Alternative to TI flat with more tension? / Klira Hollowbody 60's

Stos-Garip

Stos-Garip

May 15, 2021
17
13
1,551
France
#1
Hello people!
I'm reading since a long time the forums here but first post!

I found an old hollowbody Klira bass from the 60s and I'm looking to find the perfect strings for her.
Because of the old neck I didn't wanted to put high tension and I bought TI JF324.

I just got the bass back from the luthier and I'm really not able to play with a pick with those...
I will keep them some more days to see if I can deal with it but the truth is I am looking already for alternatives.

I want something with better stiffness for pick playing but with not too much tension to be kind to the neck and thumpier than the TI's.

I've listed the alternatives I can found around easily (France) and that fits the bass:

Labella HHB2 (39-96)

labella HHBB (50-100)

Pyramid Gold (40-100)

Pyramid Gold (45-55-75-95 ou 40-50-70-95) / ideas of custom sets

Are those all stiffer than TI's? what about the difference between Labella and Pyramid?

Thanks a lot!
Christos
 
#3
While I have no experience with the sets listed, from what I've read the labella's and pyramids are generally going to have more tension than the TI's.... Hopefully someone else can chime in and help....good luck
 
#5
Thanks! Yeah I'm pretty sure that pyramid and labella have more tension but what about the differences between those two brands?

@Aidil Are those dunlop suitable for a basse with tailpiece? (the TI for example fit perfectly) That's why Il isted those sets before, they are more of a medium scale.
 
#6
Soundwise the labella's I know for a fact are nice and thumpy with full fundamental... don't know about the pyramids, but everyone I've talked to say it's the McCartney sound if that helps....I was only going on the sets you said we're available to you in France... Otherwise there's plenty more flats to choose from obviously...
 
#7
Stos-Garip:

The La Bella for Beatle Bass, light gauge work very well. I own several Hofner bass and used to own a Klira.
Labella HHB2 (39-96) is a very good choice. You were very luck to find a Klira hollow body bass.
 
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#8
@Barry Vestal Yes, to find a medium scale flat set with not a lot of tension but higher than TI is not quite easy, especially on this side of the Atlantic (no labella LTF shortscale, no Labella Fx medium scale etc..)

@Pimpernel Smith Thanks! I was super lucky to find it! I love the look the weight and the sound!! Do you know how they compare to pyramid gold?
Here is a picture of the bass
IMG_20201112_124512311.jpg
 
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#10
Stos-Garip said:
Are those dunlop suitable for a basse with tailpiece? (the TI for example fit perfectly) That's why Il isted those sets before, they are more of a medium scale.
Click to expand...

TI's "short scale" is 35.5" in winding length (ball end to silk). If that's the ideal length for your bass, GHS Precision Flats (45-95) in "medium scale" are exactly the same winding length at 35.5". Are they readily available where you are?

Dunlop Flats in "medium scale" are shorter at 34" in winding length.
 
#11
In terms of sound, you won't find anything like the TI Flats, from my experience, with:

Fender 9050,
Labella Deep Talkin' Flats,
GHS Flats,
D'Addario Chromes,
Pyramids.

In terms of tension, any of these strings have way more tension than TIs.

Classic thumpy sound:
Labella, GHS, Pyramids.

Middle ground sound:
Chromes.

More "aggressive" tone, closer to TIs:
Fender 9050.
 
#14
@Pimpernel Smith Yup I know I have some Chromes on my Longhorn

@J_Bass To say the truth I don't really look for something close to the TIs in the sound, I think I prefer a bit more oldschool.

@michael_t This sounds great but... I just checked quickly and it seems there is nowhere to find GHS precision flat in medium scale...

If this helps I have made the measuremens of the bass :
the string length is 760 mm / 29,9 "
from tailpiece to nut 855 mm / 33,7 "
from tailpiece to E tuner 926 mm / 36,4 "
 
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#15
Stos-Garip said:
@Pimpernel Smith Yup I know I have some Chromes on my Longhorn

@J_Bass To say the truth I don't really look for something close to the TIs in the sound, I think I prefer a bit more oldschool.

@michael_t This sounds great but... I just checked quickly and it seems there is nowhere to find GHS precision flat in medium scale...

If this helps I have made the measuremens of the bass :
the string length is 760 mm / 29,9 "
from tailpiece to nut 855 mm / 33,7 "
from tailpiece to E tuner 926 mm / 36,4 "
Click to expand...

I would go with Labella or GHS, then. Personal preference, of course. High tension strings, as you like, classic sound.
 
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#16
I actually own that exact bass! I’ve had great luck with Labella 760FL on it, and it is currently really nice with TIs on it, with medium-high action (makes up for the low tension and sounds/feels great w/ a pick that way). I’d bet Dunlops would be great too, they work well on my short scale Musicmaster. I’ve had trouble with intonation using a 100 gauge E from D’addario chromes, but it could possibly have been a twisted/bad string.. otherwise I’d say those in 40-100 would be a nice step up in tension from TIs, with a similar enough sound.
 
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