GHS Brite Flats Stiffness

[redmagictones]

I bought a set of GHS Medium Light Brite Flats to replace the stock strings on my Squier P-bass. I really like the feel and sound of these half round strings.

The problem I am having is that they are a little too stiff especially in standard tuning. For the past day I have been playing in Eb because the strings feel a bit looser. I have my action set pretty low and intonated. These strings are about the same gauge as the stock fender strings that were on it.

Besides a set of tapewounds back in the day these are my first set of semi-flat strings.

Are they supposed to be this stiff or does it just take a little while for them to break in? If not are there any tricks to make them less stiff? Like trimming the string or anything?

Thanks in advance

[madbassplaya]

Not too sure about the brite flats but I know most flats are "stiffer" in nature. TI's have less tension.

[Marton]

They are buffed roundwounds, so for example to get a .100 gauge, they start with let's say .105 string. So they're stiffer than a standard .100 string !

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by Marton

They are buffed roundwounds, so for example to get a .100 gauge, they start with let's say .105 string. So they're stiffer than a standard .100 string !

This!

They are really machined to a flat surface though... Wish they were "buffed" after the machining process this would get rid of the "sticky" that people do not like, but it will also deaden the string.

They should behave like round wounds. They are not true "Flat" strings. They should have the same flexibility of rounds but more of the tonal characteristics of a flat.

It is possible your old strings were just so worn they felt more flexible... these will get there once they break in.

[stflbn]

I didn't think they felt as high of tension as Chromes or others. Felt decent to me and I'm pretty wimpy when it comes to stiff strings.

[redmagictones]

Last night I messed with the bass some more and the strings feel alot less stiff than before. I believe I just didnt give them enough time to break in or its just a mental thing. The fender rounds that were on the bass before were pretty old and floppy.

I definately love how smooth these strings are on my plucking hand.