Flat Wound/ Gauges

Hi all.

I recently got myself a Fender American Performer Precision Bass. As you probably already know, bass guitars nowadays - not just Fender - come with round wound strings by default. I am not a fan of round wound strings (too bright for my taste) and prefer the smooth, deep-sound of flat wound strings.

Recently I thought I'd try something similar to flat wound and got myself some black nylon tape wound strings. I like them, but.....I suppose not as much as I thought I would and think I'll go back to flat wound. The tape wounds I got were from LaBella: https://www.labella.com/product/760n/. The gauges of the strings are .060, .070, .094, .115

Even though I have been playing bass for many, many decades, I do not consider myself a professional musician by any stretch of the word. Yes, I have played in bands in the distant past, but now I mostly play for my own amusement; I play my favorite songs on the stereo and then plug my bass into my amp and then play along! :yah:

When I discovered this forum, I saw this thread right near the top: https://www.thefenderforum.com/forum...ts-and-Tension

Even though I've been playing bass for a long time, I'll admit: There's a lot I don't know. Throughout the years, whenever I've had my bass strung, I don't do it myself but instead take it to a professional (just in case, also, they need to mess with the bridge, truss rod, etc.; I don't mess with that stuff). In that link I just gave regarding Flats and Tension: There was some interesting info in there that I was not aware of, stuff regarding gauges and the tension you feel.

Here's a link to LaBella again of a set of flats I used to have: https://www.labella.com/product/760fm/. You'll notice that the gauges are .049, .069, .089, .109.

I contacted LaBella and asked them for a recommendation as far as their flat wound strings go. I told them I noticed another set of flats on their site called "1954 'Original' Style": https://www.labella.com/product/0760m/ You'll notice that these are described as "Heavy", and the gauges are .052, .073, .095, .110.

However, LaBella's recommendation was this: https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/. The gauges are .045, .065, .085, .105.

Even though I was leaning towards the ones I listed above that I used to have - gauges .049, .069, .089, .109 - the LaBella rep said I would not notice a sound difference between them and the ones with the gauges of .045, .065, .085, .105.

Take the gauge for the E string: .105 & .109; a difference of .004.

So, check me on this: The difference on any of those strings - not just the E string - is .004. That's not going to affect the notes themselves, right? If I play an open E, whether it's a .105 or a .109 gauge, it's the same E, right? Would the .105 gauge have less tension and be "easier" for me to play without putting so much pressure onto the fret with my finger?

Does the recommendation of the https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/ flat wound set sound good?

I appreciate any positive input and recommendation;
Pez

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pez

Hi all.

I recently got myself a Fender American Performer Precision Bass. As you probably already know, bass guitars nowadays - not just Fender - come with round wound strings by default. I am not a fan of round wound strings (too bright for my taste) and prefer the smooth, deep-sound of flat wound strings.

Recently I thought I'd try something similar to flat wound and got myself some black nylon tape wound strings. I like them, but.....I suppose not as much as I thought I would and think I'll go back to flat wound. The tape wounds I got were from LaBella: https://www.labella.com/product/760n/. The gauges of the strings are .060, .070, .094, .115

Even though I have been playing bass for many, many decades, I do not consider myself a professional musician by any stretch of the word. Yes, I have played in bands in the distant past, but now I mostly play for my own amusement; I play my favorite songs on the stereo and then plug my bass into my amp and then play along! :yah:

When I discovered this forum, I saw this thread right near the top: https://www.thefenderforum.com/forum...ts-and-Tension

Even though I've been playing bass for a long time, I'll admit: There's a lot I don't know. Throughout the years, whenever I've had my bass strung, I don't do it myself but instead take it to a professional (just in case, also, they need to mess with the bridge, truss rod, etc.; I don't mess with that stuff). In that link I just gave regarding Flats and Tension: There was some interesting info in there that I was not aware of, stuff regarding gauges and the tension you feel.

Here's a link to LaBella again of a set of flats I used to have: https://www.labella.com/product/760fm/. You'll notice that the gauges are .049, .069, .089, .109.

I contacted LaBella and asked them for a recommendation as far as their flat wound strings go. I told them I noticed another set of flats on their site called "1954 'Original' Style": https://www.labella.com/product/0760m/ You'll notice that these are described as "Heavy", and the gauges are .052, .073, .095, .110.

However, LaBella's recommendation was this: https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/. The gauges are .045, .065, .085, .105.

Even though I was leaning towards the ones I listed above that I used to have - gauges .049, .069, .089, .109 - the LaBella rep said I would not notice a sound difference between them and the ones with the gauges of .045, .065, .085, .105.

Take the gauge for the E string: .105 & .109; a difference of .004.

So, check me on this: The difference on any of those strings - not just the E string - is .004. That's not going to affect the notes themselves, right? If I play an open E, whether it's a .105 or a .109 gauge, it's the same E, right? Would the .105 gauge have less tension and be "easier" for me to play without putting so much pressure onto the fret with my finger?

Does the recommendation of the https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/ flat wound set sound good?

I appreciate any positive input and recommendation;
Pez

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Flatwounds are heavier in a particular gauge than rounds.

Heavier means more tension to make a particular note.

More tension means more bend in the neck.

More bend in the neck means the "scale length" becomes shorter... but the distance between strings and frets become larger.... and if you press the string against the threat, the tension becomes larger than before... making a higher note...

If you bought the guitar in a store, they SHOULD set it up for you for free...

If you didn't... pay the luthier...

"I'll admit: There's a lot I don't know. Throughout the years, whenever I've had my bass strung, I don't do it myself but instead take it to a professional..."

Why are you not doing that now?

