Strings Without Strong Upper Mids?

[Count Bassie]

I'm sticking a copy of a post I had in another sub-forum here. I'm looking for a 'darker', flatwound string. Here's the post:

I love the way my Smith Burner feels and plays, but I hate the sound of it- it's very narrow, upper-middy-honky sounding. Downright brash for my ear. I want to try putting some deep-sounding flats on it and see if I can get it to be a little more thumpy. I like some growl, but it has to be down low, not up in the Jaco-spere. Those nasally-upper mids are screrwing up my experience.

If new strings don't do it I'm going to put Fender Jazz (stock) p'ups in it. The stock "Smith" p'ups are suspect as a prime cause of my discontent, I believe, anyway...

If that doesn't fix it for me I'm going to try a Bartolini preamp a fellow Smith-player is sending me. The existing Smith 2-band pre does not work properly, and I can't afford a new or re-built for a while.

Whatever works I'm going to post as a mod. The (sort of) sad truth is I want it to sound like a Fender! The string-spacing is very good for me, and the feel of it is awesome. I also like the look of it- it's different, and has a sort of 'snooty' vibe; very 80's English-pop looking! If I can get it all to work out I'll do my (in)famous strap-jig to it, and it'll be all set.

Here's the Smith:


Here's the (in)famous strap-jig, not on the Smith:


So, any recommendations for nice medium-low tension flats that'll keep me in the low-downs sound-wise, and less in the upper-mids? I'll appreciate any constructive remarks, and fend off the hammering I may get for modding a Smith bass! Thanks!

[Falkner]

From my experience with flatwounds, GHS Precision Flats seem to be close to what you're asking for. The tension is pretty low for flats, they have a good bottom end with more low growl than any other flats I've used, and the high end sounds a bit more mellow.

I have a set on my Squier jazz and, though they've had half a year to settle in, they still have a decent amount of those properties to them.

[Count Bassie]

Thanks Falkner, I'm a-checkin' 'em out.

[woffle]

Have the same strings(ghs flats) since about a year on a late 60´s preci.
Bass and thump to the perfection,but not an all rounder.
woffle

[DavePlaysBass]

Labella 760FLs

[Nighttrain1127]

+1 For the LaBellas they are warm and thumpy and some hight but not brite in any way

[jasper383]

Yes, La Bellas or GHS based on what you're looking for.

[Count Bassie]

Consistent info there. Thanks guys.