Looking for flats for a 6-string bass.

[Starflyer59]

Well its come down to two choices. I want to re string my Ibanez SR 406 with either TI Flats, or Labella Deep Talkin's flats. I am willing to spend $80 for the TI's what do you guys think??

Thanks for your responses.

[FretlessMainly]

I've tried a large number of flats, so a couple of questions:

1. What type of tension do you prefer? To me, TI's are an extremely well-made string, but the JF346 set really felt floppy to me, despite having one of the heaviest, if not the heaviest (well, in terms of diameter) low Bs out there (0.136).

2. Do you want some brightness in your tone, or more thump and mid-color?

The TIs won't give you much brightness at all, but they'll likely last you 4-5 years, but endurance is also a characteristic of the LaBella DTB's. I prefer the DTB's because they offer more overall tonal color to my ears and you can get several differently-gauged sets. I like the 760FS for four-string; you'll have to check them out to concoct a six-string set. TI's have the JF346 in one package.

An alternative that I have on my Ken Smith six-string FL are D'Addario Chromes. I bought the ECB81-5 set and added a CB032 high C string from juststrings for something like half of what the JF346's will run you and I love them. They are a bit bright for a couple of weeks to months, but they settle in nicely and they seem to provide more resistance than the TI's, which I need.

Here's a comparison of the TI 346s and the Chromes:

TI JF346:
B 0.136
E 0.100
A 0.070
D 0.056
G 0.043
C 0.033

Chromes:
B 0.132
E 0.100
A 0.080
D 0.065
G 0.045
C 0.032

Oddly, the Chromes feel of higher tension across the board, although the numbers suggest the biggest difference in the A and the D.

[SMILEYSIXX]

Get the Labella's. They're all around better strings.

[FunkMetalBass]

Carvin sells a 6-string sets of flats for quite cheap that you can try. I've not personally had any experience with them, though.

[Starflyer59]

I do have chromes on my jazz bass and i forgot that you can get a c-string on flats and since its at least $35 cheaper than the TI's i am definitely looking in that direction. I do like their brightness and i have used da'darrio strings for over a decade religiously.

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Carvin sells a 6-string sets of flats for quite cheap that you can try. I've not personally had any experience with them, though.

The Carvins are made by GHS now, I am nearly certain.

GHS Precision Flats come in a set of 6, too.

[thombo]

do flat-wound hi-c's have more body than round? like many, i've struggled with finding an even sounding C. since flats have a stronger fundamental, this seems logical, though i'd love to hear some actual experiences.

[southernconfort]

maybe this:

RotoSound Electric Jazz Bass Monel Flatwound Long Scale 6 String, .030 - .130, RS776LD

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by jasper383

The Carvins are made by GHS now, I am nearly certain.

GHS Precision Flats come in a set of 6, too.

From looking at the gauges of the GHS flats, it's definitely a good possibility.

Originally Posted by thombo

do flat-wound hi-c's have more body than round? like many, i've struggled with finding an even sounding C. since flats have a stronger fundamental, this seems logical, though i'd love to hear some actual experiences.

Speaking purely from my experience with rounds, simply lowering tension on the thinner strings will help balance the tone. The issue stems mostly from the fact that thinner strings are notoriously under considerably more tension than the thicker counter parts. Depending on what gauge you normally use, finding a high C in a gauge lower than what you'd normally find will help correct this.

To me, it's as counter-intuitive to even, consistent tone as a P-pickup - in which the bass-side pickup is moved toward the neck (bassier tone) and the treble-side pickup is moved toward the bridge (treblier tone).

[GM60466]

Indie has 6 string flat set a t rondomusic.com

[gary m]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Carvin sells a 6-string sets of flats for quite cheap that you can try. I've not personally had any experience with them, though.

I use Carvin flats exclusively on my Douglas six and all my other basses. Excellent quality at an unbelievable price. Won't use anything else.

[chunkstyle]

i had TI jazz flats on my Modulus 6 string at one point. the 35" scale increased the tension just enough to make them playable for me. great sound. really musical.