5 string flatwounds - a few questions

john-boro · #1 09-05-2009, 05:16 PM

All.

First question: can I buy fender stainless roundwounds as single strings - either a low B or high C gauge?

If not, what are a good 5 string flatwound set. Preferably with tapered ends.. that I can buy in the UK?

They're for my corvette 5 string. Currently I have what looks like a d'addario roundwound B, with the rest fender stainless flats. Sounds pretty cool so I'd like to complete the set.

thanks

john

jasper383 · #2 09-05-2009, 06:57 PM

Fender makes a .120 stainless single:

http://www.juststrings.com/stainless...lestrings.html

For 5 string flats with a tapered B, the only brand I can think of is Sadowsky. Great flats, and I would think they would sound killer on your Warwick.

matt davies · #3 09-05-2009, 07:51 PM

You could always try the Status strings. They're brighter sounding flats, which I rather like.

http://www.status-graphite.com/statu...ndex_home.html

Matt.

MIJ-VI · #4 09-05-2009, 10:31 PM

D'Addario sells two Chromes Flat Wound Long Scale Singles: a .032 C string, and a .132 B string.

http://store.daddario.com/category/1..._Scale_Singles

BZadlo · #5 09-05-2009, 10:43 PM

LaBella 760FMB.
Love LaBella strings!

MIJ-VI · #6 09-05-2009, 10:55 PM

D'Addario sells Chromes in a five string set too.

ECB81-5SL Set Long Scale 5-String 45-132

http://store.daddario.com/category/1...-String_45-132

jasper383 · #7 09-06-2009, 08:28 AM

Chromes don't have a taper.

Inga51 · #8 09-06-2009, 10:44 PM

I am looking at putting flats on my 5 string Corvette too. I think I'll be giving the TI's a shot this time around. I thought I would need tapered strings as the Warwick Black and Yellow label E strings only fit through the seat with some persuation, but it seems that even the non-tapered silk wound B of the TI's fits with no worries at all. Just a thought if that's why you were leaning toward tapered strings.

chjohnst · #9 09-08-2009, 03:13 PM

How do flatwounds sound on a warwick? Do you still have that woody tone but is it more "muddy" compared to using roundwounds?

Inga51 · #10 09-08-2009, 05:50 PM

I'm still a total noob when it comes to describing tone, and I've only had the flats on there for a day now...so it's still very early days. But yes, I would agree that you still maintain the Warwick sound to some degree but much more mellow and smooth, which was exactly what I was going for. With the flats you eliminate a lot of the zing and attack that you get with rounds but get more thump. End result in most cases from what I read (and what I was looking for) is a bass that is less in your face in the mix, but every bit as, if not more solid/tight/punchy as a rhythm instrument.

The TI Jazz flats are a fair bit thicker than the Yellow and Black label Warwick strings, but because they are lower tension I find them incredibly easy to play. I personally have to focus on my technique to ensure that I don't accidentally bend the strings with my left had. I also played pretty hard with my right hand but since putting the flats on I am focusing on being a lot more delicate with my fingerstyle and just turning the volume up on the amp to compensate. Overall in just a few hours of playing yesterday I found my technique improving significantly with these amazingly s*xy new strings.

I think I saw some clips on YouTube with Warwicks that were wearing flats, might be worth a look on there.

Sorry to hyjack the thread OP... Back to my original reason for posting, the B from the TI Flats is not tapered and fits my Corvette fine. I did have to adjust the action to lower it however. The tapered Warwick string crosses the bridge saddle while still tapered (from memory) so the new string sat pretty high off the fretboard requiring some attention. Hope this information helps and gives you some more options to look at.

stflbn · #11 09-08-2009, 05:58 PM

Sadowsky Flats have tapered B-strings.

In my experience they're a bit lower tension and a bit less edgy than Chromes, but more edgy than other flats.

chjohnst · #12 09-09-2009, 04:30 AM

How does the low B sound? I find my low B with roundwounds is very aggressive sounding and at times "floppy" with EB slinkys.

Inga51 · #13 09-09-2009, 05:53 PM

I'm obviously still playing the strings in but at this stage while the B is physically a pretty thick string it seems perfectly playable. I wouldn't call it aggressive in any way, but because of the low tension of the TIs it could probably be described by many as somewhat 'floppy'...just means you play it with finesse. Again, I'm a total noob at this and what seems fine to me may be completely unacceptable, add to that the fact that I'm playing this through a XM200 Yorkville 115 combo so the bottom end isn't as tight as I would like but doesn't mean it's the bass or the strings.