Very low tension flats

[Ricky Rioli]

Chromes Gauges 32 46 65 85

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

TT = 109.76 lbf

Another possibility that would also get the total tension down to a level this trussrod can accommodate would be the top 4 strings of the 30-130 Rotosound Monel Flats six-string set (RS776LD)

E - 85 - 30 lbs
A - 65 - 33 lbs
D - 45 - 32 lbs
G - 30 - 22 lbs

Total c. 120 lbs

(They also sell a single Monel in .035, despite it not being part of any of their standard sets, as far as I can tell)

Again, putting the natural stiffness of the strings to good use! I once tried their 40-60-80-100 set at E standard and my fingers said, these are not for us x)

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Another possibility that would also get the total tension down to a level this trussrod can accommodate would be the top 4 strings of the 30-130 Rotosound Monel Flats six-string set (RS776LD)

E - 85 - 30 lbs
A - 65 - 33 lbs
D - 45 - 32 lbs
G - 30 - 22 lbs

Total c. 120 lbs

(They also sell a single Monel in .035, despite it not being part of any of their standard sets, as far as I can tell)

Again, putting the natural stiffness of the strings to good use! I once tried their 40-60-80-100 set at E standard and my fingers said, these are not for us x)

Yeh the 35 is npoas ( not part of any set). Keep on muckin about with the experimentation. A useful ‘string intelligence gathering mission’ imho.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Yeh the 35 is npoas ( not part of any set). Keep on mucking about with the experimentation. A useful ‘string intelligence gathering mission’ imho.

While the experiment of the downtuned Chromes is working very well, I already had Chromes on one bass, and I'd rather have a bit of tonal variety, if possible. Especially as both basses have Fralin pickups (P on one, Split J on the other) I think, once broken in, the RS77s will have a tone more like what I want from this bass. So I've ordered a very expensive single 030 and a very cheap 45-65-85-105 set.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

While the experiment of the downtuned Chromes is working very well, I already had Chromes on one bass, and I'd rather have a bit of tonal variety, if possible. Especially as both basses have Fralin pickups (P on one, Split J on the other) I think, once broken in, the RS77s will have a tone more like what I want from this bass. So I've ordered a very expensive single 030 and a very cheap 45-65-85-105 set.

Be interesting to hear how the light Roto 77’s go

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Be interesting to hear how the light Roto 77’s go

I felt emboldened when I saw @trothwell having the same idea here

Post in thread 'Rotosound SM77 40-100 flats'

Sep 19, 2022

I went to see what the next set of gauges down from these were .... and found its the lightest set!

Someone here suggested to me that perhaps I could build a custom set. For example, I think Rotosound does sell a B-C 6-string set, and maybe the A-C strings of the 6-string set might make a more comfortable E-G set. Haven't tried it yet though.

• trothwell

It seems that amongst the 45-105 sets these are reputed to be harder work than Chromes and La Bella, and I've been happy with my Chromes experiment, so.....

Little bit worried at the 30 G being just 22 lbs, but I'm gambling on monel keeping it stiff enough. We'll see. And there's always that 35 string available.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Right, I've now got the Rotosound 77s here and on my bass: 30–45–65–85 tuned to EADG.

I'm happy with how they feel and sound, but I'm definitely not going to recommend it to anyone else: these strings all sounded much more vibrant and characterful when I momentarily tuned them up to F#BEA (I'm sure the 45-105 set sounds great in D standard)

But the sleepy tonal character that I'm getting is exactly what I wanted from this bass. They sound very different to the downtuned Chromes — those still sounded like themselves, vibrant and metallic. These downtuned 77s are very woody, with a muted palette. Mostly, an attempt to play them any harder than gentle just produces an unappealing plunk. Played gently, a lovely soft-edged warmth comes through.

The bass they're on has been modded to have just one J pickup, in the traditional neck placement. The pickup is a Fralin, and I'm sure its good articulation is doing a lot to keep the sound clear.

So it's now a very limited instrument, but in exactly the way I wanted. Supportive and unassuming.

 

[TheArchitect]

Right, I've now got the Rotosound 77s here and on my bass: 30–45–65–85 tuned to EADG.

I'm happy with how they feel and sound, but I'm definitely not going to recommend it to anyone else: these strings all sounded much more vibrant and characterful when I momentarily tuned them up to F#BEA (I'm sure the 45-105 set sounds great in D standard)

But the sleepy tonal character that I'm getting is exactly what I wanted from this bass. They sound very different to the downtuned Chromes — those still sounded like themselves, vibrant and metallic. These downtuned 77s are very woody, with a muted palette. Mostly, an attempt to play them any harder than gentle just produces an unappealing plunk. Played gently, a lovely soft-edged warmth comes through.

The bass they're on has been modded to have just one J pickup, in the traditional neck placement. The pickup is a Fralin, and I'm sure its good articulation is doing a lot to keep the sound clear.

So it's now a very limited instrument, but in exactly the way I wanted. Supportive and unassuming.

I don't know how you guys do it. I could never play those gauges

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I don't know how you guys do it. I could never play those gauges

Necessity has been the mother of invention. My other basses have 45-105 flats and 50-110 rounds. With this trussrod I have to choose either an action where I don't want it, or very low tension, or chucking the bass in the bin. I tried choosing the higher action and it didn't work for me. So, now, this. Not the end of the world, it's not my main bass. If this doesn't work out, I'll try a set of 35-95 Swing Bass and let it get really old.

 

[dfp]

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?

I’ve been using a Labella deep talking Bass .109 E string tuned down to low B as the low B string to go with a set of Lebella LTF flats. It mixes much better with the set than the original B string that came with the 5 string LTF set. I recently decided I wanted to try something similar with the E and the A string too, so I just ordered the Jamerson 4 string DTB set. I’m going to use the lowest three strings from that set for my low B, E and A strings with the D & G that come from the LTF set. Going on a P5 bass, split pickup.

 

[HaphAsSard]

It mixes much better with the set than the original B string that came with the 5 string LTF set.

In what respect(s), if I may? I've experience with neither, yet, and (different sets of ears and dancing-about-architecture notwithstanding) I like forming a preliminary idea from a number of reviews. Thanks in advance.

 

[dfp]

In what respect(s), if I may? I've experience with neither, yet, and (different sets of ears and dancing-about-architecture notwithstanding) I like forming a preliminary idea from a number of reviews. Thanks in advance.

With the LTF 5 string set I felt the low B string sounded like it was being palm muted at all times, it was thumpier than the others.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I’m going to use the lowest three strings from that set for my low B, E and A strings with the D & G that come from the LTF set.

So....

42-56-73-95 for the E Standard
+ 110 for the B

(Btw, a similar package could be done with Chromes — they do a 40-60-75-95 set, and sell a 110 single)

 

[Ricky Rioli]

The 30-45-65-85 set of Roto Monels has been working fine and I've been happy with the strings.

But I then decided I want this bass to be tuned to D Standard* so I've just fitted a La Bella 760FX set (39-56-77-96) downtuned.

Initial impression is that they take to D Standard much better than the Low Tension Flats did - these are still Deep Talkin Flats - plenty of clarity. And not so loose that I can't just play normally.

Now to see if the neck will creep forward.....

*or to put it another way: given the material I'm playing on it, I wanted the 1st fret 3½" closer to me

 

[Lo-E]

Upright bass players think nothing of mixing string sets. It’s really common.

For some reason, electric bassists typically don’t. I don’t know whether it’s because we’re scared something will go wrong, we just can’t be bothered or (most likely) it just doesn’t occur to us.

I find threads like this interesting. Keep updating with your further experiments! I may not have a need for this information right now but who knows when I might….