Thinest Flatwound Set?

[ric4682]

Hey guys,
I have Rotosound Funkmasters on my Ric and I was thinking of trying flats but don't want all of the tension of a standard set. Does anybody have any idea where I can get some somewhat-inexpensive thin flats.
Also, is it sacreligious to put flats on a Ric?
Lastly, this is my first post so please excuse all noobiness.

Thanks

[Matt R.]

Sacreligious? Ever heard of Paul McCartney? Check out juststrings.com, and you will find some good info on what you are looking for. Good luck!

[4-string]

TI flats are low tension.

[king_biscuit]

Also, look at La Bella 760FLs. They have more tension than the TIs -- which many people find to be too low -- but certainly no more than a standard set of rounds.

[jasper383]

La Bella makes a 760 FX set that is really light gauge. Very much along the lines of TI Jazz Flats tension-wise.

I would think the light D'Addario Chromes 40-95 would be great on a Ric.

[stflbn]

There's always interest in the tension of the different brands of flats, and roundwounds for that matter.

Would be very helpful if someone knowledgable enough could put a list of flats together in a rough order of tension.

I know TI's are lower, and Chromes are on the higher tension end, but that's the end of my flats experience. Of course, then there's the aspect of tone along with tension.



.

[lhoward]

I use both TI Jazz Flats and La Bella 760FLs. The TI on an active EMG P fretless and the 760FLs on another fretless with passive PJ pups. I like both and the difference in tension between the TI and La Bella is no big thing. Each gives me what I want from each particular bass.

I've used the TIs on a fretted bass with EMG PJ pups and they worked well for me.

Lloyd Howard

[halloweenfiend]

I recently ordered a set of Roto 77's in the 40-90 gauge for my Mustang RI. I'll have to report back after I get them and try them out. In the past I have tried TI's and D'addario on the same Mustang.

[gnasher1993]

I'd be interested in some low gauge flats. I can only ever seem to find quite high gauge ones over here.

[ric4682]

Thanks for all of the help so far! I'm already looking into alot of the strings you're mentioning. For reference, the Funkmasters, if you don't know are VERY thin strings. So...the thinner, the better!

Just to let you know, Im going for that early Peter Cetera, John Paul Jones, fat but clear tone.

[Mojo-Man]

Fender makes a 95-40 set of flats.

[stflbn]

Thin doesn't necessarily mean low tension though.

[J.D.B.]

One of my bassists bought his Rick new in '77(I was there) and, not only did it come with flats, the tag said the warranty would be void if round-wounds were installed.

Josh

[SUNNydayr.]

I just picked up two sets of TI's while visiting Hawaii. I found that amusing since none of the places in the SF area have them anymore. They are comfortable to me. I like low tension. There is the Chromes also in 100 80 60 40 that seemed better balanced than the 40-95 set. Might have to order those though.

[ExaltBass]

I REALLY like the feel and sound of Sadowsky Light Flats (40-60-80-100) - they're super smooth and AWESOME tone.

[ric4682]

Would half-wounds be similar to flatwounds tone-wise? Because if there are some very thin halfs I might try those too.

[groovenut57]

Originally Posted by SUNNydayr.

There is the Chromes also in 100 80 60 40 that seemed better balanced than the 40-95 set. Might have to order those though.

+1 I use the Chromes Flats 40-100 and I have to agree I like their balanced feel. In terms of tension, they are less than the D'Addario Nickel Rounds 45-105; in terms of stiffness, they are very close.

[waynobass]

GHS Precision flats are low tension, and not expensive like Tomastick-Infields (whatever). I like mine a lot.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Would be very helpful if someone knowledgable enough could put a list of flats together in a rough order of tension.

Yes, it would. The best way would be if tension could be physically measured and mentioned by the manufacturers, just like calories on food packages. For a standard bass scale that is (34"??). Any scientists among us who might ave a clue on how to?

Until that time, I'll start ranking, tension from high to low:

Fender
Rotosound
D'Addario
TI

You're add-ons please.

[Munjibunga]

it's TI Jazz Flats, but they don't sound like most other flats ... much brighter.