Transitioning from Roundwound to Flats

[MattBrooklyn]

Hi everyone! I know there are countless threads about strings and everyone has varied opinions about sound, but my question is more specifically about feel. Apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find a thread dedicated to this and hey, it seems like everyone likes chatting about strings anyway!

I just picked up a lovely 2019 Squier CV 70s Jazz - what a steal! I've always used rounds on my Yamaha but these EB Slinkys on a J-Bass are not what I'm looking for. I'd like to try some Flats but my concerns are about feel. These hands are getting old and I don't play as much as I used to (hoping that will change). My understanding is that Flats have more tension, so is low tension the way to go? And, I'm worried that my fingers have grown accustomed to the texture of Rounds, and that my fingers will slip and slide as I'm playing. (I play exclusively with fingers - no pick, no slap)

I'm happy to take specific recommendations, but more so I'm looking for general info for those who played Rounds for many years (in my case, 35 years) and switched it up to Flats in search of that classic J-Bass sound. Thanks!! Matt

 

[michael_t]

My understanding is that Flats have more tension, so is low tension the way to go?

Only as a general rule, traditional flats tend to be stiffer in feel than rounds of similar gauges.

That said, there are a handful of options for flats that are designed to be more flexible and comfortable to play on.

For old-school = La Bella Low Tension Flats.
For semi-modern = Dunlop flats.
For bright and roundwound-like = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats (aka Slinky Flatwound).

The above three are known for their relative flexibility and comfortable playing feel.

 

[MattBrooklyn]

Only as a general rule, traditional flats tend to be stiffer in feel than rounds of similar gauges.

That said, there are a handful of options for flats that are designed to be more flexible and comfortable to play on.

For old-school = La Bella Low Tension Flats.
For semi-modern = Dunlop flats.
For bright and roundwound-like = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats (aka Slinky Flatwound).

The above three are known for their relative flexibility and comfortable playing feel.

Thanks, Michael. I may go for the La Bella LT. Do you know what size strings I should be ordering if I usually use 45s? I see La Bella has a chart, but I may need to take some night classes to figure that one out Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

I may go for the La Bella LT. Do you know what size strings I should be ordering if I usually use 45s?

La Bella Low Tension Flats only come in one set of gauges, 42-56-75-100. You will need the standard "long scale" set for your Jazz bass.

 

[MattBrooklyn]

La Bella Low Tension Flats only come in one set of gauges, 42-56-75-100. You will need the standard "long scale" set for your Jazz bass.

Thank you!

 

[jeffb28451]

Thomastik Infield are insanely flexible. Expensive, but last forever. I tried them and did not like them specifically because they were so limber. Good highs, too.

 

[MattBrooklyn]

Thomastik Infield are insanely flexible. Expensive, but last forever. I tried them and did not like them specifically because they were so limber. Good highs, too.

Thanks, Jeff! I just ordered some La Bella LT but maybe I'll try the TI at some point down the line. Cheers to good highs!

 

[Yahboy]

Hi everyone! I know there are countless threads about strings and everyone has varied opinions about sound, but my question is more specifically about feel. Apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find a thread dedicated to this and hey, it seems like everyone likes chatting about strings anyway!

I just picked up a lovely 2019 Squier CV 70s Jazz - what a steal! I've always used rounds on my Yamaha but these EB Slinkys on a J-Bass are not what I'm looking for. I'd like to try some Flats but my concerns are about feel. These hands are getting old and I don't play as much as I used to (hoping that will change). My understanding is that Flats have more tension, so is low tension the way to go? And, I'm worried that my fingers have grown accustomed to the texture of Rounds, and that my fingers will slip and slide as I'm playing. (I play exclusively with fingers - no pick, no slap)

I'm happy to take specific recommendations, but more so I'm looking for general info for those who played Rounds for many years (in my case, 35 years) and switched it up to Flats in search of that classic J-Bass sound. Thanks!! Matt

You can choose EB Cobalt flat 45-100 or 40-95 gauge. Those tension thing are only for refer, in real world, stiffness on string let my finger tell me either she play well/comfort/balance or NOT.

I have EB Cobalt flat 45-100 on my bacchus J bass, comfort stiffness and well balance string to string tonal.
But i'm not sure you liking the tone or not.

