I like Roundwounds on my T Birds and Jazz Basses but prefer Flats on most of my P Basses.
I would like the E to be 100 or 105 and slinky.
Any suggestions ?
I would like the E to be 100 or 105 and slinky.
Any suggestions ?
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Flats That Are Easier To Bend
- Thread starter ezra1
- Start date
What about sound requirements?
The most slinky flats on the market probably are Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flatwound (.043 - .056 - .070 - .100) and Optima 4440 RB Flatwound Pure Nickel (.045 - .057 - .077 - .100). Although for more intense types of music their tonal qualities might be subdued a bit.
The most slinky flats on the market probably are Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flatwound (.043 - .056 - .070 - .100) and Optima 4440 RB Flatwound Pure Nickel (.045 - .057 - .077 - .100). Although for more intense types of music their tonal qualities might be subdued a bit.
I like the Dunlop stainless steel for sound, sustain, and flexibility
In addition to these, I also suggest Labella Low Tension Flexible Flatwounds.
They are quite flexible, as advertised. (And similar gauge to the Optima RB set).
D Addario makes a set of Chromes are are like 40-95. Those should work.
TIs are probably gonna be your easiest flats to bend. They are more "slinky" that most rounds. But OUCH!, TIs are EXPENSIVE!
TIs are probably gonna be your easiest flats to bend. They are more "slinky" that most rounds. But OUCH!, TIs are EXPENSIVE!
For an oldschool sound, I'd try the LaBella Low Tension Flats set then.
Well, of course there is FWs with an E < .100, and these tend to have overall lighter tension.
That said, Chromes are relatively high tension. (And they have a semi-brilliant cut, excellent sustain, warm bass and strong, albeit somewhat scooped mids. As in all, not very oldschoolish. Longevity seemingly is a matter of debate.)
A notorious problem with many FWs is a somewhat twangy character. But this is dependent upon gauge and right hand positioning. Heavier gauges tend to sound less twangy.
I played D'Addario Chromes Flatwound ECB82 Medium/Long Scale (.050 - .070 - .085 - .105) without complaints. Just that my left hand found them a little bit strenuous
Online, any number of outlets. I usually check out several to see who has the best price,
or offers low cost shipping,etc. Do a web search.....
> Flats That Are Easier To Bend
So you cannot state the gauges you want and also insist on ease of bending. Ease of bending requires low tension, which requires low gauges. Therefore you will probably prefer gauges lower than 100 or 105, those result in quite high tension.
I assume 'Slinky' means 'flexible'.
Keep in mind that tension and stiffness/flexibilty are different things, and flexibility does not affect ease of bending much (think about the mechanics of the resistance to bending, it comes primarily from tension).
If 'flexibility' and 'low tension' were the same thing, 'Labella Low Tension Flexible Flatwounds' would be a redundant product name, the name tells you that stiffness/flexibility and tension are different things =)
Ease of bending depends primarily on the tension, which depends on gauge, so 'ease of bending' and gauge are not independent.
So you cannot state the gauges you want and also insist on ease of bending. Ease of bending requires low tension, which requires low gauges. Therefore you will probably prefer gauges lower than 100 or 105, those result in quite high tension.
I assume 'Slinky' means 'flexible'.
Keep in mind that tension and stiffness/flexibilty are different things, and flexibility does not affect ease of bending much (think about the mechanics of the resistance to bending, it comes primarily from tension).
If 'flexibility' and 'low tension' were the same thing, 'Labella Low Tension Flexible Flatwounds' would be a redundant product name, the name tells you that stiffness/flexibility and tension are different things =)
1) If you need to do expressive, quarter-tone bends:
Thomastik-Infeld; Dunlop (they make a 105 set); or La Bella LTF. The Optima RB suggested above may qualify as well.
2) If you need to do precise, whole-tone bends, ideally you'd want flats that have low tension but actually not-so-low stiffness, so that they take less stretching, time and effort to reach target pitch.
In this case I'd give up on gauge and get the La Bella 760FX or, for a brighter tone, the D'Addario ECB80, or anything else with a .095" low E that isn't known to have especially good flexibility. Something like the heaviest Rotosound Jazz 77 sets (RS77LE or SH77), but with the 110 discarded, the other three strings shifted, and a 035 added on top.
Thomastik-Infeld; Dunlop (they make a 105 set); or La Bella LTF. The Optima RB suggested above may qualify as well.
2) If you need to do precise, whole-tone bends, ideally you'd want flats that have low tension but actually not-so-low stiffness, so that they take less stretching, time and effort to reach target pitch.
In this case I'd give up on gauge and get the La Bella 760FX or, for a brighter tone, the D'Addario ECB80, or anything else with a .095" low E that isn't known to have especially good flexibility. Something like the heaviest Rotosound Jazz 77 sets (RS77LE or SH77), but with the 110 discarded, the other three strings shifted, and a 035 added on top.
I use Dunlop flats.... and I use a Thomastik Infeld High C string with the Dunlops for my 6 string basses. 105 E string sets. Best flats out there in my opinion. I have tried all the top flats, but Dunlop are THE best.
I've been reading reports of that for years, but have yet to experience it happening on any of my basses.
The chromes set i've had on my 4000 are still clanging after being on for 6 years.... same with my lb100 after 3 years. However,for the purpose of this thread, I wouldn't recommend them,as they are definitely not very flexible.
LOL! They are! I still don't always focus at the right length. I must have glossed those entries. Oh, and it makes it really fun when you play 8-ball on a good table!This is why you need progressives like mine. And I'm not talking about strings.
