Do flats typically have higher tension?

[meatwad]

This is my Tobias fretless, currently strung with rounds. It hasn't seen much action in quite awhile, mainly because I didn't want to damage the fretboard. I try to achieve low action while using low tension, lighter gauge strings.

Now, I have grown to love the sound of flats over the past couple of years, and am really missing that fretless vibe I get from this absolutely killer bass, so here is my question -

Will D'Addario XL Chromes 40-95 gauge feel similar in tension to it's roundwound counterpart? I have used rw nickel XL 40's (or sometimes 45's) on my StingRay for many years...

Thanks for any advice and opinions!

[bassbully]

Flats for the most part are always higher in tension.This may or may not be a huge effect to you and in time most players get used to them. Some brands are higher in tension than others. Chromes are my go -to flat and are decent in tension. TI JF are very loose, less in tension. But to answer your question the flat chromes will be higher in tension to your rounds..how much is up to you.

[meatwad]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Flats for the most part are always higher in tension.This may or may not be a huge effect to you and in time most players get used to them. Some brands are higher in tension than others. Chromes are my go -to flat and are decent in tension. TI JF are very loose, less in tension. But to answer your question the flat chromes will be higher in tension to your rounds..how much is up to you.

Thanks, bassbully! My experience with flats has always been "uncomfortable" compared to rounds, and they always felt like they were putting tremendous tension on the neck. TI's have also piqued my interest. Anybody else?

[SactoBass]

+1 on the TI's being more like roundwounds, tension-wise.

Every other flat I have tried has been too high strung!! (me no likey)

EDIT: nice Tobias, by the way! great color!!

[FromTheBassMent]

Flats will be higher tension than roundwounds, period.

And while the issue of feel is certainly important, much more important on a fretless is the matter of tone. It seems that a generation of fretless players has been struck with terror at the notion that roundwounds might leave a mark on their fingerboards, thus rendering their careers as bassists moot. To avoid the dreaded winding marks, these bassists have thronged to flats.

The result is that we now have a bunch of fretless players who are suffering with thuddy, clacky fundamentals, no sustain, and no "mwah," all in the name of salvaging thier precious dainty fingerboards.

People, a bass is a TOOL. This would be like a carpenter wrapping his hammer in foam rubber to keep from denting it. For cryin out loud, a fretless needs roundwounds to deliver! Grow a pair and get a set of DR Sunbeams on there, and quit tossing and turning at night worrying that your fingerboard might get smudged! The only way you're going to honk up your fingerboard is if you use fretted bass technique for bends and vibrato (dragging the strings perpendicular to the length of the neck). If you practice proper fretless technique, moving your fingers along the LENGTH of the fingerboard for vibrato and glissando, you will only suffer minor cosmetic damage, and will be able to play for YEARS without worrying about a repair. I've been playing fretless for 30+ years with nickel rounds and have never had a fingerboard replaced.

If a little bit of denting from string windings on your fingerboard is really going to give you angina, quit playing fretless. Because nobody wants to hear you playing your fretless with flats! Flats on a fretless sound like a dry buffalo fart! Eeeesh!

[ixlramp]

The D'Addario tension chart pdf will answer your question.

Or compare tensions published for chromes 40-95 and nickel 40-95.

[Alex E]

For low tension (and a great string), I think you would like the TI 344JFs. Pricey, but they last 3 to ??? maybe 7 years and sound really good....... if you like the 'flat' sound.

TI are very kind to your bass' neck. I haven't studied their tension specs, but from experience with having them on my hofner, they are very easy on the neck. Sound fantastic too. Again, that's if you like the flat wound sound.

[meatwad]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

+1 on the TI's being more like roundwounds, tension-wise.

Every other flat I have tried has been too high strung!! (me no likey)

EDIT: nice Tobias, by the way! great color!!

Thanks SactoBass! It's an early 90's, Burbank-era Tobias Standard built partially at the Pedulla factory in Japan, then finished up at the Burbank shop. I believe they only did 400 total basses, including 4, 5, and 6-strings, color variations, ect... making this bass one of very few trans blue, four string, fretless w/lines, ect.. Not your everyday "hammer".

I'm about to read up on TI JFs, as they are sounding like what I'm looking for. In your experience with them, do they still maintain that FW sound under less tension?

[mcm]

the chromes 40-95 are great if tension is your concern, and they sound great

[Marty Forrer]

TI Flats are not only softer tension than any other flats, and many rounds, but have a distinctive mid tone. They're like the Bartolini of flatwound strings. The trick with flats, regardless of which brand you go for, is to give them a month on your bass before you make any judgement on them. They all take a bit to settle in, and they all get better with age. My TIs are about 12 years old now and sound great!

[rymiraflores]

Originally Posted by meatwad

Thanks SactoBass! It's an early 90's, Burbank-era Tobias Standard built partially at the Pedulla factory in Japan, then finished up at the Burbank shop. I believe they only did 400 total basses, including 4, 5, and 6-strings, color variations, ect... making this bass one of very few trans blue, four string, fretless w/lines, ect.. Not your everyday "hammer".

I'm about to read up on TI JFs, as they are sounding like what I'm looking for. In your experience with them, do they still maintain that FW sound under less tension?

I have tried most types of flats and have been exclusively(the same set) with TIs the last 6 years and I don´t believe I will ever change. No; fret wear, neck wear. Nice and easy on fingers, less tension on neck which is always a good thing and on my bass (Shecter elite5) the perfect tone...deep, growly lows and warm fat highs...I couldn´t recommend them higher, even if TI gave me them free haha. LIke that´s going to happen

[JustOpenYourMind]

Regarding tension on flatwounds, the thruth is that it really depends on the brand and the construction of the string.

Take the chromes, if you look on D'addario tension charts, they are about the same tension as their roundwounds conterpart, some strings being a little higher some being a little lower.

Like everyone mentionned TI's are very low tension,

Flats having significantly higher tension is a myth, it depends on the brand and gauges of the strings.

[Shoewreck]

Originally Posted by JustOpenYourMind

Take the chromes, if you look on D'addario tension charts, they are about the same tension as their roundwounds conterpart, some strings being a little higher some being a little lower.

I believe most players are more concerned about flexibility, not tension. Equal tension is nice to the neck, since it means that little to no adjustment would be needed after changing strings.

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by Shoewreck

I believe most players are more concerned about flexibility, not tension. Equal tension is nice to the neck, since it means that little to no adjustment would be needed after changing strings.

+1

It is stiffness, not tension, that is at issue with flats vs. rounds. Many flats are more or less the same tension at any given gauge than the corresponding rounds.