What’s wrong with stiff strings?

[Raman]

I think next step will be lowering the action a bit and see how that might help. The bass is presently set up as it would with lighter gauge strings.

Like I said earlier, I haven't had an occasion to play for a long time since I installed the 9050M set and see if I feel more tiredness. I'm also playing relatively smooth bass lines this week. So, so far not too much strain on the hands. Maybe with a different and longer set list it'd be a different matter...

My only concern at this point is playing higher up on the neck. The songs that I'm currently rehearsing don't call for it much. But, if I fool around there, I do feel more resistance which impedes my left-hand agility. I'll see if a lower string action helps with that.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I use stiffer strings pretty much exclusively. 760FM on my Gibson, higher gauge LoRiders on my Warwick and jazz.

I like that I can get them real low to the fretboard and unlike a lot of ppl here on TB, I’ve found that I have to use less force to get the tone I like. Because I’m just a hired gun, I play a wide range of genres from jazz to country, from afrobeat to rock, hip hop and funk to top 40 pop and experimental fusion. In 20 years, I’ve never found a situation where my choice of strings has ever been a factor.

 

[Doug4321]

Yes, I’ve experienced too stiff, the Rotosound 45-105 Jazz Flats. Wears out my left hand and hard to get the action low enough but not too low and buzzy.

Another thing with overly stiff strings, it can make the overtones sharp, also the notes higher up the fretboard go sharp and you might not have enough adjustment room on your bridge to intonate correctly. The weirdest, bad stiffness problem I encountered was with Rotosound Short Scale Jazz Flats. Stiff strings but light gauge so tuned loosely/low tension, especially the E, so feel not stiff…. Anyways the E string had terribly sharp overtones, really hard to get in tune.

 

[micguy]

For me, stiff strings (especially flats) don't have that "twang" (upper mid harmonics with the attack of the note) - that's something that's part of the sound in my head. Stiff strings make me want to dig that out of them, and I'll literally sprain my plucking fingers in the attempt (I actually did that when I was young) if I don't stop myself. As I have had wrist issues, I need to get my sound (which sounds like I'm hitting the strings hard) without actually hitting the strings hard (to preserve my wrist). That means compliant (the opposite of stiff) rounds.

For folks that want a "clean" sound - no fret clank or twang, stiff strings may be the ticket, but for me, nope.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've got a set of LaBella 1954s flats, the "Jamerson" strings, 110-52 on a P bass. I love them and play that bass as much if not more than the rest with rounds. The strings are like an instrument unto themselves. I wouldn't put them on all my basses but, they will always be on a bass.

 

[retslock]

I used to play roundwounds forever. Lately, I switched to flatwounds.

I first installed a set of D’addario chrome light gauge. I like them quite a lot. Then, last week I ordered and installed a set of Fender stainless steel medium gauge (Fender 9050M) on my Squier CV Precision. Simply because I chanced upon a set for sale and had heard good things about Fender 9050s.
So, a lot is new for me about these strings: Still new to flats, stainless steel and the heavier gauge.


One very regular comment I’ve been reading is people find the medium gauge “way too stiff”. I’m wondering what is meant by that. Does it mean harder to pluck and to fret? Does it mean your hands will get tired more quickly? Does it mean it’s harder to perform some techniques, like popping or playing faster higher up on the neck? Or, is it just a matter of not liking the stiff feel under your fingers?

So far, after only a few days, yes I do feel they are stiffer under the fingers, but it's not completely clear to me why it's such a problem for so many people.

I’m also wondering: If it’s a matter that fatter strings are harder to pluck and fret, but at the same time won’t bounce around so much because of their stiffness, wouldn't lowering the action compared to light gauges be a solution?


Finally, if anybody here is a fan of fatter strings, I’d like to know why, and whether you think they should be approached differently in either set up or play technique.

Thanks.

I prefer heavier, higher tension strings because I dig in when it’s needed. Light gauge strings feel too loose for me. I like the resistance that Chromes give. They feel comfortable and more accurate for my style of playing.

 

[GIBrat51]

I used to play roundwounds forever. Lately, I switched to flatwounds.

I first installed a set of D’addario chrome light gauge. I like them quite a lot. Then, last week I ordered and installed a set of Fender stainless steel medium gauge (Fender 9050M) on my Squier CV Precision. Simply because I chanced upon a set for sale and had heard good things about Fender 9050s.
So, a lot is new for me about these strings: Still new to flats, stainless steel and the heavier gauge.


