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Flats in order of tension

L

Lownote Floyd

May 31, 2010
181
8
USA
#1
Hi I am new to the bass so I wonder if you can help me out....in order of tension (and I am guessing the TI flats have the lowest tension), how do the various brands stack up? I am looking for flats with a bit more tension than the TI but still a very light feel for a 4 string P bass. Thanks.

A bit of arthritis in my fingers so I am looking to make things easy. I play mostly blues.
 
#5
I'm enjoying GHS flats on my P-Bass - I find them to be more flexible than D'Addario Chromes of the same gauge.

Re: LaBellas - it depends on the set. The [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (which I believe used to be the James Jamerson set) had the absolute highest tension I ever experienced. Haven't used their regular flats on a long scale bass but have them on my short scales.
 
#7
I've got some Labella's on my P-bass (760 FL light .43 .60 .82 .104).

Like 'em. They do give your finger's a bit of a work out (especially if your string action is on the high side). Minor arthritis should be OK if you like low string action.

Compared to TI's? Don't know--haven't tried any. From what I've heard, the LaBella's definitely have more tension than the TI's.
 
#9
Gauge is more important than brand. LaBella FL's are good, so are the Chromes 40-95,
Ernie Ball 40-95 are the same strings as chromes. I like low tension and use these and TI's. I have heard the Sadowsky light gauge are low tension too.
 
#11
I have the Jamerson Original 54's and I love em. They are the first flats that I have owned. Yes the tension is high but the tone is incredible. It really didnt take too long for my fingers to adjust to the high tension. I have also dropped the action on my P as low as possible and (thanks to that tension) I have absolutely no buzz.
 
#15
The tension for Sadowskys is similar regardless of gauge in my experience. The smaller gauge set is slightly lower tension, but not much. Sadowskys are very similar tonally and tension-wise to DR flats, in my experience.
 
#16
SLaPiNFuNK said:
Don't forget to take string gauge into consideration.
Click to expand...

This is a HUGE factor. I've heard a lot of people say Labella's are really stiff strings (varying opinions regarding that, I'm sure ;). Preferring lower tension and Having switched over from Ti's to Labella DTF's (a tonal decision) I've found them to be quite easy to deal with having selected a much lighter gauge. I do know however, that if you string up some Jamerson's you're definitely dealing with rails.

:D
 
#17
Marial said:
The tension for Sadowskys is similar regardless of gauge in my experience. The smaller gauge set is slightly lower tension, but not much. Sadowskys are very similar tonally and tension-wise to DR flats, in my experience.
Click to expand...

I've always wondered about Sadowsky's because, IMO, their rounds sound amazing, but have deadly high tension, and are really rough feeling. I think more so than Boomers. Possibly having to do with a hex core? Do the flats have a hex core?

I've got to remember that we're talking about flats here ;)

:D
 
#19
Well, it depends on what kind of tone you like. On my Jazz I found both Chromes and TIs to have a 'boing' to them that I really did not care for at all. I like a really warm (I prefer nickel rounds to steel, for example) tone and the Sadowskys and DRs provide it with a reasonably supple, but not loose, feel.

Type of bass/pick up, and amp, can also affect your decision. For instance, while I don't care for Chromes I've gotten them to 'work' before, but I was playing through an Ampeg. I played through some sort of vintage Fender for Friday's gig, with Chromes (don't ask), and it was the worst tone I've ever produced. Fortunately FOH was from a DI and it supposedly didn't sound too band out front.
 

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