Flats with More Bite

gotmule? · #1 01-13-2010, 02:59 AM

Right now I have a Fender MIM P Bass with D'addario chromes that I've had for a year, and while I love the deep sound they give me, I'm considering getting strings with a bit more bite to them. I think I should stay with flatwounds so that I can still have that deep sound. Should I change the strings or the eq? If the strings should be changed, what do you recommend? Thanks!

MIJ-VI · #2 01-13-2010, 03:14 AM

Have you tried Rotosound RS77 Monel flatwounds?

I installed a set on a '78 P an acquaintance wished to sell. They're the most roundwound-sounding flats I've ever tried.

Steve Harris and Roger Waters both use these.

A review: http://www.bgra.net/reviews/rotosoun...zba-1-rvw.html

FromBeyond · #3 01-13-2010, 07:50 AM

Seconding RS77's. Using them now, for the first couple of hours playing the sound like rounds imo, but with a bit less zing and a bit more bottom.

johnnyz · #4 01-13-2010, 07:57 AM

I prefer the D'addario Chromes to the Roro RS77s. I find the Rotos to be too elastic. I like better string tension.

johnp352 · #5 01-13-2010, 08:01 AM

Does "bite" to you mean more mids? I have been using Chromes for a long time..and unlike the common advice here about changing flats after your unborn (as yet) child graduates from High School..if you have had the set on for a year and play a lot, you just might want to buy a new set.

My experience with the roto's was the same as the above, however, they are very high tension, something you may or may not like. I also didn't like the tone all that much , a little to "clanky" sounding for me at first, then sort of dullish after the break in.. I tried them on a 62 P bass, and before that a '78 Music Man

In Flatland..thoms are the loosest and for similiar gauges, roto's seem to be the tightest..another reason I switched to Chromes a long time ago, they sit in the middle, feel wise.

Also, you can eq to compensate for a loss of mids (to a certain point)..find the band that means "bite" to you and crank it a db or 2. A little goes a long way.

Phalex · #6 01-13-2010, 08:34 AM

I love Brite Flats on my P bass. They're ground round, but they're uber nice IMHO.

gotmule? · #7 01-16-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I love Brite Flats on my P bass. They're ground round, but they're uber nice IMHO.

I was considering either these or D'addario Half Rounds. I'm kind of looking for a bit of a distorted sound like Berry Oakley's or Phil Lesh's 70's tone. Will these work or will the Rotosound be better for that?