first time flat buyer

[miss g]

Ive never used flats before. The rotosounds on my fender p special are completely dead and since its not my main bass I was thinking about getting some flats. My bass is more on the treble side and I want something deep, smooth and bright sounding but not a harsh bright like rounds can be. After a month with rounds my E string always sounds weak and flat so im hoping that flats will solve that. I don't slap on or pick with my fender so its strictly for finger style. Id also like to order from theperfectbass.com so if you suggest me a string which I hope you do please make sure its available. Id hate to find out they don't sell the strings im looking for. Thanks, hope you guys can help me out.

[bfc]

Try the nylon wound Fender 9120 tapewounds. They've got a great vintage vibe and eliminate the fret noise. Plus they look cool with their black appearance.

[miss g]

about how long do tapewounds last?

[Jeff K]

I can't comment on the tapewounds because I haven't use them for about 14 years. But I'm at a point now where I use flats almost exclusively. (I'll generally keep one bass strung with rounds, but I love flats.)

The ones that seem to get the most love around here are D'Addario Chromes; La Bella Deep Talkin' flats; and Thomastic-Infeld's (T.I.'s). All are good, but I generally go with the Chromes because they are cheaper than the other two, and generally easier to find. Almost any music store carries the Chromes. I find the Chromes to be a little bit brighter than I prefer when I first put them on, but after a few days, they "settle" in, and sound great. And the good thing is, you can leave them on for a long, long time. I've got a set on one of my P-Basses that's been on for about 5 years, and they still sound great!

[miss g]

I was looking at the medium gauge chromes but they don't carry them on theperfectbass.com so I might go ahead and get the light gauge. Seems now I need to decide between the chromes and the fender tapewounds.

[notduane]

According to the site, theperfectbass has DR Hi-Beam flats in stock,
medium (45-105). They're stainless steel on a round core. A search
indicates most folks here seem to like `em on P-type basses.

[Parabolic Box]

La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats, .049-.109. Love 'em. I just put them on, but I think they're going to get a lot of mileage.

[miss g]

Ive narrowed it down to the chromes and the tapewounds. Which do you think I should get?

[Frankjohnson]

Originally Posted by bfc

Try the nylon wound Fender 9120 tapewounds. They've got a great vintage vibe and eliminate the fret noise. Plus they look cool with their black appearance.

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I use these and Chromes. Eventually all my basses will have either.


they last for what seems to be FOREVER.

[KromaatiKlauun]

Chromes, IMO they're good to start to get used to flats, a transitional set of flats if you like, because they're not as dark as otrher sets; then if you like check other stuff

[BuffaloBass]

Miss, dont spend too much in case you dont dig 'em. Chromes spent 5 mintues on my Jazz bass. So then put them on my mexi P bass. Nope. Hi beams on that one now.

I find flats "sticky" as you have all that surface area vs a roundwound. But 5 mintues isnt enough to "grease them up" either.

Use DR rounds, they dont sound "flabby" after a month, and I use a low B. But good luck on your experiment. I tried 'em too, just to have an open mind and not listen to others.

[miss g]

Well I ordered the chromes because I really want to try some flats so I hope I like them. If not im sure they are better than dead rotosounds I have on my fender now. Id like to try out more strings but at $20 a set I always end up getting what I know I like. Ive been using rotosounds and ernie ball hybrids for awhile. I like both but they die so quick. Ill definitely check out some DR rounds next time im string shopping. Thanks for all the replies guys, ill report back in here with what I think of the chromes once I get them

[One Drop]

Make sure you give them a week or so playing time before passing judgment! They need to break in to sound best, IMO.

[RONQUITO]

What about Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats, i hear they have low tension, check them out...

[walruswaspaul]

Originally Posted by miss g

about how long do tapewounds last?

because they are wrapped in with tape (which stops dirt and grease getting into the string) they can last for years

[Bass Boy]

Chromes are great! They even get a great 70s slap sound on my Bacchus P.

[Frankjohnson]

Originally Posted by One Drop

Make sure you give them a week or so playing time before passing judgment! They need to break in to sound best, IMO.

Yep -

and


the longer you have em - the more you will dig em!

Sticky? I submit no. smooth, resiliant? Yes!

[bfc]

Try Fender's 9120 nylon tapewounds. It illiminates the metallic-sounding strings and gives you the old school style thump

[BigKahuna13]

I use Fender tapewounds on my fretless Warwick and Rotosound flats on my Ric.
Love both. The only bass that still gets rounds is my ABG.

[whitedk57]

I just put Chromes on my bass, and I wasn't impressed at first. But, I changed the battery in my Sansamp BDDI - and all was well with the world. I think I will like-ee.