Favorite Flats/Reccommendations please!!

bassist4dalord · #1 07-14-2008, 11:14 PM

I might be acquiring a Fender P-Bass somewhere down the line and will no question be stringing it with flats, if I end up getting it. So... I want some heavy-gauge flats cause I like heavy strings. Which brand from the poll? Please don't reccommend any others. Thanks! Please just list pros and cons, any I should avoid... I have a set of D'Addario Chromes on my Fender BG-31 ABG that I previously had on an Ibanez and love! But I want to try something new

Sparkdog · #2 07-16-2008, 05:09 PM

From your list, La Bella.

But honestly, IME you're going to have a hard time beating the Chromes on a P.

racket · #3 07-17-2008, 12:07 AM

I've only played Roto 77's and LeBella's The Roto's sounded great for rock, nice thump. The LeBella Deep Talkin Flats sound amazing and made the Rotos sound one dimensional. I have since switched to the Jamerson set. They sound huge, like the DTF's only thicker. The DTF's sound a little crisper, with great fundamentals and good character and blossom to notes. The Jamerson's do all that only thicker and smoother. You said you like "heavy strings" and The Jamerson set are definitely Heavy.

SuperSnake2012 · #4 07-17-2008, 12:52 AM

The only flats I've used were Chromes and they sounds amazing now that they're worn in.

redstrand · #5 07-17-2008, 05:44 AM

If I could afford it I would have the TI Flats on both P's....Chromes (Warm and Mellow) of the soft variety make a good and cheaper substitute.

Mastermold · #6 07-17-2008, 12:12 PM

I've tried all these and I'm still trying to find the right tone for me.

La Bellas are probably a safe choice, however.

Slater · #7 07-17-2008, 12:23 PM

I've tried everything on your list. LaBella's are the only strings I'm using now. However, I do have a set of Chromes around as a back-up. Just cuz they're cheap.

pjmuck · #8 07-17-2008, 12:23 PM

I've had the same set of Chromes on my P bass for over 10 years. I love the tone and feel. But I have LaBella Jamersons on order and can't wait to try them out.

Mastermold · #9 07-17-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmuck

I've had the same set of Chromes on my P bass for over 10 years. I love the tone and feel. But I have LaBella Jamersons on order and can't wait to try them out.

I had Chromes in medium (.050-.105) guage and loved the tone too while playing solo -- nice and deep, rich, etc. But when I had band practice they weren't cutting through the mix.

So I put on a set of La Bella 760FLs (.043-.104) based on the great reviews here at TB. Sounded less deep, but had a bit more of an edge at the attack so I figured these would help cut through the mix better. Nope. They sounded too thin when driven at high volume with the band.

So now what?

I'm thinking about trying a set of La Bella 760FS (.045-.105) since they've got a little more tension and are a little thicker.

The Jamerson set is tempting me too, but I don't know that I want that much tension on my neck (CS P-bass) -- unless I have to because no other strings cut it.

On the other hand, my Rotosound Jazz 77s on my SX P-bass are sounding better all the time -- maybe I need to try those again on my CS P.

PSPookie · #10 07-17-2008, 12:32 PM

I like the way Chromes sound and feel but I can't bring myself to recommend them since I have had some sort of problem with about 50% of the D'Adarrios I have purchased.

I just ordered some TIs -- I'll let you know how that goes (going on an Am. Std. P5).

Mastermold · #11 07-17-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

I like the way Chromes sound and feel but I can't bring myself to recommend them since I have had some sort of problem with about 50% of the D'Adarrios I have purchased.

I just ordered some TIs -- I'll let you know how that goes (going on an Am. Std. P5).

I've got TI flats on my Squier VM Fretless Jazz and they sound great on that bass.

