Playing power chords on a bass. Would flatwounds make it easier on my hands?

Creed_Clicks

Hi all. I usually play guitar but play bass on a few tracks. No problem when it comes to playing single notes etc, but one particular song, I have to play power chords, and it is hard work, especially on my pinkie. I would get a blister after the sessions.
I had to record this particular part yesterday, and had to split it up into a few parts, as the errors were noticeable under a recording microscope. Mainly trying to keep the power chords clean as I progress. It is a combination of lack of strength in the left hand and sliding up the fretboard. After a while it hurts my fingers.
So the question is, would flatwounds help? The fact that they are smooth, so sliding up the fretboard would be easier?
I understand that there are sets of flatwounds that are suited to rock (Steve Harris) set, so these might work. A light gauge perhaps.
A short scale bass would probably be easier to play with roundwounds for me, but in this case, I will stick with 34". 
Light gauge flatwounds? I think whatever set Roger Waters used, was it Rotosound, would work too.

fretmeister

Rotosound flats are possibly the highest tension flats on earth.
Their light gauge are like other mediums at least.

Most flats have higher tension than rounds so although they will feel smoother they will probably be harder to hold down.

I’m afraid the answer is practice.

Or play single notes and not chords.

Creed_Clicks

ahhhh this I did not know . I will look for a light gauge set then !

fretmeister

Thomastik will probably be too light. Great tone but very very low tension. Not great for plectrum strumming.

Ernie Cobalt flats are probably the brightest Flatwounds. The 40 set might be ok for you.

Or you could borrow a pitch shifter that will do 5ths? Or if recording in a DAW just use A pitch plugin?

wrinkleygit

I’ve used Labella Low Tension Flats for years now, not as floppy and better tone than Thomastik in my opinion , best price and delivery from Bass Direct.

Winny_Pooh

Ernie Ball Cobalt flats will do, I used Daddario ground wounds for years but am enjoying the EBs right now

Funkfingers

Consider retuning your lowest string by two semitones. This done, your lowest three strings produce a root-fifth-octave chord using just one finger.

pt22

Would a Fender (or Squier) Bass VI be an option? 

Sporky

Funkfingers said:

Consider retuning your lowest string by two semitones. This done, your lowest three strings produce a root-fifth-octave chord using just one finger.

Or a slide. 

There aren't enough slide bass chords in music. 

Creed_Clicks

Sporky said:

Funkfingers said:

Consider retuning your lowest string by two semitones. This done, your lowest three strings produce a root-fifth-octave chord using just one finger.

Or a slide. 

There aren't enough slide bass chords in music. 

Mark Sandman!

Creed_Clicks

These would be light though? These are 0.39

https://www.labella.com/product/760fx/?srsltid=AfmBOooAfLq6W1zyJ9IRgeKxlAIfB-QBZZ7H03cPMlXUpfPLyCLJEGzJ

Or 0.40 in roundwound etc.

I am using EB regular slinky which are 0.50

Funkfingers

Sporky said:

Funkfingers said:

Consider retuning your lowest string by two semitones. This done, your lowest three strings produce a root-fifth-octave chord using just one finger.

Or a slide. 

There aren't enough slide bass chords in music. 

You are John Paul Jones and I claim my five Guineas.

stickyfiddle

I love my TI Flats. But I don't use them for chords - that's monstrous behaviour

ToastHat

I can't actually answer your question but how long have you been getting blisters for? Whilst blisters suck in the short term, your finger strength and callouses should strengthen over time if you keep at it. 

I'm not a fan of flats so I'd do anything to avoid changing out my roundwounds. And as a bass player I'd do anything to avoid changing my strings at all

prowla

I use Rotosound 40-60-80-100 and am fine playing chords; actually I find my fingers hurt when I play guitar.

I sometimes think about using flats to stop the squeaking when sliding up/down strings.

At the moment I have flats on a couple of fretless basses (which I only pick up occasionally).

Schnozz

I use 40-95 gauge d'addarios for Motorhead stuff, but I dont like thrashing punk power chords really - Plucked with fingers at the end of phrase sounds more balanced and musical to me.

Creed_Clicks

I will get a lighter gauge I think and see how that goes.