Flatwound lending library/pay it forward idea

**bassman_al** · #1 05-15-2009, 09:06 AM

Hey all,

First of all, mods let me know if this thread is either not appropriate or needs to be posted elsewhere. Thanks.

I recently ran a thread in the "for sale" section for strings, asking if anyone had a set of flats that they would like to sell. JoshB responded by PM and offered to send me set of flats that he was not using, no charge. I was blown away by his generosity, and it got me thinking about how great a community TB is. I also read a couple "pay it forward" threads here as well, and it got me thinking about the following idea:

Since Josh was so generous, and since there are many TB-ers out there who might be curious about trying flats, but are leery of putting out the money on a non-returnable item, I thought it might be good to develop a "lending library." Since flats last forever from my understanding, we should be able to send this set around forever.

The way it would work would be: I use this set from Josh until I feel that I know what they are like and how they will sound, both at home, at rehearsal and on stage. Once I am done and either ready to pitch them or to buy a set for myself, I will post on this thread that they are available. I'll send them anywhere in the ConUS for free to whoever asks for them first and sends me their address via PM. That person will try them out then offer them up when they are done with their trial period by posting here that they are available to the first request.

Edit: I thought after I posted this that it might make sense to add that if you receive a set of strings that you really like, and want to take it out of circulation permanently, you can make a purchase offer to the owner via PM.

And if you see this thread and want to offer up additional sets, that would be great since I am sure demand will far outweigh supply.

Feel free to add any comments here that you feel will be helpful. Thanks a lot everyone!

Alan

seracis · #2 05-15-2009, 09:34 AM

I think that's a great idea. I would be willing to participate. I have a set of Fender 9050's on my MIM fretless right now, plus a set of Roto 77 flats NIB. I could send out the Fender's and try the Roto's.

On a side note, what would be the wisest way to string them up in order for the next person to be able to use them? In other words, I put a 4 string set of DR Hi-Beam Flats on my Spector 5 to try the sound of flats on a fretted before buying a set. Now the D and G string are too short to reach the tuners of a Fender. Any advise for future sets?

Jim Nazium · #3 05-15-2009, 09:37 AM

Cool idea. They won't last forever, of course, but several people should be able to try them. If it's not too late, it would probably be best not to cut them. Just leave the end hanging out of the tuner. It'll be ugly, but it's just for trial purposes, right?

superfunk47 · #4 05-15-2009, 09:41 AM

I have a broken in set of GHS flats I'd be willing to send out. Not pretty up on the silks, but they work.

THSL · #5 05-15-2009, 09:45 AM

I think I have 6 string sets of D'Addario Chromes and 1/2 rounds that I am not using...

**bassman_al** · #6 05-15-2009, 12:00 PM

Wow, great response! So much for my theory that demand will outweigh supply. I might like to try those Chromes myself. And I'll make sure that I don't cut anything that I plan to pass along. I have ordered a set of 9050L's.

seracis · #7 05-15-2009, 12:05 PM

I may be interested in a set of half-rounds for the MIM fretless.

FunkyFlashFive · #8 05-15-2009, 12:12 PM

I'd be interested in one of the six string sets.
I just got a fretless 5 of the 'bay and i'd like to see if flats would be any good on it.

murseli · #9 05-15-2009, 12:14 PM

Great idea you've got here... Too bad it would be just too expensive to send some to Finland

. Oh well, I guess I don't need this kind of service since I got lucky and love my D'Addario chrome flats

Deacon_Blues · #10 05-15-2009, 12:28 PM

If someone in Finland or the rest of Scandinavia wants my 6 months old set of Steve Harris Rotosound flats, PM me. I won't use them again as I didn't like them once broken in... It sucks a bit because they were really expensive. I can send them for free, but please have a reason why you want them.

I had them on my jazz so they should at least fit a jazz bass...

By the way, if this is going to be a continuous thing, it should perhaps be a sticky.

EDIT, May 23rd: The rotosounds are on their way to Norway...

**bassman_al** · #11 05-15-2009, 01:09 PM

I would be honored to have one of my threads become a sticky!
:-)

bassclefman · #12 05-15-2009, 01:17 PM

Hey I would love to try a set of flatwounds on my Warwick 5 string bolt on. Any one have any?

**bassman_al** · #13 05-15-2009, 02:03 PM

I would pick some of the guys here who have already said they have a set and PM them with your address. Good luck!

WayneS · #14 05-15-2009, 02:20 PM

I have five sets of the Steve Harris Rotosound flats. They run around $35 where I am.

I still use the Roto flats but a smaller guage. The SH77's kept a nice, fat blister on one of my fingers.

I would be happy to send them out for free. First come first serve, while supplies last!

Send PM if you want them.

They are used but only have several hours of play on each. They have been on a Fender P and should fit most other basses.
Like someone above said, they are not very pretty on the silk.

stflbn · #15 05-15-2009, 02:27 PM

I have a set of 5-string Super Long D'Addario Chromes, but they're cut for 35" scale 3+2 Schecters. Not using if anyone would want to try them, I'd like to get them back in case I need them at some point, but not apposed to borrowing them out.

The Super Long 5-strings are heavier guage. No option for lighter gauges in them.

Floridabwoy · #16 05-15-2009, 02:31 PM

I am looking to buy a used set of flats... ; ) I love my TI's but I would like to try another kind. I like the softness & tension of the TI's they are like playing butter. Any others that might be cheaper that play nice like that?

HogieWan · #17 05-15-2009, 02:44 PM

I have a 5-string set of LaBella Tapeswounds I'd be willing to send out

Wademeister63 · #18 05-15-2009, 03:22 PM

I have about a half dozen sets of flats I've tried but I don't know what most of em are anymore and I don't know what basses they've been on, haha. Anyone wanting to try a random set of flats shoot me a PM and I'll send something that will fit a jazz bass and tell you what I know about that set. Sorry I won't send out the TI flats or Labella tapes

One per member please so plenty of folks get a chance.

eedo · #19 05-15-2009, 04:21 PM

Warning: You should consider that some basses have small diameter tuners, some have larger ones. Some are 4 in line, some are 2+2 kind.
And my experience of using the same set on those different types of basses may reduce string lifetome noticeably.

J. Crawford · #20 05-15-2009, 04:25 PM

Im definitely down for "borrowing" a set of flats! I have been dying to try them, and I would definitely return them ASAP.

What a great idea.