Flats killed my E and B strings...

[Boombass76]

I put some faltwounds o my Yamaha TRB-5 II fretless, and for some reason the sound on the E and B strings died almost totally...???

I sounded like I was playing muted style on those strings. The gauge is the same as the rounds that I had on it before.

Does anyone know what might have caused this?

[Joe Smithberger]

What brand?

It could be setup issues - specifically check your pickup heights. If they are too close to the strings they could be killing the sustain.

It could also be break in issues. On my last set of Chromes, it took a couple of weeks for the sound to be totally consistent across the fretboard. TI's are usually great out of the pack, but most others get better with age. However, if you like the zingy sound of the new flat G and D, you may be bummed when they all mellow out.

[cassius987]

Sounds like a setup issue for sure, check the nut and the bridge for issue first, then the relief.

Normally flats seem to enhance the fullness of the lower strings so I'd work with 'em and then see if they aren't just duds...

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

It could also be break in issues. On my last set of Chromes, it took a couple of weeks for the sound to be totally consistent across the fretboard.

+1

Had this with GHS flats and (to a lesser extent) with La Bella DTF.

It was really apparent with the GHS strings and I thought I got a dead E string, but it was just that the other strings had more zing out of the pack. Same with La Bellas, but only a bit. After some time, they evened out completely.

[Boombass76]

Thanks for the feedback. I think that I'll give them a chance and leave them on. Let's if they evens out over time :-) Thanks

[Greevus]

Flats thump. Rounds ring.

[rob7]

yeah its the flatwounds mate,there alot stiffer..put the rounds back on or its gona sound dead..be like a double bass...

[giacomini]

I'd check the nut and pickup height, but since you said it is the same gauge, I'd agree with people saying to wait until they settle.

If they don't sound good after a while, then maybe you got a bad set.

Originally Posted by rob7

yeah its the flatwounds mate,there alot stiffer..put the rounds back on or its gona sound dead..be like a double bass...

Not quite. Stiffer, yes, but they don't sound "dead", they sound like... flatwounds! And dead flatwounds sound even mellower.

The OP pointed out that the B and the E got bad, and it is usually the other way around with flats (B,E,A strings tend to sound louder than the D and G).