Suggest Some Flats for My Lakland 55-02

jasper383 · #1 03-10-2011, 08:09 AM

I have two 5 string basses, a Stingray 5 and a Lakland 55-02. The Ray gets the rounds, and I would like flats on the 55-02.

What flats would best complement the 55-02? They need to be long enough for 35" scale.

wshines1892 · #2 03-10-2011, 08:57 AM

What kind of sound are you going for? If you still want some high end, Daddario Chromes are the "brightest" flats around, bright being a very subjective term. I use Chromes personally and am very happy with them.

rayzak · #3 03-10-2011, 09:08 AM

Chromes are great, if you like higher tension.
If not, Thomastic flats are sweet.

I like Thomastic's the best, but currently use Chromes

Hey, those TI's aint cheap

jasper383 · #4 03-10-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayzak

Chromes are great, if you like higher tension.
If not, Thomastic flats are sweet.

I like Thomastic's the best, but currently use Chromes

Hey, those TI's aint cheap

Yeah. $$

On the 55-02, to string through it would be the JF365 set, correct?

If they last for years, the price isn't that much of a factor.

Chris Breese · #5 03-10-2011, 10:30 AM

Try the Lakland flats. I have some on my 55-01 and they sound and feel great!

Jay2U · #6 03-10-2011, 11:35 AM

D'addario chromes (.045 to .100) may be a good choice. I use them, they have a bit of everything. They have a long life, are very stable and most important of all: they feel great!

Toneman · #7 03-10-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Breese

Try the Lakland flats. I have some on my 55-01 and they sound and feel great!

+1
Whwn I had my Lakies I used them on my Jo5 and 5501 fretless, very good string.
if you want more of an upright bass tone get the TI's JF344
I have chromes on now my jazz bass but it's taking forever to loose that high end edge. Gonna replace them with JF344's I think?? not sure.

rtslinger · #8 03-10-2011, 01:57 PM

Labella

Chris Breese · #9 03-10-2011, 01:59 PM

I have a couple of sets of the TI flats. I have gigged with them, and I want to like them. Alas, I can't get used to the tension or the tone of them. I think I just favor the more traditional sounding flats over the TI's, which are very low tension.

azureblue · #10 03-10-2011, 02:17 PM

Chromes, but the 050 set. You'll have to get the B separately..
Something to consider is the D'aD half wounds in 050. Give them time to break in, and use a mute and you may like the slight bark they make. New, they are sticky and clangy. Ignore it and play them a lot.

I have both sets. My gripe with the Chromes is that when they go dead, they go really dead. My E string went, (but this is about three years on the set) went, and it is lifeless. I think you can get a wider range from volume, soft to loud, with your right hand, with the Chromes. They are very smooth, too.

The half wounds have a bit more friction, and respond to fast right hand finger work (Rocco) - the notes seem more defined. And they will handle slap work, if you have to do that. I rarely have to do slap work any more, and the Chromes just won't do it.

The 045 sets both types of strings, have a little less punch and tension, but I think the E strings from the 045 sets are a bit light.

Tension for both types are pretty close. D'aD has a tension chart on their website, BTW.

**lowendfriend** · #11 03-10-2011, 03:47 PM

I use DD Chromes on the 55-01 and like 'em fine.

I'm curious about CircleK strings, which seem a little mysterious to me....not even sure if theya re available in flats which would be a non-starter.

Cheap strings: Detroit steels from webstrings.com...they are smoootth stainless steel.

Nice alternative to chromes, not as expensive as TI flats are Sadowsky Black Label SS flats. Personally, I'd recommend the larger gauge set.

I'm nervous about going with TI flats due to the "floppy" talk and expense. Yeah, if you like em and they last forever price is no object, I guess, but if they suck that's a big expense for the trouble.

Toneman · #12 03-10-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

I use DD Chromes on the 55-01 and like 'em fine.
I'm nervous about going with TI flats due to the "floppy" talk and expense. Yeah, if you like em and they last forever price is no object, I guess, but if they suck that's a big expense for the trouble.

How long did it take for your Chromes to settle down? it's been a few weeks for me and still zingy and a tad hollow.
Like you I want to pull the trigger on some JF 344's just wondering how rubbery a 70 gauge round core A string feels??? I think I'm gonna have to try them for myself to really know. I tried Lakland flats some years back (nice but a little pricey) and Ernie Ball flats also nice for the $ but not knocking me out and Chromes which I think are not for me unless they settle down eventually. Life was easier when I used rounds just got some DR nickel loriders and was happy but I recently went back to flats and dig the tone and feel.

**lowendfriend** · #13 03-10-2011, 04:20 PM

I'd say a few weeks of heavy play. I also have 'em on a Corvette $$ 5.