Lightest gauged flatwound strings available? (possibly for shortscale)?

[CherryFive]

Hi all!
I've never purchased a set of bass strings in my life. The other day my E string broke, so, time for a new set.

I'm replacing the strings for a bass made in the 60's, so it's a little "Delicate". Not the greatest construction in the world.
For that reason, I am searching for the absolute lightest gauged flatwounds available. Can you help me? I really do not mind the brand, just as long as they are super light and wound flat! I'm looking to purchase on the internet as opposed to a store, so anything can go.

There are two points for me to consider though;
I am a novice, but I believe this bass to be a "shortscale". I measured from the nut to the end of the bridge, and it's about 32 inches. When I measure from the nut to the actual "tailpiece," I get a measurement of about 34". So, I'm not sure about what scale I need to look for. Does this help?

Second point, which almost tore my head off, was that I've found that some strings cost around 50 dollars!!! I'm hoping to find something in the 25 dollar range...if that's not asking too much!

I thank you for your help! I also want to thank Thornton Davis for explaining how to measure scale on my bass and all of his additional help.

Thank you!!
John

[CherryFive]

Here's the bass in question

[The Craw]

First things first. The scale length is twice the distance from the inside edge of the nut to top center of the 12th fret. That's probably a short scale (30") bass.

But it's a violin-style bass with a tailpiece, and for most of those you need a medium scale set because the distance from the bridge saddles to the end of the tailpiece is longer than usual. A short scale set often doesn't have enough winding length. Measure from the ball end of the string to where it meets the nut. That's the minimum winding length you need. If it's more than 32" you'll need a medium scale set in most brands.

The lightest flatwound sets I know of that are available in short or medium scale are the Rotosounds, RS 77S or RS 77M. They're 40-90 sets. They run about $30. but most retail stores will only have them in long scale, if they carry flats at all. Big City Strings carries them, I've bought from them before and was very satisfied.

You might also consider the LaBella Beatle Bass set they carry in the 39-96 gauge. They should fit as long as your bass' headstock is Hofner style. They're a little more expensive but they sound better to me, and they will probably put even less tension on the neck than the Rotos.

Flatwounds will usually outlast roundwounds several times over. In the long run they're almost always less expensive.

[CherryFive]

Hey Craw-
Thanks for the reply!!!
You've helped me narrow it down to the two sets your suggested!

My only questions is this. You said the Labellas would put less tension on my neck than the Rotosounds. Why is that?

R-S77M Custom: 40 50 75 90
L-7 Beatle Bass: 39 56 77 96


Maybe I don't understand these gauges, but wouldn't it appear that the rotosounds would put less tension on my neck seeing as they have lower gauge numbers (except one)? I'm not trying to correct you - the truth is I don't really understand what these numbers mean!
I'm leaning towards the Labellas cos' you said they sounded better to you and..especially the part about less tension!
Again thanks for the link and your suggestions,

Best regards,
John..

PS- I measured from the very beginning of the neck to the beginning of the 12th fret, and added...and got a measurement of 31".

[The Craw]

Here's the deal: no matter what kind of string it is, the weight of the core wire determines the tension. Not the outer wraps, and not how stiff or how flexible the string feels.

The outer size is a guide. But LaBellas have small cores and size for size they're easier on the neck than most. Rotos aren't especially high tension but I've found them to be higher tension than LaBellas.

If you decide on the LaBellas, you need to be aware that on the Beatle Bass sets, the leaders - the silked parts past the winding length - are shorter than usual. That's so you can wind the whole length of them around the small diameter Hofner style tuners without having to trim the ends. But if you have a Fender style 4 in line headstock like on a Mustang bass, they may not have enough leader to reach the D and G tuners.

I suggest you talk to the guy at Big City Strings. I think his name is Louie, it's been awhile since I ordered. He's very knowledgable about his stock and what fits what.

[CherryFive]

Thanks craw! I appreciate all of your help.

I think I might be sold on the beatle Bass strings..
I think that the strings will work with this bass. Here's the headstock.



The tuners aren't guitar-like Hofner tuners, but they are spaced similarly, unlike the Mustang.

Thanks again man!!!

Best
John

[zombywoof5050]

If you want some low tension flats for a delicate bass, then you want TI Flats which are perhaps the lowest tension flats available (and also sound great!).
The LaBella 760FX set would be another good choice IMO.

[The Craw]

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

If you want some low tension flats for a delicate bass, then you want TI Flats which are perhaps the lowest tension flats available (and also sound great!).
The LaBella 760FX set would be another good choice IMO.

The LaBella 760FX set is the same gauge set I've been talking about. The Beatle Bass version is the 760FXHBB.

The TI flats are not lower tension than the LaBellas or Rotos I mentioned. The windings of the TI flats roll under your fingers while the LaBellas and Rotos are traditional stiffer feeling flatwounds. But feeling more flexible isn't the same as the amount of tension needed to tune to pitch. And the TI flats sound nothing like traditional flats. They're very mid/upper-mid heavy instead of being low/low-mid heavy.

[The Craw]

CherryFive, with a 31" scale and that headstock, looks to me like the Beatle Bass set will work fine (or the Rotos in medium scale). But you might want to double check with the man at Big City Strings.

[Kjarkas]

Hi guys,
As you can tell, I did a search on light gauge flats and came across this thread.

I have a long scale bass, Fender Squier P-Bass that I plan on recording with. I got a set of flats, but they turned out to be medium scale.

Any suggestions for long scale flats at the lightest gauge? Rotosound doesn't have any at long scale and La Bella is 45-105 at the lightest, I'm very hesitant to get those.

[brandau]

Labella 760 fls are .043-.104 and are pretty light.... Daddario Chromes come in some pretty light gauges too..as do Thomastik

[DogBone]

Originally Posted by Kjarkas

Hi guys,
As you can tell, I did a search on light gauge flats and came across this thread.

I have a long scale bass, Fender Squier P-Bass that I plan on recording with. I got a set of flats, but they turned out to be medium scale.

Any suggestions for long scale flats at the lightest gauge? Rotosound doesn't have any at long scale and La Bella is 45-105 at the lightest, I'm very hesitant to get those.

D'Addario Chromes are available in .040 - .095

D'Addario Chromes Flatwound - 4-String Set

[mmbongo]

Send an email to Jason at Bass Strings Online:
Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop...

He will hook you up.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

FWIW - La Bella makes all of their FlatWounds in any scale length:

They have their 760FX (Extra Light) set available in Short Scale: Extra Light: .039 .056 .077 .096

Pyramid and Thomastik-Infeld both have Short Scale flats available... They are very light feeling even though the gauge might not be super low...

one thing to keep in mind with "Short Scale" instruments is you don't buy strings bassed on the instrument scale, but more the measurement from the Ball End to past the Nut. Some Short Scale instruments really require "Medium Scale" strings... Yes I know its confusing...

So your bass may measure 30" from saddle to Nut, but it may measure 34" from Ball End to Nut requiring Medium Scale strings...

So for most accurate fitment, be sure to measure from the Ball End to just past the nut for optimal string fitment for all instruments and scale lengths...

[bassobrutto]

Kjarkas: GHS also makes a light gauge flatwound that is full scale (.045-.095) and gives a good traditional sound. I happen to have a very lightly used set which I would be happy to trade for your medium scale set if you want to save some money. PM me if interested.