I wanna buy a 5 string set of flatwounds but should I get a Heavier gauge for plucking by the neck?
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Flatwound Tension?
- Thread starter PeaveyPlayer
- Start date
Keep in mind the flats are naturally stiffer than rounds to begin with. So, be careful about going too heavy with them.
ah... I think it is the other way around...rounds are higher tension that flats. Even though rounds seem more flexible under the fingers. I might be wrong, but pretty sure about it. someone please confirm or deny...
You're right about rounds being more flexible (ie less stiff) under the fingers.
It's not quite correct to say rounds are higher tension than flats.
Example:
EXL190 (Nickel Rounds):
G 40 32.42
D 60 40.86
A 80 40.05
E 100 34.72
Total 148.05 lbs.
ECB84 (Chromes Flats):
G 40 37.83
D 60 46.49
A 80 47.52
E 100 40.29
Total 173.13 lbs.
No, flats are much stiffer because the windings are...well...flat!
I have used and currently use flats. I currently prefer the lighter guage flats because the stiffness/tension is more playable to me. I would not go too heavy, there is a definate difference between rnds. and flats. I have played the Fender (high), GHS(mod. to high), DR (mod to high). I use 45-95 XL Chromes on my 72 Pbass. Love em. I would look at the Labella low tension flats or a lighter guage of the others. Good Luck!
Stiffness and tension are two different things...the numbers quoted above would support the notion that flats are higher tension than rounds...or at least THOSE flats vs THOSE rounds. I dunno...I remember Rickenbacker stating that the Bass model changed from 4001 to 4003 due to a redesign of the truss rods to accommodate the higher tension of the more popular round wound strings of the day...makes sense to me but who knows what lurks in the mind of a Rickenbacker marketing person.
I have TI Jazz Flats on my Casady and tolerate their floppy feel because they sound so good on that ax. The TI's are both low tension and highly flexible.
My parts PBass has Fender 9050 flats running 55-110. Same gauge as my upright, but a 34" scale. Quite a bit more tension to say the least, but hardly notice it on the gig. HUGE sound from those fat bastards. That bass needs the beef-boost due to the very lightweight ash body.
The 64 P get Fender 9050's as well, but 50-100 gauge. Love em, love the Labella 49-109 as well.
I've been trying sets with heftier G gauge in an attempt to get a more balanced tone across the FB, and eliminate the "plink".
I have TI Jazz Flats on my Casady and tolerate their floppy feel because they sound so good on that ax. The TI's are both low tension and highly flexible.
My parts PBass has Fender 9050 flats running 55-110. Same gauge as my upright, but a 34" scale. Quite a bit more tension to say the least, but hardly notice it on the gig. HUGE sound from those fat bastards. That bass needs the beef-boost due to the very lightweight ash body.
The 64 P get Fender 9050's as well, but 50-100 gauge. Love em, love the Labella 49-109 as well.
I've been trying sets with heftier G gauge in an attempt to get a more balanced tone across the FB, and eliminate the "plink".
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^This^ It seems pretty common to equate stiffness with high tension, but, as has been said, they're not the same thing. With flatwounds, the conventional wisdom is to drop down a guage size from the roundwounds you're using, which will (hopefully) compensate for the increased stiffness of the flats. If that doesn't work for your playing style, you can cartainly try a heavier set.. but I think it probably will. Let us know how it works out; I don't usually play up there..
