Hey guys, I am a beginner with VERY stiff fingers from years of BJJ and genetics (likely). I cant make fists and very stiff plucking. I am looking for stings that can make it easier to learn. I am less concerned with tone or genre. Please discuss gauges, wound type, brands, coatings, and whatever you think would be good to consider.
I appreciate your advice and knowledge.
How is your thumb working.
What bass do you have
Fender Aerodyne PJ Jazz Bass and Jackson X Series Spectra Bass SBX IV
Thumb works fine
Then you can just use your thumb to play and if anything use your other fingers as support. You can also check out Gary Willis method it might be perfect for you.
Thumb is plenty.
Here’s me thumbing it.
Here’s the next level of thumbing, 
here’s Gary’s method. Much less strain on the plugging finger and infinitely more muting control. If you are a beginner everything is difficult. Why not start with something very effective. I’ve tried this method but I’m so stubborn there’s no word for it.
Is there a book or website that I can use to look into it?
Look into the method? Not sure you just have to try it. Take it for a spin on a few modules see how you like it. If your fingers are holding you back your thumb could be the next best thing.
It could move plenty fast and offers control just as well as 2 finger plugins. Guitars players do this all the time. Check out Jeff Beck playing. He doesn’t use pick.
Perfect for slapping!
Try a set that has 95 or even 90 max string gauge. Roundwound will very likely be more flexible than flatwound.
That said: I have the feeling that my Thomastik Jazz Flats are the most flexible. Possibly cause they don’t have a hex core??!
Indeed, a two-fold approach (technique and strings) could be a way forward for you.
And… @Al1885 knows what he is talking about 
Concerning strings: treat yourself to a set of Thomastik-Infeld strings. Either flats (as @Whying_Dutchman suggests) or the roundwounds from the same manufacturer.
The gauges are: 43-51-68-89 and they play like butter. They are not cheap though, but they might just be what your fingers need.
@joergkutter is right - they are not cheap, but I’d rather pay more for strings I play than less for strings I don’t play.
We have some fans of those strings here (if I remember correctly, @MikeC ?).
I did not want to believe that they are somehow different, until I tried many others first and finally the Thomastik.
It really is a huge difference, and they are my favourite strings now!
Thomastik-Infeld Jazz strings (both rounds and flats) are really great feeling strings. I have both and they are my absolute favorite strings, bar none.
They sound great and they last a long time. They are definitely not cheap, but their qualities make them more than worth the price to me.
I am a fan (mostly of the roundwounds) also - I don’t have them on ALL of my basses, though, but that’s just for some variety. Still, they are my favorites!
Generally (for the OP): if TIs are too expensive, try to find strings which have round cores (as opposed to hex cores); these are typically less stiff. E.g., DR Pure Blues (the lightest gauge there is the Victor Wooten signature set).
I love TI Jazz and round strings. They are great. Sounds great too. One of the most expensive set of string but you get what you pay for. Also on the Jazz flats the longer you have the better they feel and sound.
A thought on light or super light gauge, it’s not exactly beginner’s friendly. There’s a reason why many pros like to play with super light gauge. It can be tricky to play for beginners who have not mastered the delicate touch yet, though they offer the lightest touch to produce sound.
Another type and brand you may want to try is the tapewound string. I like the D’Adarrio tapewound. They almost have the smooth rubber feel to it sounds really great too. I’ll post some sound examples later.
On top of string gauge - setting up with low or medium-low action will likely make things easier.
Where do you buy them? When I use the Store Locator on their website, no matter what country I choose, it shows me luthiers who carry the orchestral strings.
Got mine from good old Thomann:
They are 32" but work perfectly on my 30" short scale. The thicker part winds one time around the tuner peg (E string), but I did not encounter any issues, even with keeping the tuning.
They feel and sound really great, did not expect that!
The roundwounds can be harder to find (I don’t think Thomann has them…), but these guys have them on their page:
Thanks for the link. Thomann must not have liked my search terms. Sigh. I’ll order a set when I need something else that puts the total over 75 € for free shipping.
TI Jazz rounds and flats strings are readily available in the US. I would think they’d be in Europe as well.