Need advice on flatwound strings

[rcolosi]

Decades on guitar, new to bass so I'm not super familiar with all the string choices....

I've been using the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 flatwounds. I love them, but I need something with a higher tension.. Any recommendations on a good flatwound with a higher tension would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[tjh]

just about anything you try will give you higher tension ... take an evening and read the 'Flatwould Shootout' thread recently revived ... TI's are unique though in their sound, so if you love them, you may not find a suitable replacement ...

[Lo-E]

As tjh pointed out, there's a lot of info on this in other threads, but here's my recent experience:

I use TIs on a couple of basses and really like them.
I recently tried:
Roto-Sound Jazz Bass - similar tone, but not as much midrange push. Higher tension, but not really high. Finish not as smooth as TIs.
D'Addario Chromes - Much higher tension, very smooth finish, traditional flatwound tone.
Ernie Ball Flats - less tension than D'Addario, but otherwise pretty similar.

I hope this is useful.
E

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by Lo-E

As tjh pointed out, there's a lot of info on this in other threads, but here's my recent experience:

I use TIs on a couple of basses and really like them.
I recently tried:
Roto-Sound Jazz Bass - similar tone, but not as much midrange push. Higher tension, but not really high. Finish not as smooth as TIs.
D'Addario Chromes - Much higher tension, very smooth finish, traditional flatwound tone.
Ernie Ball Flats - less tension than D'Addario, but otherwise pretty similar.

I hope this is useful.
E

I have to disagree a little here. I find rotosound flats much higher tension than d'addario chromes, when comparing roto 40-100 to chromes 40-100 and roto 45-105 to 45-100 chromes. I would say no other flat really sounds like TI's. Rotos are very bright at first and shortly get very very dead and thumpy. Chromes are also bright when new but when they go dead they retain very nice mids. Never tried ernie ball flats.

TI's are the lightest tension string I have ever played. If you want to try other flats with more tension, any of the other flats available in there lightest gauge (probably something like 40-95 or something) will have higher tension than the TI's. The difficult thing will be trying to get the same sound. I recommend chromes because they are cheap and also my favorite flat. But, there are plenty of threads here about flats that can give you a good idea of what they sound like.

[Koog]

Been using RotoSound RS 77 LDs for many years now and find the tension just right. No flop, no flab, punch is great. I have used them on a wide variety of basses and find them outstanding in every circumstance.

Have just begun experimenting with a fiver and find the RotoSound RS 775 LD takes all the flab out of the B and delivers punch. These strings are gauged the same as the RS 77 LD with a 130 for the B.

Only other thing I experiment with from time to time is black tapewounds, but I always seem to go back to the Rotos.

Others will differ, because this topic is completely subjective, but this is my experience.

Koog.

[king_biscuit]

EB flats and Chromes have identical tension (and tone) at the same gauge -- none more similar

[Systolic]

The LaBella Jamerson strings are pretty high on the tension for sure.

[Shmandy]

Originally Posted by Systolic

The LaBella Jamerson strings are pretty high on the tension for sure.

+1. I can't imagine the strength his fingers must have had to play on those...

The LaBella flats (non-Jamerson) I have on my P bass have a good amount of tension. But I've never used TI electric strings, so I can't give you a good comparison.

[irishpride28]

Chromes are pretty firm, with a solid no-frills sound that pretty much covers anything you'd need flats for

[JimmyM]

If you love the TI's, you will not find that in another flat. Just won't happen. If you want more tension, you can raise the action. Doesn't put more tension on the strings but it does give you that illusion. Might work for you if you want to keep the TI's.

[tk421]

Originally Posted by Koog

Been using RotoSound RS 77 LDs for many years now and find the tension just right. No flop, no flab, punch is great. I have used them on a wide variety of basses and find them outstanding in every circumstance.

Have just begun experimenting with a fiver and find the RotoSound RS 775 LD takes all the flab out of the B and delivers punch. These strings are gauged the same as the RS 77 LD with a 130 for the B.

Only other thing I experiment with from time to time is black tapewounds, but I always seem to go back to the Rotos.

Others will differ, because this topic is completely subjective, but this is my experience.

Koog.

i have roto 77's on my foundation - and they are the stiffest strings i have ever played. I can leave it tuned down a full step (d-g-c-f) and it feels like standard on rounds, without the floppiness.

[DogBone]

As much as I love the TI's on my Precision, D'Addario Chromes do give them a run for their money with their own excellent sound and more "normal" feel and tension.

And since Chromes are so (relatively) less expensive, I would recommend to give them a try. Very good strings.

D'Addario Chromes Flatwound - 4-String Set at Bass Strings Online

[rcolosi]

Awesome information, guys! Thanks for all your replies!!

[whitedk57]

As for tension: I tried the LaBellas once, and I think I heard my neck wood cracking (jk). Give me TIs anyday! I love me some sloppy strings!

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by rcolosi

Decades on guitar, new to bass so I'm not super familiar with all the string choices....

I've been using the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 flatwounds. I love them, but I need something with a higher tension.. Any recommendations on a good flatwound with a higher tension would be appreciated!

Thanks!

It all depends on how much more tension from the TIs you want.

La Bella 760FX set --a tiny bit more tension
La Bella 760M set-- a lot more

What do you want?

[tjh]

Originally Posted by Systolic

The LaBella Jamerson strings are pretty high on the tension for sure.

"I can't imagine the strength his fingers must have had to play on those..."



Interestingly enough, I do not have the Jamersons, but the 760M's (very close to Jamersons) on a Jazz with vintage frets, and the action is very low, and it is actually fairly easy to play ... in a unique way, I find myself using a lighter touch much like I was when I was using the TI's, only to a different effect ... the high tension, combined with the very low action and a lighter touch actually seems to make them more playable ... they are also a good string option for tuning down a half step as well ...

[gary m]

I would suggest GHS precision flats as a good compromise between the LaBellas and the TIs. I use nothing else on my 34" basses and can achieve a very low action with no floppiness.

[lowendfriend]

Another suggestion (made by LaBella to Sadowsky specs) is Sadowsky Black Label Stainless Steel Flatwounds in the larger of their two gauges.

I found them a little squishy on a 34" scale but I'm quite sure they are tenser than TI flats. They sound real nice, too!