fretless but never got round to it. There's loads of topics on here and Talkbs about them

[Lozz196]

Roto flats = high tension.

[cybertect]

As a band I play with regularly tune a semitone flat, higher tension might be to my advantage.

Noted.

[D.I. Joe]

Fender flats are pretty bright and the 45-60-80-105 set that I have on my Parts-cision feel just the right tension for me. Strokes for folks etc.

[Delberthot]

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1376657691' post='2177482']
As a band I play with regularly tune a semitone flat, higher tension might be to my advantage.

Noted.
[/quote]

Roto 50s tuned down a semitone sound really good


Also, Roto Solo bass strings are not flats - they're pressure wound

[Stan_da_man]

Will be buying some Fender flats next opportunity I get, thanks everyone.

[Stan_da_man]

Update: Bought some Fender flats and... they are almost identical to Chromes! Makes sense since D'Addario now makes Fender strings. The 40-100 set was still a little too much tension for my liking so I may try TI's.

[Lozz196]

Here are some:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/221732-thomastik-4-string-jf344-jazz-flatwound/