Flatwounds for Fretless...

owensea777 · #1 07-16-2007, 02:22 AM

story short, my endurance decreases a lot when switching to the fretless with flatwounds. This is a combo of the fretless action and the flatwound tension, I'm sure (probably chromes on the bass). It's wierd b/c I play with extra large D'addario chromes on my acoustic electric, and can play all day, cause it's fretted. As soon as I pick up the beloved fretless and start playing, I soon feel like a weakling. It sucks

What I need is a flatwound string that will help increase my endurance on the fretless. Should I go with a lighter guage? A string with less tension? What are the drawbacks of using a lighter guage string and/or one with less tension? I like the sound of Chromes. Should I just go with light guage Chromes?

Puru · #2 07-16-2007, 06:37 AM

I know what you mean. I have fretless acoustic with flats, and a electric fretless with half-rounds. I find the halfs easier to play-they're more flexible and easier to move on.

KeithPas · #3 07-16-2007, 07:08 AM

Try Thomastik Infeld flats, they have lower tension than most flatwound strings.

owensea777 · #4 07-16-2007, 08:23 PM

Thomastik...Don't those strings always feel new, like they never really "wear in?"

Mojo-Man · #5 07-16-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owensea777

Thomastik...Don't those strings always feel new, like they never really "wear in?"

+1
The last forever.

owensea777 · #6 07-17-2007, 12:13 AM

they are easy to play and last forever...
I'll drink to that

anon_6j591b0 · #7 07-17-2007, 12:45 AM

TI Flats are light gauge strings to begin with and basically they're just a super light gauge roundwound with a stainless tape wrap. That makes 'em really flexible and the outter layer keeps the roundwound part clean so they can sound alive for years. I have a set that's been on one bass for at least 4 years...I can't really remember but I know I haven't changed 'em since I moved into the place I'm living now. People seem to either love 'em or hate 'em....I love 'em. Wish they made a 30" scale version that'd fit the Longhorn though.

engedi1 · #8 07-19-2007, 11:21 AM

+1 the ti flats. I am going to put a set on my GL L2500 after recently falling in love with them on my fretted bass. I had low riders on my G & L and my hands were just killing me. Ti Flats are the softest strings I have ever played, and they have monster tone. Check out Xavier Padilla with Gypsy Kings. He uses TI Flats on his Fender and he sounds great!

zombywoof5050 · #9 07-19-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbonny

TI Flats are light gauge strings to begin with and basically they're just a super light gauge roundwound with a stainless tape wrap.

The outer wrap of TI Flats is pure nickel.

anon_6j591b0 · #10 07-19-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

The outer wrap of TI Flats is pure nickel.

Yeah, I realized what I'd said after I posted but I was at work and then I spaced on correcting it. Thanks. The core is what's steel.

mobax · #11 07-22-2007, 04:03 PM

TI Jazz Flats.

saxnbass · #12 07-22-2007, 04:34 PM

I've heard a lot about TI Jazz Flats, but have yet to try them. Do they really sound like rounds?
How are the TI Jazz Rounds? ...

owensea777 · #13 07-23-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

I've heard a lot about TI Jazz Flats, but have yet to try them. Do they really sound like rounds?

I think they sound more like the double bass, but it seems like I've heard people say they sounds like rounds.

anon_6j591b0 · #14 07-23-2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owensea777

I think they sound more like the double bass, but it seems like I've heard people say they sounds like rounds.

Think stainless rounds with a nickel flat outer wrap. The main things people either love or hate about 'em is the super low tension and the fact they feel like a flatwound but sound waaaaaaaaay brighter, more like a nickel roundwound without the string noise...but not really. They're unique. The nice thing about trying a set is that even though they're not the cheapest strings out there they last a long time (years) and if you don't like them on one bass you might on another so don't cut 'em right away. They're also one of the few non-bronze strings that are low enough tension to work on ABGs and can really make one of those sound more like an upright than those ridiculous bronze things ever will.

billbern · #15 07-23-2007, 05:43 AM

Here's my BTB1005 fretless with TI Jazz Flats.
My B string is .136 and the tension is even all across from B to G.

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=2483861&q=hi

Bill

owensea777 · #16 07-23-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbern

Here's my BTB1005 fretless with TI Jazz Flats.
My B string is .136 and the tension is even all across from B to G.

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=2483861&q=hi

Bill

very nice