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flatwound high c string

Green Knight

Green Knight

Oct 18, 2016
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7,410
#1
Debating putting TI Flats on my 6-string to counter the twangy sound of round-wound C strings. I also enjoy the sound of flats, though a little less than rounds. That C is too much in guitar territory with nickels though. Should I just get a heavier gauge? Would a flat-wound set sound inherently more even in terms of the C string and its relation to the other strings? Thanks in advance!
 
#2
Generally, gauges for C3 in flatwounds range across manufacturers range from .028 (GHS) to 035 ( Galli Jazz Flats).
Galli is a bit of a stand out with 035 as part of the set ( you can of course build a custom 6 with an 035 single from any brand if they do singles with that gauge. E.g Rotosound do a single 035 in addition to the 030 in their 6 string set ). An .035 for C3 would push up the gauge for B0 to stay balanced to .147. No non-specialty manufacturer does flats that heavy. So the B0 in set with a 035 is therefore way less tension than the C3 if that matters to a person . JF35130 6 strings Medium

Galli Tensions for BEADGC

JFW035/C3/.035/50.98lbf
JFW045/G2/.045/46.38lbf
JFW065/D2/.065/54.21lbf
JFW085/A1/.085/51.56lbf
JFW105/E1/.105/43.06lbf
JFW130/B0/.130/38.42lbf

TT = 284.61lbf
Incidentally, I assume you mean by 'twang' something more akin to brittle maybe. In relation to a guitar string.. If you go up in gauge but tuned to the same pitch, the tighter string will sound more brittle, whilst the smaller gauge at the same pitch, with less tension will sound less brittle, warmer. If it were me, I would limit the C3 to 028/032 and get a set of flats with those in it, if available or build a custom set if singles available, with that C3 gauge range as a starting point . Some links for flats singles that some manufactures churn out
GHS
Singles - Bass Precision Flats

Jazz Bass 77 Single Strings • Rotosound Music Strings

Single Bass XL Chromes Flat Wound Long Scale Strings | D'Addario

D'addarios C3 032 isn't part of any set, so there is no tension for it on the website nor is it listed in the tension pdf. There is however a 032 in a guitar scale format, and assuming a similar construction, and extrapolating the guitar tension spec to a 34" scale, the 032 would have a tension of 40.45lbf
 
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#3
While having played TIs, I've never had them on any of my 6 strings, so I never played their C string.
But a general observation about flats: The C string seems to retain the brightness a good bit longer than the other strings, which I blame on the fact that it is the least played string of the bunch.
On both the LaBella and Optima flats I currently have on my 6s, the C string settled in a good bit after the other five, but when it did, it did.
 
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#4
Wow! Wonderful responses, thank you!
I already have the TI flats, and the customs alone cost me 50 bucks, so if I put flats on, it's gonna be these! I worry about the thin A and D strings, but most users don't seem to see that as a dealbreaker. I've also heard amazing things about Cobalt flats. But I read that TI flats have great articulation, even in chordal playing, and that really appealed. My six is 31" in scale; the B is already a little floppy. I only hesitate because the action is so dreamy with the nickels.
 
#7
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#9
Had the TI flats on my Birdsong 6 for a few days now. At first the C string was unusable. After playing for a few hours, it sounded great with a medium touch. It REALLY does blend in better with the other strings than the D'Addario nickels I had on before. I quite enjoy the sound of the open flatwound C string. I think my last C string had already begun unraveling a little. HOWever, the string spacing on my bass is really tight, and it's impossible not to nudge the B when playing the E, and the really thin A clicks and clacks more than the others for some reason.
 

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