The right flatwounds for me?

Metal Bassist · #1 06-03-2011, 01:55 PM

I am looking to put a set of flatwounds on my 4 string bass, I want to do that because I'm fed up of roundwounds going dead (quite) quickly and sounding horrible. I would like some flatwounds that are very versatile, i.e. they could work for rock and metal if I needed them to, and last a long time.
I have been looking at the Steve Harris signiture set, and I'm wondering if they will be any good for me?

guroove · #2 06-03-2011, 01:57 PM

The Steve Harris set is very heavy. Rotosounds would probably be the brand of flats that is most suitable for metal. I've been using LaBella flats for everything, and when I play my P-bass through an overdriven amp, no one can tell I'm playing flats.

Metal Bassist · #3 06-03-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

The Steve Harris set is very heavy. Rotosounds would probably be the brand of flats that is most suitable for metal. I've been using LaBella flats for everything, and when I play my P-bass through an overdriven amp, no one can tell I'm playing flats.

Do they last along time in that state?

I'm not too worried about sound as they are going on my cheap bass for carting around.

JulienJeff · #4 06-03-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

I've been using LaBella flats for everything, and when I play my P-bass through an overdriven amp, no one can tell I'm playing flats.

I used rounds until a few months ago and then put labella on my pbass. I'm more than happy. as said above, through an overdriven amp, you can't tell the difference. I've the strings on my bass since 5 or 6 months (while I used to change my rounds every 2 or 3 months)

portlandguy · #5 06-03-2011, 02:17 PM

I am happy with Daddario chromes on my Pbass - no loss of sound (I use to play DR high beams)

guroove · #6 06-03-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Bassist

Do they last along time in that state?

I'm not too worried about sound as they are going on my cheap bass for carting around.

I have never changed them, so I'd say yeah.

Muckaluck · #7 06-03-2011, 02:21 PM

With flatwounds and versatile my first thought is D'Addario Chromes. Check out the youtube video where the bass player from Beck gives a review of chromes. It gives a pretty good sense of their sound.

Madcity Fats · #8 06-03-2011, 02:24 PM

I second (or third ... or fourth) the Chromes recommendation. They deliver some nice highs, even when broken in and they can be gotten at a reasonable price compared to some other brands of flats, especially if you shop around the web.

bluesdogblues · #9 06-03-2011, 02:25 PM

After reading your OP, seems that you don't really need that 'vintage thump' sound ussually associated with (LaBella) Flatwound. Maybe nor GHS Precision nor Lakland JO since they're all have that vintage vibe too..

Maybe it's D'Addario Chrome, or TI Flats for you...

That's my recommendation based on what I learn from TB tho... For I only has experience with LaBellas.

Metal Bassist · #10 06-03-2011, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the advice, the Chromes look good.

pedroims · #11 06-04-2011, 04:35 AM

I have used: TI, Chromes, DR, Sadowsky and Labella, TI's for me and now with my streamliner with the overdrive switch engaged sound even better

Elove · #12 06-05-2011, 09:44 AM

I put a set of Chromes on my 75 Jazz and fell in love. Little more tension on the string (which I like) and more zing than the other flats I've tried....TI's are great strings as well. Just make sure you give them some time to settle and don't judge your tone when you are playing alone because your flats will sit in the mix differently in a band setting.

Peace

E

Metal Mitch · #13 06-05-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Bassist

I want to do that because I'm fed up of roundwounds going dead (quite) quickly and sounding horrible.

Stop using D'Addario nickels.

Try a good, long lasting, stainless steel round. Like Rotosound or DR. Blue Steels are also excellent, but don't last as long as the other two.

madmatt · #14 06-05-2011, 11:49 PM

I have found that my bass with the BadAssII bridge does the best with rounds. BAII makes roundwounds better in my experience.
Stainless steel roundwound strings last longer, but they eat frets badly. Not worth the trade off to me. Plus they are too bright for me, but that is a personal taste thing.
For Flats, I use the .050 - .100 set of Fender 9050's on my American P-deluxe. I used to use rounds on this bass through the body, but the flats are much better. Flats make this bass sound like what it should sound like. And actually, the rounds that were on this bass were starting to sound dead, so I took them off and put them on the P with the BAII and they made that bass come alive! The BAII put new life into those roundwound strings.

JimmyM · #15 06-06-2011, 01:07 AM

If you want a set of flats that ring like rounds and lasts a long time without going dead, TI's. Chromes will go dead, and so will Rotos. But I banged on a set of TI's for 3 months and couldn't get them to go dead for love or money. For that reason, I took them off and never used them again and sent them to my buddy in Canada. So I'd say that's probably what you're looking for.

Electrophonic · #16 06-13-2011, 01:32 AM

I've been using the Steve Harris strings only for years. Simply because they are very versatile, great quality and the sound.

mazdah · #17 06-13-2011, 01:57 AM

I think TI could go quite dead. Here's my friend playing his Jazz Bass strung with TI Flats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXL3jk1-Qqg

loads of mid growl!

Dubista · #18 06-13-2011, 02:14 AM

you can see his tone control is all the way down in that video

TrevorOfDoom · #19 06-13-2011, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

If you want a set of flats that ring like rounds and lasts a long time without going dead, TI's. Chromes will go dead, and so will Rotos. But I banged on a set of TI's for 3 months and couldn't get them to go dead for love or money. For that reason, I took them off and never used them again and sent them to my buddy in Canada. So I'd say that's probably what you're looking for.

this.
TI's have enough of the thump and punch of flats to put a smile on my face, but also enough overtones to make me think i could use 'em in a Yes cover band.

ljazz · #20 06-13-2011, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubista

you can see his tone control is all the way down in that video

He rolls it up about halfway through the video. This is what broken in TI's sound like....... I still think Jimmy confused a set of jazz rounds for the jazz flats.

Or he just ended up with a funky set.

I don't hear any roundwound ring there, and I don't hear it on the any set of TIJF's I've played (after breakin of about a month).