Flatwound strings for 6-string bass?

[edbutler3]

Has anyone here tried using flatwound strings on a 6-string bass? I've searched a little bit, and the only brand I could find that makes a 6-string set of flats is Thomastik-Infeld, for about $80.

I may give those a try eventually, but I'm a little concerned that I won't like the ultra-low tension people say they have. I'm afraid the low B would feel like a big wet noodle.

Any recommendations?

BTW -- the reason I'm thinking of putting flats on a sixer is that I'm having a new bass built that I assume will become my main bass, and I'm trying to think of something interesting to do with my current bass rather than selling it.

[andvari7]

I've been wondering this very thing. DR isn't making them yet (they say they will do so), Thomastik-Infelds are ludicrously expensive and rare, and I absolutely REFUSE to use other brands (especially GHS, Elixir and Ernie Ball).

[wiro]

TI's are extremely cheap, while they last for years.....

[Philbiker]

Carvin sells their own brand of flats for $30. I've used them they are fairly good strings. Also, Rondo music sells inexpensive flats for 6 string - $20.

[JustOpenYourMind]

Originally Posted by wiro

TI's are extremely cheap, while they last for years.....

If you like them...

[ljazz]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Carvin sells their own brand of flats for $30. I've used them they are fairly good strings. Also, Rondo music sells inexpensive flats for 6 string - $20.

I believe the Carvins are made by LaBella.

[edbutler3]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Carvin sells their own brand of flats for $30. I've used them they are fairly good strings. Also, Rondo music sells inexpensive flats for 6 string - $20.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably give those Carvin strings a try.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Carvin sells their own brand of flats for $30. I've used them they are fairly good strings. Also, Rondo music sells inexpensive flats for 6 string - $20.

+1, I've used the carvins too, but I preferred the Infelds.

[Mojo-Man]

I've used TI-flats on a fretless 6-string.

They sound wonderful, last forever.

They have been on bass for over three years.

[sir juice]

I low B on in TIs really isn't that bad. I have a set on a 34' scale 5er and although it feels a little loose, the note sounds great and isn't just a rumble.

As far as the tension is concerned I think they're fine, it's low, but they're not remotely "elastic", they'll spring back. I've even slapped them as times and they feel great (most won't like the sound though as it's not that bright, I love it though)

Also, they'll get better with age so a year with the TIs is cheaper than a year with any roundwound for instance.

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by edbutler3

I may give those a try eventually, but I'm a little concerned that I won't like the ultra-low tension people say they have. I'm afraid the low B would feel like a big wet noodle.

I thought the same too. But I recently got a bass with the TI jazz rounds, which are supposed to be even less tension. When I got the bass I initially thought the strings were relaxed for shipment. Then I tried to tune it and found it pretty close to being right on. it tokk a day or two to get used to them.
i really like the feel though, now.

[Jkeeley1@gmail.]

I went to juststrings and got the D'Addario chromes 5 string set and then bought a single .32

[devilock76]

Originally Posted by Jkeeley1@gmail.

I went to juststrings and got the D'Addario chromes 5 string set and then bought a single .32

Sorry for thread necrosis but how did that work out on a 34" scale bass. Did .32's tension match well. Only asking as my top two choices to solve this are these or the Carvin strings.

Ken

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by devilock76

Sorry for thread necrosis but how did that work out on a 34" scale bass. Did .32's tension match well. Only asking as my top two choices to solve this are these or the Carvin strings.

Ken

In comparing the tension of the bass chromes to the guitar chromes, I found a unit weight variance of +/- .00001, max. Using the info for a .032 guitar chrome, the tension will be somewhere between 37.34 lbs and 41.43 lbs.

It'll probably match up well with either the .045 or .040 set.

[devilock76]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

In comparing the tension of the bass chromes to the guitar chromes, I found a unit weight variance of +/- .00001, max. Using the info for a .032 guitar chrome, the tension will be somewhere between 37.34 lbs and 41.43 lbs.

It'll probably match up well with either the .045 or .040 set.

Thanks, I am looking at the .45 set I think.

Ken

[metalinthenight]

What I've done in the past is get a 5 string set of D'addario Chromes and but another single High C (I think it was from Rotosound). Worked reasonably well and I didn't notice that much difference in tone/tension between the two sets.

[FunkMetalBass]

It's kind of silly that DA doesn't sell singles for anything other than the low B and high C. You could make a wonderfully-balanced low-tension set:

.132 - .095 - .075 - .055 - .040 - .032

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Yeah, D'Addario only sells singles for products they sell X number of a year. Less than that amount have demand for their flatwound singles.

:-/