• 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.

Anyone else try lighter gauge flats?

#41
It depends on what you mean by "lighter". I generally use 45-105 with roundwounds but that's to stiff for me with most flats. I normally end up around 40-100 with flats, although in some cases I can go lighter. TI Jazz Flats is one example. They're really a bit on the floppy side for my playing style (especially the A-string) but I'm willing to adjust my playing for the wonderful, unique tone they deliver.

There's ONE type of flats where I'll just suck it up and go 45-105 and that's Roto 77s. The lighter sets just don't give the me same tone and they're still rather stiff. So I might as well use 45-105. At least they're stiff enough to set the action lower than any other strings I can think of. Which mean that after a proper setup they're really not that hard on my hands after all.

But generally it's 45-105 with roundwounds and 40-100(ish) with flats for me.
 
#43
What's the consensus on mixing to achieve geometric vs arithmetic balance?

IME I've had relative success with a given instrument when mixing light/med/heavy gauges as needed.

There was a just a thread on most-easily-intonated-gauges.1639043 where post #7 per @micguy states: "If you look into the Physics, one of the things that helps you get more consistent intonation is matching the tension of the strings - you want gauges that are a geometric progression of diameters, not an arithmetic one. 40-60-80-100 is arithmetic, 40-55-75-100 is close to a geometric progression (you want the diameter of the bigger string of two adjacent ones to be 1.33 x the diameter of the smaller one).

Thoughts? Comments?
 
#47
Bassamatic said:
DEFINITELY the T.I. Jazz Flats - JF 344 - Not lighter but lower tension. GREAT sound and playability. MUCH better than Chromes. Better than LTFs also, but the LTFs are a step in the right direction and much cheaper.
Click to expand...
This is all a matter of opinion of course. In my opinion the LTF's are a better choice if you want something not quite as floppy with a little bit more tension. This is relative to the bass they are going on of course.
 
#48
Thanks all for a lot of useful info.
Here's what I feel and hear switching from 45-100 to 40-95. Biggest perk is on the G&D strings have a great feel and the lights pull you away from always thumping up there. On the E&A I didn't mind the heavier gauge can play on either gauge but I notice more low end harmonics on the lighter strings, downside is if you gig in it can get a little muddy.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1248.jpeg
    IMG_1248.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 19
  • Like
Reactions: Sam Evans
#49
MrRiff said:
I have Chromes 45-100 on my P and although they sound great I find a bit too much tension especially on the G string so I ordered a set to try 40-95 gauge and was wondering did anyone else try these. My other bass is a Mustang which also has 45-100 Chromes but due to the shorter scale it plays easier and that got me thinking.
Click to expand...
All the Chromes I have used (actually, only a couple of sets as they last so long) are/were 40-95, but I replace the .060 D with a .055 to provide a much more balanced feel to the set. I still have one set that has been on a few basses over the past 20 years; it is currently on my 1978 Guild B-301.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrRiff
#51
HaphAsSard said:
Keep us posted! (Also feel free to take one or three pics.) I'm interested in Magma's take on the groundwound concept, and in whatever twist they've given it.
Click to expand...

Magma Ultra Flats - are roundwound that have been flattened just like what GHS say about their Brite Flats

Paging @michael_t as well. Got is yesterday:

Closeup pic - Now that is definitely looking like a flat. Compare that to a Cobalt and a Brite Flat which is supposed to do the ground/flattening. I will do another review later. But it definitely looks like a flat. Not as bendy when hanged on a peg like the 100 Cobalt. More on this later

upload_2024-2-8_13-19-38.png


upload_2024-2-8_13-27-35.png


upload_2024-2-8_13-29-3.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard and Just Wrong
#52
Just Wrong said:
Unless we're talking about different strings, this was not my experience. They were definitely stiffer than TIs and La Bella LTF and sounded more like Chromes than traditional flats. I gave them to @Count Bassula after trying them on for ~ 5 minutes. Maybe he can tell us more about his experience? They were their light gauge flats.
Click to expand...

