Bright Flats?

zeroncali · #1 07-04-2010, 09:19 PM

I love the feel and overall sound of flatwound strings. However, they are usually just a little dark for me. Are there any sets of flats out there that maintain a decent level of brightness for a good period of time? (Subjective words I know, but its the best I could come up with)

MysticMichael · #2 07-04-2010, 09:27 PM

I couldn't tell you about actual flatwounds that have a brighter tone. IME, flats have an inherently darker tone that's very difficult to brighten...

If you haven't ventured already, you should check out some of the groundwound strings (i.e. GHS Brite Flats, D'Addarios Half Rounds, etc.), which are actually roundwound strings that have been ground down and polished to feel similar to flats, while retaining a decent amount of roundwound brilliance. An acceptable compromise, IMHO...

MM

jonathanhughes · #3 07-04-2010, 09:29 PM

The general consensus on here seems to be that D'Addario Chromes are the brightest flatwounds, and I would agree.

J. Brooks · #4 07-04-2010, 09:31 PM

D'addario chromes and Sadowsky flats both are bright for flats.

zeroncali · #5 07-04-2010, 09:33 PM

Yeah, from videos on Youtube I have always liked Chromes the best. I think I will try a set. My main experience with flats was with a set of Rotosound Trubass 88 Tapewounds. Even my passive OLP still maintained a decent amount of aggression and I want the overall sound with just some more edge to it.

Edit: Anybody here have any experience with the 5 string set of Chromes and how the B string is?

Ric5 · #6 07-04-2010, 09:37 PM

Bright Flats?

Is that light Jumbo Shrimp or Oxymoron.

zeroncali · #7 07-04-2010, 09:38 PM

Well, I don't really want bright flats... just bright FOR flats if you get my meaning.

5StringBlues · #8 07-04-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

Bright Flats?

Is that light Jumbo Shrimp or Oxymoron.

Civil War?

Military Intelligence?

zeroncali · #9 07-04-2010, 09:46 PM

So, any opinion on how a Chromes B string sounds?

thrashingbass · #10 07-04-2010, 10:05 PM

Try Chromes, although I do not know from first hand experience how the B sound. The standard four strings sound excellent, and have good tension. They are indeed bright for flats, with a little bit of upper mids than normal for flats. I've read here some people dislike them because they are very "bright" at the beginning. They are never too bright, just right.

People usually recommend Roto 77 for bright flats, but often complain about them losing their bright edge fairly soon. My Rotosound are a bit more than a year old, and they still sound great too me. Of course, not "bright", but great, not dull at all as others have experienced.

CBgaragebassist · #11 07-04-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeroncali

So, any opinion on how a Chromes B string sounds?

IME, it sounded great and the tension was good.

blr2 · #12 07-04-2010, 11:02 PM

Chromes when new are indeed quite bright. After about 10 hours of playing they settle down to a nice round tone.

Commreman · #13 07-05-2010, 07:17 AM

Chromes. I have them on my Jazz, and they are the shizzle.

**ExaltBass** · #14 07-05-2010, 07:21 AM

Sadowsky Flats work for me. I like their balanced tone.

St Drogo · #15 07-05-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringBlues

Civil War?

Military Intelligence?

Talk Bass?

DavePlaysBass · #16 07-05-2010, 09:25 AM

Sadowsky flats and TI Jazz Flats on my Jazz Basses do not have any trouble cutting thru. The Sadowsky flats are bigger down low.

**lowendfriend** · #17 07-05-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

Sadowsky Flats work for me. I like their balanced tone.

I agree....I just went with the lighter gauge recently and find them brighter than the heavier gauge (for flats, we're talkin' here.)

With a Corvette $$ and a 700RB-II amp I can dial the brightness up or down....best of both worlds.

dave_bass5 · #18 07-05-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeroncali

Edit: Anybody here have any experience with the 5 string set of Chromes and how the B string is?

I had a set of Chromes on my Fender P5 last year and they sounded great. I didnt have any problems with a floppy B string.

The clips here of me playing my P5 were all with Chromes.

http://www.blowup.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/vids/video.htm

I love Chromes because they are bright. They are a good compromise between trad flats and nicks IME. Plus they dont need changing every 4-5 gigs.

**ExaltBass** · #19 07-05-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

I agree....I just went with the lighter gauge recently and find them brighter than the heavier gauge (for flats, we're talkin' here.)

With a Corvette $$ and a 700RB-II amp I can dial the brightness up or down....best of both worlds.

I'm working with Sadowsky 40-100 flats here on 2 basses, no experience with the 45-105. HOWEVER, I will have an AWESOME SADOWSKY NYC P-J on LOAN for a few weeks,

that is strung with Sad Flats 45-105, that will be here on Thursday. I look forward to that!

I'm trying to determine which Sadowsky flat gauge strings that I'll put on my '59 P-Bass when the neck gets back from 'rehab'

... er, refinishing and repair.

Floyd Eye · #20 07-05-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeroncali

So, any opinion on how a Chromes B string sounds?

Very noodley on 5 string jazzes. You better have a soft touch.