Ernie Ball flatwounds- will they ever chill out?

behemecoytl · #1 02-04-2009, 10:19 AM

I've had a set of Ernie Ball flatwounds on my bass for a little over a month now. They are my first set of flats and now that I've gone flat, I won't go back.

But after over a month of regular playing, they are still kinda clanky. I play with high action, so these things are Tight, and I've expected them to settle down, but they haven't.

Is this a quality of the Ernie Ball flatwounds? Will time continue to dim their clank? other flatwound suggestions?

Bassorama57 · #2 02-04-2009, 10:23 AM

I'll guess they're on the Fender J?
I have a set on the Bongo; find them much less 'clanky' (and remember the Bongo's got a hot onboard preamp) than the D'A Chromes on the Fender P. I'd say give them another couple of months to break in; if you can't eq it out to your satisfaction...but again, I find them to be rather smooth.

DavePlaysBass · #3 02-05-2009, 07:17 PM

EB flats never settled down for me. They were clanky with a high mid emphasis that I never connected with. I love my TIs and 760FLs.

jasper383 · #4 02-05-2009, 07:48 PM

I found the EB flats I tried to be very much like D'Addario Chromes--a real emphasis on high end (for flats, that is) and mids. Low on the thump scale.

They will eventually settle in. It may take a few more months. It took me six months to get a set of Chromes to setlle in and warm up.

Now, if they break in enough for you, that is subjective.

JimmyM · #5 02-05-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I found the EB flats I tried to be very much like D'Addario Chromes--a real emphasis on high end (for flats, that is) and mids. Low on the thump scale.

They will eventually settle in. It may take a few more months. It took me six months to get a set of Chromes to setlle in and warm up.

6 months, huh? So I have another 5 to go

I bought the Chromes because Fender doesn't make a flat set in .040-.095, and I like how they feel but they haven't settled down, despite me spending the first week smearing olive oil on them. Should have used motor oil

Easy8 · #6 02-06-2009, 09:56 AM

I've got EB flats on my P and they are brighter than most. It took a couple of months before the "zing" died out on the g string. I just rolled the tone knob back to 60% and it was fine.

They've been on for a year now and really thump nicely.

Bassorama57 · #7 02-06-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

...despite me spending the first week smearing olive oil on them.

Don't use peanut oil; rumored to have salmonela in it...

JimmyM · #8 02-06-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassorama57

Don't use peanut oil; rumored to have salmonela in it...

Oh man...I had salmonella when I was 6. Spent 10 days in the hospital eating jello and chicken broth and getting 3 shots a day. NOT recommended.

mello_bedwetter · #9 02-22-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

6 months, huh? So I have another 5 to go

I bought the Chromes because Fender doesn't make a flat set in .040-.095, and I like how they feel but they haven't settled down, despite me spending the first week smearing olive oil on them. Should have used motor oil

I usually use EB 2806 Flats, .045-.100. I just got a set of 2808 Flats, .040-.095. What differences can I expect when I decide to change them out? Is there any difference in tone, sound, highs, lows? Less tension on the strings and the neck of the bass? I don't know but I'm curious what to expect. Thanks.
I'll be using them on a 2008 Precision MIA.