Fender steel flats vs. Ernie ball hybrid slinky

Ripper75 · #1 04-25-2008, 01:19 PM

I just got a G&L SB-2 that I'm digging. The strings that came on it are black coated, maybe DR black beauties? anyway, the E string sounds pretty dead and not into them in general. i put on some Ernie Ball hybrid slinkys that my bro gave me and they are just too crisp metal sounding. i'm thinking of trying some fender steel flats. i'm going for that classic p-bass tone, of course...any advice? thanks.

walruswaspaul · #2 04-25-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper75

I just got a G&L SB-2 that I'm digging. The strings that came on it are black coated, maybe DR black beauties? anyway, the E string sounds pretty dead and not into them in general. i put on some Ernie Ball hybrid slinkys that my bro gave me and they are just too crisp metal sounding. i'm thinking of trying some fender steel flats. i'm going for that classic p-bass tone, of course...any advice? thanks.

What do you mean by classic p bass tone ? , if you want an old school motown type sound then Labella flats , GHS Precision Flats, Dean Markely or Pyramid Gold would be a good bet if you are after a brighter type of flatwound tone then Daddario Chromes are good for that type of tone as are Rotosound flats. Ernie ball flats are a good halfway point between modern and old school tone

Ripper75 · #3 04-25-2008, 02:07 PM

i have not seen these strings at local music store, just the fender steel flats. you guys usually order online?

JehuJava · #4 04-25-2008, 02:09 PM

Online is the way to go for strings. Local stores don't have too many choices...even in NYC.

Ripper75 · #5 04-25-2008, 02:15 PM

here is the p-bass tone i love, you think these are flats?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nz6R...eature=related

walruswaspaul · #6 04-25-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper75

here is the p-bass tone i love, you think these are flats?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nz6R...eature=related

I've heard he (nick oliveri - qotsa bass player) usually uses nickel roundwounds but on this song it sounds like flats and you would get this kind of tone very easily with flats

walruswaspaul · #7 04-25-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper75

i have not seen these strings at local music store, just the fender steel flats. you guys usually order online?

You get a broader choice ordering online , however a lot of music shops will order stock in if you ask them , might be worth doing. Fender flats are good strings but are high tension so if you do buy a set you may want to go with the lightest gauge set (9050L)