FLATWOUND STRING TENSION

[GRAHAM SG1]

I have just fitted flatwound strings of the same gauge as my original round wounds, to my MIM Precision, my question is, do flatwound strings create more tension as I have had to adjust my neck truss rod twice to compensate, or is it a coincidence ?

Thanks in advance .

[P. Bass]

Flatwound strings generally have more tension than rounds (some brands more than others) & require truss rod adjustment & possibly lower action height to compensate for stiffer feel. There is constant discussion about flats on TB. Here is 1 of the most recent threads
Flatwound Shootout!
Flats take some getting used to so don't be discouraged if they seem strange at first. I'm sure you'll grow to love 'em, when you find a set that fits your tonal & comfort level. Usually a lighter gauge will require less adjustment to both your bass & your fingers. Enjoy!
B.

[GRAHAM SG1]

Thanks for the reply, will keep an eye on the neck adjustment .

[Cannabass]

la bella 760FL!!!

[BLDavis]

Graham,
Some players on here, myself included, are of the opinion that Tomastik Jazz Flats are the closest to rounds in both sound and feel and they are a good set to try if you want to make the transition from round to flat. I've found that on my basses, very little or no adjustment was needed when switching to TIJFs.
Good luck, B.

[KYJazzy]

Originally Posted by Cannabass

la bella 760FL!!!

+10000000000000000

every good precision deserves these strings.

[ggunn]

It seems to me that it is reasonable for flats to exert more tension on the neck than rounds of the same gauge. Roundwound strings have space above and below where the wrap wire touches itself, while flats are more like a solid cylinder of metal. It seems to me that this would cause them to have more mass per unit length and therefore have to be stretched to a tighter tension to achieve the same pitch.

I have no empirical data to support this hypothesis, but it seems logical to me. YMMV.

[GRAHAM SG1]

Its an interesting subject, I really like the smooth feel of flats, I fitted Rotosound 77 40-100s, they sound nice and now I have got the neck right play nicely, a good move, just need to fit some flats to my SG bass, not sure they will suit it though, it already is a very mellow sounding bass with its gibson humbucker, only one way to find out I guess .

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by GRAHAM SG1

...only one way to find out I guess .

When you get down to it, that's really the only answer.