51 SCPB - Which Flats?

deepbluesuk · #1 02-07-2009, 05:45 AM

Just got my new 51RI and Ive just got to get some flats on - what are you using on yours?

With this set up into my Ampeg rig Im obviously after that ol' school blues thump. Ive got EB flats on my 78 P which are pretty good, but thats not string through, and Im not sure how they would be with that.

Are the TI flats really floppy and rubbery on the 51 like on other bass's ive used them on? Im not into that feel but like the sound they give.

fretlessguy · #2 02-07-2009, 05:53 AM

I have a set of TIs on mine. They sound great to me and bring out the bass's tone and character. If I wanted a more traditional sound, I personally would go with a set of GHS Precision flats.
If you go TIs, some of the silk on the E string will be in the nut and you will probably want to take the razor blade to it. The longer string set meant for 36 inch scales will actually have the string past the silk on the post itself. Beats me why they didn't have a set designed for 35 inch scales or body throughs to remedy for that....

bongomania · #3 02-07-2009, 08:47 AM

LaBella's are an easy choice there. Perfect vintage thump strings. I have Sadowsky flats on my SCPB right now, and I didn't like them at first but after a few months of playing they have warmed up and are now a nice mix of old-school warm and new-school sustain, and the tension is in the "middle ground" between Chromes and TI's.

deepbluesuk · #4 02-07-2009, 09:22 AM

[quote=bongomania;6941701]LaBella's are an easy choice there. [/QU

Dont LaBella not recommend them for through body?

JustDavid · #5 02-07-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepbluesuk

Are the TI flats really floppy and rubbery on the 51 like on other bass's ive used them on? Im not into that feel but like the sound they give.

Same scale = same tension.

rllefebv · #6 02-07-2009, 09:38 AM

D'Addario Chromes, Extra Longs... Good out of the pack, better after a month! It all comes down to personal preference really, and Chromes are what work for me.

-robert

deepbluesuk · #7 02-07-2009, 10:10 AM

What is the tension like on the Chromes?

62bass · #8 02-07-2009, 12:36 PM

I use T.I. flats on mine. Once they've been played in a couple weeks I can get that motown sound. I can also get brighter more agressive tones. Perfect strings for me. I have no trouble at all adjusting to the slightly lower tension. The T.I.s are also very well balanced from string to string. Perfect match with the single coil pickup. I have a slightly overwound pickup installed from Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe Guitars.

I tried a set of Sadowsky flatwounds on a student's P bass. They were okay. A bit more tension and they didn't sound too bad. I didn't like them as much as the T.I.s but some will.

bongomania · #9 02-07-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Same scale = same tension.

OK, so you believe a 34" length of fluffy yarn has the same tension as a 34" length of 1/2" steel rod?

Strings flex differently due to their construction. Also note that some manufacturers publish tension charts for their strings, which are all different tensions st the same scale length and tuning.

bongomania · #10 02-07-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepbluesuk

Dont LaBella not recommend them for through body?

That is a good point, I missed where you said you'd be stringing through body. Never mind on the LaBellas.

LarryO · #11 02-07-2009, 06:32 PM

after owning a 51 p bass ri for a few years (thanks quadzilla) I settled on ghs brite flats. I did end up sellin the p bass to anothe tb'er though and now play a jazz. The thin frets on the 51 were just not as comfortable as the medium jumbos on the jazz for me, but the 51 looks and sounds awesome

rllefebv · #12 02-07-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepbluesuk

What is the tension like on the Chromes?

Tighter than the TIs that I tried... Again, subjective... The mediums feel great to me, and I have a set of 'Super Light Gauge' on another P that are not bad either... It's all so subjective...

The TIs sound great, but don't feel great to me, floppier than I like... A lot of players love them, and I can totally respect that, but they're just not my bag... After years of trying just about every brand of strings I could get my hands on, all of my basses, (except the uprights), are wearing Chromes...

-robert