Flats? Fender, TI or Chromes?

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 05-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Ive not got much spare cash at the minute, but im fed up with the cheapy round wounds one of my basses came with.

Wanting to stick some flats on it, but not sure which to go for.

I like the idea of the fenders because they are cheap, but that could be a bad thing!

Jim Carr · #2 05-25-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Ive not got much spare cash at the minute, but im fed up with the cheapy round wounds one of my basses came with.

Wanting to stick some flats on it, but not sure which to go for.

I like the idea of the fenders because they are cheap, but that could be a bad thing!

Gauge matters more than brand, although the TI's (.043, .056, .070, .100) are a different breed of cat, IMHO. Fenders are fine, but if you want low tension, they are not the best choice. I only recently changed my opinion on Fenders (.045, .060, .080, .095) and here is why:

Sound and feel. They have more tension than "Extra Light Chromes" (.040 .060 .075 .095). Because of this, I feel they are not as good on an older instrument that doesn't like a lot of tension. Fenders do go dead fast, but sometimes that can be seen as a feature, not a bug. Chromes last a long time, though I can't say if they last like TI flats do. If I were buying Fender Flats, which I used for years, I would go with 9050L gauge, assuming that is the lightest gauge available. Chromes have a slight upper end edge to their sound that gives them more definition than the Fenders (to my ears).

The TI flats are also low tension and the most flexible feeling of the three, but it seems to me they are not as low in tension as the extra light chromes. They also have that slight upper freq. edge, like chromes, which they seem to keep forever. They feel great, and rule on Fretless (I have them on my Valenti, and have used them a lot when my '71 P-bass was sporting a fretless neck). Both TI flats and the D'A Extra Light Chromes set up really well for low but quiet action on all 3 of my P-basses though I have Fender 9050Ls on my 1991 CIJ '51 RI right now, and think I'll keep it that way.

Please note, the whole macho thing about "I have Super Heavy Gauge Godzilla Floss Strings on my Axe!!!" is not going to buy you bigger or better sound (though definately they have a different sound). They will certainly give you more bass neck and hand stress, IMHO, though that may not matter to you. Set up is harder with heavy strings on most of my basses, and they give ME poorer action. However, James Jamerson loved heavy gauge LaBella strings, so YMMV.

jasper383 · #3 05-25-2007, 08:09 PM

What kind of sound do you want?

Fender: Thump
Chromes: A little brighter, but still in the thump camp, especially after a few weeks on the bass.
TI: Unique. Midrangy. Much lower tension feelwise. Make the bass sound more like an upright.

edit: Jim Carr and I were posting at the same time, and his post kills mine.

Jo6Pak · #4 05-25-2007, 08:18 PM

I have used all three, as well as some others, but I buy more ECB80 Chromes than anything. They are mid-priced, bright and long lasting...

Jazzin' · #5 05-25-2007, 08:58 PM

Try the new DR Flats. I went through TIs, DAs, Fenders and the DR Flats are best for someone who is used to rounds. And they sound the best IMHO.

Jo6Pak · #6 05-25-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Try the new DR Flats.

Ya got a part number? I'll try 'em...

brotherdave · #7 05-25-2007, 09:26 PM

Fender Flats are a good string and if money is an issue they are certainly cheap. I would use the lighter ones (45-60-50-95) to reduce the tension if that is a concern. The heavier ones are really high tension. If you've been playing big rounds for a long time they'll feel funny at first but you'll get used to it.

Someone mentioned the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. They are incredibly flexible, so much so that they took a lot of getting used to for me as I play fingerstyle usually only using the index finger. Pick players won't have that trouble. The TI Jazz Flats sound good to me, but I prefer the T.I. PowerBass roundwonds which have slighty higher tension and equally impressive long life but a completely different sound that is far more explosive.

I used to use the Fender flats and while they seem like an excellent value at first you have to keep in mind that they go dead pretty quick which means you wind up buying more of them. So the TI strings are a better value in the long run. This is especially true if you have a tech/luthier do your setups.

A tech told me once to pick a string and stick to it, because all the changes in neck tension are hard on a bass. This was when I was using several different strings in rapid succession trying to find what worked best for me. I settled on all T.I. strings and keep three different basses set up with three different TI strings. One with Powerbass, one with Jazz Flats and one with Infeld Superalloys. If you haven't tried the PowerBass strings you should do that before writing rounds off completely.

Nighthawk551 · #8 05-25-2007, 09:42 PM

What is everyone's opinion of the Lakland Joe Osborne flats? I've listened to the sound clips of them on the Bob Glaub P-Bass and I love the tone. If the Lakies aren't so hot, what strings will give me a similar tone with around the same tension as my EB roundwounds?

jasper383 · #9 05-26-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherdave

I used to use the Fender flats and while they seem like an excellent value at first you have to keep in mind that they go dead pretty quick which means you wind up buying more of them.

Isn't "going dead" what we are looking for in flats?

Isn't that when they have finally gotten good?

PrecisionBass · #10 05-26-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Ya got a part number? I'll try 'em...

The catalog number for DR flats (Hi-Beams) are FRM-5. Or, if you use a 5-string, it's FMR5-45

zombywoof5050 · #11 05-26-2007, 07:35 PM

None of the above, try the LaBella flats. They make five different gauged sets. I like the light tension (but not too floppy) of the 760FL set, and great tone too.

