Ordered a fretless, need help on flatwound reviews

grace & groove · #1 01-02-2008, 05:20 PM

So I know this might be a n00b question in here but I don't think I've posted in this forum section for over year so I'm not sure. I did searches and everything but I can't find anything too great besides LaBella vs. TI threads.

So, what I'm looking for here is either reviews or links to good reviews on the following:

-Fender Flats
-GHS Flats
-La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats
-La Bella Jamerson Flats
-TI Flats
-SIT Power Flats
-Rotosound Steve Harris Flats

The only flats I've ever had on one of my basses were a pack of regular Rotosound flats that I hated.

So, no reviews on that.

Mods, if this a redundant thread, I am sorry, please PM and delete.

jasper383 · #2 01-02-2008, 05:38 PM

What kind of sound are you looking for? That will help in getting advice.

You can also, and I highly recommend , put rounds on a fretless. Fretboards are tough these days for the most part, and the fear of wearing out a fretboard with rounds is, imo, exaggerated a bit.

Bazzist · #3 01-02-2008, 05:55 PM

I couldn't stand fender flats when I had them, I like d'addario chromes because they're a bit brighter while still being smooth and lower tension.

**Freddels** · #4 01-02-2008, 05:59 PM

I played a fretless (ebony board) with rounds for years and there's hardly a mark on the board from the strings. If you like the sound of roundwounds then there's really no reason not to use them. Jaco used roundwounds.

grace & groove · #5 01-02-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

What kind of sound are you looking for? That will help in getting advice.

You can also, and I highly recommend , put rounds on a fretless. Fretboards are tough these days for the most part, and the fear of wearing out a fretboard with rounds is, imo, exaggerated a bit.

I love the feel of flats, that's why I want them. This bass I won't use for my band so I don't know need the bright tone. I just want a real smooth feeling string with a real smooth rounded tone. Of course any string that is full of MWAH I would like to know about~

grace & groove · #6 01-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

I played a fretless (ebony board) with rounds for years and there's hardly a mark on the board from the strings. If you like the sound of roundwounds then there's really no reason not to use them. Jaco used roundwounds.

I am know very worried about that, though I do have a rosewood fingerboard, because I've never heard any horror stories. It's more of a myth really. A ghost story that got fuel because of TB gossip.

To clarify, I am NOT looking for roundwound tone or feel, I'm looking for smoothness and puffiness.

jasper383 · #7 01-02-2008, 06:14 PM

Smooth and round? I would suggest, based on my experience:
Sadowsky -- smoothest feeling flats, a little on the bright side. Good all around.
TI Jazz Flats --- Most like an upright in sound. Lots of mids. Low tension. Maybe the mwah champ (although rounds will give you the most mwah by far in my experience)
La Bella ---Roundest sound, most mellow. The Jamerson set has too much tension; use a lighter set.

I would avoid Rotosound flats--very bright for flats. D'Addario Chromes might be a bit too bright for you as well.

bassist4dalord · #8 01-02-2008, 06:15 PM

I play D'Addario Chromes XL Mediums on my GSR200 fretted. They sound pretty nice, but I personally miss my rounds (D'Addario XL's). If you can tell, I'm a HUGE fan of D'Addario strings. I had some GHS Boomers on my old Squier P but I really only like the D'Addarios.!

grace & groove · #9 01-02-2008, 06:17 PM

Jasper-

I've heard that mwah can be achieved through simple treble boost but I'm not sure. The bass is a 34" 5-string so maybe the Jamersons would be a good thing because I'm not sure how the tension is going to be. I only have one other 5 string and its a 35.5" scale so I'm worried about the B being floppy. I mite switch to EADGC.

artfahie · #10 01-02-2008, 06:22 PM

I use TI flats... they're smooth & silky and have a nice growl. I also have another fretless that I use roundwounds on... just a totally different sound... more aggresive on the rounds... more "acoustic" on the flats.

MaxZolt · #11 01-02-2008, 06:36 PM

Here's a fairly comprehensive flats review page:

http://bgra.net/2004/index.php?conte...ure&page=flats

There are also a few flats featured on this page:

http://bgra.net/2004/index.php?conte...e&page=strings

jasper383 · #12 01-02-2008, 06:38 PM

Bass Player magazine reviewed mostly every string a few years ago in an article called "Wind Tasting". The article is still on their site, but the chart is gone.

grace & groove · #13 01-02-2008, 06:47 PM

Yes, I used to have the article, it was the first one I got when I subscribed to Bass Player magazine years ago. Then my mom decided that the BP's I was keeping from the last few years should be filed in the thrash.

TrevorOfDoom · #14 01-02-2008, 06:50 PM

TI Flats FTW!!

grace & groove · #15 01-02-2008, 06:54 PM

I think I'm leaning towards La Bella right now. I have La Bella Deep Talkin' roundwounds on one of my basses and they are really nice.

murph.vienna · #16 01-02-2008, 07:26 PM

I like the chromes... very sleek, but unbalanced tone IMO (G string too strong) and a bit stiff for my taste. havent tried fenders yet..
but I like TI's much much more

very uprightish and perfectly balanced. the low tension kills you the first week, but they are unbelievably dynamic. 50€ for a 5string set, but hell, this is it.

anyonefortennis · #17 01-02-2008, 07:31 PM

Keep in mind that just because you ordered a fretless, you don't have to go with flats.

IF you like rounds, DR Sunbeams sound absolutely amazing on fretless basses IMO.

grace & groove · #18 01-02-2008, 07:34 PM

Like I said twice before, I want flats for the tone and the feel.

stackey · #19 01-02-2008, 07:38 PM

Don't forget Sadowsky flats. They have become my favorite after using Chromes for years.

Big Joe · #20 01-02-2008, 07:52 PM

The SIT's will have the most MWAH of everything you've listed up there since I believe they are more of a ground wound. Very high tension. Lots of tight bottom and mids. Not a lot of top end... Not even much of the chunky top you'd expect from flats.

Chromes are bright as previously stated. Pretty responsive MWAH. Not a lot of bottom. Above average definition moreso due to the upper end of things.

TI's are an interesting animal as far as flats go... Loose tension to the touch but they maintain a tight even sound across the spectrum at least on the 35" scale 5'ers I had them on. Excellent definition overall with tame but usable top end and only moderate boom in the bottom as far as flats go. Not a lot of MWAH but not completely missing either. These are more reflective of the way you handle them and IME, they do better with a lighter touch. Very responsive as far as flats go.

Sadowsky Flats have the best B-string I've come across on flatwounds. (edit: I believe they were tapered) Big bottom with classic top end. Good smooth definition without overwhelming midrange. Never tried them on a fretless.

LaBella DTF's are IMO the classic flatwound sound. Big booty bottom chunky top. Not a heck ofa lot in between. Sound right at home on a p-bass or a hollow body. Good on a jazz.

Lakland Joe Osborn flats have a big tight bottom with higher tension and are smooth from top through midrange. Pretty even sounding overall but were tight tight tight. Nothing huge about this string. Never had them on a fretless.

I had some well worn in GHS flats with purple wraps that were similar to TI's in the spongy feel but with slightly more typical flat wound response: bigger booty, no definition to speak of and chunky high mid-treble response. Don't go by this because I think they were pretty dead when I tried them (on a used bass). FWIW I really liked them.

Best bet is to get a couple different sets and try them out. Flats are easier to move used than any other string.

YMMV.