What is the best set of flatwound strings for under $60?

Eric Albany · #1 07-30-2011, 08:50 PM

I need some help. I'm on a very limited budget and need very good flatwounds for under $60. I'm already planing on buying D'Addario Chromes because thats what was on my bass when I got it and they sounded good even though they were dead ,but I do have enough for one more set of strings.

tjh · #2 07-30-2011, 09:17 PM

FWIW, "best' is extremely subjective ... in any case, $60 is not a very restrictive budget at all, especially if you want to try a few sets, buy used and you should be able to get a couple sets for that price and sell off what you dont care for with very little monetary loss if any ... JMHO

SLaPiNFuNK · #3 07-30-2011, 09:24 PM

For a 4 string set, that gets you nearly any set...

Eric Albany · #4 07-30-2011, 09:29 PM

I need new sets, not old. I know that D'Addario Chromes sound good even when they're dead, but I'm thinking that I need other new ones. Fender sells it's flatwounds around $40, but I don't think I wanna try em just yet.

PBnJBassist · #5 07-30-2011, 09:29 PM

I think you can get TI flats for $53. It's under $60 and (from what I've heard) they play & sound like butter. Or you can get 3 sets of GHS precision flats, or 1 Fender extra light flats coupled with GHS flats and another Chrome set that's a different gauge from the ones you already have.

Actually, Fender sells them (at least in USA) for $20. If you're going to try them, get extra light, not the regular light. The tension loosens up on the regular lights, but it's still too stiff for my fingers.

Oh and P.S. I'm involved in the Flatwound Paying-It-Forward thing. PM me if you want me to hook you up with a free set of Fender regular light gauge flats to try out. They're barely used with a week's worth of usage. Still crisp and full of zing. I recently changed to GHS precision flats, so I wouldn't mind sending them off for a fellow bassist on a budget.

michla · #6 07-30-2011, 10:04 PM

Rotosound Monel Flatwound
$30
nice sound

Bassamatic · #7 07-30-2011, 10:21 PM

C'Mon Guys - The LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats - the 760s - the originals. If you want the classic sound, this is the only way.

BStringJerry · #8 07-30-2011, 10:37 PM

You can get the La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass 760N Black Nylon Tape Wound on the Carvin site for $19.99.

Carvin.com :: 4012

Eric Albany · #9 07-30-2011, 10:40 PM

I want to have .40-.100 gauge flatwounds.

Eric Albany · #10 07-30-2011, 10:49 PM

I have Musicians Gear .45-.105 Nickel plated Steel electric bass strings and would like something that sounds more vintage and more dark.

madmatt · #11 07-30-2011, 10:59 PM

Fenders. I have had a set on my P for months now and they still sound good.
And they are under $20.00.
If you want dark, turn down your tone knob.

PBnJBassist · #12 07-30-2011, 11:04 PM

If you want more dark and vintage, GHS or La Bella flats. Fender flats are good, too, a plus side is the "growl" they have. It's also a minus in a case if someone just wants thump and no growl.

LiamCohl · #13 07-30-2011, 11:29 PM

the TI flats are great, got them on 2 basses and exactly as said, they play like butter, they are by far the softest feeling flat available, tons of bottom and can be made to growl a lot more than most heavier flats, but not quite the same low mid thump as some of the stiffer more old school feeling ones like labellas or heavier ghs'. played the chromes for about a year before trying more and figuring out what I really liked best. Im a big fan of real dead old flats, had mostly the same set of .110 labella's on the workhorse p for about 5 years now, had to change a couple broken ones eventually. mind you I have tried switching the labellas from the p and TI's from the glaub and absolutely hated the way both of them felt and sounded, even with 2 p basses, so try as many things as you can, and don't be afraid to leave them on for longer than you think you should, it will open up some different sounds you might enjoy from all of the sets as the feel and tone of them settles.... on my fretless I've been using the ghs half rounds for quite a while as well and nothing can beat those for roundwoundish growl but flat wound cleanness and feel.

Eric Albany · #14 07-31-2011, 12:01 AM

I have a fretless Jazz bass and a fretted P bass. Not impressed with my P bass, but my J bass breaths excellence(IMO) and is the one that came with the dead flats. The only problem with dead flats is that they become more quiet and eventually become silent.

One Drop · #15 07-31-2011, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Albany

I have a fretless Jazz bass and a fretted P bass. Not impressed with my P bass, but my J bass breaths excellence(IMO) and is the one that came with the dead flats. The only problem with dead flats is that they become more quiet and eventually become silent.

No they don't.

Not sure why you think you need new flats. Have you ever heard flats when new?

BogeyBass · #16 07-31-2011, 03:54 AM

Another flat wound thread woo

one more time Rotosound

If you like 40-100 use the SM77 set

bassnat · #17 08-01-2011, 08:41 PM

Chromes.

Shoewreck · #18 08-02-2011, 03:21 AM

I don't know what tone tone/feel are you after, but since you're asking I can recommend you a set of TI Jazz Flats. Obtainable online for about 60$.

emor · #19 08-02-2011, 07:19 AM

Pyramids are the most expensive I've seen (usually around $71), but Strings and Beyond have them for $52.95, free shipping.
I've been wanting to try these and this is comparable to what I pay for TIs (just ordered my first set last night).

Eric Albany · #20 08-04-2011, 11:07 PM

I want a vintage, rusty, dark tone. I mostly play metal.