Some sound string advice please

[facethebass]

I have just recently started playing bass again after about 15 years abscence. I picked up a Samick hfb 590-electric/acoustic which I use for my own enjoyment.
When I was a teen/young man and played bass, I bought the cheapest strings the local music store sold and that was my sound. Older and wiser, I am looking for something more mellow ( like me) that does not have a lot of string noise and is easy to play. I am not looking to 'bulk up my fingers', merely reduce the strain on my older joints and that round wound noise on this bass - like lickin batteries.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think I am looking for flatwound, low tension, light gauge strings(long scale). Now if you could suggest a string or two for me to try out- I occasionally amp the bass, but often play it unamped(not very loud on the Samick, but not a major concern).

Great Forum
Dean

[SGT. Pepper]

OR

[facethebass]

Short and sweet answer-thanks.

[scottbass]

I have heard great things about the new flatwound DR's. I use DR roundwounds and LOVE them, but I have not had the opportunity to try their flatwounds yet.

[Shoewreck]

D'Addario also make some nice halfrounds. It's good if you still want a bit brighter top end. Don't try the .050-.110 set - it's gonna be hell for your fingers (once I tried I fled in horror and never looked back - i love high tension, but that was too much)

OR

[fearceol]

You could try TI (Thomastick- Infeld) flats. They have got good reviews in this forum. As far as I know they are the lowest tension flat available. They are not cheap but worth the money IMO. Their web site is :
www.thomastik-infeld.net

[Jim Carr]

Try D'Addario Chromes. You may find you like the .040-.095 XL gauge. I bought that gauge recently because the store was out of the next heavier gauge. Wow! These are great--low tension, but lots of rich tone on my old P-bass.