Tape, round, flat wound onfender bass

[Dean4746]

Need guidance on strings as my hands are shot (a couple of surgeries). I play a fender & use round strings. I play 5x a week in different groups.

wondering if anybody has any thoughts on tape wound or flat wound on a fender solid body. They might be easier on the hands.

Appreciate guidance. Thanks.

 

[turf3]

Well, you're in the double-bass section (a moderator will probably be along soon to move this to the electric-bass section) but I'd say the winding of electric bass strings is unlikely to have much to do with hand stress. I think you need to be looking at:

- hand position - are you using good form?
- scale length - a shorter scale means less stress on the fingers
- string tension
- action height (and if your bass needs a good setup and possibly fret leveling that'll affect how low you can get the action, so pay attention)

 

[Dean4746]

Well, you're in the double-bass section (a moderator will probably be along soon to move this to the electric-bass section) but I'd say the winding of electric bass strings is unlikely to have much to do with hand stress. I think you need to be looking at:

- hand position - are you using good form?
- scale length - a shorter scale means less stress on the fingers
- string tension
- action height (and if your bass needs a good setup and possibly fret leveling that'll affect how low you can get the action, so pay attention)

thanks much for the advice and advising my mispost.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

I use TI-Jazz flats on my Thunderbird and they’re way easier on my hands than round wounds were. Give them a shot and possibly lower your action and it’ll probably help.

 

[Eddie Jones]

As suggested TI-Jazz flats but for even lower tension, the TI Jazz-round is exquisite. Feel and playability are sublime and tone is awesome.

 

[Steven Ayres]

I haven't put roundwounds on an electric bass since the early '80s. Not only are tapes or flats easier on your hands, they're easier on everyone's ears as well.

 

[fdeck]

I recently got an ABG and wanted to try new strings, but didn't want to endanger it with too much tension, so I got advice from the maker and they suggested a tension limit. Then I had to find lower tension strings. Only a few brands actually list tension numbers. D'Addario and Thomastik were good in this regard. LaBella had tension numbers for some string types and not others, but an e-mail to them got me some more info. I ended up with D'Addario tape wounds, and they are in fact nice on the hands.

Lower action will help. This will also force you to play with a lighter touch in your right hand. I find that short scale is easier on my hands because I can avoid that violin-like twisted wrist thing.

 

[GIBrat51]

Depends on what you mean by "easier". Tapewounds and flatwounds will definitely be smoother than almost all rounds, so if that's what you're looking for? Then, yes, they will be easier on your hands. Tapes will be the smoothest, although the Galli Jazz Flats on my EBMM 4HH Stingray Special are their equal, IMO. However...
If stiff feeling/high tension is the problem? As a general rule, gauge for gauge? Flatwounds will be stiffer than the rounds, due to their flat outer wrap and the generally larger diameter core wire. There are exceptions; TI Jazz Flats are very flexible and very low tension (for flats); La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats are also very low tension, but are stiffer than the TIJFs because La Bella wanted them to feel like "normal" flats. Players who want flats, but also want the flexibility of the rounds they're used to, usually drop their flats down a gauge. And, lighter gauge also - usually - equals lighter tension...
Tapewounds? Definitely smooth, and the usually light gauge roundwound strings under the nylon makes for pretty light tension. The La Bella Black Tapes I had on a BEAD 4 -string bass, and the Roto TruBass 88 Tapes I currently have on one of my violin basses, are not very flexible, however. And, if you decide to use tapes, be prepared to do some work on your bass' nut slots. Or replace it. Also, some people - on some basses - have grounding issues. I never did - and don't; but, it's a possibility...
I've never used them (25 of my 26 basses wear flats or tapes), but ground wound or half-round strings might be an option for you. And, as has been mentioned; TI Jazz Rounds might also be an option. The one bass I own (a Gretsch Broadkaster) with rounds, wears those. Pretty low tension/stiffness, and they are definitely the smoothest rounds I've ever played. So...
You pays your money, and takes your choice, I suppose...

 

[MarkM13]

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are not your typical thumpy flat. They have a lot growl and feel great on the hands.
Maybe try the before the TI options since they're only $35 a set.

