Middy flats and scoopy flats

[JimmyM]

So here are my situations:

1. 2009 Danelectro Longhorn, currently has dead XL rounds on it. Not digging them on that bass as much as I once did, so I want to put flats on it that have strong upper mid content to reduce that natural scoop a little. Chromes would likely be perfect, but I can't get them in short scale in my preferred 40-95 or 40-100 gauges. Usually I'd just use long scale, but the Dano has guitar tuners so short scale strings are a must (bass-mod nerds, please don't suggest changing out the tuners to bass tuners or I will be forced to make fun of you for being a bass-mod nerd). Considered trying TI's again at one point, but then I remembered how I hated how they feel and how they never go dead, so I immediately ruled them out. So other than TI's, what short scale flats have the middy content of Chromes and come in 40-95 or 40-100?

2. 95 P Lyte and 76 modded Precision with PJ's. Both have Chromes on them, and both are way too middy now. It seems as though when the Chromes go dead, everything else goes away except mid content. Old Fender flats are my ideal flat, but I'm a little unsure of these new ones. I hear they're like Chromes, I hear they're nothing like Chromes, lots of conflicting info out there. I'm also considering LaBellas and will probably get them if the Fenders don't work out, but the Fenders are cheaper so I'd like to get them So what say you, Talkbass flats experts? Are the new Fenders sufficiently like the old Fenders, or should I play it safe with LaBellas?

[prd004]

Yeah, it's tough on here, one guy will tell you one brand of string sounds one way and the next guy will tell you the total opposite.

I would say try Rotosound Jazz 77's would be your best bet for the Dano And either LaBellas or Sadowsky's on the P-Lyte

[Groover]

Can't help you on the short scale, but for a P/J I would not go with Labella's personally. I think the Labella's are great on a P, but when I put them on my 73 P (with J) it really choked the P/J aspect IMO/IME

If you like the older Fender flats, If I were you, I would try and track some down somewhere as I'm guessing there are some lingering out there still (like guitar shows, etc) and stock up.

If you are open to suggestions, as it seems you sort of liked the chromes while they lasted, I would suggest you try Ken Smith compressors, or GHS pressurewounds (I think they are the same basically) - They are a very good match on a P as well as P/J, maybe because of the steel core giving them some substance in the sound, or maybe it's all in my head, but I would seriously give those a try on the Fenders mentioned.

[BulbousMoses]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

So here are my situations:

1. 2009 Danelectro Longhorn, currently has dead XL rounds on it. Not digging them on that bass as much as I once did, so I want to put flats on it that have strong upper mid content to reduce that natural scoop a little. Chromes would likely be perfect, but I can't get them in short scale in my preferred 40-95 or 40-100 gauges. Usually I'd just use long scale, but the Dano has guitar tuners so short scale strings are a must (bass-mod nerds, please don't suggest changing out the tuners to bass tuners or I will be forced to make fun of you for being a bass-mod nerd). Considered trying TI's again at one point, but then I remembered how I hated how they feel and how they never go dead, so I immediately ruled them out. So other than TI's, what short scale flats have the middy content of Chromes and come in 40-95 or 40-100?

For the Dano, I was going to suggest some GHS Brite Flats but I noticed that they don't come in your preferred gauge...too bad. However, the GHS Pressurewound Flats do come in the gauge that you're looking for..

[guroove]

IME, DRs are scoopy and LaBellas are middy. I'm not sure if the LaBellas come in the short scale length.

[electracoyote]

I have opened up the string holes in the stock Danelectro tuners on a couple of basses. Just takes a drill bit and about 10 minutes. Works like a charm. You'll never be shackled with limited string selection again.

Now you can make fun of me for being a bass-mod nerd.

[Craig_S]

You haven't tried a LaBella 760FL-S set yet, have you? I can't say enough about LaBella flats.

[JimmyM]

Thx for the suggestions...I'm as confused now as I ever was

[BulbousMoses]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Thx for the suggestions...I'm as confused now as I ever was

Well, as someone here suggested to me when I wanted to try flats for the first time..just buy a set and get started..they're only strings, you can change them if you don't like them..

[Toastfuzz]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Thx for the suggestions...I'm as confused now as I ever was

What about some half-rounds? I bet when they go dead they'd have a nice flats vibe but still retain some bite. I use strictly rounds and when those things get gunked up with finger juice they might as well be flats.

[Firesalt]

Originally Posted by prd004

I would say try Rotosound Jazz 77's would be your best bet for the Dano And either LaBellas or Sadowsky's on the P-Lyte

+1
I currently switched my Rotos to my jazz because of the middy sound and will be purchasing LaBellas for my P. Most likely the Jamerson's from elderly for $30.

[Groover]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Thx for the suggestions...I'm as confused now as I ever was

Ultimately, it's a cr*pshoot!

Just like many on this board, I went through my obse$$ion phase with trying strings, and what I learned is that one set of strings may work magically on one bass, but kill the vibe on another.

[ghiadub]

I run the Rotosound monel flats (made for hofner short scale) on my longhorn. I really dig them on this bass, they seem to fit the way the pickup sounds and bring out the hollow sound of this bass without getting muddy IMO.

[seanm]

FWIW I used long scale Chromes (40-100) on my Hagstrom medium scale bass. It had small tuners and the Chromes worked great.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by seanm

FWIW I used long scale Chromes (40-100) on my Hagstrom medium scale bass. It had small tuners and the Chromes worked great.

I've already tried to use long scale XL's on the Dano, but I can tell the stress is going to be too much for it.

The Rotos are getting a lot of love on here and I might try them again. Have to admit I was underwhelmed with build quality when I tried them the first time on my Jay Turser Beatle bass copy, but I could have gotten a bad set. Unfortunately, the long scale sets are $32 but the short scale sets are $41! I guess less IS more

[screaminglucy]

the new fenders are very like chromes - not exactly the same - but similar enough to know that if you don't like chromes you probably won't like them

[OOZMAN]

why dont you just unwind the top layer of the strings to fit in your tuning thingos. 'swhat I do with my 7 string guitar when i put bass strings on it, and other such hippyhoppin

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by OOZMAN

why dont you just unwind the top layer of the strings to fit in your tuning thingos. 'swhat I do with my 7 string guitar when i put bass strings on it, and other such hippyhoppin

Fear it'll break in the middle of a show.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Fear it'll break in the middle of a show.

And unwrapping the windings is just asking for tuning/intonation problems.

[Marton]

You should change the tuners on the Danelectro.