Need String Recommendation

[mrjim123]

(Also posted in Basses forum).

I bought a new G&L Tribute L-2000 last week (34" scale, 4-string). I love the tone options, but I find that, overall, the tone is just a little too bright. The stock strings are D'Addario rounds. I want to tame the beast a little with some new strings, probably flatwounds.

I've always played light guage (40-95 or 45-100) rounds and am looking for a set of strings with roughly equal tension. I also want to retain just a little of the brightness of the rounds, so I'm thinking a set of flats a little on the bright side might be the answer, but I definitely want the smooth, fat flatwound sound.

From what I've read, D'Addario Chrome flats have a bright sound, as far as flats go, but they have a high string tension. Thomastiks tend to be "floppy" (is that floppy compared even to rounds, or just compared to other flats?). I didn't find much about the string tension of LaBella Deep Talkin' flats.

So, I'm open to suggestions.

[XylemBassGuitar]

I've never noticed the Thomastik flatwounds to be particularly "floppy" and they are mellower than roundwounds without being too mellow. I'd give them a shot.

Also, the heavier gauge you get, the tighter the strings will be, regardless of the brand.

[mrjim123]

Originally Posted by XylemBassGuitar

I've never noticed the Thomastik flatwounds to be particularly "floppy" and they are mellower than roundwounds without being too mellow. I'd give them a shot.

Also, the heavier gauge you get, the tighter the strings will be, regardless of the brand.

I'd love to try a set of TI jazz flats, but I'm not sure if I want to shell out the $50+ to try them. If I'm lucky I'll find a bass strung with TI flats in a store somewhere, but that's probably a tall order.

[DavePlaysBass]

TI Superalloys or let the DAs wear in.

[Solarmist]

I though G&L came with SIT Powerwounds? - thats what it says at they're site. Warm & bright strings.

[mrjim123]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

I though G&L came with SIT Powerwounds? - thats what it says at they're site. Warm & bright strings.

Where on their site did you find that?

[Solarmist]

SIT Powerwound Page - read down the list
http://www.sitstrings.com/show_product.php?id=28

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by XylemBassGuitar

I've never noticed the Thomastik flatwounds to be particularly "floppy" and they are mellower than roundwounds without being too mellow. I'd give them a shot.

+1. I have my Trib. L 2000 strung with TI Jazz flats and they sound great (IMO of course ). I agree with the above, that they are bright for flats, yet have a warm mellow sound. The low tension is not for everyone though. While they are expensive, they are worth it IMO as they retain their great tone for years. I've read here of some people having them on (still sounding great) for up to ten years. Now that's not expensive.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

I though G&L came with SIT Powerwounds? - thats what it says at they're site. Warm & bright strings.

They used to come strung with SIT's alright. A year or two ago they changed to Daddario's (EXL 165's I think).


http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/faq.php3#Q16

[lmfreeman9]

I have an L-2000E strung with TI flats which tame it perfectly while still allowing the bass to be versatile. I do not find TI flats to be floppy or expensive. If you pay $50 for them (which I never have) and they last 5-10 years that's a good value. If you don't like them, sell them on the classfieds for bout $35. Worth the risk-try TI's.

[Mojo-Man]

Ken Smith "Compressors"

Brighter than flats.
Darker, and deeper, than rounds.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by mrjim123

I'd love to try a set of TI jazz flats, but I'm not sure if I want to shell out the $50+ to try them. If I'm lucky I'll find a bass strung with TI flats in a store somewhere, but that's probably a tall order.

Yep, the one drawback that I've found with TI's, they practically murder your pocketbook (hope you never need them for a six-string fretless).

[mrjim123]

Thanks everybody. I think I'll try the TIs.

Have any of you found that with TIs you prefer a larger guage than you would with another brand of flats?