Flat suggestions for Longhorn and Mustang Bass.

[braun-jovi]

I did a search for these hoping to avoid a new thread, but I came up short. Anyway, I've been digging a set of Sadowski flats on a '80 G&L L-1000 and was thinking about putting a set on my Mustang and MAYBE my Danelectro Longhorn. Anybody with any experience with short scale flats?

I have favored the Sadowski's over the brighter, looser feel of Chromes and TI's, but I'd use either of them again. Thanks in advance!

[FenderP]

I've used the ROtosound RS77 short scale set. LaBella also makes one. Both would be good.

[Basshole]

If you wanna keep the tension up on the short scale, don't go TI...try the D'Addario Chromes.

[braun-jovi]

Originally Posted by FenderP

I've used the ROtosound RS77 short scale set. LaBella also makes one. Both would be good.

Have you tried the RS88's? I just read their webpage and they are described more like my Sadowsky strings where as they describe the RS77's as, "surprizingly bright" or however they put it. Thanks again!

[FenderP]

Originally Posted by braun-jovi

Have you tried the RS88's? I just read their webpage and they are described more like my Sadowsky strings where as they describe the RS77's as, "surprizingly bright" or however they put it. Thanks again!

I use RS88s on my fretless basses and have for years. Good strings.

The RS77s can be "bright" (as many strings can) when they are new, but they mellow out and I keep 'em on for years on my basses. I swap 'em every 2 - 4 years depending.

[pbass2]

I use Chromes on my JJ Longhorn----best set I've found for that bass without a doubt. I can nail every vintage aspect of tone I might be after but I can still dial in a more aggressive modern sound if necessary.

[braun-jovi]

Originally Posted by FenderP

I use RS88s on my fretless basses and have for years. Good strings.

The RS77s can be "bright" (as many strings can) when they are new, but they mellow out and I keep 'em on for years on my basses. I swap 'em every 2 - 4 years depending.

Okay, I'm REALLY curious about the feel of these strings now. The RS77s set are 40-90 gauge while the RS88s set are 65-115 gauge. I may have mistakenly thought that the higher the gauge string the more tension. They describe the RS88s set as an, "ultra low tension" set. Can you help describe the difference in sound and feel of these two sets? Thanks!

Oh, also, I'm thinking about these set's for the Mustang bass. What basses are you using these different sets with?

[braun-jovi]

Originally Posted by pbass2

I use Chromes on my JJ Longhorn----best set I've found for that bass without a doubt. I can nail every vintage aspect of tone I might be after but I can still dial in a more aggressive modern sound if necessary.

Thanks pbass2 and basshole, I was thinking that the Chromes would be perfect for the Longhorn. Now my curiosity is peaked by the RS77s set, but I can get the Chromes at the local music store, so I may try them. If I just hate them I'll try the RS77s's. I think they'll be fine, I have a set on my Ric that I like.

[rllefebv]

Originally Posted by braun-jovi

I did a search for these hoping to avoid a new thread, but I came up short.

Nice pun!! You say you can get the Chromes locally? I can only find the short-scale Chromes at JustStrings... I use the short set on the Longhorn, and the medium set on my Ovation Typhoon, (short-scale, but medium's are needed for the added length behind the bridge)... I have also heard that medium's are needed for the string-thru-body Mustang...

As for the Chromes, you've tried them, so you know what they are. I wasn't a fan of the TIs... sounded great but I felt like I couldn't dig in... The Roto's stayed 'grippy' for too long, and to my ears, never really softened the way the Chromes have for me. Sound, feel, and touch are so subjective that only you can decide... Either way, ya got a coupla great shorties there!

-robert

[braun-jovi]

Originally Posted by rllefebv

Nice pun!! You say you can get the Chromes locally? I can only find the short-scale Chromes at JustStrings... I use the short set on the Longhorn, and the medium set on my Ovation Typhoon, (short-scale, but medium's are needed for the added length behind the bridge)... I have also heard that medium's are needed for the string-thru-body Mustang...

As for the Chromes, you've tried them, so you know what they are. I wasn't a fan of the TIs... sounded great but I felt like I couldn't dig in... The Roto's stayed 'grippy' for too long, and to my ears, never really softened the way the Chromes have for me. Sound, feel, and touch are so subjective that only you can decide... Either way, ya got a coupla great shorties there!

