Suggest my next pair of flats for my Fender P.

nad · #1 11-01-2006, 05:11 PM

I grew up hating flats, but once I added another bass to my stable I realized it was time to give them an honest shot on my ol' P. So I went with some Chromes and OH MAN do they rule, but after a year now I'd like to try something different. They still sound great, but I'm looking for something a little more subdued and traditional sounding, without getting too muddy. Any suggestions?

I was going to try LaBellas but I read they don't like being strung through the body, and that's how my P be, so there you go.

Cheers and such.

jenderfazz · #2 11-01-2006, 05:19 PM

TI Jazz Flats are the best if you don't mind the relatively low tension. Fender makes woody-sounding, high tension flats.

zongeek · #3 11-01-2006, 05:29 PM

D'addario Chromes.

None else.

They are a sort of high tension, but after you play them a few times (at least in my experiance) they relax a little. They last forever and sound great. Brighter flats, but still give you the 'thump' flats have.

jumbosilverette · #4 11-01-2006, 06:56 PM

Rotosound 77

cabcreaser · #5 11-01-2006, 08:01 PM

I vote for the La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. If you order extra long scale, string thru body is no problem. The Jamerson set won't work string thru, but the heaviest guage (I think .109 for the e string) extra long scale Deep Talkin' flats should work beautifully.

chilliwilli · #6 11-01-2006, 08:26 PM

cabcreaser, i wouldnt reccomend that. The windings on the labellas will probably come loose after 6 months or less

glwanabe · #7 11-02-2006, 07:26 AM

They do not recomend through body stringing for there flats.
The breakover angle is to sharp and damages the string.

Aside from that I love Labella flats. They are not bright, but are voiced nicely. These strings are what BASS is about. I consider them a public health service. Everyones colon will be moving when you hit an open E. Throw some muting on by the bridge and it brings out some mids that start to growl. They are very smooth and not high tension.

bgmww · #8 11-02-2006, 10:09 AM

i just put the Rotosound RS77LD (0.45, 0.65, 0.85, 105) and they sound great. My 1978 Fender P-bass has never sounded this great... i do not slap or pop with this bass, so i think i´ll have strings for a couple of years. Highly recommended.

jumbosilverette · #9 11-02-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgmww

i just put the Rotosound RS77LD (0.45, 0.65, 0.85, 105) and they sound great. My 1978 Fender P-bass has never sounded this great... i do not slap or pop with this bass, so i think i´ll have strings for a couple of years. Highly recommended.

Hey Bud. Your group is great!. Love to see one of your shows in California.

SBassman · #10 11-02-2006, 10:31 AM

I have used DD Chromes almost always.

But, I recently broke a string, needed something asap, so I had to pick from what the local craptastic store had.

I picked up a set of Fender flats, and I actually like them very, very much.

Vandelay · #11 11-02-2006, 10:32 AM

I bought Sadowsky flats for my '62 RI P-bass, based on recommendations from some TB'ers, and I've been very pleased with them.

canopener · #12 11-02-2006, 10:45 AM

Fender 9050MLs. Nice, tight tension and great tone.

Juniorkimbrough · #13 11-02-2006, 10:50 AM

I tried Labellas but I didn't really care for the feel of them, they weren't as smooth feeling as the Chromes IMO.

lonote · #14 11-02-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canopener

Fender 9050MLs. Nice, tight tension and great tone.

I use them on my P-Basses and Chromes on my other basses. The 9050's sound best on P-Basses as far as I'm concerned.

Paul New · #15 11-03-2006, 01:02 AM

I`ve had LaBella black tape wounds on my `68 P for at least five years, probably closer to ten. All around best flat, IMO.

Mrdak · #16 11-03-2006, 07:18 AM

There is only one. TI Jazz Flats.

JB Lars · #17 11-03-2006, 10:23 AM

Only a pair? What will the other strings be?

Squidfinger · #18 11-03-2006, 10:34 AM

I have tried several brands of flats (Fender, GHS, D'addario) and come to the conclusion that the Thomastik-Infeld jazz flats rule all. Very unique strings. The tension of rounds with the smoothness of flats!!!!!

From what I understand no flats are meant to be strung through the body. They'll break, unravel, or something. The benefits from stringing through the body are argueable anyways.

LeftyJack · #19 11-03-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrdak

There is only one. TI Jazz Flats.

+1 I just put a set on my new G&L ASAT and had it professionally set up with a new bone nut...all I can say is WOW!

Awesome tone, smooth as melted butter and I don't feel like they are floppy at all. Even my wife told me the sound was a huge improvement from roundswounds.