Is it time for flats?

jazzboi · #1 01-03-2009, 02:38 PM

Hi guys,

Yesterday,and today too I was listening to our recorded songs on MySpace,and than I was playing my new (old) P-bass a little. And I discovered it sounds good,like a 33 years old instrument should,but the new strings "rattle" (aka. "new string sound") annoys me and on the recording my jazz bass sounds like a tin rolled down from a hill (or at least to me).
Maybe it's because nowadays I was listening to a lot of Jamerson,and Black Sabbath stuff,and also Deep Purple,and the likes,and they have that kind of really thick fat and growly P-tone,which I want to have here at home. (this was issue No.1)

(issue No.2) The other thing is I'm just wondering that a flatwound string won't ruin my fingers as a roundwound...I mean if I play 2-3 hours,my fretting fingertips start to hurt a little...hmm...well..yeah.

So my question is. Will a flatwound string solve my above mentioned problems?
I've looked at GHS Precision Flats,because they are made 0.45-.65-.85-.105 size,which I mainly use. (I don't know if there's another manufacturer who makes such sized flats I've only seen .50-.110 or other "strange" sized ones.

)

Sorry for the noob question...hopefully it worth a few replies. If it's possible please recommend some strings,which has the growly,and thick,percussive sound and are similar in feel to the rounds (I mean they're as tight as a roundwound),and not that "light",because I play fairly hard.

Thank you!

jazzboi · #2 01-03-2009, 03:02 PM

Well maybe I wasn't right when I mentioned Roger Glover,because I'm not sure if he is using flats or not. But the Geezer and Mr.Jamerson definitely flat players. So maybe we can stick to them soundwise.

BoskiDominik · #3 01-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Fender makes 50-110 flats.

Pilgrim · #4 01-03-2009, 03:13 PM

Lab Bella makes a .45-105 set in the Deep Talkin' flats and they are lovely, lovely strings. If you've never tried them, you should. They're great on your fingers and last just about forever. Here's your link: http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fs.html

jazzboi · #5 01-03-2009, 03:19 PM

Whoa. LaBella..man I missed that one!

These look like really great strings. And if they last almost "forever" then I don't have to worry about changing them after about a month or two like the rounds!

I'm just wondering if this online store ships internationally...hopefully yes!

But I'm waiting a little to get a few more suggestions. If LaBella stays strong then they've got my vote.

Deacon_Blues · #6 01-03-2009, 04:44 PM

I guess you could order from Thomann or other European internet stores as well, if you can't find them in a store near you. There's also a huge amount of other string brands you might want to consider, e.g. the Daddario Chromes. They get a lot of love here on this forum.

You can find them in various gauges too. Remember that the tension in the string more important than gauge. A .100 roundwound string might not have the same tension as a flatwound string of the same gauge and there's also differences between brands.

vapochilled · #7 01-03-2009, 04:49 PM

Try these guys http://www.gitart.hu/

They are the Carvin dealer for Hungry, Carvin strings are Labellas relabled. Direct from carvin they charge us customers $22 for a set of flats. Unfortunatly they require you goto your distributer for international purchase. Who may or may not carry the strings.

Paul New · #8 01-04-2009, 08:08 AM

I have used those GHS precision flats, and despite the normal gauges, these strings are high tension and fit your other criteria perfectly. I like the warm sounding LaBellas, TI`s, etc... but the GHS are what you`re looking for. imo

ProfGumby · #9 01-04-2009, 10:23 AM

It's always time for flats!

BTW, Jazz basses are supposed to clang. Unless you put DR Flats on them,then they out thump a P bass!! Well as long as the P is strung with round wounds. The same is true for Webstrings Detroit Flats. They thunder like the DR's but seem to have less tension, me likey! And they are only 19 bucks a set!

Also, check out The Perfect Bass and see what strings they have in stock. If you put talkbass in the promo code box, you get a discount! I think it is 10%.

I just bought some D'Addario Chromes and half rounds from them and saved $ (BTW, you might not want either as the chromes are pretty clangy for flats)

One Drop · #10 01-05-2009, 12:52 PM

Labella or Sadowsky flats are lovely on a Jazz. Depending on how you attack the stringss, and on your rig and EQ, they can be smooth and fat, growly and fat, or in between.

The Sads are similar to the Labella flats in the same guage, but are a bit more agressive and a bit less thumpy (i.e. the note comes on quicker with less initial thump).

Both are my favorite traditional style flats, as I love the richness of the mids, the big low end, and the just right amount of upper mids to add definition.

Chromes sound better to me on a P: something about the pronounced high mids bugs me on Js.

In the end a string is like a singing voice, you've just got to hear it yourself on a given instrument to know if the voice is the one you like over another.

jazzboi · #11 01-12-2009, 09:27 AM

And what are your opinions about D'Addario Chromes? I can get them easily here in Hungary,and heard a soundclip here at TB from Smallmouth Bass and dig the sound. Do you think it would be great in a rock musical environment?

Thanks

ps.: we play half step down,so maybe the tension won't be that noticeable. Anyways I want a string that feels like the roundwounds on my P bass,with a fuller sound.

JoelEoM · #12 01-12-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzboi

And what are your opinions about D'Addario Chromes? I can get them easily here in Hungary,and heard a soundclip here at TB from Smallmouth Bass and dig the sound. Do you think it would be great in a rock musical environment?