 

[BassBrass]

I though this was about an Offender bass.

 

[BOOG]

Need guidance on strings as my hands are shot (a couple of surgeries). I play a fender & use round strings. I play 5x a week in different groups.

wondering if anybody has any thoughts on tape wound or flat wound on a fender solid body. They might be easier on the hands.

Appreciate guidance. Thanks.

I have an Aerodyne that wears LaBella black tapewounds and I rarely play it because it spoils my hands. It’s so easy to play that my hands get lazy and makes playing the others a challenge for a a day or so until I get used to them again.
Also, I typically play four string instruments but, I have a five string that now wears LaBella white-copper tapes and it helps a lot with navigating the wider board and hiding my sub-par technique.

 

[brian579]

As suggested TI-Jazz flats but for even lower tension, the TI Jazz-round is exquisite. Feel and playability are sublime and tone is awesome.

Agreed! TI flats are true game-changers.

 

[FullumMusic]

Need guidance on strings as my hands are shot (a couple of surgeries). I play a fender & use round strings. I play 5x a week in different groups.

wondering if anybody has any thoughts on tape wound or flat wound on a fender solid body. They might be easier on the hands.

Appreciate guidance. Thanks.

I play La Bella White Gold Tapes, and have played the La Bella Black Tapes too. They are amazingly low tension. They play effortlessly. I absolutely love them.

If you’re into the flat wound sound go for the blacks. If you prefer more brightness and grit, go Gold White. They also have Whites and Copper Whites which fall somewhere in between the blacks and the golds tone-wise. The Gold Whites aren’t gonna be bright bright like a brand new set of bright roundwounds. But they’re just the way I like them: like roundwounds after you’ve played the hell out of them for a little while and the new-string-twang is gone but they’re still alive.

 

[Wambemando]

GHS tapewounds (105-50) with D'addario Chromes (105-50) a close second.
The tapes are ridiculously comfortable and offer a distinct tone that I can't get from "metal" strings.
I use a soft mute in the cover.
This setup isn't really good for modern rock, so I keep another P setup with Roto SS for such occasions.

 

[NKBassman]

Another +1 for TI flats having a very loose feel and being very comfortable play. Tonally they're about as far from roundwounds as you can get though. Ive heard TI rounds are also nice but I've never tried them.

 

[sonojono]

If you want the feel of Tapes/Flats but the sound of rounds (If you like the sound of rounds)

GHS Pressurewounds.

 

[BassFalcon]

I have light gauge LaBella copper white nylon tape wounds on my jazz bass. I have very very low action and use a very light touch, relying on the amp to do the work for me, with this approach the tone does not suffer either, worth a mention because I know some think skinny strings and a light touch equals no low end. This is not true. I also have both of the vintage style chrome covers on. I rest my palm on them and play with my fingers and thumb in the Damien Erskine style. All of this is very very easy on the hands.

 

[logdrum]

I've never used them (25 of my 26 basses wear flats or tapes), but ground wound or half-round strings might be an option for you

GHS brite flats are ground wound but they can be rough on the fingers and are stiff for the equivalent gauge. I like them but those characteristics make them polarizing to many bass players. Maybe the other brands are different. This would definitely be counter productive to the OP.

Which hand is bothering, plucking or fretting hand. I know someone whose plucking hand is shot and he switched to pick and he can play as fast and dexterous now when he switched to a pick, All string, scale and action changes helped some but only when he switched to pick did he lower all his pain and improve his comfort.

 

[logdrum]

Another thought is using your thumb. I play a hybrid guitar+bass, Charlie Hunter style short scale 7 string (3+4(. There is no way to play the 3 bass strings with index and middle, so I got good at thumb playing and can do that with regular basses as well

 

[Ric5]

Need guidance on strings as my hands are shot (a couple of surgeries). I play a fender & use round strings. I play 5x a week in different groups.

wondering if anybody has any thoughts on tape wound or flat wound on a fender solid body. They might be easier on the hands.

Appreciate guidance. Thanks.

Maybe try a short scale bass ... Ibanez Mikro

I bought one of these for my daughter and they are very easy to play ... and they are good looking as well