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Very low tension flats

Ricky Rioli

Ricky Rioli

Sep 29, 2020
4,073
1
10,500
UK
#1
A combination of a nearly useless trussrod and a desire for a properly low action got me experimenting.

G - from a LTF set, so 042
D - Chromes, 045
A - Chromes, 065
E - Chromes, 085

Total tension is about 120 lbs, a tiny bit less than the Roto Bass 35-55-75-95 set of rounds.

(Replacing the G with a Chromes 040 would add a couple of pounds, and replacing the D with a Chromes 050 would add another 10 lbs. So a 40-50-65-85 set would still be under 135 lbs)

Feel is ....better than hoped. Chromes' natural stiffness is still present, despite the low weights. Obviously you have to play with a gentle touch, but unlike some flats Chromes still make a vibrant tone when played lightly.

I can't be the first person to try something like this: anyone else experimented with very low gauge flats?
 
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#3
IMO using a 32 Chrome as G would be preferable. I guess you using what is laying around but using the 042 La Bella as G ups the tension of that string a fair bit in relation to the other strings. Plus having two strings virtually the same gauge side by side might be off putting in the long run. But if it works for you thats all that matters

CHromes Gauges 32 46 65 85

E1/.085/29.01lbf
A1/.065/30.25lbf
D2/.045/26.30lbf
G2/.032/24.20lbf

TT=109.76lbf


EAD Chromes + LTF 042


E1/.085/29.01lbf
A1/.065/30.25lbf
D2/.045/26.30lbf
G2/.042/36.20lbf (LTF)

TT=121.76lbf
 
Last edited:
#4
I'm using a 080 low E and a 065 A on my (30" scale) bass VI -type thing.

(The rest of the set is tuned to piccolo EADG, so gauges are even more in guitar territory. Also, I don't remember them. Whatever. The relevant part is the low E and A.)
 
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#5
Something to try out could be EAEA. A few extra high notes than EADG on a 20 fretter. The octave shape is wonderful for bluesy stuff and the barre power chord on the higher 3 strings sounds great.

EAEA



E1/.085/29.01lbf
A1/.065/30.25lbf
E2/.045/33.23lbf
A2/.032/30.49lbf

TT=122.98lbf
 
#9
Ricky Rioli said:
A combination of a nearly useless trussrod and a desire for a properly low action got me experimenting.

G - from a LTF set, so 042
D - Chromes, 045
A - Chromes, 065
E - Chromes, 085

Total tension is about 120 lbs, a tiny bit less than the Roto Bass 35-55-75-95 set of rounds.

(Replacing the G with a Chromes 040 would add a couple of pounds, and replacing the D with a Chromes 050 would add another 10 lbs. So a 40-50-65-85 set would still be under 135 lbs)

Feel is ....better than hoped. Chromes' natural stiffness is still present, despite the low weights. Obviously you have to play with a gentle touch, but unlike some flats Chromes still make a vibrant tone when played lightly.

I can't be the first person to try something like this: anyone else experimented with very low gauge flats?
Click to expand...
Can't imaging how the bass sound......
 
#10
Ricky Rioli said:
A combination of a nearly useless trussrod and a desire for a properly low action got me experimenting.

G - from a LTF set, so 042
D - Chromes, 045
A - Chromes, 065
E - Chromes, 085

Total tension is about 120 lbs, a tiny bit less than the Roto Bass 35-55-75-95 set of rounds.

(Replacing the G with a Chromes 040 would add a couple of pounds, and replacing the D with a Chromes 050 would add another 10 lbs. So a 40-50-65-85 set would still be under 135 lbs)

Feel is ....better than hoped. Chromes' natural stiffness is still present, despite the low weights. Obviously you have to play with a gentle touch, but unlike some flats Chromes still make a vibrant tone when played lightly.

I can't be the first person to try something like this: anyone else experimented with very low gauge flats?
Click to expand...
Well...
I wouldn't say I've "experimented" with low tension flats, like you have done, but in the sense of trying a set that I bought as an experiment? Yes, I have...
My lefty '73 Rick 4001 Bass, sadly, is developing the particular neck problem that 4001's with their neck pickup right up near the end of the fretboard sometimes get. And, that takes a lot of time and expense to fix - assuming one can find somebody that's willing to do it. So, until I can find that somebody - and scrape up the money? Very low tension flats (because flats are all I play) are what I'm going with, for now. I've been very pleased with the Italian Dogal strings for a few years, now. I have there R44 "Traditional" Flats on my '13 Gibson Thunderbird, and their Evolution flat wound guitar strings on 3 of my guitars.
When they introduced their "Jaco" Carbonsteel Flats a couple of years ago, I took a close look at them; and something on their packaging caught my eye. The part that said that they only took 5 kg. of tension per string, to pull them to pitch. Which means that a 4-string set has a total tension of only 44 lbs. Since they are not made like "normal" flatwounds (more like orchestral acoustic strings), I was willing to take a chance on them. I have no way of actually testing their claim, but... I did find that they come up to pitch almost as soon as I started to put any tension on them at all. And, they've been on the 4001 for more than a year, now...
How are they to play? Surprisingly, they feel stiffer than TI Jazz Flats (which I have on my Alembic Epic). Not a lot stiffer, but stiff enough that I can easily play them with a pick, without modifying my technique - which I would have to do for the TI's. Which Is why I never use a pick when I play the Alembic... Tone? Pretty similar to the Dogal R44s, or the Optima 4440 RB Flats that are made for Rick basses - which I have on my '01 4003. Definitely leaning into the "Old School Thump" end of the spectrum, but with a lot of low-mids and mids, along with a useful top end, too. For a lot of what I like to play, they're pretty hard to beat.
Sadly, Dogal strings are pretty pricey - and likely to be even pricier in the near future. Still... for me? More than worth it... :whistle:
 
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#12
Ricky Rioli said:
A combination of a nearly useless trussrod and a desire for a properly low action got me experimenting.

G - from a LTF set, so 042
D - Chromes, 045
A - Chromes, 065
E - Chromes, 085

Total tension is about 120 lbs, a tiny bit less than the Roto Bass 35-55-75-95 set of rounds.

(Replacing the G with a Chromes 040 would add a couple of pounds, and replacing the D with a Chromes 050 would add another 10 lbs. So a 40-50-65-85 set would still be under 135 lbs)

Feel is ....better than hoped. Chromes' natural stiffness is still present, despite the low weights. Obviously you have to play with a gentle touch, but unlike some flats Chromes still make a vibrant tone when played lightly.

I can't be the first person to try something like this: anyone else experimented with very low gauge flats?
Click to expand...
Thomastik Jazz Flats, La Bella Low Tension Flats and Optima RB Flatwounds. Please do a search.
 
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#14
Ricky Rioli said:
Haven't heard from my Stalker for a while, hi hope UR well 👋
La Bella Low Tension Flats aren't as low as this. Please read the thread.
Click to expand...
Do you notice any greater inharmonicity with stiffish strings under lower tension than they otherwise would be if tuned to typical pitch per the gauge? I realise your goal is low tension coupled with lower amplitude via stiffness for a lower action
 

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