which flats have longest sustain?

jojo99 · #1 10-20-2005, 02:18 AM

Just wanting to pick some brains about flatwounds...I've been using TI flats for over a year now, and am pretty happy with them (although my intonation is off on the first three frets of all strings for some reason...wear?) but I'd like a touch more sustain out of a flatwound. My right hand is pretty versatile, so I can get thump if I want it... but I'd like the option of getting more sustain, particularily out of the E string. I guess I'm really looking for the most roundwoundy-sustaining flat out there.. any suggestions?

JimmyM · #2 10-20-2005, 02:34 AM

TI's are by far the most sustain you can get out of a flatwound. They ring even more than half-rounds or pressure wounds.

phat5 · #3 10-20-2005, 05:24 AM

My experience with flats is limited to 6 different brands, the one I have found to be the most roundwoundy-sustaining, are the D'Adarrio Chromes.

Mudfuzz · #4 10-20-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBUCK2

the one I have found to be the most roundwoundy-sustaining, are the D'Adarrio Chromes.

Same here; but I'm biased, Chromes are my favorite strings.

**Chef** · #5 10-20-2005, 02:55 PM

Lots of guys recommended Chromes to me when I asked a simlar question...having gigged my Lakland Hollowbody with Lakland flats on it, I'm happy with them, and won't change them immediately. They have a nice combination of thump/fundamental, sustain, and bright...

Try the SIT grounds....

5stringDNA · #6 10-20-2005, 03:15 PM

I used chromes for awhile and was really happy with them, but they are too high tension for me. After some experimenting with half-rounds and such I settled on TI Jazz Flats, and I love them. They have great sustain, better than the chromes in my ears, and are more comfortable to play on. They are warmer and less thuddy, which is just a personal taste issue.

bgavin · #7 10-21-2005, 09:34 AM

I've been playing the same set of TI Flats for almost 5 years. They sustain well (except on Fender dead spots), but I have no "thump" from these strings. The TI Flats are strong in the mids and have great clarity.

I suspect sustain vs thump is mutually exclusive.

My research indicates the DA Chromes and LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats are more inclined toward thump, which is what I want from my P bass.

Mudfuzz · #8 10-21-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5stringDNA

I used chromes for awhile and was really happy with them, but they are too high tension for me.

Which set did you use? They come in a light set.

My biggest complain with ALL flatwound sets on the market have always been that [for me] the G&D are too tight and the E&A are either just right or too floppy. My solution was to make up my own set but ordering them as singles from juststrings.com which ended up to be 40 60 80 100 & 130 chromes, it really is amazing on how much more even they feel. I like IT as well but they feel to soupy to me on the E&A for any thing other than slap 'n' pop and OX tap.