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TI Jazz Flats are the softest I've ever used.
Wooten uses a .095-.040 set. Any manufacturer's set of rounds that gauge will be about the same tension.
But that isn't the lightest string set available. You can get thinner ones.
The TI Jazz Flats are very smooth with low tension. Very easy on the fingers. Plus they sound great and last forever.
How do you define soft? Flexible? Warm sounding? Round core strings are generally more flexible than hex core strings and nickel is regarded as being "warmer" or less harsh/bright sounding than steel. The lightest gauge for a four string bass tuned E - G that I've come across is .030 - .090. I'm not sure how many companies make strings that light but DR is one that does.
I should add that Talkbass' resident string guru is @SLaPiNFuNK. He's usually happy to answer any string-related questions and many of us here on TB get our strings from his (highly recommended) online company .
Have some D'Addario black tapewounds on a Fender Jazz that are extremely light. A little too light. but they are fun to play sometimes.
If you go to Kalium's web site, they have a tension calculator, so you can pick strings that make up a reasonably balanced, or even a progressive tension set - and you can get strings in a myriad of diameters. I myself play a 37/51/70/95/130 set (without the 130 for a 4 string), which I find to be suitably soft and twangy - I've had wrist issues, which drives me to that neighborhood, and I also like the growl and clank you can get from a very light set. You can go much lower than that with their strings, should you desire, but at some point, you'll get to where it's far too easy to clink and clank - only you will know when you're at that point.
Among rounds, Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Rounds. Softest of all, something like La Bella White Nylon tapewounds.
ha! slow typing the same thought, fermata !
not sure how these stack up against other suggestions, but: i have found the TI jazz rounds to be what i would call "soft" and they are already a lighter gauge, overall. might be worth a try. they're pricey but they last a long time. good luck!
- Apr 20, 2009
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For low tension, I would say TI Flats are the easiest on my fingers, but for smoothness on steel strings, D'Addario XL Chrome Flats are the easiest on my fingers. Tape-wounds might be even easier on your fingers.
TI Jazz Flats or TI Jazz Rounds. The flats are low tension. Not sure if it is measurably different, but the TI jazz rounds feel even lower tension to me. I use the TI jazz flats or rounds on almost every bass I have. As others have pointed out, if you are more after easy on your fingers, tapes have a softer feel while not necessarily having a lower tension. Currently running LaBalla Copper Tapewounds on my Balor Bass. I have been happy with them, but IMO tapes do not really feel like a 'traditional' electric bass string thanks to the nylon wrap (meaning while softer feeling to me, you might not like them and might prefer a low tension non-tape).
devnulljp
Supporting Member
TI Jazz flats, super soft tension, sound great, last forever (so far anyway)
I play both TI Jazz Flats and TI Jazz Rounds, both of which are expensive though. The rounds are lower in tension and only slightly rougher than the flats. I can't imagine you having problems with either string, even if you are just starting out and haven't developed any calluses yet. The flats are being offered at a considerable discount here: https://www.amazon.com/Thomastik-Infeld-JF344-Accordion-Accessory/dp/B00162ZSW6.
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TI by far. even when the bass is strung up with these you can roll/twist the string back and forth between your fingers.
I once bought an ABG that had set of TI rounds on it, and feeling the string roll out from under my plucking fingers dove me nuts.
I once bought an ABG that had set of TI rounds on it, and feeling the string roll out from under my plucking fingers dove me nuts.
DR sunbeams are very supple and dont have a sharp drop off in break in period. I tried pure blues and absolutely hated them, they died with a week and generally just sounded thuddy and dark.
The two softest feeling sets I've ever tried were the La Bella White tapes and TI Jazz Flats. Either of those sets will give you the powdery, pillowy goodness 
TI Jazz Flats remind me of playing with a bass strung with yarn. SO SOFT. SO EASY. I love them on fretted basses, not a big fan of them on fretless.
