• 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.

Low Tension Flats - Such a thing?

X

xray

Feb 15, 2009
544
6
Kona, HI
#1
I put LaBella flats on an old jazz bass and must say they need a lot of muscle to maneuver. I've only tried the original '54 (these things are like re-bar) and Deep Talkn regs- although I must say they sound great I think my fingers need something with less tension.

Jamerson must have had some strong fingers!
 
#2
xray said:
I put LaBella flats on an old jazz bass and must say they need a lot of muscle to maneuver. I've only tried the original '54 (these things are like re-bar) and Deep Talkn regs- although I must say they sound great I think my fingers need something with less tension.

Jamerson must have had some strong fingers!
Click to expand...

TI have a rep as the lowest tension flats.
 
#5
TI flats to my ears are the most musical sounding flats out there.

Having said that, they are also so low in tension that my heavy handed technique cannot deal with them. It's like playing rubber bands. If you have a light touch they'll suit you well.

Great flatwound strings with LOW tension.

I wish they were stiffer.
 
#12
Let's not forget that Jamerson started on a fairly low end stand up bass. Bad action and pretty high tension are the norm for those things. I've heard stories that some other bassists played his P bass (The one with the warped neck) and said they needed help to hit a Bb on it lol. Does anyone know if it ever turned up after it was stolen?
 
#14
Has anyone ever thought of contacting Jason at Bassstringsonline.com and ordering a set of singles in 40/55/75/95 or 100 in a brand that sells singles? That will get a balanced set of flats that are slightly lighter in tension, but retains the tone and feel of flats. You don't have to be slave to pre-packaged sets. Yes, they cost a little more, but this is a solution. I have purchased custom gauges in a variety of brands and models and gauges for various basses and various repertoire requirements for over twenty years. And if you go with something like D'Addario Chromes or GHS Precisions, even ordering separately is less expensive, or at least comparable, to TI or Pyramid.
 
#16
As everyone else has stated TI flats. Almost as low tension as rounds (maybe can make a case for it). Not cheap at all but will last a minimum of 5 years but I average 7 years out of them. Once used one set on 5 different bass because I changed basses 5 times within that 7 year span but never had to change the strings.
 
#18
corndog said:
Chromes Super Light 40-95 are pretty low tension.
Click to expand...

These are great, low tension , not as low as TI but close.
Sound very nice, a little bright initially but once they break in they sound very good (more traditional than the TI's) and they're cheaper. TI's sound fantastic but not as traditional sounding, both a re great options, GHS 3025 would also be an excellent choice, they have more thump than the DADS or the TI.
 
#20
Honestly, I'm not sure I understand all the "tension angst" about flatwounds. I switched from Elixir and Rotosound rounds to GHS Precision flats on bothmy basses (cheap P-bass clone & Ibanez SR400qm) and I can't say I've noticed a real difference in "bendability". If anything, I find the flats easier to play because they're smoother on the fingertips.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back