I think it's time to change my flats

JimmyM · #1 02-27-2007, 09:07 PM

My parts P is my only bass with flats, a set of LaBella stainless flats that are 7 years old. I dug the fact that I have never changed them...until I recorded it. It was all bass response and nothing else. It had almost no treble snap to it whatsoever, and even though I love dead flats, I just can't get used to having no snap at all.

So I think I'm going to retire these strings and put on a new set. Not going to get LaBella stainless this time, though. I think I'll try the LaBella nickel flats this time. The stainless LaBellas sounded too much like rounds when they were new.

I know one thing though...I won't be trying TI Jazz Flats again! TI's are a love-hate thing, and I hated them.

Foxworthy925 · #2 02-27-2007, 09:34 PM

7 YEARS!?! omg, and I thought a couple months with the same strings was long...

Bassist4Life · #3 02-27-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

My parts P is my only bass with flats, a set of LaBella stainless flats that are 7 years old. I dug the fact that I have never changed them...until I recorded it. It was all bass response and nothing else. It had almost no treble snap to it whatsoever, and even though I love dead flats, I just can't get used to having no snap at all.

So I think I'm going to retire these strings and put on a new set. Not going to get LaBella stainless this time, though. I think I'll try the LaBella nickel flats this time. The stainless LaBellas sounded too much like rounds when they were new.

I know one thing though...I won't be trying TI Jazz Flats again! TI's are a love-hate thing, and I hated them.

What didn't you like about the TI Jazz Flats? I use the TI's on my P-Bass and my Jazz. I was considering the LaBella flats because I'm curious. How are they different?

Joe

JimmyM · #4 02-27-2007, 11:19 PM

TI's, to my ears, sound like they have more in common with roundwounds than flats. They also feel like they're rolling under my fingers, which creeps me out intensely, and it takes them forever to go dead, which some people see as a selling point, but I see it as a bummer. They also have a midrange bump that's not in other flats I've tried. LaBellas, on the other hand, have more traditional characteristics of flats like less sustain, more thumpy bass response, and a very smooth feel.

Lokire · #5 02-28-2007, 12:18 AM

Ya know...if you don't want those 7-year old flats anymore, I'd take 'em off your hands for you

JimmyM · #6 02-28-2007, 01:50 AM

LOL...OK, PM me your address and I'll pop 'em off to you when my new strings get here.

GlennW · #7 02-28-2007, 05:42 AM

A buddy of mine still has the same strings on his Dano Longhorn that were on it in the 60s.

Bassist4Life · #8 02-28-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

TI's, to my ears, sound like they have more in common with roundwounds than flats. They also feel like they're rolling under my fingers, which creeps me out intensely, and it takes them forever to go dead, which some people see as a selling point, but I see it as a bummer. They also have a midrange bump that's not in other flats I've tried. LaBellas, on the other hand, have more traditional characteristics of flats like less sustain, more thumpy bass response, and a very smooth feel.

Cool man. Thanks for that description. Based on what you said, I'm still interested in trying out the LaBella flats. Which set do you like the best? Also, which style are you using them for and what bass are they on?

Joe

zombywoof5050 · #9 02-28-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Not going to get LaBella stainless this time, though. I think I'll try the LaBella nickel flats this time.

LaBella doesn't make nickel flats.
There are only 3 companies (that I know of) that offer nickel flats:

TI
Pyramid
Zeta

I've done extensive searches and have not found any other companies offering nickel flats. If anyone knows of any other companies that have nickel flats, please do tell who they are.

chunkstyle · #10 02-28-2007, 02:53 PM

you should try DR Flats.

and then tell me what you think of them. and then maybe i'll try them.

JimmyM · #11 02-28-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

Cool man. Thanks for that description. Based on what you said, I'm still interested in trying out the LaBella flats. Which set do you like the best? Also, which style are you using them for and what bass are they on?

To be honest, other than TI's and D'addario Chromes, I don't think flats are all that different from each other. When I use flats, it's usually for more old school music or country. And I use them on this pieces parts P copy I have.

BTW, I didn't know that most companies didn't offer nickel flats. Flats aren't my string of choice usually.

