Suggestions for Flats with a big low-end?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 07-21-2006, 09:21 AM

I recently tried a set of DR Lowriders on my main bass that came with another bass I bought. I much prefer flats to rounds, but the low-end these DRs produced is something I have been missing. Does DR make flatwounds?

I like a tight throbbing low-end from my strings (like the DR rounds) and have yet to find a set of flats that can deliver to my satisfaction.

I have a set of Fender 9050s right now. I love the higher tension but they are midrangey to my ears.

Suggestions?

canopener · #2 07-21-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

I recently tried a set of DR Lowriders on my main bass that came with another bass I bought. I much prefer flats to rounds, but the low-end these DRs produced is something I have been missing. Does DR make flatwounds?

I like a tight throbbing low-end from my strings (like the DR rounds) and have yet to find a set of flats that can deliver to my satisfaction.

I have a set of Fender 9050s right now. I love the higher tension but they are midrangey to my ears.

Suggestions?

LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats.

Modern Growl · #3 07-21-2006, 11:29 AM

chromes !

**cheezewiz** · #4 07-21-2006, 11:32 AM

La Bellas for sure. I find chromes to be pretty darned bright for flats, and not all that deep. I really like TI flats, but I'd call them more punchy and midrangey.

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 07-21-2006, 01:24 PM

Well, I've tried Labellas 760FLs and there is oomph from the DRs that the Labellas just dont have to my ears.

Does DR make flats?

jobo4 · #6 07-21-2006, 04:30 PM

Veganbass,

DR doesn't make flats. Have you tried the Sadowsky flats? By and large I wouldn't pay for Sad stuff (although I admit the quality is very good), but hot dang I like their flats.

Like most stuff that Sadowky sells, they are made by someone else, in this case, LaBella.

Forgive the rant, best of luck.

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 07-21-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobo4

Veganbass,

DR doesn't make flats. Have you tried the Sadowsky flats? By and large I wouldn't pay for Sad stuff (although I admit the quality is very good), but hot dang I like their flats.

Like most stuff that Sadowky sells, they are made by someone else, in this case, LaBella.

Forgive the rant, best of luck.

I have heard it said more than a few times on TB that the Sads are very similar to the LaBellas. Thinking of the SIT Silencers.

fenbass · #8 07-21-2006, 04:54 PM

I run the fender flats on my p and i love them,I tryed the TIs
and did not like them at all too low tension for me
regards fenbass

Ole Man Blues · #9 07-21-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

chromes !

That's right...better listen to what the man said........

OMB

Captain Chaos · #10 07-21-2006, 05:51 PM

Hows the tension on LaBellas? I got my TI flats yesterday....I was expecting something else.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 07-21-2006, 07:27 PM

yeah, i might check out the chromes again. good sounding string fer sure. i'd try a higher gage this time.

tension goes... TIs > labella> chromes> fender 9050s

of course this depends on the gages.

currently l have the labella 760FLs and 43-95chromes (set is not playable due to the E unraveling from taking them on and off with TR adjustments and such. labellas are the smoothest by a wide margin.

jobo4 · #12 07-21-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Chaos

Hows the tension on LaBellas? I got my TI flats yesterday....I was expecting something else.

One nice thing about TIs is that they are so flexible/low tension that you can totally string them through the body without fear of breaking. Going this route adds a little tension and can make them more playable.

I'm going through a phase with my Jazz basses where I like lower tension flats on them. I have TIs through the body of my MIA Fender and Sadowsky 100s through the bridge on my Skyline Daryl Jones.

I tried Chromes but they were too high tension for me. I did find that I could easily tune them all down a whole step and they still had nice tension and feel.

cmhgreg · #13 07-22-2006, 07:50 AM

La Bella DTB FM's have more beef than the FL's, and hence more low end, at least IMO. They are also a bit darker, but if you are looking for your rig to huff and puff and blow the house down, try the DTB FM's. Just be sure to warn people to stay in their seats with their seatbelt securely fastened.

::::BASSIST:::: · #14 07-22-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmhgreg

La Bella DTB FM's have more beef than the FL's, and hence more low end, at least IMO. They are also a bit darker, but if you are looking for your rig to huff and puff and blow the house down, try the DTB FM's. Just be sure to warn people to stay in their seats with their seatbelt securely fastened.

how are the La Bella DTB FM for tension? is there alot more tension than the FLs or just a little more. I want a fair amount of tension.

Also, are they just as smooth?

zombywoof5050 · #15 07-22-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

how are the La Bella DTB FM for tension? is there alot more tension than the FLs or just a little more. I want a fair amount of tension.

Also, are they just as smooth?

I can't anwer your question as I've only used the FL set (and liking them a lot), but I just wanted to tell you that they also make a set in between the FL and the FM, the FS (45-65-85-105). Even though they are only a tiny bit bigger than the FL set, I've read reports that they are higher tension and sound different.

The FS set is not listed on LaBella's website, so I e-mailed Labella asking why (if they were being discontinued or what?), and they replied back that the FS were in fact a new addition within the past couple of years and are not being discontinued.

So you may give the 760FS set a try. I've been wanting to, but I don't change strings for years and I've still got two backup sets of the 760FL.

::::BASSIST:::: · #16 07-22-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

I can't anwer your question as I've only used the FL set (and liking them a lot), but I just wanted to tell you that they also make a set in between the FL and the FM, the FS (45-65-85-105). Even though they are only a tiny bit bigger than the FL set, I've read reports that they are higher tension and sound different.

The FS set is not listed on LaBella's website, so I e-mailed Labella asking why (if they were being discontinued or what?), and they replied back that the FS were in fact a new addition within the past couple of years and are not being discontinued.

So you may give the 760FS set a try. I've been wanting to, but I don't change strings for years and I've still got two backup sets of the 760FL.

hey thanks man,

i think i would go for the FM set first. at this point I would rather have a little too much tension than not enough. in my experience the playability of the bass is improved.

thanks!

cmhgreg · #17 07-22-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

how are the La Bella DTB FM for tension? is there alot more tension than the FLs or just a little more. I want a fair amount of tension.

Also, are they just as smooth?

The FM's have quite a bit of tension. It's been a while since I tried the FL's, so I don't recall exactly whether the FM's have a lot more tension or not. But I doubt seriously that you will be disappointed with them in that department.

The FM's are as smooth as glass.

::::BASSIST:::: · #18 07-22-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmhgreg

The FM's have quite a bit of tension. It's been a while since I tried the FL's, so I don't recall exactly whether the FM's have a lot more tension or not. But I doubt seriously that you will be disappointed with them in that department.

The FM's are as smooth as glass.

Would you say the tension of the FMs is similar to that of a 55-105 set of other strings such as Fenders or Chromes?

I guess the only others after the FMs, in terms of tension, is the Jamersons which are most likely too much tension.

cmhgreg · #19 07-23-2006, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

Would you say the tension of the FMs is similar to that of a 55-105 set of other strings such as Fenders or Chromes?

I guess the only others after the FMs, in terms of tension, is the Jamersons which are most likely too much tension.

I've never tried Fender flats and it has been a while since I played the Chromes. I would say the FM's have as much tension or more than the Chromes.

Baryonyx · #20 07-23-2006, 05:09 AM

If you like flats with a big, fat low end and high tension, I can whole-heartedly recommend Rotosound Steve Harris flats. They were too high tension for me, but I kept them on my fretless because the tone was so awesome! They felt quite stiff, but still great, and the sound was ace.