Can you get a smooth punchy sound with flats?

[JJd2sc]

Im thinking about throwing some flats on my stingray. I want clarity, definition and punch but still a smooth tone. I hope im not being too contradictory. Can this work? Any ideas for brands to achieve this?

[txpitdog]

You might get some punch with a Stingray, but I would expect it to be more thumpy than punchy.

[ElBajista]

TIs!!!! TIs!!!!! Thomastik-Infield!!! Thomastik-Infield!!!

Bright, Clear, but super smooth and punchy. You must try out these strings, you basically described them in what you're looking for.

[morf]

d'addario flats work for me on my p bass

[dunamis]

Another vote for TI Jazz Flats.

[the low one]

Rotosound SM77's

They are the brightest and most punchy flats I have used, though I haven't tried D'addario yet.

[ebe9]

D'Addario Chromes

[Loel]

What you've described,clarity,definition,and punch are
to my ears D'Addario half rounds smooth feel warm tone,while
maintaining zing;I use half rounds on every bass except
my Lakland Glaub p-bass, this is strung with D'Addario
chrome flats!


cheers

[markjazzbassist]

+1 on the d'addario chromes

great strings, i use them on my jazz fretless and will on my precision when i get one

[Beefbass]

Fender 9050ML's

[JJd2sc]

My worry is still being able to cut through a mix with flats. Im sure the lows will be heard, but will any attack be heard as well?

[jamesblue]

Originally Posted by JJd2sc

My worry is still being able to cut through a mix with flats. Im sure the lows will be heard, but will any attack be heard as well?

That was my worry for 15 years, BUT I've recently switched from DR FatBeams to Chromes. The Chromes DO cut through!
Bass players will always have to fight the kick, piano and darn heavy guitars for a spot in the mix. For the longest time I didn't think flats would do it, but they do. I'm sure the T1s would do it also.

[bassteban]

When I bought my second Stambaugh(used, from TBer snyderz ), it came w/LaBella flats installed & D'Addario & Dean Markley flats in the case(the seller swears by LaBellas). After trying the extras on my Washburn AB-20 ABG F& comparing w/the 'Bellas, I'm a LaBella man myself. The aforementioned Stammie gets a lot of 'cut-through' comments, & it's passive.

[Marcus]

I stay away from Rotosound, Ernie Ball, and D'add flats like the plague.

TI flats are OKAY. They feel nice but need a lot of work to 'deaden' them.

[canopener]

Originally Posted by Beefbass

Fender 9050ML's

Yup, they've got all of the punch, thump, clarity, cut-through, etc that you'd need without the zing.

[TheSuzie]

Right now I am liking GHS Brite Flats groundwounds but I have not tried many other flats or groundwounds yet. IMO these strings definately have their own personality. I have had them on a couple of very different basses and was surprised at the similarity.

Peace,
S

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by Electric Blue

What you've described,clarity,definition,and punch are
to my ears D'Addario half rounds smooth feel warm tone,while
maintaining zing;

I find the half-rounds to be more difficult to play than rounds

[TheSuzie]

Originally Posted by pretaanluxis

I find the half-rounds to be more difficult to play than rounds

Are you talking about getting a good tone, or maybe technique things because of the tension or maybe something else? Just interested in hearing your experience because I was about to restring yet another bass with one or another brand of half/ground wounds.

Thanks,
S

[bazzanderson]

Chromes punch like a heavy weight boxer. Cheesy analogy but they really do.

-Bazz-

[rotero]

Originally Posted by JJd2sc

My worry is still being able to cut through a mix with flats. Im sure the lows will be heard, but will any attack be heard as well?

It's going to be a different "attack" than you are used to with any flats. But put it this way, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden plays flats. (Heavier Rotosound flats than the TI Jazz Flats I prefer, but I get plenty of attack too) 'Nuff said.

You will NOT get walloping "slap attack" like you would with rounds and active electronics. (Slapping flats is more of a "boink" sound which not too many player are going after , but they sound pretty cool with envelope filters ) Picks and fingers sound GREAT with flats.