MOST TENSE ROUNDS and FLATS

[markjazzbassist]

Highest tension flats are pyramid heavy gauge. 50 70 90 110

 

[michael_t]

So how about GHS Pressurewounds?

They're slightly stiffer than rounds of similar gauges. The only thing is the heaviest available is the M7200 set, 44-62-84-106, which won't be heavy enough for what you need.

My MIA Jazz with Sadowsky flats had lots of growl, especially with the bridge pick-up favoured by al little bit.

The Sadowsky flats are very nice tone-wise, but again, the heaviest you can get is the "standard" set, 45-65-85-105. And they're not the stiffest flats to begin with.

 

[Buzz E]

Chromes. They're like rebar.

 

[Remyd]

D'Addario XL's and Chromes, GHS Boomers and Roto flats and rounds. Personally I find the XL's and Chromes unbearably stiff, as well as the Boomers. The Rotos are slightly more bearable. This is in comparison to virtually every other brand of string I've ever tried across types. YMMV.

+1

 

[Doner Designs]

- Im looking to get LOWEST ACTION possible by using the MOST TENSE string.

- I want the fretboard to be Just About straight so the strings will lightly graze the fretboard evenly( looking for that growl)

- Since i'm looking for growly low mid, what string has the most HARMONIC OVERTONES?

I'm somewhat of an authority on this subject when it comes to flats but not rounds. My approach is similar to yours and I have tried many different brands of flats.

For high tension, LaBella 1954 Jamerson flats is a good answer, but they will not growl as much as the brighter flat brands (like Ernie Ball, Daddario and Roto).

I use Ernie Ball Group I flats which I'm pretty sure are the heaviest flats you can buy, even more than the Jamerson set (except for the A string).

The EB's are growly and bright and have tension very similar in to the LaBella's. That is the one you want and they are reasonably priced too. If you don't see the 5 string set listed you can buy the B string separately (if you need it).

EB Group I are 55, 75, 90, 110, 130
LB 1954 are 52, 73, 95, 110, 128

If anyone knows of a heavier set than these (without doing a custom order) I would like to know because I want to try them.

 

[markjazzbassist]

I'm somewhat of an authority on this subject when it comes to flats but not rounds. My approach is similar to yours and I have tried many different brands of flats.

For high tension, LaBella 1954 Jamerson flats is a good answer, but they will not growl as much as the brighter flat brands (like Ernie Ball, Daddario and Roto).

I use Ernie Ball Group I flats which I'm pretty sure are the heaviest flats you can buy, even more than the Jamerson set (except for the A string).

The EB's are growly and bright and have tension very similar in to the LaBella's. That is the one you want and they are reasonably priced too. If you don't see the 5 string set listed you can buy the B string separately (if you need it).

EB Group I are 55, 75, 90, 110, 130
LB 1954 are 52, 73, 95, 110, 128

If anyone knows of a heavier set than these (without doing a custom order) I would like to know because I want to try them.

already stated the Pyramid will be heavier tension. Get the 640/B set, 50 70 90 110. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[buldog5151bass]

Roto flats are very high tension and stiff.

 

[Lowness]

- Im looking to get LOWEST ACTION possible by using the MOST TENSE string.

- I want the fretboard to be Just About straight so the strings will lightly graze the fretboard evenly( looking for that growl)

- Since i'm looking for growly low mid, what string has the most HARMONIC OVERTONES?

You need the Rotosounds that come with the Steve Harris P-Bass.

 

[Doner Designs]

already stated the Pyramid will be heavier tension. Get the 640/B set, 50 70 90 110. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I didn't want to directly contradict your post, but have you tried both? The gauges of the Ernie Ball Group I's are heavier on some of the strings. That doesn't always mean higher tension but it usually does. Considering the Pyramids are nickel, I would guess they are lighter tension otherwise they would break. I ordered several custom sets direct from Germany because their standard lighter set (the only set commercially available at the time) was way too floppy for me. I went through half a dozen sets because the combination of tension and nickel led to frequent breaking of strings. I love Pyramids for a thumpy tone (not what the OP wants) but got tired of the breaking. I was ordering the same sizes you list but if it's a mainstream product now they probably have a more solid formulation. I'll have to try them. Thanks for the link. Last time I bought strings I didn't see a heavier set....I always check for a heavy set from Pyramid and Thomastik but nothing as of last time I looked. Is the tone more balanced across the set vs the originals where the E was considerably more thumpy vs the rest?