I've thought about buying a set for my P-bass (Pino Palladino sure likes them on his P) but I don't know if they'd have enough thump for me.

tallboybass · #12 07-17-2008, 10:06 PM

Mmmmmm, Fender Flats + Fender P = Fenderlicious

pjmuck · #13 07-17-2008, 10:38 PM

Well, I got my Jamersons this afternoon and quickly slapped 'em on the '73 P, replacing the 10 year Chromes I had on there. I was fully expecting months (if not years) of breaking in before they mellow out, but to my surprise they're fairly mellow out of the package. they cut through, but are by no means trebly or crisp. To the naked eye, the string gauges look the same as the 50-105 Chromes I replaced, even though they're supposed to be much heavier, so my fear of playing "bridge cables" was put to rest. Yes, the tension was high at first, but after I set up the bass for them and stretched them out a bit they really didn't feel much different than the Chromes, IMO. In fact, I even raised the action a little to get more thump out of the tone.

Amazingly, my playing felt and sounded smoother, with less noticeable fret click clack and an overall improved tonal balance across all strings from the 10 year old Chromes. Fatter but with better clarity ad detail, but no harsh offensive top end, even with the treble cranked. My P really sounds like a P now. So if you're a Chrome player now, don't let the high tension string gauge comments scare you off, because with a proper setup (which you should be doing with any string change) they really feel comfortable and smooth, IMO, especially if you're a current Chrome player.

Mastermold · #14 07-17-2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmuck

Well, I got my Jamersons this afternoon and quickly slapped 'em on the '73 P, replacing the 10 year Chromes I had on there. I was fully expecting months (if not years) of breaking in before they mellow out, but to my surprise they're fairly mellow out of the package. they cut through, but are by no means trebly or crisp. To the naked eye, the string gauges look the same as the 50-105 Chromes I replaced, even though they're supposed to be much heavier, so my fear of playing "bridge cables" was put to rest. Yes, the tension was high at first, but after I set up the bass for them and stretched them out a bit they really didn't feel much different than the Chromes, IMO. In fact, I even raised the action a little to get more thump out of the tone.

Amazingly, my playing felt and sounded smoother, with less noticeable fret click clack and an overall improved tonal balance across all strings from the 10 year old Chromes. Fatter but with better clarity ad detail, but no harsh offensive top end, even with the treble cranked. My P really sounds like a P now. So if you're a Chrome player now, don't let the high tension string gauge comments scare you off, because with a proper setup (which you should be doing with any string change) they really feel comfortable and smooth, IMO, especially if you're a current Chrome player.

10 years with the same set of Chromes?! Or just using them for 10 years?

pjmuck · #15 07-18-2008, 12:23 AM

10 years with the same set.

Mastermold · #16 07-18-2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmuck

10 years with the same set.

Whoa! Those strings must have felt like family by then!

I'm thinking about heavier guage La Bellas than the 760FLs I've got now, but the Jamerson set ... don't know just yet. Maybe I'll let the FLs ride it out for a little bit (not 10 years however!)

rodl2005 · #17 07-18-2008, 01:13 AM

I got chromes on my P-bass=excellent. I just got a set of Jamersons for my Semi-Acoustic & they're great too. I think I like the chromes better tho-just!

GeneralElectric · #18 07-18-2008, 05:50 PM

I've got different flavors of flats on different P's. Lately I've been digging GHS Precision flats.

Something you didn't mention, which you might like to try, are the Pyramid Gold flatwounds. Best flats I've ever heard, but I can't afford a new set since the last bass I had with them on it got stolen about 5 years ago.

Mastermold · #19 07-18-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I've got different flavors of flats on different P's. Lately I've been digging GHS Precision flats.

Something you didn't mention, which you might like to try, are the Pyramid Gold flatwounds. Best flats I've ever heard, but I can't afford a new set since the last bass I had with them on it got stolen about 5 years ago.

Tell me about the GHS flats, I've not tried them. Do they thump? How do they compare to La Bellas, Chromes, Fenders, etc.?

K-Funk · #20 07-18-2008, 06:11 PM

I started using GHS flatwounds after hearing Ben Kenney's tone in his solo work. It's just massively huge for flatwounds, and they still cut through. I've only got them on my Warwick Flashback 4-string (KILLER sound through my Mesa setup), but soon I'll be buying a set for my Mexi-Jazz.