One very regular comment I’ve been reading is people find the medium gauge “way too stiff”. I’m wondering what is meant by that. Does it mean harder to pluck and to fret? Does it mean your hands will get tired more quickly? Does it mean it’s harder to perform some techniques, like po pping or playing faster higher up on the neck? Or, is it just a matter of not liking the stiff feel under your fingers?

So far, after only a few days, yes I do feel they are stiffer under the fingers, but it's not completely clear to me why it's such a problem for so many people.

I’m also wondering: If it’s a matter that fatter strings are harder to pluck and fret, but at the same time won’t bounce around so much because of their stiffness, wouldn't lowering the action compared to light gauges be a solution?


Finally, if anybody here is a fan of fatter strings, I’d like to know why, and whether you think they should be approached differently in either set up or play technique.

Thanks.

Well... In general, I'd have to agree with michael_t; yes, yes, yes, and yes. However...
I only have one bass (out of 24) with rounds on it (TI Jazz Rounds on a Gretsch Broadkaster), and one bass with tapes (Rogue VB-100 with Roto 88s). All the rest wear flats, and with few exceptions, most of them are 45-105s. So, yes, I like stiff, fairly heavy flats. That said; yes, there are noticeable differences between the brands of those flats. Some, like the Roto RS77LDs, are frickin' bridge cables, with the actual tension (214.41 lbs.) to go with the rigid feeling. I love those strings - especially on a Thunderbird. OTOH, some of them - Sadowsky Blue Labels, or Galli Jazz Flats, for example - are actually fairly flexible. I really like those, as well. Most of the others are 40-100's; and no, I couldn't say that any of them are as stiff as the heavier gauges. Although, the Optimas - both the RB's and the 4099RL Chromes -, do come close, IMO. The other flats are 39-96 La Bella 760FX's, on a pair of Danelectros. For the "Dano sound", mostly...
As for stiffness re playing style? I can't really speak from experience to that. Since I started playing bass way back in 1968 (on a new Rick 4001 with factory 45-100 Maxima flats), I've played basses with flats 99% of the time. And, I've always been a "sit in the pocket; lock in with the drummer; and stay there" sort of player. And, at my age, I don't plan on changing in the time I have left, either... Yes, I do like the strings as low as they'll go, on a neck that's as straight as I can manage it, that will give me a little string buzz if and when I want it. Which, as you can imagine, is pretty easy to do with a stiff set of flats... As for being hard to pluck - especially for any length of time? Yeah, I'll have to agree with that. However... with the exception of about 7 of my basses, I play with a pick 100% of the time. So, stiffness is more of a plus than a minus. Of the 7 other basses, they're pick or fingers about 50/50; except the Alembic Epic w/ TIJF's. I play that one finger style all the time. Mainly because the pick "attack" needed for the TI's is too.... different... compared to playing the other strings, so finger picking is just easier. And the TIJF's are so flexible, that it's not a problem to play them that way...
So... bottom line? Why is stiffness a problem for some people? Probably has to do with their preferred playing techniques; the music they play; and how long they play at one sitting. Which is perfectly understandable, and why there are so many kinds - and gauges - of strings. I prefer stiff flats in 40-100 to 45-105 gauges, because for me? They work just fine for what and how I play... Maybe they'll work for you; maybe they won't. That's something you'll have to decide for yourself, but there's no shame on you if they don't. Horses for Courses, I say. And anyhow; Life's too short to make yourself unhappy, doing something that you should enjoy...

 

[Raman]

A little update.

I changed the tuners on the bass (Squier P CV 70s) because the stock ones were loose.

And I changed the strings. I went for slightly smaller this time: Fender 9050ML (.050 - .100)

I adjusted the neck relief, setting it pretty flat.
Then, I adjusted string height, in a bow across the neck.
And finally, intonation.

I've been setting the string action low. And it's working!
The strings' stiffness make up for their proximity to the frets, at least as far as fret buzz goes.

The strings do tend to "clack" against the neck and the frets. My original reflex was to raise the action, but it kept on clacking. Then, I lowered the action and it clacked, but not as severely anymore. In fact, it clacked in a pleasant way now. And adjusting my play makes it completely controllable.

In short, I really enjoy exploring those Fender Stainless flat strings.

They are stiff in a good way.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I pluck with a bit of force, so I prefer stiff strings.