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Issues with thick gauge flats across brands.

M

Metroidfan808

Commercial User
Sep 22, 2018
7
3
#1
Heavy Gauge flats are tonally my favorite types of strings, but after taking them off my two P-basses to perform maintenance, the d and g string seem prone to snapping/ unwinding near the tuning mechanism, leaving them unusable.

I have had this happen with Ernie Ball 110-55 cobalts on my Squier PJ, and Rotosound 110-55 on my MIM PJ.

I know flats are more prone to issues to begin with so is this just a result of the high tension these strings have?

The only user error I think of is that I am typically conservative with my string cutting, and like as many wraps around as possible.
 
#2
Metroidfan808 said:
I know flats are more prone to issues to begin with so is this just a result of the high tension these strings have?
Click to expand...
Most probably: flatwound 070/075 and 055 strings, tuned standard D2 and G2 at 34" scale or longer, are quite close to breaking point and about the heaviest-tension commonly-available bass strings out there.
The only user error I think of is that I am typically conservative with my string cutting, and like as many wraps around as possible.
Click to expand...
Actually, if I liked those gauges, had already encountered that problem and wanted to avoid it, I would do exactly that. Or does the lowest turn around the post end up outside the smooth part of the peg, and caught against some corner?
 
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#3
HaphAsSard said:
Most probably: flatwound 070/075 and 055 strings, tuned standard D2 and G2 at 34" scale or longer, are quite close to breaking point and about the heaviest-tension commonly-available bass strings out there.

Actually, if I liked those gauges, had already encountered that problem and wanted to avoid it, I would do exactly that. Or does the lowest turn around the post end up outside the smooth part of the peg, and caught against some corner?
Click to expand...

I would have to look but I don't think so- I think the issue is because the tension actually causes the wrapping on the end to unravel much earlier than it would, causing it to break at it's thinnest points in the peg.
More likely though, it's exactly what I said- so I am shaged lol.

If I have to do research into what heavy gauge flats don't have issues under these tensions, than so be it!
 
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#4
Just to point out, there isn't a 55 Roto77. It's a 50
I like the heavy D side of things, but I don't partake of G stringism anymore. If you like the big tactile feel of a heavy gauge simply for that reason but worry about the tension, than downtune, or try tapes with the same girth but with only the tension of the underlying metal string. E.g a Roto 88 D2 075 only has 43lbf of tension whilst the Roto77 D2 075 packs a big 70lbf. That's a big difference
 
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#5
Prodigus Filius said:
Just to point out, there isn't a 55 Roto77. It's a 50
I like the heavy D side of things, but I don't partake of G stringism anymore. If you like the big tactile feel of a heavy gauge simply for that reason but worry about the tension, than downtune, or try tapes with the same girth but with only the tension of the underlying metal string. E.g a Roto 88 D2 075 only has 43lbf of tension whilst the Roto77 D2 075 packs a big 70lbf. That's a big difference
Click to expand...
Prodigus Filius said:
Just to point out, there isn't a 55 Roto77. It's a 50
I like the heavy D side of things, but I don't partake of G stringism anymore. If you like the big tactile feel of a heavy gauge simply for that reason but worry about the tension, than downtune, or try tapes with the same girth but with only the tension of the underlying metal string. E.g a Roto 88 D2 075 only has 43lbf of tension whilst the Roto77 D2 075 packs a big 70lbf. That's a big difference
Click to expand...

I misspoke- I meant 50. Unfortunately the high tension is part of what makes me like it. I’m just searching for strings that can handle it better, so tapes might be it!
 
#6
Metroidfan808 said:
Unfortunately the high tension is part of what makes me like it. I’m just searching for strings that can handle it better, so tapes might be it!
Click to expand...

If you want "high tension", tapes are the last thing you want. They do come in large gauges, but the outer nylon cover contributes very little to either tension or stiffness, so they tend to be light and flexible overall.
 
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#7
Metroidfan808 said:
I misspoke- I meant 50. Unfortunately the high tension is part of what makes me like it. I’m just searching for strings that can handle it better, so tapes might be it!
Click to expand...
I missed the liking of high tension part. Roto77 are as high T as you can get. Never read anything about SH mentioning problems with the D or G or the A which is also right up there tension wise. Although his strings at the tuning post end are not under prolonged stress as because he changes them very often.
Maybe back off on the number of wraps on D and G with the heavier gauges. 2 wraps or 3 max. No need to go down the post all the way due to the retainers. Means trimming before hand, but done correctly by putting a 90 degree bend around 20mm or so back from where you plan to cut usually ensures no unravel issues on flats.
 
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#9
I like heavy stiff flats. To me, it's mainly a matter of how they respond, what works for my hands, and what I can do with them percussively.

Across a few of my basses, I currently play 45-105 Roto 77LD flats and 55-105 GHS P flats and I've played 52-110 LaBella 0760M '54 Originals and 55-105 Fender 9050M flats.

Where Roto 77 flats are concerned, the stiffness of 45-105 LD strings--along with their 214 pounds of pull/tension--is plenty.

I might be wrong or missing what the advantage would be but I estimate that 50-110 Roto 77LE flats with their 253 pounds of pull wouldn't be worth the added stress to me and my basses.

I generally do 3 wraps around the posts with all kinds of strings, plus or minus 1/2.
 
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#10
Grinderman said:
I like heavy stiff flats. Across a few of my basses, I currently play 45-105 Roto 77LD flats and 55-105 GHS P flats and I've played 52-110 LaBella 0760M '54 Originals and 55-105 Fender 9050M flats.

Where Roto 77 flats are concerned, the stiffness of 45-105 LD strings--along with their 214 pounds of pull/tension--is plenty.

I might be wrong or missing what the advantage would be but I estimate that 50-110 Roto 77LE flats with their 253 pounds of pull wouldn't be worth the added stress to me and my basses.

I generally do 3 wraps around the posts with all kinds of strings, plus or minus 1/2.
Click to expand...

this seems like my solution- if/when the gauge I have breaks again I will try these instead
 
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#11
Metroidfan808 said:
this seems like my solution- if/when the gauge I have breaks again I will try these instead
Click to expand...

For a point of reference, I don't have a problem with the stiffness of LaBella's 0760M flats. I've seen and heard plenty of players say they're way too stiff and that they fatigue their hands, but I like how stiff they are.

Regarding Roto 77LD flats, they're the stiffest 45-105 strings I know of or have ever played. They're absolutely within the stiffness range that I like.
 

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