Reggae Flatwounds?

[groovejam]

Good reggae flatwounds at a decent price? Other recomendations for reggae strings? I want that reggae tone but I still want a little punch.

[BurningSkies]

Really dead roundwounds.

The last Robbie Shakespear interview I read he said he'd never changed the strings on most of his basses.

A couple of the other reggae players I hang with also are no-change guys.

I prefer pretty new strings with the high end rolled off my bass, that way I get punch without highs but retain some livelyness. On occasion I've used half-flats or ground wound strings.

I know one player who's playing an old Vox bass that he swears has the original strings.

[Indi86]

TI Jazz Flats! They rock so hard once broken in.

[groovejam]

thanks,
Well, BurningSkies, do you think even stock strings would do?

[BurningSkies]

Yup.

No need to over think the reggae sound. It's like when we were talking about amps...it's more to do with how you set it up and tweak your tone than about which amp. Same deal with strings.

I like the feel of newer strings. I find I can play better and tighter with them, but once you roll the highs off at the bass and at the amp, you get this fat low which is still vibrant.

I don't personally like the string tension of most flats, they're a bit too tight and sound that way to my ears.

Of course, your personal tastes may differ.

[Monkey]

TI Jazz Flats for me. They sound great for reggae. I haven't been able to get a great reggae sound by turning down the tone with roundwounds. Turning the tone down with rounds definitely gets you in the ballpark, but for me there is something about the attack and decay of flatwounds that nails the reggae tone. I've tried EQing roundwounds, but I'm much happier with flats (old ones!).

Another advantage to using flats in reggae for me is that I don't have to turn the tone down to get a deep, fat tone, which leaves the natural, but subdued top end to give the notes definition.

[ihixulu]

Robbie Shakespeare uses Dean Markley flats, boosts low mids and plays with a light touch and often with his thumb.

Family Man Barrett uses Fender flats, also boosting low mids.

I agree with BurningSkies though that it isn't something to sweat over too much. Pretty much any string should work so long as you play it and eq it properly. Flats do make it easier to get the vibe though.

[Davo737]

I only use flats, and my favs by far are the LaBella DTF. Massive fundamental, but still punchy. Fender flats are also nice, but pretty high in tension - definitely a great value for the price, though. Burningskies mentioned half-rounds, and I've found the D'Addario Halfs, especially the new all-nickel ones to be a very nice compromise.

[metron]

Originally Posted by Davo737

I only use flats, and my favs by far are the LaBella DTF. Massive fundamental, but still punchy.

I also use LaBella DTF. With a little rolloff on the highs they are great for reggae.

[reggaeman]

Originally Posted by ihixulu

Robbie Shakespeare uses Dean Markley flats, boosts low mids and plays with a light touch and often with his thumb.

Family Man Barrett uses Fender flats, also boosting low mids.

I'm curious... How do you know what strings these guys use?