Here the sound, direct mic record.

 

[Yahboy]

Thanks, Jeff! I just ordered some La Bella LT but maybe I'll try the TI at some point down the line. Cheers to good highs!

LTF4A and Ti flat, just for tone reference, but on Squier CV50P and Vintera P.
LTF4A sound to old school, if you liking with growl thing on 70s Jazz bass, the string completely no suit to you.

 

[Yahboy]

Thomastik Infield are insanely flexible. Expensive, but last forever. I tried them and did not like them specifically because they were so limber. Good highs, too.

Amazon always has great price on Ti flat , i been check out with USD 55, but some TB member get with USD50 . Or buy online from Japan or Europe store.

 

[MattBrooklyn]

You can choose EB Cobalt flat 45-100 or 40-95 gauge. Those tension thing are only for refer, in real world, stiffness on string let my finger tell me either she play well/comfort/balance or NOT.
Thanks for the sound clips!!
I have EB Cobalt flat 45-100 on my bacchus J bass, comfort stiffness and well balance string to string tonal.
But i'm not sure you liking the tone or not.

Here the sound, direct mic record.

 

[Yahboy]

Forgot mention that the Cobalt flat on my jazz bass aged more than 18 months (shift from Cort GB74JJ to current bacchus J), the E string still has lot clarity and solid tone like the rest. No such modern sounding flatwound able did like EB cobalt flat (except EB Group flat ), both ECB 81 chrome and Fender 9050L has dull E after 6 months and the G string never get tonal match with the rest.

Weakness ? Cobalt flat need play with clean hand, clean after playing and dust-less/moisture-less environment, if not, she just get rusty quickly than you expect.

 

[rylie]

IME: 76 Fender J switching from low tension flats to rounds required a set-up

 

[matt_s]

I love my TI flats. Low tension and great sound, and they do last forever!

 

[Killing Floor]

Higher tension flats have higher tension compared to lower tension flats. That much is true.
If you want lower tension flats you shouldn’t be shopping for higher tension flats.

TI Jazz Flats are always the answer. Buy them once because they’ll last forever.

 

[bordinco90]

I use D'addario Chromes on my P basses. I love the feel of them. I took a couple of gigs to get used to the overall feel of the flats, but they are nice and broken in now. Flats are stiffer, but you can go down to super light gauges to compensate for the higher tension. I have used Labella low tension flats, but didn't like them they sounded really dead right out of the box. I prefer the brighter sound of the chromes. Fender also makes great flatwound strings.

 

[mexicanyella]

Another vote for D’Addario chrome flats here.

I was used to .045-.105 Dunlop rounds on my Squier P, and because I had heard about (some) flats being stiffer in a given gauge, I dropped down to .045-.100 when I switched to the chrome flats.

I found the stiffness to be so similar as to be a complete non-issue. I liked the smooth feel of the windings immediately, but at first the tone change seemed weird. However over the course of a few band practices as I made small adjustments at the amp, I noticed myself using more moderate, less boosted or cut EQ settings, and heard in the mix, my bass sound seemed to sit amongst the drums and guitar better. The ~$40 investment probably helped me stick with it long enough for my ear to adjust!

 

[el murdoque]

Those flats that have a stiffer feel to them are not really taxing on your fretting hand - as long as you know how to do a proper setup. A stiffer string will allow for a lower setup.

If you're looking for softer flats, look at Thomastik Infeld or at LaBella Low Tension Flats. The former play like freshly cooked spaghetti and the latter are supposed to feel the same.

 

[theduke1]

I have been playing LaBella Black Nylon Tape wound strings for years.
.136-.060 I do play 5 string.
I love them for many reasons.
1, they are brighter than a steel flat, but not as bright as a round wound string.
2, they are easy on my 70 year old fingers lol
3, they are easy on frets, & fretboards.
4, They last a year or more depending on how often you play and they look cool.
When I played out all year I would change them spring and fall, but now I only gig out May through October so each spring because most of our gigs are outside. Good Luck in your quest
Duke

 

[One Way]

In my experience a stiffer string will allow a lower setup which compensates for any additional string stiffness when it comes to playability.
Two of my basses currently wear EB Cobalt Flats, 45-100, and I find their playability similar to 45-105 hex core round wounds. YMMV