No, personally I haven't tried fender flats in years. I'm perfectly happy with the tone and feel of the LaBella's for now.
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I need more tension on jazz with flats
- Thread starter RicPlaya
- Start date
Those or the RS88 tapewounds. I use both.
I just made the switch to flats. I can't believe the past few years I've been using rounds. Never going back.
Anyways, a lot of folks seem to like the 9050MLs. I went with the 9050M's and personally, I don't think they're as bad as people make them out to be. Of course, my last set was EB's and the E string was a .110. Maybe that's why these don't seem as stiff as everyone says they are. Either way, I love em.
If your looking for high tension, go with the roto 77LE's, 88's or Fender 9050M's. When I get some extra cash, I'm gonna try the RS88LD's. The nylon wrap might just be the sound I'm looking for. Mind you, I have a P and not a Jazz.
Anyways, a lot of folks seem to like the 9050MLs. I went with the 9050M's and personally, I don't think they're as bad as people make them out to be. Of course, my last set was EB's and the E string was a .110. Maybe that's why these don't seem as stiff as everyone says they are. Either way, I love em.
If your looking for high tension, go with the roto 77LE's, 88's or Fender 9050M's. When I get some extra cash, I'm gonna try the RS88LD's. The nylon wrap might just be the sound I'm looking for. Mind you, I have a P and not a Jazz.
Just picked up the 9050ML Fender flats
I'll give an update shortly once I put em on and play em a bit
I'll give an update shortly once I put em on and play em a bit
I have played Fender flats ML set, and La Bella FS and FL sets quite a bit. The FSs are not as stiff as the MLs, but they still have good tension. The FLs have a good bit less tension than the FSs and MLs. Have you considered a heavier set of GHS Precision flats? I currently have the medium (45-105) set on one of my Fenders, and they sound and feel great; they are similar tension wise to the FSs, but with a little more thump. Plus you can find them for around $20.00!
Labella FL, if you're worried about them being "a little" more tense than the TI, don't be. they are WAY more tense. the TI's are like wet noodles. the labella's are nice and tight.
i love them.
i love them.
I havent used that many different string manufacturers, so I just tell about whats strung on the 75 Jazz now. I got to have higher tension, cant stand rubber bands. Im using Roto Sound Jazz 77, feels and sounds great. I dig in a lot, although does well on quiet passages, all in the technique so Ive found, string height is just above the buzz line, gauge is a 40 60 80 100.
BC
BC
I put the 9050 ML's on last night. They are quite zingy but they are also brand new and need to to break in. As far ans tension, I really like the feel. I have heard people say the higher tension strings are easier to play and i tend to agree. IMO it's just less effort to play, and my hands actually feel better then playing the loose strings. I can't wait till these things break inso they start thumping a little more. So far so good, I have a rehearsal this weekend, I'll let you knwo how they do.
I've got those strings on a few of my basses (51 P-bass reissue and a viola bass) and you'll never need to change them, they'll last for years.
I've heard they take longer than average to break in, I can't say as mine are only 2 weeks old and I'm only a weekend warrior. Mine are still brand new sounding.
I've heard this too. That's a big + in my book.
I don't mind then taking time to mellow. I remember when I first pout the GHS flats on, at first they were awesome, once they broke in flopppppy as heck to the point I couldn't play them. I think if they take time to mellow, that means the tension should still be there once broken in..good thing!
If you have a good bass, like a J-Bass, don't worry about the neck; that's what truss rods are for!
I have the Labella FL's on my P - just got em a short time ago - more tension than the Rounds that were on there and the play and sound nice - classic sweet sounding P-Bass. By the way, they are getting better as I play them more.
+1 They get better with age. At 4 years, mine are nicely broken in
I have the LaBella FL and FS. I generally like heavier strings, but my favorite flats are the FLs. The FS just sound dead to me while the FLs sing. I will never buy the FS again.
For rock, I slightly prefer the brighter tone of the Chromes mediums (orange). Don't get me wrong, they can be used for blues and R&B. Its like saying I prefer the Ferrari over the Porsche.
So my top three flats:
LaBella FL (blues/R&B/country/rock)
Chromes medium (rock)
Fender 9050M (great strings at a great price)
I would also say the above list is in order of tension. The Fenders have the highest, the FLs the lowest.
I just put a set of Fender 9050MLs on my Squier Classic 60s Jazz. What a phenomenal value that instrument is! The flats really made it come alive, and I'd now put it up against anything Fender makes. I've used 9050's for years on P's but this is my first time with flats on a fretted jazz. If you're looking to experiment, you can't go wrong: they're cheap, and you can get them at your local Guitar Center. Most of the others you'll have to mail order (YMMV)
Yup, like the Roto 88LD's I so desire.
Funny you mention that -- the GC near me actually had those in stock! I'd never heard of them before so I passed. Anyone tried them?
