suggest a set of good low tension flatwound strings

[u84six]

Personally, I don't worry about price when it comes to flats. Because they clean so well, they'll last years. Unfortunately, there are some that have quality problems, like Pyramid Golds, so I've been avoiding those until the manufacturer gets their act together.

TIs are by far the lowest tension even at high gauge. I use them on my RIC and they sound great. If I had one critisism I'd say they have very little attack and thump. So if you like that kind of thing, I'd suggest Black Labels, light gauge La Bella, or light gauge GHS. I personally feel that Rotosound makes horrible flatwound strings, and Chromes are just way too bright for a flatwound.

 

[Smurf_Byte]

If you're looking for low tension flatwounds, I recommend any of the following sets from (get ready) lowest to highest tension, low-tension sets:

Thomastik Infeld 43-100
La Bella FX 39-96
GHS Precision 45-95
Ernie Ball Group IV 40-95
D'Addario Chromes 40-95
Sadowsky Black Label 40-100
D'Addario Chromes 40-100
La Bella 760FL 43-104
GHS Precision 45-105
Fender Super Light 40-100
Rotosound 77 40-100

*Left out other brands due to my unfamiliarity with them. Many apologies to the other flats out there.

Remember that all of these gauges are, for the most part, low tension, with Thomastik Infeld (TI) coming in at an average of 34lbs. while La Bella, GHS, and EB & Chromes come in very close with tensions ranging within the 37-39lbs. Once you break into Sadowsky territory and up, the tension is extremely minor with an average "feeling" of 38-42lbs. of tension. Basically, if you want the lightest of the light, go with TI flats, but if 3-5lbs. of tension is not going to be a significant factor with your playing style, then any of these light to light-medium sets are fine, fine choice. And as always, select accordingly so that your brand matches your sound, as all strings (let alone flatwounds) are not made equally.

Thanks for the list. I may have to try somewhere in the middle and go from there. I don't want to drop $60+ on a set of TI's or pyramids only to hate the tension. The GHS pressure wounds I just got don't have enough of the flat wound qualities I was looking for...

 

[Slaymus]

Just put a set of light gauge GHS flats on my
MIA Fender Precision. Wow !
They are very thumpy with a woody character.
However, the .45 G-string didn't fit sound wise
(not surprising : its the same gauge as the regular size 45-105 set). It was too tight sounding, not enough thump.
So I put a .40 G-string (single string ordered from juststrings.com)
Much better string balance, great thumpy woody sound (including the G string) and easy on my hands.

I also tried briefly the Labella 760FX light gauge set. But after
changing only the G and D string I put back the GHS set.
The Labella strings were brighter (but I guess it could tame with a bit of playing), fuller sounding, but with less thump and a less woody character than the GHS with my bass.
Conclusion : I'm a happy man with the GHS flat !
Great strings and not expensive !

 

[u84six]

You can use your flatwound strings for ages, so their price may not be as critical as roundwounds. But yes, the TI's are expensive really.

These strings are extremely high tension. Probably just as high tension as LaBella Jamerson's. I suppose you can get a lower gauge to lower the tension, but based on strings with the same gauge, these are definitley some of the highest.

 

[u84six]

I've got 3 more brands of flats to try before I've tried them all, and the lowest tension flats that I've tried that are above .90 gauge are TI Jazz Flats (lowest tension), Pyramid Gold Flats, and Sadowsky Black Labels. TIs are really high quality strings that last forever and take a long time to lose their rich mid-range growl. But I've found that they only work well for certain types of basses. Pyramid Golds (IMO) are some of the nicest sounding strings. They get a nice warm, full and deep tone with lots of sustain. They work great on P style basses and surprisingly well on RIC 4003. But I've gotten some bad packs in the past, and they are VERY expensive. Sadowsky Black labels are becoming my go-to strings. They have a nice medium/low tension and they're very smooth to the touch. They get a very unique mid-range tone with a bit of that flat wound thump. These strings sound great on any bass. They're definitely an overlooked string around here if you're into flats. I'd have to say that out of all the strings I've tried, Sadowsky's are my favorite (they've dethroned the TIs).

There are plenty of other (good) flats, but the tension goes way up compared to the aforementioned strings.

Next up for me to try are Chromes, the new Fenders, and Ernie Ball Flats (then I think I've tried them all).

The last strings I tried are GHS Precision Flats and I can't wait to get them off my P bass. They feel like cheap steel rods with all thump and no tone.

 

[PBnJBassist]

I gotta say, after permanently switching gauges to 40-60-75-95 with all my flatwounds, Webstrings Detroit flats hit the list on one of the lowest tension flats out there, easily top 5 lowest. Less tension and more flexibility than my GHS and Chrome set, not to mention a VERY balanced and clear tone for a flatwound, honestly the best sounding flatwound brand I've tried - and I've tried all but Pyramid & TI flats - so these are a steal at $20 a set.

