Favorite set of five string flats?

Jared Lash · #1 01-06-2010, 10:48 AM

So, I'm getting a Valenti P5, basically just like this bass but a passive P-bass:

And I plan on having it strung up with flats. I've tried a number of flats on my jazz styled basses (all four bangers) but the last time I owned a P-bass was 10 years ago when I was a college kid playing in a ska punk band using steel roundwounds and a pick.

So I'm looking for opinions on both flats for a P-bass and especially how the B string holds up on them.

Here are the contenders I have right now:

LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats (likely the FL set)
TI Jazz Flats
DR Hi Beam flats
Sadowsky Flats

I've tried (and liked) the first three for different reasons though I haven't tried the Sadowskys. I haven't been a fan of Chromes. The LaBella's are my top contender but the big question for me is which set has the "best" (in terms of sound clarity, feel etc) B string.

Any thoughts?

dannybuoy · #2 01-06-2010, 11:05 AM

I'd add Pyramid Gold to your list. I've only tried TIs and Chromes to compare against, but the PGs are what I currently have on my P and I can't bear to take them off. I've not tried them with a low B, but I have tried TIs on my 5-string P5 and the low B was surprisingly tight (given their floppy reputation) and kicks like a mule.

Jared Lash · #3 01-06-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

I'd add Pyramid Gold to your list. I've only tried TIs and Chromes to compare against, but the PGs are what I currently have on my P and I can't bear to take them off. I've not tried them with a low B, but I have tried TIs on my 5-string P5 and the low B was surprisingly tight (given their floppy reputation) and kicks like a mule.

I've tried (and liked) the Pyramid Golds but I was under the impression that they didn't offer a five string set.

Darkstrike · #4 01-06-2010, 11:46 AM

The Rotos are good, espcially the B.

Jared Lash · #5 01-06-2010, 03:29 PM

I've never tried the Roto flats. Something to check out.

Right now I'm still leaning towards either the Labella 790FLs or TIJFs.

Anybody else?

Darkstrike · #6 01-06-2010, 03:35 PM

They're very tight, I had them on my 6er, and had it dropped to A flat, with no trouble.

RCCollins · #7 01-06-2010, 03:36 PM

no experience with the low Bs of either of those sets, sorry - but they ARE pretty much night and day as tone and feel go... how come those are your 2 choices?

Jared Lash · #8 01-06-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

They're very tight, I had them on my 6er, and had it dropped to A flat, with no trouble.

The Rotos you mean?

String tension is a minor concern (having tried the Jamerson set I'd never go that route again) but in general not a big deal. More importantly I want the classic flatwound P-bass tone. I know the LaBella's will get it, but my concern is whether or not the B string is any good.

And I haven't tried TIJFs on a P-bass but I know the B string on that set is better than I expected.

On search I found some praise for the Lakland J0 flats and the low B but I've never tried them.

Jared Lash · #9 01-06-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

no experience with the low Bs of either of those sets, sorry - but they ARE pretty much night and day as tone and feel go... how come those are your 2 choices?

I just know for fact that I dig both. The TI's don't sound like classic flats, but they are warm and articulate and even from string to string. I dig them a lot on a Jazz or jazz styled bass.

The LaBellas have a great, classic sound. I've heard some talk that the low B isn't great on them though which concerns me. They'd be my first choice otherwise.

And the TI's aren't traditional sounding, but I know the low B on them is pretty good.

Darkstrike · #10 01-06-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

The Rotos you mean?

String tension is a minor concern (having tried the Jamerson set I'd never go that route again) but in general not a big deal. More importantly I want the classic flatwound P-bass tone. I know the LaBella's will get it, but my concern is whether or not the B string is any good.

And I haven't tried TIJFs on a P-bass but I know the B string on that set is better than I expected.

On search I found some praise for the Lakland J0 flats and the low B but I've never tried them.

Right, probably don't want Rotos, they're damned high tension, unless you get a light set.

I do love the Labellas tone too, but as yourself, never tried the B. As for the TI's, you said yourself, they won't get the tone you're after. Hmmmmm........ I'd say Labella's are your best bet.

VroomVroom · #11 01-06-2010, 04:28 PM

I've got pretty limited experience with flats, but my favorite would be D'Addario Chromes. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

fredguy · #12 01-06-2010, 08:26 PM

FWIW I've got an Alleva Coppolo KBP-5 and I've tried it with Labella, Sadowsky, and chrome flats. I've also used TI and DR Hibeam flats on my 72 pbass and my favorite pbass sound is the Labella FL's on the KBP-5. I keep the pbass strung with the DR's as it doesn't get as much use as the KBP and they're well broken in and sound ok. To me the DR's have more thud but the 3 year old Labellas on the 5 just sound right. The Sadowsky's sound close to the Labellas when broken in and while I liked the chromes on a Dingwall I owned I don't like them on either of the p basses. I liked the sound of the TI's, but not as much as the Labellas, and I know a number of people who like the TI's on a p but I couldn't get past the low tension on mine.

Dave

KeiBau · #13 01-06-2010, 08:54 PM

I've used TI Jazz Flats, DA Chrome flats, La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats, and Sadowsky Flats. The TI's have a nice midrange, the DA's have a nice upper sound, the La Bellas and Sadowskys both are very nice across the entire range - very balanced and a classic sound. My vote goes to both the La Bellas and the Sadowskys, which are very similar to each and they both have a great B string. La Bella makes Sadowsky strings, but to Sadowsky specs. I have the La Bellas strung on my 5 string fretted (35" scale) and the Sadowskys on my 5 string fretless (34" scale). The TI's and the DA's are fine strings and I've kept them if I ever want to string back up with them, but I have settled on the LaBella/Sadowsky strings as my favorites for now (for the last three years).

Nino Valenti · #14 01-17-2010, 10:52 AM

bertbassplayer · #15 01-17-2010, 12:57 PM

For 5, I'd say chromes. I like the .132 B.

TeddyBearLove · #16 01-17-2010, 06:24 PM

I concur on the LaBella/Sadowsky nod. They are both good,with exceptional B's. And very similar, for obvious reasons. I have not tried them yet,but I'm told that Carvin flats are also made by LaBella,great sounding strings,and much cheaper to buy. If my Sadowsky's ever die on me,I will try the Carvins.