Stan_da_man Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Okay - have some Chromes on my fretless atm. I like the feel, I like the sound (after a couple weeks) but I definitely do not like the tension. Anything out there like Chromes but with lower tension? Ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 (edited) TI s- but I expect you know that already! Edited August 13, 2013 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I'm glad you like the sound after a couple of weeks as I've just installed a set and they are pretty bright for flats! Personally I don't mind the tension - it's very [i]manly[/i]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I'd say the Fender steel flats are pretty close.. I use them in lights 45-100 on 3 of my 5 basses Best flats for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1376418371' post='2173713'] TI s- but I expect you know that already! [/quote] I've tried TI rounds before and the tension was too low for my liking - how do the flats compare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 [quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1376421162' post='2173795'] I'd say the Fender steel flats are pretty close.. I use them in lights 45-100 on 3 of my 5 basses Best flats for me. [/quote] What strings would you say the tension is similar to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydentaku Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 What about nylons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 Roto 88s were too low tension when I tried them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Status half-wonds Good tension without being too tight or too loose like TI's - I love TI flats and love the low tension Sound acoustically just like chromes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 [quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1376424737' post='2173883'] I've tried TI rounds before and the tension was too low for my liking - how do the flats compare? [/quote] Not tried TI rounds so can't compare but I've been using the same set of TI flats on my fretless for the last three years and just love the feel. They are significantly lower tension than chromes but don't feel at all floppy to me. Depends what your used to though I guess and what you're after. Total string tension for a 4 string set of TI flats is 140.2 lbs. Tension for a roughly equivalent set of chromes (40-60-80-100) is 165 lbs if that's any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 If GHS Brite Flats are anything like their Precision Flats, they would be worth a try (as the Brites will probably be more tonally near Chromes). I found them a fair bit lower tension than Chromes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 A lighter set of Chromes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 [quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1376424879' post='2173888'] What strings would you say the tension is similar to? [/quote] Something in- between the TI's and the La Bella 760 FL- 43-104. The above post is right! Look at a lighter set. Getting the right gauge/tension has been the crucial issue for me in finding the right flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 Hmmm food for thought, cheers guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 I haven't found anything like chromes. They are brighter than any of the other flats I've used and couldn't be further away from the sound of TIs or Rotos. I'm using 40-100 and they're fantastic but the E gets too floppy when I use my detuner to go down to D- to get a thicker E I need 50s but they're way too high tension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1376551110' post='2175696'] I haven't found anything like chromes. They are brighter than any of the other flats I've used and couldn't be further away from the sound of TIs or Rotos. I'm using 40-100 and they're fantastic but the E gets too floppy when I use my detuner to go down to D- to get a thicker E I need 50s but they're way too high tension [/quote] You can buy them as singles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Ooh I didn't know that - just been onto stringsdirect - £10 for a 110 should do the trick Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 And ordered Back to the original question - I've never tried them but was going to try Roto Solo strings as an alternative on a fretless but never got round to it. There's loads of topics on here and Talkbs about them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Roto flats = high tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertect Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 As a band I play with regularly tune a semitone flat, higher tension might be to my advantage. Noted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.I. Joe Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Fender flats are pretty bright and the 45-60-80-105 set that I have on my Parts-cision feel just the right tension for me. Strokes for folks etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 [quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1376657691' post='2177482'] As a band I play with regularly tune a semitone flat, higher tension might be to my advantage. Noted. [/quote] Roto 50s tuned down a semitone sound really good Also, Roto Solo bass strings are not flats - they're pressure wound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted August 17, 2013 Author Share Posted August 17, 2013 Will be buying some Fender flats next opportunity I get, thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Update: Bought some Fender flats and... they are almost identical to Chromes! Makes sense since D'Addario now makes Fender strings. The 40-100 set was still a little too much tension for my liking so I may try TI's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Here are some: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/221732-thomastik-4-string-jf344-jazz-flatwound/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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