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Low tension flats besides TIs?
- Thread starter JazzyJacuzzi
- Start date
Old school = La Bella Low Tension Flats.
Semi-modern = Dunlop Flats 40-100.
Semi-modern = Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats 40-95.
Modern = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats 40-95.
Semi-modern = Dunlop Flats 40-100.
Semi-modern = Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats 40-95.
Modern = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats 40-95.
To that list, add Optima RB flatwounds. Made to Rickenbacker specs from the late 60s.
They are a little firmer than TIs and the Labella LTF sets.
They are a little firmer than TIs and the Labella LTF sets.
In addition to all the above, La Bella also makes the 760-FX 39-96.
If you mean low tension as in "actual pounds of pull to bring them to pitch"? Other than the TI Jazz Flats, the only other really low tension flats that come to mind are the La Bella LTFs - which have about 6 lbs. of tension less than the TIs. The Italian string company, Dogal, says that their Carbonsteel Flats only take 5 kg. of tension per string, to pull to pitch. Which, for a 4 string set, totals 20 kg. - or 44 lbs...
I have a set of them that I'm planning to put on a bass who's neck would like that a lot. We'll see... Other than those 3? The actual tension ramps up quickly from there, with most flats running around 145-170 lbs. There are some that are higher (Roto Monel Flats are well over 200 lbs. tension), but most fall in the 145-170 range. But, if by "tension" you really mean "stiffness"? And what you're really looking for, are flexible flats? Then, most of them have been mentioned already - with the possible exception of the La Bella LTFs. While their actual "tension" is really low, they are definitely not what I'd consider "flexible". La Bella engineered them to be at least as "stiff" as most flats - and, IMO, they most certainly are. LTFs are just about the perfect illustration of the difference between "Tension" and "Stiffness"...
I have a set of them that I'm planning to put on a bass who's neck would like that a lot. We'll see... Other than those 3? The actual tension ramps up quickly from there, with most flats running around 145-170 lbs. There are some that are higher (Roto Monel Flats are well over 200 lbs. tension), but most fall in the 145-170 range. But, if by "tension" you really mean "stiffness"? And what you're really looking for, are flexible flats? Then, most of them have been mentioned already - with the possible exception of the La Bella LTFs. While their actual "tension" is really low, they are definitely not what I'd consider "flexible". La Bella engineered them to be at least as "stiff" as most flats - and, IMO, they most certainly are. LTFs are just about the perfect illustration of the difference between "Tension" and "Stiffness"...
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Dunlop flats. Low tension and flexible. Tone between modern and traditional.
44 lbs for the set!?The Italian string company, Dogal, says that their Carbonsteel Flats only take 5 kg. of tension per string, to pull to pitch. Which, for a 4 string set, totals 20 kg. - or 44 lbs...
Can a standard bass guitar neck actually function under such little string tension?
Yeah, that's one of the things I'm skeptical about; but, that's what it says, right on the box they came in...I imagine the neck would work OK, but it might take very fine TR adjustments to give you the neck relief you'd want. Evidently, Dogal's been making orchestral strings for a long time, and low tension is one of their trademarks. I have their R44 Traditional Flats on my '13 Gibson T-Bird; while I doubt the tension is anywhere close to that low, it certainly isn't high. And the stiffness, while adequate for my playing style - even with a pick - is a lot closer to TIJF's, than to a set of similar gauge La Bella DTFs. Guess I'll just have to see...44 lbs for the set!?
Yeah, that's one of the things I'm skeptical about; but, that's what it says, right on the box they came in...I imagine the neck would work OK, but it might take very fine TR adjustments to give you the neck relief you'd want. Evidently, Dogal's been making orchestral strings for a long time, and low tension is one of their trademarks. I have their R44 Traditional Flats on my '13 Gibson T-Bird; while I doubt the tension is anywhere close to that low, it certainly isn't high. And the stiffness, while adequate for my playing style - even with a pick - is a lot closer to TIJF's, than to a set of similar gauge La Bella DTFs. Guess I'll just have to see...
