Light tension flatwounds recommendations

TI and Sadowsky are the lightest tension flats you can buy, with the nod going to TI.

 

What gauge EB's are you using?

 

Thomastik Infeld and the FL gauge of LaBella Deep Talkin Flats are both lighter than Sadowsky, EB, Chromes, GHS or anything else.

 

Do your fingers hurt because of the tension, or is it a matter of technique? Flatwounds do produce a little more tension than rounds, but that's just a little. I tried quite a lot of flats myself. I think the overall feel and consistency of the GHS precision flats is worthwhile trying. The .045 ... .105 set is what I'm using at the moment. The combination of feel, sound and playability is a real winner in my opinion.

 

I respectfully beg to disagree. I had LaBella FLs, and currently have Sadowskys, which are much lower tension (a little more than 1/2 turn on the tension rod) and easier to play.

 

I've never tried Sadowskys, but TIs are much lighter tension than EBs. The LaBella FLs are too, to a lesser degree IME.

TIs are also very flexible, which gives them a very 'soft' feel that makes them feel like their tension is lower than it really is. This leads some people to find them too floppy, but I like them.

 

Errr.....not quite, in my experience. The GHS med-lights a great deal less tense than LaBella's lightest set of strings, IMO. The TI's not even being remotely in the same camp. I think the LaBella's should be ruled out completely if the OP is looking for light tension flatwounds.

 

I would disagree. Currently have on some LaBella 760FL's and play and feel very light without feeling too loose and "floppy". Wouldn't say they hold the least tension since I haven't tried them all but to say they shouldn't be considered at all would be wrong. Very satisfied with mines and I prefer light tension as well.

 

Op want's a "clean" sound and light tension. I'd personally say TI's.

"Clean" could be quite subjective though, but that's how I'd describe TI's when I compare them to chromes and labellas, which I had played before.

 

TI's ime. Lightest gauge u can find.
I've also found Chromes 35-90 ok in this regard

 

TI is definitely the lightest, but also don't quite sound the same as old-school flats...and certainly play way differently.

Sadowsky flats seem like a good middle ground between TI and "traditional" flats. Less tension than any LaBellas I've played, and way less than GHS chromes. I have a set on a 5-string P/J, and am very satisfied.

 

"Clean" sound? That's very suggestive, but I think maybe the Chromes light set would fit this description, as well as the TI jazz Flats.

Don't forget the La Bella 760FX set; those who say La Bella only makes heavy sets are mistaken. The 760FX set is nearly as slinky as the TIs.

LA BELLA 760FX ELECTRIC BASS SET - Elderly Instruments

 

Pyramid flatwounds are pretty light.

 

Yes, but they don't last. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/heres-what-happens-pyramid-golds-after-just-couple-months-808309/

 

From what I understand, Pyramid supposedly addressed that issue several months ago. So there shouldn't be any more rampant broken Pyramid flats.

I have a new set of Gold Flats that are going to be installed on one of my Fender P-bass, over the next two weeks.

I bought them (the Gold Flats), if I remember correctly, some time around late January/ early February.

I'll check in and report what happens with this set.

 

For light tension TIJF344's.
I tried them all, there not as old school sounding as say LaBella.
But very balanced, good mids, and they last forever.
Have a set on my fretless P-Bass for 7 years, they get better with age.
Don't let the extra $$$$ scare you away. They are worth it in the long run.

 

TI Flats are the most flexible/loose feeling string I have ever tried. Are they over the top too loose? You'll have to decide that. For me they were but don't let that discourage you. Before the EB flats you are using now what strings were your go-to's? Do you like the sound of the strings now? Maybe go down in gauge or try some of the other suggestions.

 

You need to answer a couple questions

1, how long have you been playing bass?
2, how high is the action on this new P bass?


If you haven't played for long, it's going to hurt, changing to lower tension strings won't do much to reduce the pain. We've all gone through it. You need to build yourself up to the physical requirements of playing the bass, and time is the answer to that.

If the action is a mile high, a setup will do more to reduce the pain than a string change.

 

Wow... could've fooled me. My short scale set is doing just fine. I'd have no problem ordering up more sets or recommending them to others.

Quality problem fixed ...great news.