I just got it. On the peg hang test the 105 E is not as bendy as a 100 cobalt, but the again the white tape La Bellas were not either but are supple when played. I thought I saw that comment about it being supple like TIs here, but can't find it again, so maybe it was basschat
 
  • Like
Reactions: Just Wrong
#54
Just stringed it up. Thank God for cancelled meetings. Since I put this on the same bass previously with Cobalts. I will do a reference recording td with the one on sound cloud - should be a fair comparison.

Coming from a light set of Cobalts 95-70-60-40 to this Magma Ultra Flats at 110-85-65-45, I may have to loosen my truss rod a smidge. The neck is flatter now but I am good at where I am. Defies logic, since when off the bass they are not as bendy, seems heavier and have a hex core

Except for the D, the strings are noticeably bendier and supple than Cobalt, and probably the same as the TI. The TI flats 5 string set are old but barely used and still brightish like a month or 2 off the box. Since I also bought a new set in December, I have something to compare

These are not like Chromes, a bit brighter than the TI acoustically. Definitely flat in feel, no squeaks. Not as old school as GHS. If you have bridge like a badass or kickass, these are too short for a 35 scale bass.

I will review this later properly with a sound file.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard
#55
logdrum said:
Just stringed it up. Thank God for cancelled meetings. Since I put this on the same bass previously with Cobalts. I will do a reference recording td with the one on sound cloud - should be a fair comparison.

Coming from a light set of Cobalts 95-70-60-40 to this Magma Ultra Flats at 110-85-65-45, I may have to loosen my truss rod a smidge. The neck is flatter now but I am good at where I am. Defies logic, since when off the bass they are not as bendy, seems heavier and have a hex core


I will review this later properly with a sound file.
Click to expand...

Sorry Imeant 105-85-65-45
 
#56
MrRiff said:
I have Chromes 45-100 on my P and although they sound great I find a bit too much tension especially on the G string so I ordered a set to try 40-95 gauge and was wondering did anyone else try these. My other bass is a Mustang which also has 45-100 Chromes but due to the shorter scale it plays easier and that got me thinking.
Click to expand...
As a general rule, I don't use any D' Addario strings - ever (long story). My only experience with them - other than the rounds that came on a new-to-me bass - that were :poop:-canned as soon as the function check was done - was a set of old, salvaged Chromes that I put on a '15 Tom Hamilton G&L ASAT Bass - because I had no other flats to put on it at that time. They were probably 45-105s; They were - OK, on that bass; until they died, about a year later. And were replaced with a set of Fender 9050L's (45-100) which have been my default flats for longer than I care to think about...
I generally like heavier flats, since I play with a pick 99% of the time; but for certain tones - from certain basses - I will use lighter gauge flats; the 39-96 La Bella 760FX's on a couple of Danelectros, for instance - for "that Dano Sound". Light gauge flats on a short scale bass? I don't like them, as a general rule, but... sometimes, I don't have much choice, since some companies don't make "heavy gauge" short scale flats. IME, lighter gauge flats on short scale basses tend to feel too flexible for my playing style; but, that's just me...:cool:

michael_t said:
I've tried the D'A Chromes 40-60-80-100 (ECB84) in the past and they were ok, but not my favorite.
As far as light-gauge flats go, I like the Ernie Ball Group IV flats (stainless steel, 40-95) and the GHS Precision Flats (45-95). Comfortable tension/stiffness without feeling too loose or floppy.
Click to expand...
I'll have to agree. I have the Group IV flats on a newly acquired Schecter Stiletto Studio lined fretless bass. On that bass? I'm liking them a whole lot. On any of my 34" scale fretted basses? I'd probably go with the I's or II's. As for the 45-95 GHS Precision Flats? That's all I can get, for short scale basses - and they're on 3 of my shorties. Long scale basses? 45-105's, thank you...:whistle:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back