So you have the R44 42-100 set for "the typical tones of '60s and '70s", according to the description:
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How do you like them?
What about the Jaco flats? Are they like Chromes? It says: "Thanks to the carbon alloy, the sound quality is very similar to the one of the round wound strings." Why do they call them Jaco flats?
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I like them a lot. e-flat and I pretty much agree on the pros and cons of most flats, although he likes TIJF's a bit more than I do. I really love their tone, but... the way they play, doesn't fit my playing style well enough for me use them a lot. On my Thunderbird? The R44's give me a very close copy of the TI's tone, without the playing feel that would keep them off the bass. To my ears, the R44's have a little more bottom end, and a little less high end than the TI's. Which, on a T-Bird, is probably what most people would want. I certainly do, anyway. And, for me, the R44's work much better with a pick; which IMO, is pretty much de rigueur with a T-Bird...
As for the Jaco Flats? I've never tried them, so I can't really comment on them - except to say that I'd almost certainly agree with e-flat's assessment of them. When he tested and reviewed them, I lost interest in at "very similar to.... round wounds". I don't like rounds much - at all, and how they sound is a major reason why. Since then, however, I did have a desire to try and duplicate a round wound's tones with flats; the old short scale GHS hex core Boomers on my '81 aluminum necked, headless Kramer Duke. Took me a while, but it turned out that SS DR Legends did the trick. Since I now only have one playable bass that wears rounds - and is likely to remain the only one - I doubt the situation will come up again. But, if I ever decide I need strings with the Jaco System's characteristics? I'll certainly give them a try... By the way; if you play guitar? Dogal makes really nice guitar strings. I have their flatwound 11's and 12's on my electric hollowbody Epiphones, and a couple types of their rounds on 2 others...
I like them a lot. e-flat and I pretty much agree on the pros and cons of most flats, although he likes TIJF's a bit more than I do. I really love their tone, but... the way they play, doesn't fit my playing style well enough for me use them a lot. On my Thunderbird? The R44's give me a very close copy of the TI's tone, without the playing feel that would keep them off the bass. To my ears, the R44's have a little more bottom end, and a little less high end than the TI's. Which, on a T-Bird, is probably what most people would want. I certainly do, anyway. And, for me, the R44's work much better with a pick; which IMO, is pretty much de rigueur with a T-Bird...
As for the Jaco Flats? I've never tried them, so I can't really comment on them - except to say that I'd almost certainly agree with e-flat's assessment of them. When he tested and reviewed them, I lost interest in at "very similar to.... round wounds". I don't like rounds much - at all, and how they sound is a major reason why. Since then, however, I did have a desire to try and duplicate a round wound's tones with flats; the old short scale GHS hex core Boomers on my '81 aluminum necked, headless Kramer Duke. Took me a while, but it turned out that SS DR Legends did the trick. Since I now only have one playable bass that wears rounds - and is likely to remain the only one - I doubt the situation will come up again. But, if I ever decide I need strings with the Jaco System's characteristics? I'll certainly give them a try... By the way; if you play guitar? Dogal makes really nice guitar strings. I have their flatwound 11's and 12's on my electric hollowbody Epiphones, and a couple types of their rounds on 2 others...
Interesting sets of flats and their characteristics showcase the quite narrow tone and feel niche that any particular set may have for the discerning bass player. I find the text on the Jaco flats on Dogal's website quite interesting, they are (in my own words) juicy but tight and articulate strings. Sounds good! If had more than one flats bass I'd give them a go, especially given that they do come in my favorite 45-105 gauge. It also seems that Dogal flats are low tension, even of not as low as advertised, which is an added bonus. At them moment I0n in the process of breaking in a new 45-105 set of Pyramid Gold flats. Tension-wise (as to not completely hijack the thread
) are normal/average for flats of this gauge, I would say. Also in terms of flexibility. Possibly a bit less tension and a tad more flexibility than DR Legend, which I had on this Pbass a while ago and also liked.
- Oct 22, 2015
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