Best flatwounds for shortscale?

autoglide · #1 12-17-2009, 08:33 AM

I'd like low tension, not bright, with decent thump, but want some sustain as well. Most of what I've read about on this board with these qualities don't have sustain. All suggestions appreciated. Thanks.......

etoncrow · #2 12-17-2009, 08:38 AM

I use Chromes on my Birdsongs and they sound pretty much as you described. I have found that my Maxon CP-9Pro+ adds sustain as well.

Tahoe_Ed · #3 12-17-2009, 08:45 AM

I tried chromes and was disappointed with the brightness. I have heard that they mellow in time, but I am impatient. I have Pyramid Golds on both my 4 and 5 strings. I love them. I would say that they are more medium tension but provide a great thump. As with most hand made stuff they are expensive. I am pleased with the sustain on my Gibson SG but a lot of that depends on many factors in addition to the strings alone.

hdracer · #4 12-17-2009, 08:51 AM

I use Roto 77's , nice and mello with out being to dull, the tru-bass are so fat but you may like them too

Mojo-Man · #5 12-17-2009, 08:52 AM

TI flats, or GHS flats.

MNAirHead · #6 12-17-2009, 08:52 AM

Pyramid Golds..

Basically if you don't choke when you buy them, they are not what you want.

IF going lower cost.. Tapes may be to your preference.

JustOpenYourMind · #7 12-17-2009, 08:57 AM

TI jazz flats, are exactly what the op is describing.

autoglide · #8 12-17-2009, 08:58 AM

Forgot to ask in my post......recommended string sizes with your answers appreciated as well.

fretlessguy · #9 12-17-2009, 07:34 PM

A set of GHS Precision Flats in the .40-.95 gauges are cool. You can find the short scale version over on the www.juststrings.com site.

7flat5 · #10 12-17-2009, 08:30 PM

Just like the Model T, the short scale Thomastiks come in any gauge you want, as long as it's .043, .056, .070, .106.

I have them on an old EBO, and they are great. I wouldn't describe them as bright at all, but they have a warm midrange presence that's very nice. They also speak with little encouragement, and have a higher output than comparable flats. And, they have great sustain. Very lively strings.

autoglide · #11 12-18-2009, 04:04 AM

Should I be concerned about the tension on 760FL or GHS Precisions 40-95 on a short scale bass as there should be less tension than on a 34" scale. I'm leaning towards one of these vs. TI's because I like low action & don't want to relearn my playing style when switching to flats. All comments appreciated.

johnp352 · #12 12-20-2009, 11:46 AM

Over the last 20 years, I have tried Pyramid, Thoms, LaBella, GHS, Roto's and even Dean Markly on several different SS and Baritone/ss string basses..and ended up, for the last few years, with Chromes. They last, and once settled in, have a great balance between thud and articulation. They are a tad higher in tension (certainly when compared to the Thoms) but with a properly set up bass, you can get an almost straight out "jazz" guitar action.

An interesting fact is that the GUITAR Chromes might fit on your instrument..they fit on mine, a 30" scale Rick Turner with through the body stringing..Mine is a 5 string tenor ..a-f in 4ths..and I top out at a .022, which is a Chrome guitar string. the low A is an .080, for which I can use either a guitar or bass chrome..D'addario makes their Chrome guitar range from 80 to 20..so outside of having to use a 95 or 100 bass Chrome for your "E"..you can also experiment..IF your instrument will take the guitar strings...with my tuning, I have experimented a lot, and it's economical too.

fretlessguy · #13 12-22-2009, 09:19 AM

No concern for the tension. If the bass is well built and not a piece of junk it should handle it. Another possibility you could look at would be the GHS short scale set of pressurewounds. They have the thump of a flat and more of a sustain like a round. www.bpstrings.com.

Tommygunn · #14 12-22-2009, 01:34 PM

Labellas... Imma evil!

Dee-man · #15 12-22-2009, 01:42 PM

TI jazz flats or Labella tapewounds (come standard on Rob Allen's 30" scale Mouse).

Diogenes · #16 12-22-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoglide

I'd like low tension, not bright, with decent thump, but want some sustain as well. Most of what I've read about on this board with these qualities don't have sustain. All suggestions appreciated. Thanks.......

I have a set of ECB84 Chromes on one of my shortscales and they may fit the bill. On a shortscale they have pretty low tension and still sound great without being floppy.