New Flats for Hofner Ignition/Icon

soulfool · #1 09-08-2010, 10:40 AM

Hi everyone. I have labella beatle bass flats on my Hofner Ignition. Yesterday I broke the D string after accidentally over tuning. This would be the second labella d string I've broken. The strings are the standard 50 - 100 gauge. I love the feel of these strings but one thing I've never liked is the tension and fret clack. I went to Sam Ash a while ago and played a floor model Ignition with Rounds. I didn't like the round sound but I really liked the tension of the strings.

So I'm trying to find recommendation for flatwound strings that will fit a Hofner that have the tension of Rounds. I'm currently considering the extra light gauge Labella Beatle Bass strings or TI Jazz flats. I do have problems with fret clack with my current strings so I'm weary of having more fret clack with the TI strings since I've read they are extremely low tension. Any recommendations would be extremely helpful since I plan to order new strings this week.

Nashrakh · #2 09-08-2010, 10:51 AM

I'd say check out the TIs, they're really cool. I don't think they're as low tension as a lot of people make them out to be. They're certainly not slack, just unusual.

About fret clack... well, how about kicking the action up a notch? Not much though. Just a bit may be enough.

stratovani · #3 09-08-2010, 11:08 AM

Try the La Bella Beatle Bass flats in a lighter gauge. The part number is 760FHB2 and the string gauge is .096, .077, .056, and .039. That's what I have on my Icon and I couldn't be happier. The tension is Goldilocks - not too high, not too low, just right. As far as fret clack goes, do like Nashrakh says, raise the action just enough to stop the clacking. Also, check your technique. Make sure you're plucking the strings parallel to the body and not slamming your fingers down on the strings.

funkytoe · #4 09-08-2010, 11:27 AM

Without hesitation, I will recommend the short scale Rotosound RS77s. They sound GREAT on my Icon. Better than any other flats I have tried. And they have a nice lighter string tension that allows for full-step bends. I have tried the LaBella's, the TI's and the Pyramids. Although the TI's were close, I still preferred the Rotosounds and they cost half as much.

mccartneyman · #5 09-08-2010, 12:11 PM

Rotos will work, and I have LaBellas on mine after trying and hating Pyramids. I have no problem with TI tension on my Lakland, but I've never tried the shorts scale ones. Not sure what you mean about clacking -- mine has so much bottom that fret noise is virtually non-existent.

soulfool · #6 09-08-2010, 07:23 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll research the Rotosounds RS77s tonight. And it appears the TI makes a Hofner specific string (Thomastik-Infeld JF324H) that I'll have to look into.

A couple things I forgot to mention. I have also tried Chromes. They were my first flatwound that I tried but unfortunately I bought the wrong size (shortscale). They worked ok but where I shaved off the wrapping to get them past the nut started looking really bad quick. So I replaced them with the Labellas. I currently have a Chrome D string on as a placeholder for my broken Labella. The Chromes are way to twangy sounding in comparison so I'm eager to do a full restring.

A couple of you suggested raising my action which I think is a good call. I tightened my truss rod about a month ago so that could be the cause for the fret clack. I've only been playing for about a year so technique probably has something to do with it as well.

My first instinct, regarding the new strings, is to go with the lighter gauge Labellas. I can tell by my heavier gauge Labellas, and by comparing to Chromes, that they are a high quality string. I just want much less tension and am not sure if simply going down in gauge on the Labellas is going to get the feel I'm looking for, which is a tension similar to rounds. I'm off to price strings. I'll check back in for more suggestions before clicking "checkout".

soulfool · #7 09-08-2010, 09:35 PM

Still debating between the 3 brands (La Bella, Rotosound and TI). Really curious about the TI Hofner strings.

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/thjfflwoshsc.html

Has anyone tried these Thomastik-Infeld JF324H HOFNER Strings on an Ignition/Icon or Contemporary?

If so, does the silk wrap need to be trimmed to fit?
I found a site where someone was selling the a used set and mentioned trimming them for a 500/1. I'm not sure if the tailpiece on the 500/1 is the same distance as an Ignition?
here's the link: http://www.hofner.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=553

I had to trim my shortscale Chromes which looked too fuzzy afterwards so I'd rather not deal with that again if the TI's need trimming.

DB10 · #8 10-22-2010, 10:37 AM

Just put RS77's on my new Hofner Ignition last night. Fit fine, nice tension, sound great, no trimming required.

Johnny Alien · #9 10-22-2010, 05:04 PM

Most flats are fairly high tension so when people say how low tension the TI flats are keep in mind that is compared to other flats. TI flats are comparable in tension to a light roundwound set. If you go that way then you definitely want the Hofner specific set as the E string is a smaller gauge to work on the Hofner bridge. I put TI's on all the Hofners I have owned and it's a wonderful match.