• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

105-55 Flatwounds Question

elderdawg

elderdawg

Apr 28, 2023
92
210
Asheville NC
reverb.com
#1
So I made the mistake of putting some Fender 9050 Flatwounds on my Ibanez bass. The 105-90-70-55 set work for me on the E and A, but I am having a little trouble with timing playing triplets on the D and G. I miss the little more "give" the 65-45s gave. So since my 30" strings on my short scales seem a little floppier than on my 34"ers, would putting the 70 and 55 on one of my short scales feel close to the tension of 65-45s on a 34" scale bass? Or would my problems on a 34"er still be there on a 30"er?
 
Last edited:
#2
I dunno... they might. But, long scale flats on a short scale bass is not generally a good idea; quite often, the speaking part of a flatwound doesn't like being wound around a tuner post. Especially if it's a comparatively small diameter one.
Personally, I think I'd try a set of the 45-60-80-100 Fender 9050Ls on that bass. I've used those on several of my basses for decades, now. The only reason I've ever taken them off a bass, is because they weren't quite as thumpy as I wanted that bass to be. I'm a very "lock in with the drummer, play in the pocket" player; and 99% of what I play is pretty simple. So, how would they work for playing triplets? No idea; but, the L's are pretty flexible...
As for short scale flats? Over half of mine have to use "medium" scale strings, but almost all of them wear at least 45-105s. One does wear 39-96 LaBella 760FXs, but it's a Danelectro. And it wears those for "that Dano sound". And, one wears TIJR 324 Jazz Rounds - but only because every other string I tried on it - over 12 years - sounded like :poop:... And, I've never even tried to play triplets on any of my shorties. Short scale basses - especially with flats - are pretty much all about a thumpy root note, anyway...:cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: onda'bass, Leo Smith, Prodigus Filius and 1 other person
#3
The 70 and 55 on a 30" will be close in tension to a 65 and 45 on a 34". These are per Chromes tensions, given there is no tension data for the Fender strings.

34" scale
D2/.070/65lbf
G2/.055/62lbf

34" scale
D2/.065/54lbf
G2/.045/47lbf

30" scale
D2/.070/51lbf
G2/.055/48lbf
Those two long scales would be ok around a post, but can get iffy putting a large scale flat's non tapered string section around the E post, partic as previous poster mentions, if it is small diameter tuning post. Flexible flats like TI is another story though
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: elderdawg
#4
Prodigus Filius said:
The 70 and 55 on a 30" will be close in tension to a 65 and 45 on a 34". These are per Chromes tensions, given there is no tension data for the Fender strings.

34" scale
D2/.070/65lbf
G2/.055/62lbf

34" scale
D2/.065/54lbf
G2/.045/47lbf

30" scale
D2/.070/51lbf
G2/.055/48lbf
Those two long scales would be ok around a post, but can get iffy putting a large scale flat's non tapered string section around the E post, partic as previous poster mentions, if it is small diameter tuning post. Flexible flats like TI is another story though
Click to expand...
Thanks that is the info I was wondering about. I might just sacrifice the 70 B string using heat shrink tubing and see if that holds the string together around the post. I was thinking of buying a single 65 anyway.
 
Last edited:
#5
elderdawg said:
Thanks that is the info I was wondering about. I might just sacrifice the 65 B string using heat shrink tubing and see if that holds the string together around the post. I was thinking of buying a single 65 anyway.
Click to expand...
Damn, you immortised my putting 75 instead of 70 in my previous post. You wouldn't need to do worry about long scales for the D and G posts ( assuming 2x2 even) The only string really to watch is the one around the E post.
 
  • Like
Reactions: elderdawg
#8
They will have lower tension and a more supple feel on a short scale bass but the strings will still be physically thicker, which means they will feel different under the fingers than 45-65.

There's also the problem that heavy gauge strings on a short scale can cause weird "out of tune" overtones when playing higher frets. Especially on the lower strings. At least that's my experience.

Personally I would also be wary about having the non-tapered part such heavy gauge flats around the tuner shafts. At least the E-string. Fender install 9050 flats on the JMJ Mustang bass, which seems to work fine, but I think those are the 9050L set (45-100).

I only use the 9050L set myself and even then I find the G-string a bit stiff. I like them a lot but I wish the G-string would have been .040. It feels a bit stiffer than the rest of the strings.
 
#9
elderdawg said:
So I made the mistake of putting some Fender 9050 Flatwounds on my Ibanez bass. The 105-90-70-55 set work for me on the E and A, but I am having a little trouble with timing playing triplets on the D and G. I miss the little more "give" the 65-45s gave. So since my 30" strings on my short scales seem a little floppier than on my 34"ers, would putting the 70 and 55 on one of my short scales feel close to the tension of 65-45s on a 34" scale bass? Or would my problems on a 34"er still be there on a 30"er?
Click to expand...
 
#11
Deleted member 271037 said:
I only use the 9050L set myself and even then I find the G-string a bit stiff. I like them a lot but I wish the G-string would have been .040. It feels a bit stiffer than the rest of the strings.
Click to expand...

My Fender Jazz once wore the D'A Chromes 40-60-80-100 and I found the 40G to be annoying bright (or "twangy") and thin. Switched to the 9050L (45-60-80-100) and found the 45G better balanced with the rest both in tone and feel. Just my experience...
 
#13
elderdawg said:
I guess my fingers are use to the lessor tensions on my other basses, with 65-45s, that I play in rotation. If I only played the 70-55s I would probably adapt.
Click to expand...

‘Bach in the 70’s I played an Eb3 for about 3 years using Roto sound swing bass medium gauge strings sold it. I sold it and bought a Rick 4001 with their standard flats. The owners manual had a warning that using strings other than Rickenbacker OEM strings would void the warranty and the neck would fall off, or word to that effect.

Anyway I agree, switching tension takes a while to acclimate.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back