Trying to find an ideal string: smooth, semi-bright, for downtuning

kbi the crowing · #1 07-05-2011, 09:44 PM

I currently have GHS flatwounds on my jazz bass and I love how smooth they are. However they are a little too dark for me in the lower register, good thump but not enough bite.

I'm looking for the smoothest string I can find with balanced tonality; any suggestions?

I also tune my bass to D standard, & have been thinking about Circle K. Can anyone comment on how smooth they are?

iiipopes · #2 07-05-2011, 09:58 PM

The new reformulated Fender flats, especially their new balanced 9050CL set, have great balance both string to string and up the neck. Granted, this is at standard tension. I've never tried them drop tuned. But it's worth a shot, as they are relatively inexpensive.

kbi the crowing · #3 07-05-2011, 10:11 PM

My current strings are similar gauges, actually smaller on the higher strings, so that wouldn't be a bad set to try. Thank you

SLaPiNFuNK · #4 07-06-2011, 02:38 AM

If you are open to strings that are not "Flatwounds" there are a lot of options.

There are Compression / Pressure Wounds, and also Half Rounds / Slick Rounds. My favorite "non-round / non-flat" are the Compression wounds. They may be what you are looking for. I detuned a set with a .105 E on my P bass to D and it was still punchy.

joelb79 · #5 07-06-2011, 05:55 PM

I use a roundwound set of single string d-addarios that has very even tension in drop D and standard E. 105-75-55-40. About 35lbs on the D and 38lbs on the E. The rest of the strings are 36-35lbs tension. Cant stop raving about how great this string set feels really. I'm not much of a flats guy, too dark not enough punch or upper mid bite to make it through the mixes I play.

Deaky · #6 07-06-2011, 06:02 PM

I'm my opinion I don't think you can get a better flatwound string than LaBellas.

J-O · #7 07-07-2011, 12:21 PM

I'd suggest trying a set of the Rotosound 77's. They are brighter than the typical flatwound string, and the high tension/stiffness is great for drop tuning. I had a standard set on a pbass tuned D G C F and they worked great.

DavePlaysBass · #8 07-07-2011, 09:10 PM

Chromes may get you some brightness relative to the GHSs. And they come in a 50-70-85-105 set.