Flats with solid fundamental, puch and some zing

**Chef** · #1 10-04-2005, 10:30 AM

I'm not a flatwound kinda guy by nature, but have a Lakland Skyline hollowbody I think might sound good with them. I'm interested in some medium tension (no floppies I can't dig in on!), solid fundamental, punchy flats that still have some decent high end...a little zing with my flats please!
What fits this? I'm a very happy SIT nickelrounds user, don't they make some good flats or half rounds that might fit my ticket?

thanks for help-chef

Figjam · #2 10-04-2005, 10:34 AM

Ive used the Lakland JO sig flats, i believe they were,and they were pretty nice.

PaleMelanesian · #3 10-04-2005, 12:30 PM

I've used Fender 9050s and SIT groundwounds (Power Flats) on my fretless.

Fenders:
-very stiff - you can really dig in on these
-fair amount of harmonic content at first, but gone after a week or two, more thumpy after that
-never too happy with the G - sounds kind of thin (but maybe that's just me/my technique getting in the way)

SIT Power Flats (groundwound)
-much lighter feel than the Fender Flats
-more harmonics in the tone, and it stays there as time goes on
-to me, they feel like roundwounds, only flat (the way they respond feels like a roundwound, much more flexible)
-not as good for digging in

I'm using the SITs now, and working on using a lighter touch.

**cheezewiz** · #4 10-04-2005, 01:14 PM

From your description, I'd recommend Chromes.

phat5 · #5 10-04-2005, 06:28 PM

2nd that on the Chromes. Tried lots of flats that go thumpity thump, the Chromes will thump with the clarity of a well broken in round wound. .02

**Chef** · #6 10-04-2005, 09:23 PM

Chromes by whom? Sorry for not knowing...

7flat5 · #7 10-04-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

Chromes by whom? Sorry for not knowing...

I'm assuming D'Addario

phat5 · #8 10-05-2005, 09:19 AM

D'Adarrio ECB 81's

Thurisarz · #9 10-05-2005, 10:05 AM

Your description of your flatwounds fits my view of the Ernie ball flats perfectly!

phat5 · #10 10-05-2005, 09:27 PM

Chef, I just tried a set of Ken Smith Slick Rounds......not a whole lotta zing, but nice clarity on the top end. Full and fat they have perfect tension (less than the Chromes) and the SR's feel like buttah! Also When heavily thumping the B string, it's not overly powerful, you can really dig in without the strings buzzing the frets....even with low action!

lonote · #11 10-06-2005, 06:37 AM

D'Addario Chromes or Rotosound flats should fill the bill. I prefer the Chromes because I'm not wild about the Rotosounds' "gritty" feel.

bassicinstinct · #12 10-06-2005, 06:53 AM

Another vote for the D'Addarrio Chrome Flats.

Awesome IMHO.

Luckydog · #13 10-06-2005, 07:11 AM

I've tried many flats, TI, Fender, Chromes, Rotos, GHS, but the flats that give me the absolute most solid and articulate fundamental are Labellas. They can zing with the right eq, and they have perfect tension for me.

ZoomBoy · #14 10-06-2005, 07:22 AM

I'm generally a TI Flat user but my Lakie HB came stock with the JO Flats. I like 'em on the HB and see no reason to change them. Zing and flats? TIs have some zing but the tension might be too low for you. Chromes are probably your best bet then.

Jeff

4Mal · #15 10-06-2005, 01:00 PM

Chromes...

WesW · #16 10-09-2005, 05:42 PM

Here's a vote for Rotosounds. I recently picked up some Roto 77 - monel flats - wow. They have all the punch and thump of flats - but you can slap 'em!!

They really sound great - my band loves the tone too!

BassFiddle63 · #17 10-10-2005, 10:27 PM

D'Addario Chromes 45-100's

**Chef** · #18 10-11-2005, 07:23 AM

Thanks guys! the Lakland Hollowbody should be here tomorrow, and has new Lakland flats on it...we'll see how they do for now, but I very much appreciate your inputs...

chef

seaKamp · #19 10-11-2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBUCK2

Chef, I just tried a set of Ken Smith Slick Rounds......not a whole lotta zing, but nice clarity on the top end. Full and fat they have perfect tension (less than the Chromes) and the SR's feel like buttah! Also When heavily thumping the B string, it's not overly powerful, you can really dig in without the strings buzzing the frets....even with low action!

+1

I use those on my Q5. Great sound. The strings do deaden up a bit fast IMO but when they are new or after they have been soaked in alcohol... HEAVEN

Great feel and a great sound.

phat5 · #20 10-11-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaKamp

+1

I use those on my Q5. Great sound. The strings do deaden up a bit fast IMO but when they are new or after they have been soaked in alcohol... HEAVEN

Great feel and a great sound.

Seakamp, If I could find a string that is flexible and feels like the Smith Slick Rounds, but sounds like the Chromes.....I'd really be in Heaven. Don't get me wrong, my Smiths are great for my P bass, but I need a Chrome type string for my one-trick RB5.