• 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.

High Tension flats

retslock

retslock

Oct 29, 2007
4,027
5,728
Sydney, Australia
#1
For a while now I’ve been using Chrome Flats on a couple of my basses because I prefer higher tension. I also have La Bella Deep Talkin’ flats on one and like them too for the same reason. Both of these brands are pretty expensive and not so easy to get quickly here in Sydney. Do any of you know of other flat wounds that have high tension and perhaps are easy to get and not so expensive?
 
#3
kodiakblair said:
Fender flats are both cheap and high tension.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. The 9050M set 55-105 is high tension. The 9050L set is 45-60-80-100 is of moderate tension. Otherwise, if you want high tension flats, use the Rotosound monel flats in the 45's set, or the La Bella Jamerson bridge cables. How high tension? I broke a truss rod on one bass trying to adjust the neck to proper relief with the Rotos.
 
  • Like
Reactions: andare, Yahboy and Jasbass1013
#4
retslock said:
For a while now I’ve been using Chrome Flats on a couple of my basses because I prefer higher tension. I also have La Bella Deep Talkin’ flats on one and like them too for the same reason. Both of these brands are pretty expensive and not so easy to get quickly here in Sydney. Do any of you know of other flat wounds that have high tension and perhaps are easy to get and not so expensive?
Click to expand...
I have a sneaky suspicion that what you mean by "tension" is not the actual pounds of pull needed to bring a string to pitch - which is what tension actually is - but "Stiffness". As in, how resistant to your attempt to "bend" them when you play them, they are. If that's the case? With few exceptions - like TIJF's, or very light gauge flats, - pretty much any set of flats in 40/45 to 100/105 gauges, made by anybody, will be "Stiff". And, the ones with hex cores and/or the least space between the outer windings, will be the stiffest. However... as to how easy strings are to get in Sidney - or Australia in general? Truly sorry, but I can't help you with that, from up here in northern Indiana, USA. Amazon; mail order from dealers that will ship to Sidney; or local music stores willing to order for you, is all I got...:cool:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: andare and retslock
#7
Thesis said:
Rotosound 77LE 50-110.Bridgecable/steel bar experience guaranteed.
Click to expand...
I bought these (50-110) for just that purpose (stiffness) for a Peavey Foundation because I knew the neck could handle it and found the strings to be surprisingly less stiff than the Roto77 45-105 set on one of my Jazz Basses. I can only surmise that because the neck on the Peavey is so reliable, I was able to get the action super-low on its dead-straight neck.
A side note: that set of RS77LE’s had a bad “A” string. The wraps were stacked heading up to the nut from the bridge. It felt weird compared to the other strings that were wound perfectly and perfectly smooth. I contacted Rotosound and they were very sympathetic and immediately sent me a replacement. Bought the set through Amazon. Rotosound customer support is outstanding; they’re extremely proud of their products and value their customers. I’m a loyal customer for life; I use a variety of Rotos on all my basses and guitars.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ricky Rioli and retslock
#8
kodiakblair said:
OP is asking for cheap high tension strings readily available in Sydney, NSW Australia.

He can get Fender 9050 over the counter for $60. La Bella are $90 and mail order.
Click to expand...
I eventually ordered La Bella. The reason being that they will hopefully last a long time and the expense will be worth it. I have them on another bass and I like them a lot. They were mail order and way more than $90. $139 in fact. I think you might have quoted without our awful exchange rate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jasbass1013
#11
kodiakblair said:
OP is asking for cheap high tension strings readily available in Sydnet, NSW Australia.

He can get Fender 9050 over the counter for $60. La Bella are $90 and mail order.
Click to expand...
Yes, but flats last forever. The cost per year of a set of flats that you keep on the bass for years is actually less than the cost per year for rounds that finger gunk gets into the windings and kills the strings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: retslock
#12
iiipopes said:
Yes, but flats last forever. The cost per year of a set of flats that you keep on the bass for years is actually less than the cost per year for rounds that finger gunk gets into the windings and kills the strings.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm disappointed if I don't get at lease 10 years out of a set of flats. But I don't change my rounds very often either, maybe every other year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zbysek and retslock
#13
iiipopes said:
Yes, but flats last forever. The cost per year of a set of flats that you keep on the bass for years is actually less than the cost per year for rounds that finger gunk gets into the windings and kills the strings.
Click to expand...
Call me slow, but I finally got around to the sense in this reality. Old spendthrift ways that came from a large family with only one provider and the pressing need to make every penny count. Life’s not so tough these days but old habits die hard.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back