Here do this. Get the LaBella Low Tension Flat wounds. As close to the same gauge as your orig rounds. It’s what I did on my P Bass and I did not need to work the truss Rod or reintonate. It’s was a perfect switch. I gig this bass twice a week.

Hey guys; thanks for the replies!!

MacBayne: You say "If you bought the guitar in a store, they SHOULD set it up for you for free...". Well, yes, I did purchase the Fender bass at an official guitar store, and, I was told the instrument has a lifetime warranty. Even though I have not had the bass quite even two months yet (just shy of it; 6/14/23 will be two months), there have been a couple of issues so far and I brought it in and it was worked on by a technician (or, as you put it: Luthier!! :smile: ), free of charge. But, as far as replacing the set of existing strings, I don't think that will be covered under warranty/ free of charge. There's nothing wrong, per se, with the strings; I'd just like to switch them out and go with flat wounds.

So, besides paying for the purchase of a new set of strings, I'm sure I'll have to pay the piper, too, for the restringing fee.

blackonblack: I admitted in my original post that even though I've been playing a long time, there's a lot I don't know. You say "Get the LaBella Low Tension Flat wounds". Uhmmmm....which ones were you referring to? :arhhh:

On this link I gave for their "1954 Original Style" - https://www.labella.com/product/0760m/ - the tension is listed as "Heavy".

The ones I used to have - https://www.labella.com/product/760fm/ - the tension is listed as "Medium".

The ones that LaBella recommended for me - https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/ - the tension is listed as "Standard".

So, since you used the words "Low Tension Flat Wounds", which ones were you referring to? Was it the ones LaBella recommended? The https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/? Standard tension with gauges of .045, .065, .085, .105?

Pez

I also don't care for the sound of new strings - even the types I like, they're too bright for me. It takes a couple hours of play time to get them settled in and warm up. And that's on guitar. |Bass is another critter altogether - it takes a lot longer to break in those strings.
One thing you might look at is exactly what strings came stock on that bass. Depending on what they are, there may be other round wound or semi round wound ones that will be closer to your ideal sound.

All that said, an E is an E, but depending on the guage and the scale, it could be a higher or lower tension to get that E note.
So setting the bass up to play optimally with a given set of strings isn't a bad thing. If you're more comfortable taking it to a pro to do it, great. though it's not a bad thing to know the basics yourself; it's really pretty easy - there's lots of tutorials online. If you're switching to the same set of strings, you shouldn't need a full setup.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...rings-4-string

this

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pez

Hey guys; thanks for the replies!!

MacBayne: You say "If you bought the guitar in a store, they SHOULD set it up for you for free...". Well, yes, I did purchase the Fender bass at an official guitar store, and, I was told the instrument has a lifetime warranty. Even though I have not had the bass quite even two months yet (just shy of it; 6/14/23 will be two months), there have been a couple of issues so far and I brought it in and it was worked on by a technician (or, as you put it: Luthier!! :smile: ), free of charge. But, as far as replacing the set of existing strings, I don't think that will be covered under warranty/ free of charge. There's nothing wrong, per se, with the strings; I'd just like to switch them out and go with flat wounds.

So, besides paying for the purchase of a new set of strings, I'm sure I'll have to pay the piper, too, for the restringing fee.

blackonblack: I admitted in my original post that even though I've been playing a long time, there's a lot I don't know. You say "Get the LaBella Low Tension Flat wounds". Uhmmmm....which ones were you referring to? :arhhh:

On this link I gave for their "1954 Original Style" - https://www.labella.com/product/0760m/ - the tension is listed as "Heavy".

The ones I used to have - https://www.labella.com/product/760fm/ - the tension is listed as "Medium".

The ones that LaBella recommended for me - https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/ - the tension is listed as "Standard".

So, since you used the words "Low Tension Flat Wounds", which ones were you referring to? Was it the ones LaBella recommended? The https://www.labella.com/product/760fs/? Standard tension with gauges of .045, .065, .085, .105?

Pez

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No your link to Low Tension flats is to Deep Talking. See my previous post to the string you want

Changing strings is NOT part of warranty. Ever.

Any reputable guitar store will offer a free setup with a purchase. Not what comes off the wall, what setup YOU want. When the deadline for that setup is done, it may depend. For example, I bought a cheap AF Denver Acoustic bass... and my store set it up with the brand, gauge, and action I specified and like a month later. I paid for strings, they set it up. I bought it to take to parties. I could have had the setup done within a year of even such a cheap purchase.

Why? Because instruments from the OEM will have a particular gauge and setup from factory. If you order an Angus Young signature SG, it comes with "8s" as OEM spec. Who the hell plays "8s?" Some people like low setups, others, high... some people like a particular wind or gauge. The OEM spec is NOT CUSTOMER spec. I play Ernie Ball power slinky on my Gibson/Epiphone guitars- because of scale length/PU.

https://www.stringsbymail.com/ernie-...1-48-5737.html

If I bought an Angus Young Signature, that requires a HUGE adjustment. '8s' to '11s,' and we are only talking about one string gauge....

I usually require thicker strings than what come on basses and guitars. I, therefore, experiment with gauges and they ARE DIFFERENT across brands and string-count.

5-strings are typically longer scale lengths than 4 string... so a "105" 'E' string needs more tension on a 5-string bass to make an 'E.'... Humbucker-single coil- active/passive pickups... ENDLESS possibilities. I admit, I am a gear whore.

I have NEVER had a guitar or bass where the OEM setup and gauge was right for me.

Pay the Piper.

Why drop $1000 on an instrument with a free setup, and then spend $200 chasing strings ONLY to be left with a shite setup? Setups include truss, saddle, PUP adjustment, and tuner torque/lube.