flats that don't feek "stiff"

[thefunkelastic]

are there any, if so what?

[Drifta]

Ti Jazz flats are really loose. like your mom Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhh lol j/k but yeah they are sort of a light gauge, loose like rounds if not looser. i really like them though. takes a little bit to get used to though.

[Mayers]

well ... they all feel like that , practice and they will feel smoother.

You could check out some tape wound. Feel very nice , low tension , they are black and they don,t chew any fretless board.

La Bella 760FL's....Medium Light tension, great tone and a smooth surface.

George

[Ben Rolston]

+1 for TI

[derelicte]

Ti Jazz Flats. fo sho

[DaneB]

The only flats I've played are my Ti Jazz Flats, and I've never felt that they're stiff. Maybe when I play on the bridge pickup, but that's like half and inch away from the bridge, so yeah.

When I get around to getting another bass, thomastik flats are going straight on it

[bthiemann80]

GHS Precision flats didnt feel ungodly stiff. They did a bit at first, but like all flats, after time they will become less stiff.

[fourstringdrums]

TI's or Labella 760FL's

[DavidRavenMoon]

One more vote for TI's or Labella 760FL's.

[thefunkelastic]

thanks guys, just ordered a set of TI's

[Thomguy]

Late to the game here but one reason T-I flats are so flexible, and not just because of low tension, is that during the winding process there is a high-density synthetic material between each wrap as the string is being wound resulting in more space between the ribbons of flat nickel. This material is removed before the wraps are locked to the core resulting in the windings not touching each other and therefore a more flexible string that has a longer period of musical vibration.

Regardless of tension, if the wraps are tight enough and touch one another the strings will be less flexible. Sometimes this is desired, of course I just thought I’d shed some light as to why the T-I’s are more rubbery-feeling than others.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by Thomguy

Late to the game here but one reason T-I flats are so flexible, and not just because of low tension, is that during the winding process there is a high-density synthetic material between each wrap as the string is being wound resulting in more space between the ribbons of flat nickel. This material is removed before the wraps are locked to the core resulting in the windings not touching each other and therefore a more flexible string that has a longer period of musical vibration.

Regardless of tension, if the wraps are tight enough and touch one another the strings will be less flexible. Sometimes this is desired, of course I just thought I’d shed some light as to why the T-I’s are more rubbery-feeling than others.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that info. I can see why they cost more too. They are made more like orchestral strings.

[GeneralElectric]

I find TI's aren't stiff, they're like rubber bands. Have you tried Tapewound flats?

[DavePlaysBass]

I will echo the same thing as many others.

TI flats are the lowest tension. I have them on a Jazz bass. And they are just killer. They sit is a mix like nobodies busienss and just sing when doing mid register runs. I typically use my 61 with TIs on rare occasisons that are laid back with room for noodling around. The low notes on the E are not as powerful as I would like. This is partly the bass.

I have La Bella FLs on a P. They are so smooth and thumpy. My P has a maple board which may help them sound distinct to my ears. These are more tension than the TIs but less than say DA XL 170s 45-100. I think these strings are more behaved than the TIs because of the tension. You can dig in a little more. In contrast, TIs have an overdrive character when you dig which can sound good in a rock setting. I think the Labella are a little fatter (of course that could be the P bass talking). I think the TIs may be a little more distinct (and that could be the J bass talking).

Dave

[lpdeluxe]

Originally Posted by Thomguy

Late to the game here but one reason T-I flats are so flexible, and not just because of low tension, is that during the winding process there is a high-density synthetic material between each wrap as the string is being wound resulting in more space between the ribbons of flat nickel. This material is removed before the wraps are locked to the core resulting in the windings not touching each other and therefore a more flexible string that has a longer period of musical vibration.

Regardless of tension, if the wraps are tight enough and touch one another the strings will be less flexible. Sometimes this is desired, of course I just thought I’d shed some light as to why the T-I’s are more rubbery-feeling than others.

Thank you for that information. I knew they felt/sounded different from other flats.

I have recently converted to TI Jazz Flats on all my basses. A friend liked the feel so much he put a set on his Squier Jazz!

[Thomguy]

That's good to hear; I never get tired of hearing of success stories and I’m glad many like the strings. I’m not suggesting they’re for everyone as even for me I play rounds that are higher in tension because my technique just isn’t good enough to get the most out them, too loose. Love the tone but as a bassist I’m really a better drummer…ouch!

Thanks for the feedback.

[D.Don]

What set of flats has the hardest tension then?

Fretless five string, 34" with chromes (2-3 months old), the string "surface"is GREAT now, but I start to feel that they are getting sloppy and I seem to prefer stiffer tension (they felt better some month or so ago ime).

D.Don

[Thomguy]

Chromes are higher in tension but I think LaBella tapewounds are among the tightest (if memory serves) as are the Deep-Talkin' flats.

Rotosound flats play tight too. Tension-wise they're closer to Chromes but their winding process makes them come out 'tighter' feeling. For flats that need a little stiffness, Roto's are pretty nice IMO...maybe a little harder to bend or do vibrato but the stiffness helps on the right hand.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Thomguy

Chromes are higher in tension but I think LaBella tapewounds are among the tightest (if memory serves) as are the Deep-Talkin' flats.

Rotosound flats play tight too. Tension-wise they're closer to Chromes but their winding process makes them come out 'tighter' feeling. For flats that need a little stiffness, Roto's are pretty nice IMO...maybe a little harder to bend or do vibrato but the stiffness helps on the right hand.

Thanks!

Hmm, La Bella B-string, flats, is .128 the only size there is, can't find anything than that in their catalogue. It would be interesting to see tension charts for their flats.

I think my next set will be a set of roto's those where the ones I wanted last time but store's here didn't carry them.

D.Don