Also, I have custom Rotosound flats in the gauges mentioned above. Holy cow... I thought the extra -0.05 off their usual hybrid set (40-60-80-100) on the E & A would help on tension and flexibility, but no does not. They still feel like bridge cables! However, they break in fast and all but the E string are tamed and they sound lovely.

 

[zebra31]

Rotosound .40 are pretty stiff...

 

[Bobster]

After reading through this thread today, I picked up a set of ECB80 D'Addario light flats. They are .040-.090. I am seriously impressed.

They went on easily, were simple to intonate, sound great and the tension is just a little higher than a set of roundwounds. In fact, so far, I prefer these to TI-Flats. To me, that's saying something.

I've put them on my Modern Player Jaguar bass and they sound REALLY good with that P pickup.

You can feel safe with these and not worry about it.

Best of luck with the search,

Bob

 

[Hapa]

+1 on the TI flats 43-100
Even better IME, much harder to find are the Dogol strings from Italy.
Invalid Link Removed
price is tough but how often do you buy flats.

 

[DavC]

++1 or 2 on the TI Jazz flat set ...feel good , sounds nice ..

just never liked stiff strings ... like Chromes

 

[ubnomnar]

Yes TI Jazz is a great set but they got really, really expensive. $60 for a set is out of my league.

What price can you put on extraordinary tone and feel?

I think TI Flats are well worth it.

If you want EXPENSIVE flats, try a set of Dogal Jaco Carbons

 

[gigslut]

I have GHS Precision Flats, D'Addario Chromes and have used TI Jazz Flats. I wouldn't call the GHS low tension. In fact I have to give my truss rod a tweak whenever I put them on in place of other strings.
The Chromes are a little looser, but not as much as the TI.

 

[lowendfriend]

I agree with Sadowsky Black Label SS flats being underrated. They are fairly low tension but not like TI's.

I crushed mine when i knocked my bass over at a gig, replaced them with chromes because i could get them Now but just havent gone back....need to give them another try

 

[iceboxbass]

Just put a set of light gauge GHS flats on my
MIA Fender Precision. Wow !
They are very thumpy with a woody character.
However, the .45 G-string didn't fit sound wise
(not surprising : its the same gauge as the regular size 45-105 set). It was too tight sounding, not enough thump.
So I put a .40 G-string (single string ordered from juststrings.com)
Much better string balance, great thumpy woody sound (including the G string) and easy on my hands.

I also tried briefly the Labella 760FX light gauge set. But after
changing only the G and D string I put back the GHS set.
The Labella strings were brighter (but I guess it could tame with a bit of playing), fuller sounding, but with less thump and a less woody character than the GHS with my bass.
Conclusion : I'm a happy man with the GHS flat !
Great strings and not expensive !

+1! GHS flats are outstanding! Never tried their lights though...might just order a set!

 

[iceboxbass]

After reading through this thread today, I picked up a set of ECB80 D'Addario light flats. They are .040-.090. I am seriously impressed.

They went on easily, were simple to intonate, sound great and the tension is just a little higher than a set of roundwounds. In fact, so far, I prefer these to TI-Flats. To me, that's saying something.

I've put them on my Modern Player Jaguar bass and they sound REALLY good with that P pickup.

You can feel safe with these and not worry about it.

Best of luck with the search,

Bob

Don't you find them a bit on the bright side? I didn't get that nice warm woodiness and thump that great flats are known for when I've played them. I've tried them off and on several times with different models of basses.

 

[RedsFan75]

This seems to be a common discussion!

 

[king_biscuit]

GHS flats are pretty low in tension ...TI flats will be ridiculously low tension, and about as low as you'll find in a flatwound string. Pyramids are also fairly low tension strings too.

I don't find GHS Precisions to be particularly low in tension. TIs are very low.

 

[gary m]

I don't find GHS Precisions to be particularly low in tension. TIs are very low.

Could we agree that they're medium low tension? TIs are, like, wet noodle low tension by comparison. GHS Precisions are right for my instrument and my playing style whichever way you slice them.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Another vote for Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats.

They have the lowest tension, sound great and have a smooth polished finish. They also last a very long time, making them affordable in the long term. Many players leave them on for years.

The same can be said for Pyramid Gold flats, they have a bit more tension - another very long lasting string - for years.

 

[king_biscuit]

Could we agree that they're medium low tension? TIs are, like, wet noodle low tension by comparison. GHS Precisions are right for my instrument and my playing style whichever way you slice them.

I really like GHS Precisions a lot! Medium tension is probably about right.