Stiff vs floppy- where do you feel it? How does it matter to you?

[vindibona1]

This is going sound a little dumb, but I see some folks like a stiffer string, others like them less stiff. I've not paid a ton of attention to that aspect, but that's the neophyte of bass playing. I've mainly gone for sound, but when going for feel it hasn't been stiffness that I've paid attention to, mainly texture. I usually go with medium sets 45-105 (130) and have liked most strings I've tried, DR Pure Blues and Sunbeams, D'Addario NYXL's, Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats (tried LaBells RX nickels and SS). I've been pretty oblivious to stiffness.

When you like a stiffer string, or more flexible string, is it your left hand or your right hand demanding your preference? I know that often I'll want to pluck closer to the bridge because it provides a little more resistance for my right hand to "pop" off of, especially when raking. What am I missing and should possibly be paying attention to?

What's your take on stiff vs floppy?

 

[bassdude51]

Strange title for a thread. Sounds like an ED issue.

Stiff strings allow for a strong attack. That means hard plucking or picking. Stiff strings allow for lower action because they are less likely to bang down on the frets when playing. Stiff strings have a faster decay........notes die faster. Can bow necks requiring truss rod adjustments.

Floppy strings take less muscle to fret a note. Have longer sustain. Less pull on the truss rod. Higher action is usually needed. Fret banging can be a problem if plucking is aggressively. More control is needed when plucking or picking.

These are a few of the differences that I can think of.

 

[michael_t]

What's your take on stiff vs floppy?

My left hand likes something comfortable (not too stiff) to play on for fretting action, but my right hand likes something firm enough not to go all bouncy under the plucking fingers. So, it's a matter of finding the balance between the two through trials and errors.

 

[FunkHead]

I have gotten to where it really makes no difference to me. So long as strings aren't so floppy that playing directly at the bridge doesn't help. Barring that, I just adjust my right hand position to where it feels right for the song.
If you are dead set on anchoring your thumb in the same exact spot no matter what, then it will be hard to get used to any change in tension.
Also, FWIW gauge does not control tension in a lot of cases. Fatter strings are often more floppy IME.
My current favorite rounds are Optima Chromes.

Good luck in your search.

 

[klokker]

Whether playing flats or rounds, it seems like I gravitate to hex core, which tends to be a little stiffer. I pretty much stick with DR lo riders or Sadowsky flats.

 

[vindibona1]

Strange title for a thread. Sounds like an ED issue.

Hey... T shots and Viagra have done so much for so many .

Stiff strings allow for a strong attack. That means hard plucking or picking. Stiff strings allow for lower action because they are less likely to bang down on the frets when playing. Stiff strings have a faster decay........notes die faster. Can bow necks requiring truss rod adjustments.

Floppy strings take less muscle to fret a note. Have longer sustain. Less pull on the truss rod. Higher action is usually needed. Fret banging can be a problem if plucking is aggressively. More control is needed when plucking or picking.

These are a few of the differences that I can think of.

This makes sense. I would have to think with medium gauge strings my strings lie somewhere in the middle (as Michael_T suggests). The action on my basses is pretty low, low enough to the point where I have to make small tweaks to the TR when the weather changes. But no real string banging with any of these strings.

I am trying to pluck lighter on bass and play with a much lighter touch on guitar, so I suppose too much tension would inhibit the attack a bit. I guess if I get a set of strings that are too floppy or too stiff I'll know it.

Thanks for such a comprehensive answer.

 

[TommyGunz]

I can't stand fret noise. Like at all. It drives me crazy. Unfortunately I also have a fairly heavy right hand. The two do not go well together. So I prefer heavier gauge strings and a higher action and a little more neck relief.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I prefer them a little on the stuff and higher tension side - Rotisound Swing, Low Riders (both nickel), or D'Addario Half Rounds - medium gauge.

 

[Standalone]

I use rotos usually. What do those count as?

 

[Inara]

I like flexible strings, and I like that feeling in both my fretting and plucking hand. I don't pluck as lightly as Gary Willis, but I have a light-to-medium attack, and don't like stiff-feeling strings. D'Addario Chromes, for example, I hate. My two favorite strings right now are Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats (famous/infamous for their flexibility), and Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Rounds, which are a flexible roundwound with good mids that I enjoy with my fretless playing (which is 99.9% of my playing).

I can get my action set very low with either of these, because they match my light attack - you only need a higher action with these more flexible strings if you have a harder attack. It really is so deeply personal, though. People who like to attack the strings aggressively don't tend to like my string choices. It's a bit of an investment, but trying out a few sets of strings with different tensions and flexibility is really the only way to find what you truly prefer, imho.

 

[FlatThumb]

I like low tension with a low action, I find it easier on both hands but you need a light attack to stop it clanking.

 

[Hammerfield]

Recently I bought DR Sunbeams for my jazz and Labella 1954 original for my P; a kind of floppy round and a super stiff flatwound. I really like both for those basses, with that in mind I spent a LOT of time playing the P to get used to the Labella bridge cables, at least 2 days straight as long as posible. They make me work a lot and I enjoy it as much as the easy playing of the DR round core.

In summary, I try to find "the match" (string-bass) In some point im gonna try the TI Flats, a total opposite to the Labellas

 

[cnltb]

Stiff vs floppy- where do you feel it? How does it matter to you?
Depends what you want to do with it

 

[Element Zero]

I prefer the feel of stiffer strings per my plucking hand. I enjoy TI Jazz Flats though and they are QUITE floppier than what I typically run. However, LaBella Tapewounds (especially the grape ape set and other white nylons) are the most flexible limp noodle strings I ever tried. LOVED the texture and sound, but utterly unplayable for me.

 

[Iristone]

I'm probably spoilt by my SS SG bass. A 45-105 flat set feels optimal for me, but a Hipshot bridge kind of make a Fodera roundwound set feel stiffer and more "just right" for me.

 

[punchdrunk]

I dunno, ask your sister....

Okay kidding aside... Strings are of the utmost importance. I’m of the school of thought that you shouldn’t necessarily need to fight your instrument, so you want to find the optimal set up (this is very much related to the strings, as that’s the primary point of contact) to facilitate the conveyance of your musical thoughts/impulses without impediment. For me that means Labella Flats on my 1970 P, and heavy gauge Sunbeams on my 77 PJ.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I like "floppier" strings because they're easier for me to slap.

 

[Tommygun_ted]

I'm still chasing the perfect string, at least the perfect round. I used nothing but chromes for a long time, but they don't sound quite right with my current band, so I've been trying different rounds. So far I'm liking the DR black beauties, I'll probably try something else next string change.

 

[onda'bass]

I like supple strings, I don't have a heavy hand(s) and use the gain nob to my advantage. D'addario Strings have been good to me forever. YMMV

 

[MVE]

I have gotten to where it really makes no difference to me. So long as strings aren't so floppy that playing directly at the bridge doesn't help. Barring that, I just adjust my right hand position to where it feels right for the song.
If you are dead set on anchoring your thumb in the same exact spot no matter what, then it will be hard to get used to any change in tension.
Also, FWIW gauge does not control tension in a lot of cases. Fatter strings are often more floppy IME.
My current favorite rounds are Optima Chromes.

Good luck in your search.

+1
Im in the same mind as Funkhead.

But I just wanted to add that if you are “dead set on anchoring your thumb in the exact same spot” and keeping your right hand in the exact same position, YOU ARE PLAYING BASS WRONG!!!
I know, that’s harsh, but honestly, moving your plucking hand between the neck and the bridge does more for the dynamics of your tone than any knob on your eq/amp.