Need some flat advice

djero44 · #1 04-03-2011, 03:56 PM

I am a big fan of flatwound strings, although i've only tried two different brands of them. I have been playing with Joe Osborne flats for the past couple of years because a local luthier had a couple of sets that he sold me at cost. I love the feel and sound of them on my fretless, and grew quite accustomed to them, not really craving anything else. I have broken a few strings being overly aggresive, and recently had to purchase some new strings, and the only ones I could find at the time were a set of Ernie Ball flats. They are a totally different beast, I was quite surprised at first. They have a lot more texture (the winding seems narrower, i'm not really sure why they don't feel as smooth) and a very different sound. They've been on my bass for a month or so, but i've been giving my new five string more time than my fretless and they are not quite broken in yet. They sound very bright still, too bright for my tastes honestly (kind of 'phasey'), and have a much more pronounced upper mid presence than the Joe Osborne flats, as well as being much more bright. I'm not sure how much of this will flatten out with them being fully worn in. I'd say they sound a lot more like rounds than the J.O.'s, which is desirable to a point, it does help me hear my intonation in a mix better it seems.

Even with those pluses, I prefer the J.O.'s, but before I go buying more of them I thought i'd ask some advice from experienced flatwound users. Are there some other strings on the market that might sound somewhere in between these two, or can you recommend a brand based on what i've posted here?

Thanks!

Daniel B.

**Coolhandjjl** · #2 04-03-2011, 04:13 PM

IMO, the two choices for flats today are LaBella DTB 760M, or the new Fender 9050CL. Both are unique, try 'em both!

tjh · #3 04-04-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhandjjl

IMO, the two choices for flats today are LaBella DTB 760M, or the new Fender 9050CL. Both are unique, try 'em both!

I really wish it were that simple ... I have tried 5 brands so far, have a sixth on the way, and have found things I liked about all but one of them ... and, I haven't even tried the two you mentioned yet ... and then there are AT LEAST two others that have interest in on top of that ...

and, this has only been on Jazz basses ... I have a set of TI's on a P at this point, but haven't even really started doing the flatwound showdown on them yet ...

I am finding it amazing how differing the sound/characteristics can be on different brands of flats .. and that is just on one style of bass ... JMHO

chadhargis · #4 04-04-2011, 04:18 PM

I've tried Chromes and TI Jazz Flats, and the TI's are amazing. I can't imagine a string being any better than them. Feel great, sound great, and I LOVE the low tension. It's effortless to play.

mccartneyman · #5 04-04-2011, 04:24 PM

Sadowsky Flats.

Muckaluck · #6 04-04-2011, 04:29 PM

If you want a string that is between the Joe Osbornes and the Ernie Balls I would go with the new Fender CLs or D'addario Chromes. Both those brands should get mellow without getting too thumpy.

REAPER52 · #7 04-04-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadhargis

I've tried Chromes and TI Jazz Flats, and the TI's are amazing. I can't imagine a string being any better than them. Feel great, sound great, and I LOVE the low tension. It's effortless to play.

You are right on---T.I. Jazz are the ones i love

Dbassmon · #8 04-05-2011, 03:22 PM

ATKINSON BASSES - LIBRARY
Thanks to Dan Atkinson, you can hear a bunch of flats compared. Labellas sound cool to me...

djero44 · #9 04-06-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

If you want a string that is between the Joe Osbornes and the Ernie Balls I would go with the new Fender CLs or D'addario Chromes. Both those brands should get mellow without getting too thumpy.

I am looking for a string of this type... but, dang, I am going to have to try some of these others out at some point too!

Part of the equation is I don't necessarily want to drop a bunch of money trying out strings, especially with the long life of these flats. But i'm interested to try some new things, and to find my favs.

I'm wondering if there is something wierd with the EB's i'm playing, that 'phasey' characteristic I mentioned earlier is still very prevelant on the E string, although I can't perceive it on the other three. It really annoys me. Otherwise i'm enjoying the brighter (so far) sound of the Ernie Ball's, but I miss the glassy texture of the Joe Osborne's.

Handyman · #10 04-06-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muckaluck

If you want a string that is between the Joe Osbornes and the Ernie Balls I would go with the new Fender CLs or D'addario Chromes. Both those brands should get mellow without getting too thumpy.

The Ernie Ball flats are repackaged Chromes, I believe.