I just can't do it. (I'm back to flats again)

BassBob1 · #1 08-16-2011, 10:12 AM

So after doing some researching here I switched to DR nickel lo riders about a week ago after using d'addario chromes since November. (which was my first experience with flats in my 8.5 years of playing). I barely made it a week with the lo riders, I just didn't enjoy playing as much, they didn't feel right etc. So last night I switched back to chromes. First a less broken in set. I didn't even like those as much as the ones I threw on my bass in November. So the older ones went back on, I re-set up my bass, and all was right with the world. I will say the nickel lo riders are the nicest round I ever used though.

Thanks for listening now for my questions? Though I can't seem to get away from my chromes, I would like to try a different flat. I already know I don't like rotosound which is the only other flat I every tried. Based on what people say about TI's I don't think I would like the lower tension. Can someone recommend me a flat that is similar in feel to chromes with perhaps a little less zing out of the box? Maybe something that sounds more like broken in chromes? How are GHS precision flats?

Thanks.

kevinmoore73 · #2 08-16-2011, 10:19 AM

La Bella

jallenbass · #3 08-16-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBob1

Maybe something that sounds more like broken in chromes? How are GHS precision flats?

GHS Precision Flats are IMO the antithesis of Chromes. They are very dark. I don't think that Chromes will ever get as dark as GHS' no matter how long they would break in.

LaBella Flats still retain some degree of brightness even after breaking in. I agree with that recommendation.

Loel · #4 08-16-2011, 11:47 AM

I've been playin' since the early 70's as far as i'm
concerned there are only two sets of bass strings,
for my P-bass its chroms, for the Jazz its TI's,
don't be fooled by what ppl say about TI's tension..

2 cents

Deaky · #5 08-16-2011, 11:49 AM

LaBella flats are the best followed closely by DR flats IMHO...

fretlessguy · #6 08-16-2011, 12:45 PM

I use GHS flats. They are less twangy and deeper than the Chromes and are lighter tensioned. Very old school.
If I could only use one kind of string, it would be them.

**bassboysam** · #7 08-16-2011, 04:03 PM

Sadowsky flats are exactly what you are looking for. The reason I say that is because they are the only flats that I have tried that do not lose all their sustain, much like chromes. They will deaden a bit more than chromes but nothing like all the others that have been mentioned. The reason so many people like or hate chromes is because of the sustain. The sadowskys are in between chromes and everything else in my opinion.

Turock · #8 08-16-2011, 04:22 PM

People exaggerate about the low tension on TI flats. Tension-wise, they feel about the same as a round wound. I've tried just about all of 'em, and I use the two finest flat wounds you can get, TI flats and Pyramid Golds.

Volume4 · #9 08-16-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

Sadowsky flats are exactly what you are looking for. The reason I say that is because they are the only flats that I have tried that do not lose all their sustain, much like chromes. They will deaden a bit more than chromes but nothing like all the others that have been mentioned. The reason so many people like or hate chromes is because of the sustain. The sadowskys are in between chromes and everything else in my opinion.

+1

4Mal · #10 08-16-2011, 06:08 PM

I've tried near everything I can with the exception of the Pyramids. I'm a huge fan of TI but... My Fenders are strung with Chromes because they have the feel I like They have the thump AND they can be Eq'd to cut through or not. Chromes suck for the first three or four hours of playing time - then it's close to a year of very, very good for me...

My Godin Acoustibasses and Tacoma CB-10 have LaBella 760 Tapewounds which are great.

The Barker Brio has the new D'Addario tape wound which I can't say enough good things about. Love 'em. They will probably replace the LaBellas on my other piezo basses if the Labella's ever wear out ...

aus_bass · #11 08-16-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

I use GHS flats. They are less twangy and deeper than the Chromes and are lighter tensioned. Very old school.
If I could only use one kind of string, it would be them.

Have to agree with this, 100%. I recently switched to GHS Precision flats, after several years on Chromes. Man, theses are sweet. I have found the sound I was searching for.

**bassboysam** · #12 08-16-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus_bass

Have to agree with this, 100%. I recently switched to GHS Precision flats, after several years on Chromes. Man, theses are sweet. I have found the sound I was searching for.

All good but the OP likes chromes and is looking for something similar. GHS flats are nothing like chromes...in fact they are almost as far away as you can get from chromes.

Shakin-Slim · #13 08-16-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

I use GHS flats. They are less twangy and deeper than the Chromes and are lighter tensioned. Very old school.
If I could only use one kind of string, it would be them.

+1

ster · #14 08-16-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turock

People exaggerate about the low tension on TI flats. Tension-wise, they feel about the same as a round wound. I've tried just about all of 'em, and I use the two finest flat wounds you can get, TI flats and Pyramid Golds.

+1 on the Thomastic Infelds. They're amazing.

Volume4 · #15 08-16-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turock

People exaggerate about the low tension on TI flats. Tension-wise, they feel about the same as a round wound.

I didn't get that impression at all. These were the lowest tension/floppiest strings I've ever used, round or flat. Great tone though.

BassBob1 · #16 08-16-2011, 07:27 PM

Lovin' all the info and opinions so far. I think I'm gunna have to look into the sadowsky flats. I know some of you guys love your TI's but if they feel the same as a set of rounds in the same gauge then they definitely aren't for me. Thanks everyone.

ster · #17 08-16-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBob1

Lovin' all the info and opinions so far. I think I'm gunna have to look into the sadowsky flats. I know some of you guys love your TI's but if they feel the same as a set of rounds in the same gauge then they definitely aren't for me. Thanks everyone.

They're flats. They don't feel the same. OTOH I think you'll dig Sadowsky flats.

Turock · #18 08-16-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volume4

I didn't get that impression at all. These were the lowest tension/floppiest strings I've ever used, round or flat. Great tone though.

Compared to most flats, they are low tension, but nowhere near floppy. That's the kind of exaggeration I was talking about.

Volume4 · #19 08-16-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turock

Compared to most flats, they are low tension, but nowhere near floppy. That's the kind of exaggeration I was talking about.

Relatively speaking

They are without doubt, the warmest flats right out of the package and a wonderful sounding string. I totally understood all the love for them after trying them.

Its just a personal preference due to technique that I had trouble with them. I also prefer larger gauges. They also have a great pick playing tone.

I wanted to get along with them sooo badly. I envied those who do. Luckily I found a perfect marriage with Sadowsky flats but I would never try to convince someone happy with TI's to try anything else. I just really doubt they are what the OP is looking for either.

chadhargis · #20 08-16-2011, 08:34 PM

I'm drinking the TI Flats Kool-Aid. I love them.