suggest a set of good low tension flatwound strings

[carlo3874]

Hello,

Can someone suggest a set of good low tension flatwound strings for my P bass?

Thanks!

carlo3874

[Slowgypsy]

TI Jazz Flats would be my recommendation.

[Marty Forrer]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

TI Jazz Flats would be my recommendation.

+1.

[old-fashioned]

(very) good, (really) low tension, flatwound= TI Jazz Flats
(for a warm and organic tone)

[dmusic148]

+2, but do be aware that they don't sound like other flats. They have a lot of upper mids.

[Laurent]

Yes TI Jazz is a great set but they got really, really expensive. $60 for a set is out of my league.

I subsituted with Ernie Ball Flatwound Group II and I like them just as much.
Slightly different tone but great strings nevertheless, superb feel and great value.
For a while I could buy them for a song and dance as GC was discontinuing them.
I got them at cost, that was pretty sweet. And yes I bought everything I could put my hands on!

[tekdiver500ft]

Second lowest tension flat is Sadowsky Black Label. They're considerably less expensive ($42) than T-Is, and a little stiffer, but still play really well. They're full-voiced, and evenly balanced, too.

[Ron G]

GHS Precision Flatwound (45-105), 3 basses GHS Flatwound.

GHS Flatwound Strings Overview - YouTube

[old-fashioned]

Originally Posted by Laurent

Yes TI Jazz is a great set but they got really, really expensive. $60 for a set is out of my league.

You can use your flatwound strings for ages, so their price may not be as critical as roundwounds. But yes, the TI's are expensive really.

[tekdiver500ft]

Originally Posted by Ron G

GHS Precision Flatwound (45-105), 3 basses GHS Flatwound.

GHS Flatwound Strings Overview - YouTube

They aren't low tension, though. They're better than LaBella's, which are better than Rotosound 77s, but nowhere near as good as Sadowskys, which aren't as good as T-Is. IME, IMO, YMMV, and all that other garbage.

[gary m]

GHS flats are pretty low in tension ...TI flats will be ridiculously low tension, and about as low as you'll find in a flatwound string. Pyramids are also fairly low tension strings too.

[PBnJBassist]

If you're looking for low tension flatwounds, I recommend any of the following sets from (get ready) lowest to highest tension, low-tension sets:

Thomastik Infeld 43-100
La Bella FX 39-96
GHS Precision 45-95
Ernie Ball Group IV 40-95
D'Addario Chromes 40-95
Sadowsky Black Label 40-100
D'Addario Chromes 40-100
La Bella 760FL 43-104
GHS Precision 45-105
Fender Super Light 40-100
Rotosound 77 40-100

*Left out other brands due to my unfamiliarity with them. Many apologies to the other flats out there.

Remember that all of these gauges are, for the most part, low tension, with Thomastik Infeld (TI) coming in at an average of 34lbs. while La Bella, GHS, and EB & Chromes come in very close with tensions ranging within the 37-39lbs. Once you break into Sadowsky territory and up, the tension is extremely minor with an average "feeling" of 38-42lbs. of tension. Basically, if you want the lightest of the light, go with TI flats, but if 3-5lbs. of tension is not going to be a significant factor with your playing style, then any of these light to light-medium sets are fine, fine choice. And as always, select accordingly so that your brand matches your sound, as all strings (let alone flatwounds) are not made equally.

[PBrown]

Just tried out some Fender medium-light Flats on my pj and I really like the sound of em.
Flatwounds « Parker's Bass blog

[fretlessguy]

I use TI Jazz Flats and GHS Precision Flats in light gauge (.45-.95) because they are a little lighter in tension than the medium set, but do not give up any thump.

[bassgrooves2]

Glad I found this thread. I recently put some d'addario chromes on my Carvin B5 and am not really digging the tension, or the tone really for that matter. Think I'll be sopping around for some TIs

[milo]

I put TI Jazz flats long scale on my Spector Rebop 5 and they fits perfectly.
And they are not so low tension as someone may imagine.
I found B strings is higher tension so I can have low action on B compare it to other flats I tried where I must set B string action on high side.
So now I can have low action on all 5 strings without buzz.

[jasper383]

I would think the light gauge of really any of these would serve you well.

I always suggest the light La Bella 760FX set. Nearly as slinky as the TI Jazz Flats, but much more of a traditional flat sound.

I also like the light Chromes set. The ECB80 40-95 set.

[carlo3874]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by bassgrooves2

Glad I found this thread. I recently put some d'addario chromes on my Carvin B5 and am not really digging the tension, or the tone really for that matter. Think I'll be sopping around for some TIs

I couldn't find anywhere cheaper than Bass Strings Online:

Buy Thomastik-Infeld (T-I) Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

Be sure to register and include you are a talk bass member in the comments and he will set you up as a vip for special discounts automatically.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Second lowest tension flat is Sadowsky Black Label. They're considerably less expensive ($42) than T-Is, and a little stiffer, but still play really well. They're full-voiced, and evenly balanced, too.

I agree with this.....these are really nice sounding/feeling and playing. It also is one of the few tapered B strings. Be sure you get the correct length. I once got XL's for my Warwick and they were really too long (had full thickness string wrapping around post.)