Help me choose FLATS on Zon!!!

[derelicte]

I recently acquired a Zon Custom 5 and I luuuurve it. I'm keen on trying out some flats for it and curious what y'all recommend. I play Contemporary Christian Praise and dabble very little in slap-funk (trying to learn )

important specs: 34" scale, low action, 5 string.

***Yes, I've spent a few days lurking thru search functions and reading numerous threads; If it doesn't seem like I have, then .. I'm sorry???***

Ok, well the consensus seems to go with:
1.) TI Jazz Flats
2.) LaBella's
3.) DR ___-beams

I'm very curious and 90% sure I'm going to go with the TI Jazz Flats, but I wonder... since these strings are said to have low tension, would it not work well with my Zon (having low action)? I kinda have sloppy technique and I dig in harder than I should most of the time, resulting in hitting-bridgefrets-sound. A cure would be to "pluck up" from what I've read. But aside from that, wouldn't the B-string be mad floppy??

This may sound noob but.... the Zon isn't jazz.. but the strings are... ? Does that not like.. work?? hahhahha. I don't get what makes Jazz strings.. Jazz. Does that mean they're more dull or dead sounding??

The majority of the ppl who recommend TIJF on these forums seem to have a fretless or recommend it for the fretless, but since mine's fretted, would Flats go badly with a Zon??

Thanks y'all for reading; Happy Easter!!

[Angus]

Jazz flats are just the name. Doesn't have anything to do with the music.

If you dig in hard, "plucking up" isn't going to make things better. Lighter touch will. Strange that. So if you don't like the noise and want low action, then its time to work on your technique.

Why are you going to flats, out of curiousity?

In the end it's just dependent on what gauges you like and how much tension you like. TI's are light gauge and apparently "low-tension" (though they feel like regular light gauge strings to me...), whereas most other flats are regular or heavy gauge. With the right touch they can all be set up for low action.

Just buy some. If you like the sound of one, you'll like the sound of all of them. The rest if just feel.

[JRBrown]

Originally Posted by derelicte

I going to go with the TI Jazz Flats, but I wonder... since these strings are said to have low tension, would it not work well with my Zon (having low action)? I kinda have sloppy technique and I dig in harder than I should most of the time, resulting in hitting-bridgefrets-sound. A cure would be to "pluck up" from what I've read. But aside from that, wouldn't the B-string be mad floppy?? !![/size]

Does your Zon have a truss rod? The low tension of the TI's may affect your relief. The relief in a Zon neck is ultimately determined by string tension.

JB

[6stringbassist]

I have a Modulus Quantum bass, this has a carbon fibre/graphite neck similar to a Zon.

I had a real job trying to get a suitable set of flats (it's a 6 string so I also had a problem getting a 6 string set), the Modulus has a neck relief adjustment mechanism, but not a real truss rod, the added tension of some sets made it virtually unplayable, by me anyway (lol), I like a really low action.

The worst were D'addario chromes and Rotosounds, they made the action so high.

I didn't have a problem with the TI flats, I just didn't like the sound of 'em too much, they are very floppy though.

The best set, both sound wise and tension wise for me were Status hotwire flats.

http://www.status-graphite.com/statu...mes/frame1.htm

They're also quite a good price.

[derelicte]

Thanks for all your replies fellas, keep em coming!! I'm learning a lot from y'all!

@angus - yeah, i'm working on fixing my technique.. so far, not bad!! I wanted to try flats b/c it would be easier on my fretboard since i bend a lot (some not intentionally!), also b/c i like the smooth feel of it. What i noticed was that using my pinky on the B and E strings led to me unintentionally hitting the G string. That with noise from the fingers hitting strings could be eliminated by flats. I'm just going to get a pair to try out

@JRBrown - As far as i know it doesn't have a truss rod. and i didn't know that string tension was related to the action hahaha. i thought it was in the way the necks were set up

@6stringbassist - I like low action too!! i just don't want it to be "floppy" or "spaghetti noodle-esque". I'll heed your warning and avoid D'addarios and Rotosounds. As for the Status', i'm going to do a little more research into those.. added to list! Thanks for the suggestion

[6stringbassist]

Status now do a light gauge flatwound set, 125-100-80-60-40-30, it's not shown on their website because they've only just started doing them, and they're about to launch a new site.

I have a set on the way to me, should be here on Friday.

[JRBrown]

Originally Posted by derelicte

Thanks for all your replies fellas, keep em coming!! I'm learning a lot from y'all!


@JRBrown - As far as i know it doesn't have a truss rod. and i didn't know that string tension was related to the action hahaha. i thought it was in the way the necks were set up

You're right. Problem is, with no truss rod, relief is dependent upon string tension. Action is adjustable at the bridge.

[derelicte]

UPDATE::

so i got the TI Jazz Flats AND the Labellas(borrowed, rather) haha and after trying out the TI's for a while, it felt niiiiiice (tension-wise). i can fret notes softly and play quicker! i was so afraid that the strings were going to be like spaghetti strings! The tone is faaaaaantastic! kinda bright for my liking, but i hear they mellow out after u break em in a week or two. i love how there's very little finger noise. My only gripe?? the strings get... sticky. the b string is stickkkkkkyy!!!! i'm going to see whether it's the "newness" of the strings or just swap in the LaBella's to see if they're better. Any1 else have suggestions for ridding the stickiness? (yes, i waash my hands before!) Hollar!

[JRBrown]

The Labellas?

[derelicte]

Originally Posted by JRBrown

The Labellas?

LaBella Deep Talkin bass 760 i think

[JRBrown]

Originally Posted by derelicte

LaBella Deep Talkin bass 760 i think

How do they sound on your Zon?