5-String Flatwound Sets

[0rion]

Not many choices for 5 string sets it looks like.

I know these are all very different strings.
I'll be putting these on an older Fender Pbass, going for a Steve Harris like sound.
Would any of these other sets sound as 'in your face' like Steve or would they be lacking something roto's have?
Help me decide.
Thanks

[main_sale]

Personally, I like Fender Flatwounds.

[4lPh4n0m3g4]

How about Thomastik-Infeld; could have sworn I've seen some flats by them.

[lomo]

The most chocolate thud I ever got was on a passive Jazz with GHS Precision flats-but I could never find a B to go with that set :-(

[0rion]

Originally Posted by 4lPh4n0m3g4

How about Thomastik-Infeld; could have sworn I've seen some flats by them.

they do make a 5 string flat set, but I've never heard anything about them plus they're like $60

[Bass Below]

I've used the Chromes and the Rotos, but on a fretless. If you're going for "mean" and/or Steve Harris, the Rotos are the way to go. They're definitely edgier than the Chromes.

I use the heavy monel jazz flats 4 string set with a .130 bought indivudually. I'd like something bigger to match the heavy gauge of the rest of the set, but the Roto 77's are pretty tight and nasty compared to other flats, so the .130 is OK for now, besides, the silks match

Of course, you can just get the Rotosound 77 5 string set, but I wanted the heavy gauge, which isn't available as a 5 set.

[Afrokid]

i know dozens of people swear by TI strings...and if u think about it u only buy strings like what...once a year..so it makes sense if they are that nice.

[Bass Below]

Originally Posted by Afrokid

i know dozens of people swear by TI strings...and if u think about it u only buy strings like what...once a year..so it makes sense if they are that nice.

Speaking from no experience with TI's, just what I've heard....

I hear they are fantastic strings, some of the best money can buy, but... I also hear they are considerably low tension and nice and mellow compared to other flats. The OP mentioned attaining a mean and/or Steve Harris sound. I'm not so sure he's going to get that from a TI set.

Again, I'm just going on what I've read and heard. I know alot of you are TI guys, maybe you can help him out better than I can. I'd hate for him to drop $60 and not get the sound he wants when he can almost cut that cost in half and probably get what he wants out of a set of Rotosounds.

[0rion]

Well I went ahead and ordered some chromes, next time I'll try the rotos. I would've got the rotosounds but I just couldn't find the right gauges.
D'Addario gives you a tension chart and allows you to buy custom set directly from the website... pretty convenient.

Thanks again for the input. I'll post again when I get them strung up.

[Bass Below]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Chromes, they're great strings. I used them exclusively for a little over a year. I decided to check out the Rotos because I wanted something heavier, and the Rotos turned out to be EXACTLY what I was looking for.

[Afrokid]

i dont know too much about iron maiden but that clanky steve harris tone sounds like roundwounds to me.

edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYcZ5BoV2Yo that guy swears by TI's, and i think hes got one of the sexiest bass tones out there.

[0rion]

Strung up the new flats today. I was impressed & dissapointed at the same time... They feel awesome, but they sound just like my steel roundwounds without the sizzle. I was expecting to be able to hit the strings harder without as much fretbang noise. Maybe they'll calm down.
How is Steve Harris get that dead click noise with such bright flats?

[Lokire]

Originally Posted by Afrokid

i dont know too much about iron maiden but that clanky steve harris tone sounds like roundwounds to me.

edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYcZ5BoV2Yo that guy swears by TI's, and i think hes got one of the sexiest bass tones out there.

The strings in that vid are fresh TI Jazz Rounds. Though 6-months later, the same strings (on my Guild Starfire hollowbody now) have an awesome mellow tone. Almost flatwound-ish. All the vids with my Stambaugh are with a set of TI Jazz Rounds too. The Incubus video was when they were fresh, and you can look at the upload date for the others to see the age.


Here's a few vids with TI Jazz Flats, so you can compare:

When they were fresh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwf3mIvRvaM

3-months in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa89o8rDAN8

8-months in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFSL_sDILYo


In my experience, the TI Jazz Flats do take a while to really break in and start sounding like you might expect for flatwounds. I love 'em now though. They're the perfect strings for my DeArmond.

[fretlessrock]

First, were you looking at the regular Roto 77's or the Steve Harris Signature 77's?

http://www.juststrings.com/rts-sh77.html

Also, I wouldn't put so much on his string choice. Technique, EQ, and amplification are very big factors. Getting that low-thud click is often a case of dialing in some EQ emphasis in the low mids. As well, don't sleep on how left hand muting can control the character of that fret noise.

I am a big fan of th TI Jazz Flats. The set on my J bass has been on there for at least 2 years and they sound amazing. The set on my Tacoma finally needs replacing after years of being on several different basses. The one thing that I can point to in their tone is a pronounced midrange. Even as they age they keep some of that mid hump, where the Jazz Rounds seem to just get darker and darker as they break in.

[0rion]

I saw the Steve signature series and the regular 77's. I heard they go 'dead' very quickly and I'd like to avoid replacing strings that often.
Also, I should have mentioned I was looking for a 5-string set for a 4-string bass. I tune way down to drop-C to match my guitarist, so I use the B string tuned to C to get that same E-string type tension

My strings:
.132-C
.095-G
.075-C
.050-F

The tension is perfect, the feel of the strings is perfect too.
I like the clank noise when I play hard, it adds character and sounds heavy. I just can't seem to get the clank to sound consistant & less dominant than the notes. I could raise the action and be rid of all the noise but then people say it sounds too mid-rangy, muddy, or muted.
Will giving these strings a good break-in period help with what I'm trying to achieve? Does this make any sense?

[mccartneyman]

TI Jazz Flats are the cat's ass. I've had them on my Lakland 55-94 for two years -- the same set -- and they sound just as good as they day I put them on. They give you a very smooth, old school, round sound -- think Motown if you play with fingers. If you hit them with your nail or a pick, think Joe Osborn with the Association and the Carpenters, or carol kaye. Very nice bite, but still a ton of bottom. They are absolutely even across the entire range of the bass. Low tension will catch you a bit off guard at first, but after week you'll be used to it. Yes, they are $60 with shipping, but if you only change them once every two years, that's $30 a year. I used to spend that in Rotosound Swing Bass every month back in the '70s.

[0rion]

Well i must change my opinion on the new chromes. I think about 9 hours of total play and they sound much more mellow than before . I must say these strings are so bright out of the package its just harsh...
anyway I'm very happy with the new sound and can't wait for my gig.
Thx for the input all.
~BL

[spade2you]

I use the LaBellas and love the tone, but if you're looking to sound like Steve Harris.....nope.

I have a Kramer Forum I (basically like a Spector NS-2) string with Dean Markley cryogenic strings.....despite being different basses, it nails the tone very well.

[ibz]

Go Sadowsky Flats and never look back... and you'll have no reason to tune the B up to C anymore.

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by 0rion

they do make a 5 string flat set, but I've never heard anything about them plus they're like $60

+1
TI Flats worth the $60.
Great strings.