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Favorite flats with high tension

#22
3bc said:
I’m lookin at flats for the first time ever. Most strings are pretty taut by the bridge. I’m more comfortable playing by the neck pickup (or only pickup on a P), and i find many strings too loosey goosey in that position.

Any recommendations for a nice set of flats for a new P bass with high tension level?

Thanks! I’m mostly playing fat beams these days on other bass, and that’s about the tautness I’d like.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
CHROMES!!!
 
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#29
michael_t said:
A word of caution for the OP...

These are two of the stiffest and the highest in tension of all bass strings - a lot stiffer and much greater in overall tension than the DR Fat Beams you're talking about. ;)
Click to expand...

Either of those will lead you to question the build integrity of your bass’s neck if you haven’t used them before and you’ll very likely need to adjust the truss rod after.

The La Bellas also tend to suffer from “lazy E” where the low string takes quite a long time to break in and sound in the same timbre as the rest of the strings, it’s very off-putting if you haven’t gone through the break in period before. La Bella strings are definitively not the right choice to swap in before a gig.
 
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#30
SlowpokeJoe said:
Either of those will lead you to question the build integrity of your bass’s neck if you haven’t used them before and you’ll very likely need to adjust the truss rod after.

The La Bellas also tend to suffer from “lazy E” where the low string takes quite a long time to break in and sound in the same timbre as the rest of the strings, it’s very off-putting if you haven’t gone through the break in period before. La Bella strings are definitively not the right choice to swap in before a gig.
Click to expand...

Manually break-in your strings in in 4 easy steps:

1. Install & tune your strings to your choice
2. Apply force before and after nut piece at the headstock, then before and after the bridge saddles
3. Retune
4. Enjoy! :woot::woot::woot:
 
#31
i ordered a couple pairs to start, la bella 45-105, chromes at a lower gauge. i understand that flats are not something to dip your toe in, many people prefer to leave them on for years or decades. Hope this will at least give me some indication on tension vs. my usual round wounds!
 
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#32
3bc said:
i ordered a couple pairs to start, la bella 45-105, chromes at a lower gauge. i understand that flats are not something to dip your toe in, many people prefer to leave them on for years or decades. Hope this will at least give me some indication on tension vs. my usual round wounds!
Click to expand...

Chromes were my second choice. I used to like GHS flats before but then I prefered the Chromes. Now I just tried the monel Rotosounds and they might have taken over in just half an hour ! ENJOY your trip !
 
#35
3bc said:
I’m lookin at flats for the first time ever. Most strings are pretty taut by the bridge. I’m more comfortable playing by the neck pickup (or only pickup on a P), and i find many strings too loosey goosey in that position.

Any recommendations for a nice set of flats for a new P bass with high tension level?

Thanks! I’m mostly playing fat beams these days on other bass, and that’s about the tautness I’d like.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass 105 - 45 would be a good choice for you. Like this ...

https://www.amazon.com/Bella-760FS-...s&sprefix=labella+bass+strings,aps,165&sr=1-2
 
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#37
D’ad Chromes have a nice stiff feel. And a great thump. LaBella too. But the Chromes are in more stores if that matters. Lots of options. Roto 77s also feel pretty stiff. How stiff do you want?

FYI Chromes are quite bright on install and take a week or so to get to the flat “snap” that many players want. If you go Chromes play the heck out of them for a few days for best results. My experience.

LaBella can feel a little tacky for a day or so, like many flats. But great tone.
 
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#39
mattj1stc said:
1st choice - La Bella Jamersons
2nd choice - Rotosound Steve Harris
Click to expand...

As was mentioned above, these are basically bridge cables. If you really want the highest tension, stiffest strings available, these are they. Or them. Or something. I’ve tried both when I was going through a heavy string phase, and there was a lot of truss rod tightening involved. And sometimes cramping of the left hand when playing.
 
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