Any experience with EB stage IV flats?

sirdugh · #1 09-22-2011, 09:56 AM

A few months ago, I bought several different types of flats in an attempt to find MY flats. Almost as an afterthought, I bought some of the above mentioned strings as they were very light gauge and pretty inexpensive. I put them on a mongrel darkstarred precision/jazz that I bought from a TB'er and fell in love with them. I love the sound and feel of flats but not the the higher tension and size and these strings are perfect on all fronts.

Recently, I was purchasing some stuff from Musician's Friend and decided to get a couple more sets of them. Last night, I took a '51 precision I had just received out to Chef's house. He tinkered with the bass (Thanks Chef!!!!) and put these strings on the '51 and another precision of mine. I played them briefly at his house and thought they felt a bit different. However, when I got home, I compared them to the darkstarred bass and the tension is completely different. I have no way to quantify the tension but it is noticeably different.

I have a really light touch when I play and liked the lower tension. Anyone else tried these strings? I'm not sure if the first set was a fluke but I really like them.

brianrost · #2 09-22-2011, 12:27 PM

Been using EB flats for years now ever since I picked up an old P bass that was strung with them. I use the II and III gauges (on different basses).

They've held their high end a long time. No issues with breakage, tuning or intonation.

They have lower tension than GHS and Fender flats I have used, the IIs are almost too light for me not sure how much I would like the IVs.

Root 5 · #3 09-22-2011, 01:35 PM

What are the differences between all the EB flats; the II, III, IV etcetera? I've never paid any attention to them, or tried them.

sirdugh · #4 09-22-2011, 01:43 PM

As far as I can tell, the only different is gauge.

Bassorama57 · #5 09-22-2011, 02:09 PM

My favorite string, and I've used rounds, groundwounds, flats from you name it. I ought to make a giant string ball, give it to the lions at the zoo as a toy.
Gauges go from thick to thin/light as you go from I-IV; those all four-string sets.
Group IV is .04, .06., .07, .95; I actually play a fiver so I get "Group III" with a B (.045, .065, .08, .100, .130). II is heavier, I is the heaviest (thickest). I found DRs to be too floppy, D'As too clangy, etc. etc., on an EBMM Bongo 5 anyway. I've had the current set on for...4 years I think. No issues as noted by Brianrost below. A very underappreciated product, even by Sterling Ball himself - I've suprised long time professionals who had no idea EB made such a good flatwound. Price is right too.

sirdugh · #6 09-22-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassorama57

My favorite string, and I've used rounds, groundwounds, flats from you name it. I ought to make a giant string ball, give it to the lions at the zoo as a toy.

Have you noticed tension differences from one set to the next within the same type?

Bassorama57 · #7 09-22-2011, 03:57 PM

Probably just perception, but the lighter gauges seem to have a higher tension.

sirdugh · #8 09-22-2011, 04:00 PM

The stage IV's that I bought a few months ago have a very low tension but the new sets of stage IV's that I just got have a much higher tension.

gully_P · #9 09-22-2011, 04:03 PM

I have 3 brand new packs of group III I'm gonna be putting up on the classifieds pretty soon here.

sirdugh · #10 09-23-2011, 09:53 PM

Anyone else notice tension variability from set to set within the same gauge?

I tried to contact EB customer service but they've yet to respond

sirdugh · #11 10-04-2011, 10:05 AM

bump. EB won't reply to me so I'm hoping one of you will have more insight......

sirdugh · #12 10-04-2011, 10:16 AM

was able to talk to a real person in customer service as my email was never returned. they are going to send out 2 fresh sets and I'm going to return the new sets I just purchased.