-robert

I viewed your public profile, we have a lot of similar gear! I was thinking that the Chromes would be great for the Longhorn, but I was looking for something a little darker and higher in tension for the Mustang. A short scale string version of the Sadowsky's on my L-1000 if you will. Thanks on the short/medium scale advice. You may have just saved me $30.00 or so!

Matt
Oh yeah, I'm not sure if I can get short/medium scale Chromes or not. I guess I just assumed because I got regular's there.

[FenderP]

Originally Posted by braun-jovi

Okay, I'm REALLY curious about the feel of these strings now. The RS77s set are 40-90 gauge while the RS88s set are 65-115 gauge. I may have mistakenly thought that the higher the gauge string the more tension. They describe the RS88s set as an, "ultra low tension" set. Can you help describe the difference in sound and feel of these two sets? Thanks!

Oh, also, I'm thinking about these set's for the Mustang bass. What basses are you using these different sets with?

The RS88s are plenty high tension. Trust me

The RS88 set is on my Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless (and before that, the Turner Ren, MM StingRay 4-string fretless, and the G&L SB2000 fretless before that).

The RS77 set has been on my P bass since I got it in 1988 (well, not the same set of strings for 19 years but ya know). I only changed for a week or two in the mid 90s to try the LaBellas. Right now the 77LEs are also on my two Tokais and a pre-EB MM StingRay. I have a set also on my old Bass V.

I am actually going to buy a Mustang for sentimental reasons and most likely put the RS77 short scale set on it. I may try the LaBella ones for grins and yucks, but my sound is definitely helped out by Roto strings. I wish they had a higher gauge set in short scale.

[FenderP]

Originally Posted by rllefebv

The Roto's stayed 'grippy' for too long, and to my ears, never really softened the way the Chromes have for me.

As a longtime RS77 user on my other basses, depending on how often you play your bass, it could take a bit for the newness to wear off. To me, they hit the spot and then just get better.

As you say, there are lots of choices and the sound you have in your head is so subjective. One man's poison is another man's treasure.

[braun-jovi]

Originally Posted by FenderP

The RS88s are plenty high tension. Trust me

The RS88 set is on my Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless (and before that, the Turner Ren, MM StingRay 4-string fretless, and the G&L SB2000 fretless before that).

The RS77 set has been on my P bass since I got it in 1988 (well, not the same set of strings for 19 years but ya know). I only changed for a week or two in the mid 90s to try the LaBellas. Right now the 77LEs are also on my two Tokais and a pre-EB MM StingRay. I have a set also on my old Bass V.

I am actually going to buy a Mustang for sentimental reasons and most likely put the RS77 short scale set on it. I may try the LaBella ones for grins and yucks, but my sound is definitely helped out by Roto strings. I wish they had a higher gauge set in short scale.

Okay, I'm a bit confused. Why would you choose the RS77s for a Mustang over the RS88s which DOES have a higher gauge? It would seem that you prefer the RS88's on fretless basses, but they can be used for either. Just curious. Thanks!

[Sorefinger]

Originally Posted by FenderP

I am actually going to buy a Mustang for sentimental reasons and most likely put the RS77 short scale set on it.

BTW, depending on the manufacturer, you might need a medium scale set of strings for the Mustang. I found that D´Addario short scale strings were too short for the Mustang strung through the bridge.

[smoothoperator]

I currently have Chromes on my Mustang but I want to switch to La bella 760FL. I'm used to La Bellas on my J and P basses. Will the 760FL shortscale set be long enough to string through body on a Mustang or do I have to get the medium scale?

[knuckle_head]

Stumbled on to these the other day;

La Bella flats

Bass VI 6 string set - a might spendy.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by smoothoperator

I currently have Chromes on my Mustang but I want to switch to La bella 760FL. I'm used to La Bellas on my J and P basses. Will the 760FL shortscale set be long enough to string through body on a Mustang or do I have to get the medium scale?

Labella officially recommends not using their flats in any string-through application. Proceed at your own risk, and if a string breaks, don't complain to them.

In such applications, I like Chromes.

[zombywoof5050]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Labella officially recommends not using their flats in any string-through application. Proceed at your own risk, and if a string breaks, don't complain to them.

LaBella makes flatwound bass strings which are specially designed for stringing thru-the-body. Just make sure that you get those kind.

[smoothoperator]

Hey! Just found out La Bella designed 760FL for Mustang basses in June! Hopefully they will be ready soon!

[Pilgrim]

That's good news about the Labellas!