Which flatwound gauge should I get

ariff · #1 02-09-2011, 10:07 AM

Hey there..
I am some what new to the flatwound game. I have been using Fender 9050M on a old 1977 Yamaha BB1000. I am wanting to give some different flats a try. I got a gift card to Guitar Center and they don't have the best selection of Flats over there. I was wanting to give the Labellas a try.. But they don't stock them. So I'll go with GHS precision flats. I have read pretty good things about them here on TB. So my question is which gauge should I go with. My current fenders are a bit stiff and I'd like something a bit more..well not so stiff. I can get the light set of GHS which are .045 .060 .075 .095 or the Medium set which are .045 .065 .085 .105.
95 seems pretty light.. I usually use 105's on my roundwound strings. However flats seem to run larger.. Shold I stick with the 105's or try the 95's. I don't want to lose any bottom end with the lighter gauge string. Well tahnks for any advice you can give me..

king_biscuit · #2 02-09-2011, 10:15 AM

Go with the Mediums. They are perfect tension (not too light or stiff -- definitely less tension than the medium Fenders), and are one of the best sounding flat sets on the planet!

mccartneyman · #3 02-09-2011, 10:23 AM

The GHS flats are fairly stiff, even for flats, so maybe the .095 would be best. As far as stiffness or tension, the flats I've used rate like this (usually medium gauge sets):

TI Jazz Flats: Low tension -- some players say floppy, but I think that's an exageration. Sadowsky Flats: Stiffer than TIs, but not as stiff as D'Addario Chromes
Labella and Rotosund: a bit stiffer than Sadowsky
D'Addario Chromes: Stiffer than LaBella & Rotos
GHS/Lakland JO Flats: m Stiffest of the bunch.

Bear in mind that stiffness is a relative term. I started out 46 years ago using LaBella flats with a .055 G string through .110 E string, so what a lot of guys think are very stiff don't seem stiff at all to me.

Right now I have Sadowksy Flats on my 55-94 and like them a lot. I preferred Chromes on my Lakland Skyline JO5 with Fralin PUPS, though. I have Rotos on my Squier VM Jag. TIs record the best for me. Haven't tried the Sadowksys in the studio yet but they have a bit more definition and presence on a gig.

king_biscuit · #4 02-09-2011, 10:31 AM

MM, perception is funny thing. I have been playing since 1982 and have used all of these flats extensively too. Here is my tension rating.

TI: Lightest by far (wet noodles in my hands)
GHS/Chromes/EB: Mid even tension
La Bella: A bit stiffer than GHS/Chromes
Older Fenders: Stiffest of the bunch

Remember that this is dependent on gauge. For example, a medium set of (GHS 45-105) is going to feel lighter than a set of 50-105 Chrome/EBs. btw, I am playing several basses this morning in my practice room (one strung with La Bella 760FS, one strung with La Bella 760FL, and one strung with GHS Precision mediums).

Also, the medium GHS set is going to feel much lighter than the medium Fenders the OP is using now!

Slackerprince · #5 02-09-2011, 10:37 AM

I like my medium Chromes.

jgroh · #6 02-09-2011, 10:46 AM

I have been dabbling with flats lately, and had two sets of Chromes...the extra light set I ordered, and the regular light set Daddario sent me when the G string of the extra light set wouldnt intonate properly. The heavier set was just about too much tension for me. I could still play but not as comfortable to me as rounds for example. I guess its just because I usually use pretty light rounds that the change was uncomfortable. Sure did make playing my other basses with rounds easy though!

Mike · #7 02-09-2011, 10:55 AM

My preferred flats are Chromes in the gauges of 40, 60, 80, 100- meaty enough for tone yet light enough not to cause any undue pain.

ariff · #8 02-09-2011, 12:22 PM

I tried the Chromes on my old Ric and I did not like them very much.. They were too bright. I am looking for that nice smooth mellow sound.. Hopefully the GHS precision flats will fit the bill.. Still on the fence with the gauges though. Sure wish I could play both sets before buying ;>)

king_biscuit · #9 02-09-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariff

I tried the Chromes on my old Ric and I did not like them very much.. They were too bright. I am looking for that nice smooth mellow sound.. Hopefully the GHS precision flats will fit the bill.. Still on the fence with the gauges though. Sure wish I could play both sets before buying ;>)

I wish you could too. My philosophy -- especially with flats -- is too err on the side of too stiff rather than too light.

dalkowski · #10 02-09-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

I like my medium Chromes.

I like mine, too. They do start bright, but mellow with age.

ariff · #11 02-09-2011, 12:31 PM

OK King Biscuit you are talking me into the med. set.. I have a pretty heavy hand anyhow. Thanks for the help!

guroove · #12 02-09-2011, 12:38 PM

If you like .045 - .105 rounds, I'd go with LaBella 760FS strings. Same gauge, and similar tension. The GHS precision flats will have more tension with the same gauge. I tried them and liked them at first, then didn't like them after a few days.

ariff · #13 02-09-2011, 12:45 PM

Yeah the Labellas were my first choice.. But freakin Guitar Center does not carry Labella products..

And that's where my Gift Card is from...

guroove · #14 02-09-2011, 01:02 PM

Yeah the GHS strings aren't bad. I'd go for the standard gauge, if that's what you are used to, and maybe give the truss rod a little tweak if the neck starts to bow from the tension.

witchbass · #15 05-21-2011, 09:55 PM

i just slapped some chromes on (45 100) before, really like the tension just a tad more than the di addario nickels (45 105) round wounds i had on.
i really like the TIs after a couple of months they really gain a it more tension and feel more more like a round wound tension wise. i think the tension of TIs is over exaggerated here, they just need some play time
i put chromes on my p/j because i play more rock and i heard they were a bit brighter and not as thuddy, but i also play reggae i just turn the tone down and presto