• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Flatwounds + tuning down = ?

C

Coaxx

May 9, 2010
3
0
#1
I want to try flatwounds, but I wonder how they sound if I tune them down. I usually have my bass tuned to C#-F#-B-E.
A friend of mine has recently purchased a set of LaBella 760FL and they sound really great, but I guess the FL set is too light for tuning down to C#.
LaBella also produces the Jamerson set and according to the reviews here they are very high tension and I think they could be suitable.
But I worry a bit about the sound, because I don't know if they are just muddy. Has anybody got experiences with down tuned flats? Are there any other flatwound sets that would be suitable for my tuning?
 
#2
I tune my bass D-G-C-F wich works great with flats. Just take the reletively thick gauge.
I have good experience with GHS 0.45-1.05 and even better experience with Chomes (0.50-1.05). For even further downtuning to C# the higher tension of the LaBella's is a plus.
 
#5
"Dude - get a 5 string"
......is the normal response from the trolls round here.

I tune to C, F, A#, D# myself, and I've had trouble getting info cos most responses were just like above.
However a few kind souls did help me, so thank you.:)

I tried the Rotosound RS77LE set, with the 110 on the C.
They're actually okay on a 34" scale. The low C is a little loose (with that string the intonation took a while to get right), but overall the string feel was okay.
I generally like strings a little loose anyway, cos I like big bends, fingerstyle, and don't slap.
Tone; downtuned on the Roto's (once you've played them in) is great. I'll be keeping them on this bass for a long while!
Tension is comparable to a set of GHS heavy gauge (.115) tuned to C.

On a different 34" scale bass; right now I'm trying out a set of the Thomastik-Infeld 5 String, .043 - .136, JF345.
I threw away the G string ;) and tuned up to C.
I'll need a little more time with these to really make any judgement yet tho.

Good Luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: StrangerBasses
#6
I have been looking to do the same thing for my C#-F#-B-E tuned bass, but I can't decide between getting a high tension 4 string set or going with a low tension 5 string set.

I'm really interested in how the tension on the TI's would be tuned up a whole step.
 
#7
Okay.
I have a pair of P-basses strung to C, F, A#, D#.
One with Thomastik-Infeld 5 String JF345, G string discarded.
The other has Rotosound RS77LE.
Only one thing to know, the TI's big fat .136 B string WILL NEED YOU TO FILE YOUR NUT, and I had to open up my bridge too.
I actually had to file the traditional A string gap in the nut for my F aswell........

I've been going between the two to get an idea of what I prefer. I'm not gonna go into tone - cos I haven't had more than a week to play in the TI's yet, so I still have a way to go........but they feel about right now.

The Roto's tuned to C feel (tension and ease of bending) just like the TI's tuned to normal BEAD.
The TI's in this standard tuning feel a little loose......

When you tune the TI's up to C,F,A#,D# it only increases the tension just enough to make the low C just right. Not flubby, but still not too tight so bends are difficult.
I really like the TI's in C.
The main difference in tension between the Roto's and TI's was on the low C, where the TI's were just a bit tighter. The other strings were all about the same.

Hope it helps ya.
 
#11
I used to tune down Roto flats really low without trouble, I had my 6er set down to Ab-Db-Gb-Cb-Fb-A.

One time I had a BEAD set tuned F#BEA, but the action was a little higher than I liked, since the tension was a bit light for me, that was on a 35" scale bass, too.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back