Really High-Tension Flats

[markjazzbassist]

Pyramid Gold 640B Bass Flatwound Long Scale 4-String 50-110

They are handwound; the gauges are approximately 50-55-75-110

this here, they are insanely tense.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Daddario do singles of Chromes, right up to 110, so it's possible to put together a 50-70-90-110 set. I know that someone on this forum uses that custom set.

Edit: actually I misremembered — @SonicBeefCake used the now discontinued 55-75-90-110 set

 

[lunarpollen]

this here, they are insanely tense.

BTW I think the D and A are probably bigger than 55 and 75. I just copy-pasted from a website, and it may have been typos on their part.

Anyway, the round cores of the Pyramid Gold strings probably contribute a lot to their stiffness.

Also, before hitting "post reply" I got out my digital micrometer to measure the set I have on my Harmony bass and got 50-73-89-109

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Daddario do singles of Chromes, right up to 110, so it's possible to put together a 50-70-90-110 set. I know that someone on this forum uses that custom set.

Edit: actually I misremembered — @SonicBeefCake used the now discontinued 55-75-90-110 set

A custom Chrome set of 50 75 100 132 would have pretty much the same overall tension at 34” scale as a set of Kaplans on a 3/4H DB ( scale length 41.5” total tension 278lbf) and as per Roto 77’s 50 75 95 130 at 275.50lbf

Chromes
Gauges 50 75 100 132

EADG

E1/.132/68.95lbf
A1/.100/71.80lbf
D2/.075/71.80lbf
G2/.050/58.10lbf

TT = 270.65lbf

Steve H is doing 253lbf. So not much of an increase really. 4.25lb per string

 

[Admiral Akbar]

You know what you don't see?
TB members who don't like rounds, jumping into threads with "roundwound" right in the title, and adding comments (more than one) not so as to suggest flatwounds instead (it does happen, sometimes, in both directions, and, though awkward, it is meant to help the OP somehow);
but to the effect of "gee, there's a whole lot of roundwound users out there: I don't know how they do it - I sure can't play those cheese graters."

But it's all good. Sometimes the vast majority is feeling insecure, and has to be periodically reassured of their dominance.
(That Monty Python -riffing meme with the Pac-Man pie chart, "HELP! We're being oppressed", comes to mind.)

It’s all good. I actually love flats as much as rounds. Just pointing out the flats fad that may have hit enough people to post questions and comments on flats on Talkbass nearly every other day. I get it, flatwounds are a great product and make basses sound nice. Didn’t mean to strike a nerve with you.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Hey fellow string obsessives, do you guys know of some flats that feel like double bass strings under the fingers? Obviously not gut strings...anyway normally I would research using The Internet™ but since this is a feel thing...it's up to you guys. I can get tone out of the amp and such so I'm just concerned with feel.

TI jazz flats. Not because they have the tension of upright strings, but because they are the same quality as the venerable Thomastik-Infeld Weichs. TI strings feel great and sound better.

LaBellas have more tension; and thus are another great “upright-like” choice.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Based on the thread title -- "Really High-Tension Flats" -- I was all set to suggest GHS Precision Flats Stainless Steel Medium flatwounds (# M3050)

But based on this request in the OP...

do you guys know of some flats that feel like double bass strings under the fingers?

...I'm not sure the GHS will achieve that. Because to my fingers, double bass strings don't necessarily feel like "Really High-Tension"

Then again, it's been years since I played the doghouse. :::shrugs:::

 

[EliasA]

Based on the thread title -- "Really High-Tension Flats" -- I was all set to suggest GHS Precision Flats Stainless Steel Medium flatwounds (# M3050)

But based on this request in the OP...


...I'm not sure the GHS will achieve that. Because to my fingers, double bass strings don't necessarily feel like "Really High-Tension"

Then again, it's been years since I played the doghouse. :::shrugs:::

Thank you for reading. You're a real one.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Much obliged guys. Special thanks to @HaphAsSard for the great response. I must make a confession now. I don't own a DB, just borrow one for gigs, so I can't practice on it very much. I was wondering if I could build up finger strength for it with EB strings. If anyone would like to respond again, feel free. If your rec still stands, thank you again.

To be honest, in that case I’d just play the strings you like, maybe raise the action a little more that you’re used to and have at it. If you play seated, maybe put the bass up on your left knee, classical style (assuming you’re right-handed) to make the fretboard a little more vertical, and perhaps more importantly, to allow your plucking fingers to strike slightly more parallel with the strings. Also, play lines that are more upright-friendly, unless you’re an instant virtuoso, of course. Nothing’s going to substitute for time on the instrument, but to me, all that will make more of a difference than a string change.

 

[Furion]

Labella gold flats are the only flatwound I've ever stopped using because of how high tension they were. Used them for maybe a year on my precision and never got used to them. Sounded great though.

 

[Paul New]

I run a set of the these
View attachment 7209699

On this bass
View attachment 7209696
I like them. I wanted to see what Jamerson and Dunn were working with They are stiff but not unplayable.

Got some sponge rubber under the bridge cover too

I have a set of these for through body stringing. Cranked my truss rod and giving them another shot. Nothing else sounds as good to me.