Bovinehost or anyone using flats....(yes, I searched)

[nismaniac]

I did a search about strings and I have a question about using flats on my SR5. I am very curious to try them out. I read that the TI jazz flats are very popular around here but might have an issue with neck tension. I also read that the Labella flats are good as well and have a little bit higher tension.

I just want to know which strings will make for the easiest transition going from round wounds. I just got a great set up dialed in and I don't want to mess with it too much. I appreciate your help on this subject. I didn't notice any direct comparisons between the TI and Labella flats when I was searching.

Thanks again,
Austin

[shaver]

all i know that TI are amazing, like silk

[bovinehost]

Austin, the issue isn't so much going from rounds to flats but rather from high tension to lower tension. It depends on what you're using now and, to some extent, on your particular instrument.

First, the tension question. TI Flats are fairly low tension. LaBellas are a bit higher. If you're using super high tension rounds - Rotos come to mind - the difference can be striking, although I think the TIs can also improve your right hand technique if you have a tendency to play hard, to dig in.

After a few days, you won't even notice, though. You'll just be amazed at how easy it is to play fast and clean. And THUMPY!

As far as your setup goes, it really depends. On some basses I've owned, I've had to go at the truss rod when changing from rounds to the TIs. On others, it was no big deal at all. The only thing you might have to do, if you go with TIs, is loosen the truss rod a quarter turn.

If it were hard, I couldn't do it, I promise.

If you're looking for more thump and less bite, flats are the way to go. I find both brands, the TIs and the LaBelllas, to be very good strings, but in an ideal world, I would use TIs exclusively.

Does that help? I'll be glad to walk you through the whole deal if you decide to make the switch.

Jack

[basadam]

Changing from slinkies to TI flats on my SR5, I didn't have to touch the truss rod. I was surprised since all my other basses required slight changes, but I guess SR5 necks are much better at that.

[tkarter]

Took 1/8 a turn of loosing on my SR 5 when I went to the TI flats. Tension sure doesn't feel as low as I had expected from all the low tension threads I have seen in various places on the Internet. Great strings and good sound is what TI flats are IMO



tk

[nismaniac]

Austin, the issue isn't so much going from rounds to flats but rather from high tension to lower tension. It depends on what you're using now and, to some extent, on your particular instrument.

First, the tension question. TI Flats are fairly low tension. LaBellas are a bit higher. If you're using super high tension rounds - Rotos come to mind - the difference can be striking, although I think the TIs can also improve your right hand technique if you have a tendency to play hard, to dig in.

After a few days, you won't even notice, though. You'll just be amazed at how easy it is to play fast and clean. And THUMPY!

As far as your setup goes, it really depends. On some basses I've owned, I've had to go at the truss rod when changing from rounds to the TIs. On others, it was no big deal at all. The only thing you might have to do, if you go with TIs, is loosen the truss rod a quarter turn.

If it were hard, I couldn't do it, I promise.

If you're looking for more thump and less bite, flats are the way to go. I find both brands, the TIs and the LaBelllas, to be very good strings, but in an ideal world, I would use TIs exclusively.

Does that help? I'll be glad to walk you through the whole deal if you decide to make the switch.

Jack

Thank you Jack and everyone else for the responses. I love the tone of the SR5 with roundwounds, but for the music I'm playing right now I think a little bit less bite would be great. On most of my basses I'm trying to get some extra bite but the SR5 has some to spare (which is good, just not right now).

I'm thinking I'll probably start with the LaBellas and then ease into the TI's. Also, about how long do the flat wounds end up lasting?

[basadam]

Also, about how long do the flat wounds end up lasting?

That's a tricky one!! TIs I use also have some little zing when new and lose that in time. After a while (I'd venture to say four or five times longer than rounds) they go real dead. The good thing is when they're dead, they're not dead-like-rounds; some - including me - really love that tone. If you're into that tone, you can practically use them forever. I think it's a very personal thing to decide when to change flats with a new set.

[armybass]

I would just add that I love both TI's and LaBellas but I find the TI's to be more versatile. Also, with the LaBella's, make sure you get the 760 FL's and not the 760FS's. I find the FS's to be much higher tension than the FL's and very, very twangy. They almost sound like rounds.

[nismaniac]

That's a tricky one!! TIs I use also have some little zing when new and lose that in time. After a while (I'd venture to say four or five times longer than rounds) they go real dead. The good thing is when they're dead, they're not dead-like-rounds; some - including me - really love that tone. If you're into that tone, you can practically use them forever. I think it's a very personal thing to decide when to change flats with a new set.

I'm glad to know they last a little bit longer than rounds because they are more expensive!

[nismaniac]

I would just add that I love both TI's and LaBellas but I find the TI's to be more versatile. Also, with the LaBella's, make sure you get the 760 FL's and not the 760FS's. I find the FS's to be much higher tension than the FL's and very, very twangy. They almost sound like rounds.

Thanks for the heads up. So are you saying that the 760 FL's tension is not too much more than, and would be the best transition from roundswounds?