Flatwound string tension comparisons?

autoglide · #1 10-19-2009, 08:42 AM

I'm replacing roundwounds on my jazz bass. Which flats have less tension than others? TI flats (which I don't want to use) are supposed to have less than most. How do Fender 9050ML 50-100, or GHS Precision, or Rotosound 77 jazz compare to each other in similar sizes as far as tension is concerned? Thanks in advance for your help on this question.

NortyFiner · #2 10-21-2009, 09:45 PM

The flats I've tried myself...

Rotosound 77's have pretty much the highest tension out there for flats. They also are very bright and punchy compared to other flats, and have a rougher feel, so they aren't everyone's cup of tea. I am currently using them on my Ibanez SR505.

D'Addario Chromes are slightly lower tension than Rotos, and slightly less bright, but are still brighter and tighter than most flats. They have a good "general purpose" sound for most kinds of music. Lots of people here like Chromes.

Fender 9050M's have a medium tension, less than the Chromes but more than DR's or TI's. They add a warm depth that underscores Fender bass tones very well; I use them on my Fender Aerodyne J and highly recommend them for my fellow Fender fanatics.

Hope that helps.

two fingers · #3 10-21-2009, 09:51 PM

^^^^^^nice!^^^^^^^^
I think that's the best answer to a question I've ever read on this forum. Lots of info but short and to the point.

chuck3 · #4 10-21-2009, 09:55 PM

I haven't tried enough types to give you a comprehensive answer like the above. I had La Bella nylon tape wounds on my P Bass and replaced them with D'Ad Chromes to get a brighter, punchier sound with more tension. Mission accomplished. Like the poster above said, it is a good all-around sound. I am planning to use that P bass with the Chromes as the only bass at a gig with space limitations where I can take only one, and no DB.

rhapbus · #5 10-22-2009, 01:21 PM

I use the fender 9050 flats, they are pretty good flats. Have a set on my SX p/j

Mastermold · #6 10-22-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

The flats I've tried myself...

Rotosound 77's have pretty much the highest tension out there for flats. They also are very bright and punchy compared to other flats, and have a rougher feel, so they aren't everyone's cup of tea. I am currently using them on my Ibanez SR505.

D'Addario Chromes are slightly lower tension than Rotos, and slightly less bright, but are still brighter and tighter than most flats. They have a good "general purpose" sound for most kinds of music. Lots of people here like Chromes.

Fender 9050M's have a medium tension, less than the Chromes but more than DR's or TI's. They add a warm depth that underscores Fender bass tones very well; I use them on my Fender Aerodyne J and highly recommend them for my fellow Fender fanatics.

Hope that helps.

In my experience the Fender 9050ML flats are higher (not lower) tension than D'Addario Chromes. Of the flats I've used, here's how I'd rate their tension from highest to lowest:

La Bella 760FS and Rotosound flats

Fender 9050ML

D'Addario Chromes (the M set)

La Bella 760FL

D'Addario Chromes (the ML set) and DR flats

TI flats

Mastermold · #7 10-22-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoglide

I'm replacing roundwounds on my jazz bass. Which flats have less tension than others? TI flats (which I don't want to use) are supposed to have less than most. How do Fender 9050ML 50-100, or GHS Precision, or Rotosound 77 jazz compare to each other in similar sizes as far as tension is concerned? Thanks in advance for your help on this question.

I've got La Bella 760FLs on my favorite Jazz (Fender 62 reissue) and love them. They have the perfect tension/feel for that bass so far as my preferences go. I had TI flats on it for a while and didn't like them as much. I love TI flats on P-basses but on Jazz basses I prefer La Bella flats.

Jazzman · #8 10-22-2009, 02:39 PM

I would say the Lakland JO flats are pretty low tension...they feel to be comparable to the DR Black Beauties I have on one of my basses.

glimmerofdope · #9 10-24-2009, 05:07 AM

How do the tapewounds compare with the flats as far as tension?

What is the lowest tension string set avail?

autoglide · #10 10-24-2009, 05:14 AM

I have black fender tapewounds on a hollowbody...they have pretty low tension. TI flats have lowest tension of all flats.

**RedsFan75** · #11 10-24-2009, 08:15 AM

According to D'Addario's site the chromes are pretty low in tension.

RCCollins · #12 10-24-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

According to D'Addario's site the chromes are pretty low in tension.

maybe the lighter set! most d'addario strings, i find are high tension, and the medium chromes rival labellas in terms of high tension.

azureblue · #13 10-24-2009, 08:28 AM

I also think the Fender 9050s are higher tension. I have a set of DA'D Chrome .050's on my five string, and recently played a Fender bass with 9050's on it, and they were noticeably tighter than the chromes. Practically unable to bend notes on the Fender, but I can on the 050 Chromes.

While I prefer the tension of the Chromes, the Fender strings have more "thump" than the Chromes do- I think the Chromes are a bit smoother sounding and have more top end. I wish I could get more thump from the Chromes.

But slightly OT, what is a good B string to mate with the Chromes, if I want to use the 9050 Fender strings on my 5 string?

Jim C · #14 10-24-2009, 10:20 AM

I find the Fenders to have HIGH tension as compared to most normal round wound or to Ernie Ball flats

**RedsFan75** · #15 10-24-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

maybe the lighter set! most d'addario strings, i find are high tension, and the medium chromes rival labellas in terms of high tension.

Yes it was the ECB80 Long Scale 40-95

Code:

	Diameter	Tension
Item#	Note	inches	mm	lbs	kg
CB040	G	0.040	1.02	37.6	17.05
CB060	D	0.060	1.52	45.2	20.50
CB075	A	0.075	1.91	36.4	16.51
CB095	E	0.095	2.41	35.2	15.96

zombywoof5050 · #16 10-24-2009, 05:12 PM

If you want low tension but don't like the TI's, I recommend the LaBella 760FL set.

The only Chromes I've ever tried were the ECB81 (45-100), and I thought they were pretty high tension compared to the LaBella 760FL.

**RedsFan75** · #17 10-24-2009, 08:36 PM

I've got LaBella 760RM tapewounds on my Acoustic, they are in gagues .060, .070, .097, .115.

I'd think the Chromes might be lower tension than those, but I've really got no way of knowing, is there a tension chart for LaBella anywhere?

bassbully · #18 10-24-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

In my experience the Fender 9050ML flats are higher (not lower) tension than D'Addario Chromes. Of the flats I've used, here's how I'd rate their tension from highest to lowest:

La Bella 760FS and Rotosound flats

Fender 9050ML

D'Addario Chromes (the M set)

La Bella 760FL

D'Addario Chromes (the ML set) and DR flats

TI flats

I also agree as others on the Fenders. They were the highest tension flat i have ever played...i called them steel rods and took them off quickly.

Chromes have much less tension and sound great.

TIs are real loose more like rounds but not as bad as allot of TBers make them out to be. They do have a tone of their own.

Mojo-Man · #19 10-24-2009, 09:21 PM

La Bella are very high tension. (They sound great)
Chromes, and GHS flats a medium tension.
TI flats are light tension.
After playing all the above, I prefer TI flats.

quadrogong · #20 10-24-2009, 10:33 PM

I find every set of flats I try feel quite a lot more tense to me,
I automatically go down a guage, does this solve
the problem for anyone?