Looper Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Can anyone recommend a good set of low(er) tension flats the wont break the bank (Ti's are a bit out of my price range)? I'm look at putting flats on my jazz to hopefully get a bit more thump, but I know nothing about flats. One issue seems to be the higher tension which I don't like the sound of, so any suggestions would be very welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Might not be what you're looking for but D'Addario Black Nylon Flats are similar tension to TIs (although less compliant) and substantially cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Or if you want something more traditional try some La Bella 760FX extra light - 39 56 77 96 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Not really thought of tapewounds before as I know even less about them, but black strings could be a good look! Strings seem to be like carbs on a bike, a dark and mysterious art to get right, but when they're right you know it. With my P I just stuck a set of roto's on it and it's grand, like setting up a carb on a single cylinder bike. Getting the jazz right is more like getting the vacuum gauges out to do a four cylinder. Thanks for the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1351201115' post='1848751'] Might not be what you're looking for but D'Addario Black Nylon Flats are similar tension to TIs (although less compliant) and substantially cheaper. [/quote] This is true. They're a touch livelier than many flats, but still essentially flattish sounding. I was not particularly taken with the B string on mine, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 (edited) Try Status Hot Wires, online from their website, about £20 posted & not far off TI's. [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/stringsinfo.html"]http://www.status-gr...tringsinfo.html[/url] [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/stringsinfo.html"]http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/stringsinfo.html[/url] Edited October 25, 2012 by KiOgon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I've got a new set of GHS light gauge precision flats that are too low tension for me, only been on the bass 5 minutes. PM me if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 The Hot Wires are a really good price, looks like they might be the way to go. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alstocko Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I recommend the Lakland JO signature flats/GHS previsions (they are the same strings, but Lakland are cheaper usually) Best flats I've ever played, no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus x-1 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 When I put Status Hotwires on my P, it was fitted with D'addario XL nickel wounds at the time and they went on without having to adjust the truss rod at all, so they must be a similar tension. Cracking strings for the money the Hotwires are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Since, unless you are very unlucky, you're not going to need to change them for years, what's wrong with spending a bit longer saving up for a set of TI Jazz Flats. You know it makes sense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 My rotosound monel flats are nice, not sure is they are are high tension or not. They sound the same now as when I first stuck em on. They sound like nicely worn in rounds, but more harmonics are evident. They do not sound dead at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixdegrees Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I've got a set of Fender flats on my Jazz (45, 65, 80, 100) and they're definitely a little lower in tension compared with the D'addario nickle round XLs (45, 65, 85, 105) that were previously on it. I went for slightly thinner A and E string to compensate for the extra pull that I was expecting. But there isn't any. The Fender flats have a few fans on here, and are about 15 quid a set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 (edited) [quote name='sixdegrees' timestamp='1351548812' post='1852595'] The Fender flats have a few fans on here, and are about 15 quid a set. [/quote] That includes me, the 9050CL set, which are the best value-for-money of any set of bass strings I've ever played in over 36 years of playing bass. I put a set on my main bass over two years ago, and they have at least that much life left in them. Edited October 30, 2012 by iiipopes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 TI flats from thomann.de are £38 inc post. Lovely strings, worth saving up for imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 Thanks for all the comments, will try the hotwires and if I find I get on with flats might save up for Ti's. Shame you can't rent strings to find out what you like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 [quote name='Looper' timestamp='1351948731' post='1857168'] Shame you can't rent strings to find out what you like! [/quote] So true and the same goes for basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RambleOn Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 [quote name='Cygnus x-1' timestamp='1351541405' post='1852435'] When I put Status Hotwires on my P, it was fitted with D'addario XL nickel wounds at the time and they went on without having to adjust the truss rod at all, so they must be a similar tension. Cracking strings for the money the Hotwires are. [/quote] What gauge are your Status Hotwires? They´re HotWire Flats right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 110 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 [quote name='ted_manzie' timestamp='1351937187' post='1857018'] TI flats from thomann.de are £38 inc post. Lovely strings, worth saving up for imho. [/quote] Ditto , [email="they@re"]they're[/email] superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looper Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 Just put on the Ti's I got for xmas. Flats are way for me from now on, they've transformed my bass. Will see what they're like once they're broken in but they have the sound I've been looking for, lovely to play and nice low tension (had to back the truss rod off a bit). Can't see ever going back to rounds again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus x-1 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) [quote name='RambleOn' timestamp='1352072615' post='1858524'] What gauge are your Status Hotwires? They´re HotWire Flats right? [/quote] sorry only just read this.....yeah flats, 40-60-80-100 Edited January 1, 2013 by Cygnus x-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil-osopher10 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 The status flats I found were rather high tension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mart Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='Looper' timestamp='1357063675' post='1917033'] Just put on the Ti's I got for xmas. Flats are way for me from now on, they've transformed my bass. Will see what they're like once they're broken in but they have the sound I've been looking for, lovely to play and nice low tension (had to back the truss rod off a bit). Can't see ever going back to rounds again. [/quote] That was exactly my experience when I tried them - I've now got them on every bass I own, and love the sound and feel. I find String Express (stringexpress.co.uk) usually have the best price, even beating Thomann. And if you ever do decide to change, the resale value is good - every set I've seen up for sale on here has sold very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='Looper' timestamp='1357063675' post='1917033'] ...Flats are way for me from now on, they've transformed my bass... ...Can't see ever going back to rounds again.[/quote] Welcome to the club. I played rounds for thirty-odd years and am a recent convert to flats. No going back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) Glad to see you went for the TIs! Those along with Pyramid Golds are my favourites. Edited January 4, 2013 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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