Looking to try flatwounds again!

BenitoBassolini · #1 08-12-2008, 05:45 PM

Hey guys!

I've got an ESP-B50 bass with active emg p/j pickups. I'm looking for a more vintage jazz-bassy sound with a lot of low end. Can anyone suggest a set of flats to get that kind of sound?

I tried fender flatwounds before and I didn't really like them. They got kindof a dull finish on them and were really bad to play with.

badboy1984 · #2 08-12-2008, 06:56 PM

D'Addario Chromes

DavePlaysBass · #3 08-12-2008, 08:14 PM

I am really digging Labella 760 FLs on a P-bass.

mister-o · #4 08-12-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badboy1984

D'Addario Chromes

+1

Love these on fretted, good on fretless (like TI Jazz Flats on fretless a bit better).

king_biscuit · #5 08-12-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

I am really digging Labella 760 FLs on a P-bass.

+1! All of the La Bellas are great. I also really like Fender flats.

BenitoBassolini · #6 08-12-2008, 09:26 PM

Can anyone recommend a specific set of chromes? I'm still a baby in the feeling and tonal department of bass.

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 08-12-2008, 09:48 PM

Chromes have too much zing for my taste.

LaBella 760FLs are THE best flats out there IMO. I've tried about 7 different types.

DaneB · #8 08-12-2008, 09:59 PM

I have the B50 and have had Thomastik Infield Jazz Flats on it for about a year or so. It's so damn comfortable, and you can get a deep thumpy sound by soloing or favouring the neck pickup, and you can get a sharp, growly fingerstyle by attacking the strings hard at the bridge pickup.

You can get a lot of tones out of this bass.

BenitoBassolini · #9 08-12-2008, 10:58 PM

It's a great bass, is it not? I went with the D' Chromes since I'm not exactly rich. Maybe I'll try out the TI's someday when I've got a bit more money to spend but that's another story. Thanks to everyone for the input.

Mazatleco17 · #10 08-12-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Chromes have too much zing for my taste.

LaBella 760FLs are THE best flats out there IMO. I've tried about 7 different types.

+1 on that, I just put some chromes on my VMJ and I'm not liking it at all

lmfreeman9 · #11 08-12-2008, 11:21 PM

+1 on the LaBellas, I like the FS but haven't tried the FL's.

Mastermold · #12 08-13-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

+1 on the LaBellas, I like the FS but haven't tried the FL's.

The FL's may be too thin for me. I've got them on my favorite P-bass right now and I've got a set of FS La Bellas waiting on the shelf for me to finally decide the fate of the FL set. The FL's aren't bad strings, it's just the thinner D and G may be too thin for me personally. Others may find them just fine.

DaneB · #13 08-13-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenitoBassolini

It's a great bass, is it not? I went with the D' Chromes since I'm not exactly rich. Maybe I'll try out the TI's someday when I've got a bit more money to spend but that's another story. Thanks to everyone for the input.

Yeah, I'm really happy with it. I pick up basses two or three times its' price in shops from time to time, and they don't feel nearly as good.

And I got the TIs because I happened to be in a music shop one day and they had a couple of sets in the chuckout bin or whatever. I had heard flatwounds were pretty cool, so I grabbed them for $50. Best money I ever spent.

fleamail · #14 08-13-2008, 12:14 AM

Try a set from webstrings: http://www.webstrings.com/flatwound_bass_strings.html

They are really good and cost nothing.

king_biscuit · #15 08-13-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

+1 on the LaBellas, I like the FS but haven't tried the FL's.

I've used both. The FS set is slightly tighter than the FL set, but the tone is similar for both sets once you get the strings broken in.

Mastermold · #16 08-13-2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I've used both. The FS set is slightly tighter than the FL set, but the tone is similar for both sets once you get the strings broken in.

How about tone difference between them? The FL set I have is sounding better today than it did a few weeks ago (which is why I've held off putting the FS set on) but I'm not sure whether the D and G are too thin (too middy, etc.) and if the FS would beef up the higher notes a bit.

John Wentzien · #17 08-13-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleamail

Try a set from webstrings: http://www.webstrings.com/flatwound_bass_strings.html

They are really good and cost nothing.

Great strings IMO

::::BASSIST:::: · #18 08-13-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

How about tone difference between them? The FL set I have is sounding better today than it did a few weeks ago (which is why I've held off putting the FS set on) but I'm not sure whether the D and G are too thin (too middy, etc.) and if the FS would beef up the higher notes a bit.

One thing you might try, as I have done, is take the E from the FS set and put it on your bass. Move the FL G off and move the others down a notch. So it would be:

FS E
FL E
FL A
FL D

Works for me!

nemo · #19 08-13-2008, 01:48 AM

I tried many brands too and the two make it for me - LaBella 760FL and Sadowsky regular gauge flats.

Don't miss the Sads, they are really very, very good.

bertbassplayer · #20 08-13-2008, 08:05 AM

One set of flats that not too many people talk about that are pretty good are Ernie Ball flats, I've found they are kind of a mix of Chromes and Fender flats.