Thinking about flats permanently...

[XephonXIII]

The recent Phil Chen thread got me thinking about different flats...

(the full thread: Now that's a set of strings)

...has anyone tried keeping other brands of flats (Fender 9050's, D' Chromes) on their bass for decades like Phil Chen? I want to make a PERMANENT switch to flats, but I don't really want La Bellas. They're a bit pricey for my budget, and I love the feel and tone of my current 9050's.

Will 9050's or Chromes even last that long? If so, they're going on a soon-to-be-mine U.S. Jazz bass.

[Webtroll]

Why permanent? I like nickels (Roto and D'Addario) on most of my basses, chrome flats on my P style basses, and DR coated strings on my fretless. I'm currently thinking about checking out the new EB coated strings to see how I like them. I don't think I'd like to have the same strings on everything!

[gonzorob]

I've had chromes on everything for about a year. To be honest I don't miss rounds at all now.

[XephonXIII]

Originally Posted by Webtroll

Why permanent? I like nickels (Roto and D'Addario) on most of my basses, chrome flats on my P style basses, and DR coated strings on my fretless. I'm currently thinking about checking out the new EB coated strings to see how I like them. I don't think I'd like to have the same strings on everything!

I didn't mean having them on every bass, necessarily. I'd like my main bass (most likely this new Jazz) to have flats, though.

I was mainly referring to how long one set of, say, 9050's would last on it. I love the sound of dead flats, but I'm wondering about string breakages and intonation issues over time.

[::::BASSIST::::]

I'm no expert on the intonation but Fender 9050s seem very substantial to me and I doubt they'd break. The only way I need to ever replace my flats is from taking them on and off the bass for various reasons. That puts a toll on the G string silk area IME.

That said, I dont know how a set of flats could last decades like that. Not saying its untrue, just saying its quite amazing. However, if you do go that route, the Labellas will be cheap in the long run. If they cost you $100 and last 10 years that would only be $10 a year. Not too bad!

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by XephonXIII

The recent Phil Chen thread got me thinking about different flats...

(the full thread: Now that's a set of strings)

...has anyone tried keeping other brands of flats (Fender 9050's, D' Chromes) on their bass for decades like Phil Chen? I want to make a PERMANENT switch to flats, but I don't really want La Bellas. They're a bit pricey for my budget, and I love the feel and tone of my current 9050's.

Will 9050's or Chromes even last that long? If so, they're going on a soon-to-be-mine U.S. Jazz bass.

Permanently switch to flats--as in, only play flats; always play flats sure. But why do you want to just keep ONE set on the instrument forever?

I'm not criticising the idea. I'm just wondering what your thinking behind this is.

Why?

FWIW, I have the Fender 9050's on my P-bass but I can't comment on longevity because I haven't had them for years. They are stainless steel and seem pretty substantial. I don't imagine I'll be able to break one (I don't usually play with a pick nor very hard). I can say that they stay in tune VERY well. Everyday, everytime I go to play, I tune up...but the bass is always already in tune! If you have your bridge properly adjusted by a luthier (like having it strobo-tuned) so that the intonation is perfect, then changing string gauges MAY affect that. I'm not sure because I prefer medium gauge sets so I don't really change string thicknesses.

Otherwise, I'm very pleased with the Fender 9050s; however, they are a bit stiff so if your fingers are used to nickels or rounds there may be a bit of an adjustment period. I've found the Fenders can irritate your RH plucking fingers for the first few days.

[lmfreeman9]

I switched on all basses except 1 5 string. I use TI's, LaBellas, DRs and just discovered Pyramids which I absolutely love. Once I get the right set on a bass, I don't plan on changing them, unless they break or won't stay in tune, which isn't anticipated with high quality strings.

I don't miss rounds-when I play them, I do miss the flatwound thump.

Once you go flat, you never go back.