Thanks

ps.: we play half step down,so maybe the tension won't be that noticeable. Anyways I want a string that feels like the roundwounds on my P bass,with a fuller sound.

i string chromes on a cirrus bxp, and they cut thru like no other. one of the bands i play in is a rock project, a la taking back sunday/brand new etc. the sit perfectly in the mix. i absolutely hate the top end you get from most rounds, and even with the flats on i still cut my highs. all the rounds ive ever used always seem to have a mid-scoop, to my ears. im itching to try a set of TIs just for comparison, but the chromes really do it for me right now.

Slackerprince · #13 01-12-2009, 03:12 PM

I have Chromes on 4 of my basses, and Fender Flats on my P. The Fenders have just a little more texture than the Chromes, but they feel and sound good. The Chromes are smooth as butter, and you'd have to play for a 1000 hours to get them to chafe your fingers. I recommend either.
Would like to try the DR sometime.

S.

PRUNEFACE · #14 01-12-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzboi

Hi guys,
Yesterday,and today too I was listening to our recorded songs on MySpace,and than I was playing my new (old) P-bass a little. And I discovered it sounds good,like a 33 years old instrument should,but the new strings "rattle" (aka. "new string sound") annoys me and on the recording my jazz bass sounds like a tin rolled down from a hill (or at least to me).
Maybe it's because nowadays I was listening to a lot of Jamerson,and Black Sabbath stuff,and also Deep Purple,and the likes,and they have that kind of really thick fat and growly P-tone,which I want to have here at home. (this was issue
So my question is. Will a flatwound string solve my above mentio
I've looked at GHS Precision Flats,because they are made 0.45-.65-.85-.105 size,which I mainly use. (I don't know if there's sound and are similar in feel to the rounds (I mean they're as tight as a roundwound),and not that "light",because I play fairly hard.

Thank you!

deep purple guy used a ric, butler used a jazz/alembic. Jamerson used a p though

Craig_S · #15 01-12-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

deep purple guy used a ric

Roger Glover used a P-Bass every time I saw him.

Hamrhed · #16 01-12-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

butler used a jazz/alembic

Actually, Terry 'Geezer' Butler used a Fender Precision bass to start, then made his way to an Ampeg Dan Armstrong plexiglass bass. Later w/ Dio-era Sabbath he used a BC Rich Mockingbird, followed by an endorsement w/ Vigier basses when he toured w/ Sabbath,Ozzy and GZR. He now uses Lakland Bob Glaub and Joe Osborne basses

[Edit] I stand corrected- GB actually used a BC Rich Eagle when I saw him w/ Sabbath in '81!

jmceachern36 · #17 01-14-2009, 05:02 AM

Like someone else already said, it's always time for flats! I use the GHS (45-105) that you mentioned, on both of my P Basses and they sound great. I feel like they have less tension than the other flatwounds that I've tried (Labella, Chromes, Roto). They aren't high priced either.

joelb79 · #18 01-14-2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Lab Bella makes a .45-105 set in the Deep Talkin' flats and they are lovely, lovely strings. If you've never tried them, you should. They're great on your fingers and last just about forever. Here's your link: http://www.juststrings.com/lab-760fs.html

Yep!

I've got those on my P. They have the warmth, growl and bottom end I was looking for. They will NOT be coming off.

jazzboi · #19 01-15-2009, 09:56 AM

Hi guys,

Just let you know,that today I've got my first set of flats,which are D'Addario Chromes.
By far I really dig these strings,they feel a little strange (sticky maybe),but that's all. My P never sounded this good! Ultra Mojo...

Hopefully I can try it through a real amp soon, (because now I just plug it direct into my MacBook and Garageband) because we'll have a gig tomorrow.

After that I'll let you know my experiences!

Thanks and have a good night!

Frank Orlando · #20 01-15-2009, 12:07 PM

I just posted this on another thread here. I think it applies here too and I'm too lazy to re-type it:

My 2 cents:
For me, it's all about getting a fat, clear, growly, classic P-Bass tone, both with the tone up and rolled off using my fingers. I don't slap and rarely use a pick. I have an alder 57 RI P-Bass body with a new Highway One Jazz neck ( yes, Jazz) and a Fender "Original '62" pickup and Gotoh 203 bridge, .047mfd tone cap.

I had D'addario Chromes on my P. Nice when you have nothing to compare them too. Then I tried the TI's. Also nice, but very similar in sound to the Chromes. Maybe a tiny bit more low mids. Maybe. Then I put on a set of LaBella 760FL's ... I started out smiling and then, joyous laughter!! No comparison! The Labella's were fatter and much more musical right out of the package. Wonderful deep and fat tone compared to the Chromes or the TI's. The TI's had over a month of daily playing. Still no comparison. I put away my TI's. You can't understand or appreciate this unless YOU personally tried them both. You can't get this realization from hearing a friend tell you or reading it in a forum. The 760's are just plain fatter and growlier while being as clear as TI's or Chromes. My point of reference is from actually playing in a band situation at volume, with a 4Pro playing classic rock, blues and Motown... and yes, from also sitting on my couch with a 25 watt combo. Do yourself a favor. Try these strings.