Bassist4Life · #12 02-28-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

To be honest, other than TI's and D'addario Chromes, I don't think flats are all that different from each other. When I use flats, it's usually for more old school music or country. And I use them on this pieces parts P copy I have.

BTW, I didn't know that most companies didn't offer nickel flats. Flats aren't my string of choice usually.

For me, it's flats over rounds. The only other flats I've tried were Fender. Those things are crazy tight! Do you consider the LaBella flats to be high tension? I gotta tell ya, I love the supple feeling of the TI Flats. I wouldn't mind something a little more tight, but not too much.

Joe

Kael · #13 02-28-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

My parts P is my only bass with flats, a set of LaBella stainless flats that are 7 years old. I dug the fact that I have never changed them...until I recorded it. It was all bass response and nothing else. It had almost no treble snap to it whatsoever, and even though I love dead flats, I just can't get used to having no snap at all.

So I think I'm going to retire these strings and put on a new set. Not going to get LaBella stainless this time, though. I think I'll try the LaBella nickel flats this time. The stainless LaBellas sounded too much like rounds when they were new.

I know one thing though...I won't be trying TI Jazz Flats again! TI's are a love-hate thing, and I hated them.

Sounds like D'addario Chromes might be right up your alley. They have a brighter quality than other flats I've used (far more than say Fender flats) but still manage to retain that focused low end. I was using these on my fretless J till I recently put some rounds on it. Might go back to the Chromes. I don't know yet. I am waiting for the epoxy I just put on the fingerboard to dry so I can spend a little more time with the whole roundwound/fretless thing before making a determination.

I couldn't agree with you more on the TI flats. Many might love them, but I found them to be very limiting. Sounded nice, but that feel was just unpalatable.

zombywoof5050 · #14 03-01-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

Do you consider the LaBella flats to be high tension? I gotta tell ya, I love the supple feeling of the TI Flats. I wouldn't mind something a little more tight, but not too much.

LaBella makes 5 different gauged sets of flats, from lightest to heaviest --> 760FX, 760FL, 760FS, 760FM, & 0760M "Jamersons".

I used TI's for 4 years, but ultimately decided that they were too loose feeling under my plucking fingers. I now use the LaBella 760FL set, and I find them to be just a step up in tension from the TIs (and they sound great too!). I would recommend trying the LaBella 760FL set, since you seem to have the same story as me (wanting something a little tighter than TIs but not too tight).

chunkstyle · #15 03-01-2007, 10:11 AM

i too am looking for something a little tighter and less bright.

oh, we're talking about strings...

::Saint:: · #16 03-01-2007, 11:16 AM

What do you all have to say about Rotosound 77's? I just bought a set but haven't put them on yet (getting my bass setup at the same time to fix all the little intonation/action issues I've been having lately). From what I'm told they are pretty bright for a flat, though not as bright as the TI's.

Bassist4Life · #17 03-01-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

LaBella makes 5 different gauged sets of flats, from lightest to heaviest --> 760FX, 760FL, 760FS, 760FM, & 0760M "Jamersons".

I used TI's for 4 years, but ultimately decided that they were too loose feeling under my plucking fingers. I now use the LaBella 760FL set, and I find them to be just a step up in tension from the TIs (and they sound great too!). I would recommend trying the LaBella 760FL set, since you seem to have the same story as me (wanting something a little tighter than TIs but not too tight).

Thanks for that info. I really appreciate it. It sounds like those string might be a good fit for me.

Joe

milhouse · #18 03-02-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::Saint::

What do you all have to say about Rotosound 77's? I just bought a set but haven't put them on yet (getting my bass setup at the same time to fix all the little intonation/action issues I've been having lately). From what I'm told they are pretty bright for a flat, though not as bright as the TI's.

Now I'm worried about the TI's I just got today. They're bright? UGH....

Philbiker · #19 03-02-2007, 10:14 AM

7 years old? They're barely broken in!!!

chunkstyle · #20 03-02-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milhouse

Now I'm worried about the TI's I just got today. They're bright? UGH....

don't worry. they settle in nicely. play them a lot. in two weeks you'll completely understand what all the TI Flat fans were talking about. in two more weeks, you'll be posting about how much you love them and how everyone should try them...

how' the tension working for you?