Do I upsize the gauge with flatwounds???

[bennybass]

Hello,
I recently decided to put some flatwounds on my bass to change up the tone. When I was buying them the salesman told me that I must up the size of the gauge when switching from roundwounds to flatwounds - is this true???
So if my bass is set-up for 0.105 - 0.85 - 0.65 - 0.45 gauges, what gauge of flatwounds should I get?
Thanks!!!

[DavePlaysBass]

GC? BS!

What kind of flats are you looking at? What is your personal preference on the string preference thing?

[eeyorebass]

This is not true. If anything, you might consider going down in gauge, as flats tend to be higher tension/less flexible than rounds in general. Depends on which flats, though.

[bennybass]

I got some Dean Markley's.
Yeah Eeyorebass thats what i thought - "as flats tend to be higher tension/less flexible than rounds"

[envika]

Flatwounds are awesomest when the G is .055! Fact.

[ExaltBass]

For the first time in 35+ years I have tried some flats (on my fretless). I decided on Sadowsky Flats 40-60-80-100 - changing from Elixir Nanoweb 45-65-85-105.

My guitar tech did the setup and told me that it is important to stick with the SAME: brand, style and gauge strings to maintain tension for the setup. He said that even similar gauges from different manufacturers have much different tension. I'm happy with the result!

[Nick Kay]

The only flats that have less tension than standard hex-core roundwounds are the TI Jazz, but those only come in one set of gauges anyway.

[bennybass]

yes any suggestions on favorite flats as well, please let me know

[phat5]

Although I use TI and LaBella flats, I prefer DA Chromes.

[tappel]

Originally Posted by bennybass

Hello,
[...]When I was buying them the salesman told me that I must up the size of the gauge when switching from roundwounds to flatwounds - is this true?[...]

That's absolutely false. Maybe the salesman had some heavy gauge flats that he was looking to unload.

Generally speaking, a set of 45-105 flats will have a heavier feel than a set of comparably gauged rounds. It's simple string theory: it's why a round bar is easier to bend than a squared one.

[Nick Kay]

Originally Posted by phat5

DA Chromes.

+1

[markdavid]

Originally Posted by bennybass

Hello,
I recently decided to put some flatwounds on my bass to change up the tone. When I was buying them the salesman told me that I must up the size of the gauge when switching from roundwounds to flatwounds - is this true???
So if my bass is set-up for 0.105 - 0.85 - 0.65 - 0.45 gauges, what gauge of flatwounds should I get?
Thanks!!!

You should always go one gauge lighter than you would with rounds , flats are more compressed than rounds due to the flat wrap which is why they are higher tension

[FenderP]

Rotosounds RS77LE is my set, but they're not for everyone. My P bass would cry and probably have to be completely readjusted if I didn't put those on there. Different manufacturers really do have different characteristics and tensions, so once you find something you like, unless you like to readjust your setup every time, stick with that string. It may take you some experimentation to figure out what it is you like, but once you do, you'll be happy.

And +1 on the BS you need to go up in gauge. Hogwash.

[sublime0bass]

Originally Posted by envika

Flatwounds are awesomest when the G is .055! Fact.

+1 fender flat Ms

[vince a]

I went "down" on my bass when I made the switch to D'Addario Chromes flats . . . she loved it! As did I . . .

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by eeyorebass

This is not true. If anything, you might consider going down in gauge, as flats tend to be higher tension/less flexible than rounds in general. Depends on which flats, though.

+1

This is wisdom.