Slightly-Higher-Tension Strings Than TI Jazz Flats?

+6dB Dan

+6dB Dan

Dec 8, 2015
226
287
4,571
Chicago, IL
#1
Hey fellow Talkers Bass,

I've been using a set of TI Jazz Flats on my Fender Jazz Bass (MIA, passive) for almost a year now. I like them overall, but I'm looking for a change. My fretting hand loves the super low tension -- it's never been easier to play quickly and cleanly with my fretting hand. But my plucking hand is working too hard because of the large string displacement, and playing quickly in finger-style is harder than with higher-tension strings.

So I'm looking for strings that are almost as low-tension as the TI Jazz Flats, but just a notch higher in tension. I want to see if that'd be more to my liking. I'm more interested in flatwounds, but I'm open to roundwounds too. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Dan
 
  • Like
Reactions: trothwell
#9
I don't think tension is the right word here - flexibility is more like it. Light gauge Chromes I found were similar tension but harder to bend than TIs. GHS P flats were a little better. La Bella 760FX I think is the closest you're going to get. The La Bella low tension flats I think are pretty much identical to TIs just more 'thuddy'.
 
  • Like
Reactions: +6dB Dan and Groove Doctor
#13
I've found Labella 43-104 to be the best compromise. If TI's don't feel stiff enough, it's not likely you'll like LTF's any better. Another good set (again, compromise) is the GHS Precision Flat 45-60-75-95 set, though I give the edge to Labella in the tone dept. I wouldn't even consider Chromes, as I find them to be irregularly stiff in just about any gauge by comparison to the others I mentioned. Compromise. There's really nothing like TI's and I also wish they made a set that mad maybe a little bit higher in gauge, but I generally don't have a problem with their feel. They just seem to "want" to be on certain basses and I'm not sure my current one is that bass right now.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor
#14
What tone do you want? If you want moderate tension across the board, you may have to get custom gauges, as very few sets have "balanced" tension, such as:

Fender 9050CL set 45-60-80-105 - Growly;
D'Addario Chromes - custom ordered in the same gauges - ping or zing fading to thump;
Ernie Ball regular steel flats - again, custom ordered in the same gauges - not quite the growl as Fender, no zing;
La Bella FL 43-104 - neutral "classic" tone;
GHS custom gauges - deep and dark.
To get similar to Thomastik tone: Optima RB 45-100.

Each of these sets has a little more tension than the T-I's, but are considered "light" for flatwounds. That is all relative. Having more mass (no gaps between the windings), they will all have a little more tension overall than conventional rounds, but will feel probably only marginally tighter.

There are other sets out there like Sadowsky blacks & blues in 40-100 that receive good reviews, but I don't really know of anybody besides D'Addario, Ernie Ball, and La Bella that sell singles. Most sets have the stronger D and A string gauges instead of the more "balanced" gauges listed above, and can feel tight coming from T-I's.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: +6dB Dan and Levin
#15
i've tried several ... i like the Ti ..

but , to me , the LaBella Low Tensions felt a little bit stiffer ...

right now i'm trying out some tapes ,... GHS tapewounds ... they also feel a little stiffer , but have a different sound for sure ...
 
#17
michael_t said:
The La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats are very similar in overall "tension" (ie pulling weight on the neck) to the TI's but are slightly stiffer, providing more resistance for the plucking fingers.

The Sadowsky Black Label Flats Lite 40-100 are stiffer than the other two but still very manageable for the fretting hand.
Click to expand...

Don't have experience with the lighter gauge, but can attest that Sadowsky flats are more likely to preserve the tonal characteristics you like with the TI jazz flats than any other flats I've tried…I've used the medium gauge on a fretless for several years now, and am thinking about also using them on a fretted. Great strings!

EDIT: Looking the thread over and realizing I may want to check out the LaBella low-tension flats at some point…but sticking by my assertion that the Sadowskys have the quickness and life that folks associate with the TI flats...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor and noahw1
#18
I got both TI's and LaBella Low Tension Flats on a couple of basses. To me the LaBellas are a tad "stiffer". I like them both but probably like the TI's a bit more tonewise. You might also try raising your action a bit and/or increasing neck relief a little to increase the TI's "stiffness".
 
  • Like
Reactions: pcake and Groove Doctor
#19
+6dB Dan said:
Hey fellow Talkers Bass,

I've been using a set of TI Jazz Flats on my Fender Jazz Bass (MIA, passive) for almost a year now. I like them overall, but I'm looking for a change. My fretting hand loves the super low tension -- it's never been easier to play quickly and cleanly with my fretting hand. But my plucking hand is working too hard because of the large string displacement, and playing quickly in finger-style is harder than with higher-tension strings.

So I'm looking for strings that are almost as low-tension as the TI Jazz Flats, but just a notch higher in tension. I want to see if that'd be more to my liking. I'm more interested in flatwounds, but I'm open to roundwounds too. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Dan
Click to expand...

Fender 9050's. I've got a set on a P and they're a little stiffer than the TI's on my other P but not stupid stiff like the EB's on my J.

If you want to sell your TI's, please PM me..... I'm looking for a set for a fretless P I'm getting shortly.

As far as a roundwound, if you can find a set of D'Addario Slowounds, try them. I've got another P with them and they are by far the best round I've ever played.
 
#20
I'd also advocate those Labellas (because I love Labella flats of ANY gauge) but I think they're gonna sound fairly different than your TI's, IMO (though I haven't used TI's in a while....). The Chromes I think might be sonically closer . . .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back