Jeff Moote · #12 05-26-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Try the new DR Flats. I went through TIs, DAs, Fenders and the DR Flats are best for someone who is used to rounds. And they sound the best IMHO.

Can you elaborate on the sound? I've heard only good things about the playability, and based on my other DR experiences I expect them to sound great, but I wonder what category they fit into. I've used TI JFs, and currently have a set of Chromes on one bass. While the TIs were better strings and sound amazing, I wanted thumpy and stiff, but the Chromes are a bit too stiff - and the 5 string sets only come in 1 gauge. The B string isn't that great either, so I'm hoping to improve on that.

ibnzneksrul · #13 05-26-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

None of the above, try the LaBella flats. They make five different gauged sets. I like the light tension (but not too floppy) of the 760FL set, and great tone too.

How does the tension and tone of the LB 760FLs compare with the D'A Chromes .100 - .45 set? (that is if you've played both)

PrecisionBass · #14 05-26-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

Can you elaborate on the sound? I've heard only good things about the playability, and based on my other DR experiences I expect them to sound great, but I wonder what category they fit into.

I've also heard the Nickel-Plated SS Lo-Beam flats feel amazing.

And, if you want, DR can do a custom set. Just ask your dealer to contact us with gauges, specifics, etc., and we can arrange something. They're about the same price as normal sets, too.

Jeff Moote · #15 05-26-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrecisionBass

I've also heard the Nickel-Plated SS Lo-Beam flats feel amazing.

And, if you want, DR can do a custom set. Just ask your dealer to contact us with gauges, specifics, etc., and we can arrange something. They're about the same price as normal sets, too.

Lo-Beam? I've never heard that in reference to any DRs before, just Hi-Beam or Lo-Rider??

I'm definitely interested in a nickel plated set of flats, but I figured the all SS Hi-Beam flats would be fine too.

zombywoof5050 · #16 05-27-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibnzneksrul

How does the tension and tone of the LB 760FLs compare with the D'A Chromes .100 - .45 set? (that is if you've played both)

I did try both, one right after the other on my Precision. I had played TI Flats for four years before I ultimately decided they were too floppy for me. I needed something a bit tighter than the TI's but not too tight. So I tried the 45-100 Chromes, but found them to be too tight and too bright. I then went to the LaBella 760FL (43-104), and they felt just right. Not as tight as the Chromes and also smoother to the touch and better sounding, IMO. I've had the same set on the bass now for almost three years and they still sound/feel great.

blipndub · #17 05-29-2007, 10:16 AM

I've used the TI flats, Fender flats and settled on the Chromes for my pbass.

This was said well in the second post but I'll reiterate. The TI's are very low tension and that takes getting used to. I didn't like it in a rock setting but agree they are awsome on fretless.

Fenders sounded really good but were quite stiff at 45-105 and i didn't like their playability.

I used Chromes 40-100 (I think) on my last gig. Pbass with a pick (which i've never done before) and it sounded wonderful. Very authentic and authoritative pbass sound. I listened back to the recording and the bass just flies to the front. Great strings. I'm completely converted (at least for now). I also really dig the feel of the chromes they don't slow me down at all which the fenders kind of did.

Sammy Camden · #18 05-30-2007, 06:11 PM

For years, my primary strings were the Fender flats. A long time ago I used the Ms, then switched to the MLs for a short period of time, and finally settled on the Ls. You don't need cables hanging on your bass to get good sound. And, the cables are hard on your hands and your bass. The Fenders are very reasonably priced, last a long time (I like 'em pretty 'thumpy'), but, are quite high in tension.

I have used the Chromes quite a bit, and they were my second favorite string. Again in the lighter gauges. I repeat, you don't need cables. The chromes stay trebly (for flats) longer than the Fenders do. Their tension is lighter than the Fenders. I have found some quality issues with the chromes, but to D'Addarios credit, they have always stood behind their product and replaced them without any hassles.

I've tried TIs and really didn't care for their light tension. The sound, however was great. But I have become a big fan of TIs for short-scale bass use. Their tension is higher than on the 34" scale and their sound is wonderful.

Frankly, I don't think you will go wrong with any of these strings. It will really come down to your personal preference.

bgavin · #19 05-30-2007, 08:39 PM

DA Chrome Flats extra light (ECB80) are 154 pounds total. TI Jazz Flats are 140 pounds. I have my J fretless strung with a freebie set of ECB81 (45~100) at 180 pounds. If I like these on the fretless, I will go back to ECB80 to reduce the tension load on the J neck.

GHS Brite Flats are reputed to be much brighter than Chromes. I was to get as close to roundwound brilliance on the fretless without going back to rounds.

acleex38 · #20 05-30-2007, 08:47 PM

Used the Fenders (medium-light) on my old fretless and use Chromes (medium) on everything else strung with flats. The old fretless is a beater and doesn't get $30+ strings EVER. That said, I like the Fenders quite well and wouldn't be too sad if I couldn't get the Chromes anymore.

People say great things about the TI flats, but the descriptions are of the characteristics I have wanted in a flat, so I haven't tried them. Maybe at some point...

good luck with the flatwound hunt.