 

[markjazzbassist]

I didn't want to directly contradict your post, but have you tried both? The gauges of the Ernie Ball Group I's are heavier on some of the strings. That doesn't always mean higher tension but it usually does. Considering the Pyramids are nickel, I would guess they are lighter tension otherwise they would break. I ordered several custom sets direct from Germany because their standard lighter set (the only set commercially available at the time) was way too floppy for me. I went through half a dozen sets because the combination of tension and nickel led to frequent breaking of strings. I love Pyramids for a thumpy tone (not what the OP wants) but got tired of the breaking. I was ordering the same sizes you list but if it's a mainstream product now they probably have a more solid formulation. I'll have to try them. Thanks for the link. Last time I bought strings I didn't see a heavier set....I always check for a heavy set from Pyramid and Thomastik but nothing as of last time I looked. Is the tone more balanced across the set vs the originals where the E was considerably more thumpy vs the rest?

their 45 65 85 105 was considerable more tense than the labella 45 65 85 105 760FS set. i can only imagine what that other set is like. cheese cutters.

EDIT- yeah the tone is way more balanced, more thump all the way around. but still with a little of that hi mid nickel sound.

 

[Growlmonkee]

I use Chromes, I use lights, and they're pretty stiff, ECB82, are very high tension, and very stiff, (those are mediums) 224 in./lbs, even the E is tight.

 

[jwilson67]

I'm a hug fan of Ernie Ball strings in general. Using either Nickel or Cobalt rounds I get very low action with minimal buzzing. The Cobalts also growl like the Nickels won't but the the latter achieve a very studio like sound if that's what you're after.

 

[iiipopes]

LaBella Jamerson flats?

 

[DavC]

i love my GHS Pressurewounds ... i use the ML / lighter gauge , i wouldn't call them tense ... the Mediums feel a bit stiffer ...

in general , strings with a Hexcore should be stiffer than string with a Round core ...

when i was checking out Flats ... i found Chromes to be the stiffest , and Ti 's to have the most flex ( my pref )

i play slightly harder finger style ... i try to strike more across the strings than downward ... unless i'd want fret attack noise ( rarely )

for a 'middle of the road ' sound / feel / action for all styles - after 45+ plus yrs of bass - GHS PresWnds

 

[WaynerBass]

Chromes. They're like rebar.

Lmao!!!! True that but the play and sound fabulous once broken in

 

[Ric5]

- Im looking to get LOWEST ACTION possible by using the MOST TENSE string.

- I want the fretboard to be Just About straight so the strings will lightly graze the fretboard evenly( looking for that growl)

- Since i'm looking for growly low mid, what string has the most HARMONIC OVERTONES?

If you want more growl and more overtones then go with lighter strings ... I use Daddario extra light ... the fatter the string the more muddy it will sound .

Setting the neck flat can be done no matter what gauge strings you use ...

 

[Doner Designs]

Some folks are posting about skinny flats being high tension. That is true only if you are comparing them to rounds (apples vs oranges).

Thomastiks (they feel like rubber bands to me) are about the only flat that is lower tension than any round. In other words almost any flat will be higher tension than almost any round. Choose round or flat first then decide how tight you want the flats to be.

 

[Doner Designs]

Chromes. They're like rebar.

Only compared to rounds. I use Ernie Ball because Daddario (surprisingly) doesn't make a heavy set that I'm aware of (at least 55, 75, 90, 110, 130).

 

[michael_t]

I use Ernie Ball because Daddario (surprisingly) doesn't make a heavy set that I'm aware of (at least 55, 75, 90, 110, 130).

It can be done here: Invalid Link Removed

 

[Doner Designs]

It can be done here: Invalid Link Removed

Thanks! I always wonder on those whether or not you have to follow the layout. In other words could I safely do a super heavy set like 60, 80, 95, 115, 132?

Seems like they could give you some sort of a guide as to which strings can reasonably be tuned to what notes. Based on the sets they offer packaged as a set I have to wonder if a 95 could be ok to use as an A string (for example) - I have broken some strings in the past when using a D string as a G string for example.