what are THE flatwound strings?

brianh · #1 09-21-2007, 08:32 PM

I'm going to try some flats on my P-Bass and I don't really know where to start. I wanna get a good impression without spending lots on experimenting...so whats THE flatwound people use (i.e. Pino Palladino!)? If it's at all relevant, I typically use guages .050-.105 on a 4 string.

Thanks
bh

DavePlaysBass · #2 09-21-2007, 09:37 PM

I just read on the Fender Forum a thread raving on the qualities of the LaBella as a good starting point. They come in four different sizes. You would probably want the FS (45-65-85-105) or the heavier FM. I personally have used TI flats and EB flats. Both very different. I like TIs best but they are not close to your 50-105. But at the end of the day everyone has opinions on what the best flat should be and they don't all line up.

I have a set of LaBella FLs I am trying to figure out which bass to put them on. I have a G&L that needs taming but I have a 50s P on the way that may get the honors of breaking them in.

link

Dave

xlows · #3 09-21-2007, 09:45 PM

TI. TI TI TI. A thousand times TI.

jmal · #4 09-21-2007, 09:56 PM

You'll probably get a lot of TI votes, but I like LaBella better than anything. I think they sound great and feel great. TIs seem a little thin for me both in sound and feel. Fender flats sound decent too, but they feel like crap and the difference in quality is very apparent. If you are going for anything close to a classic blues or Motown sound, LaBellas are the way to go.

trb6pJM2 · #5 09-21-2007, 10:00 PM

TI or Labella. I'd Have to go with TI

(That's Tomastik Infield ifin ya didnt know)

Paul New · #6 09-21-2007, 10:07 PM

I like TI too, but they don`t sound like flatwounds.

For a special treat, try LaBella tapes.

James Hart · #7 09-21-2007, 10:16 PM

TI are too loose for me... I use the heaviest set of LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass Flats I can buy. You just can't beat the tone of them once they get broken in.

pbass2 · #8 09-21-2007, 10:22 PM

Labellas for THE classic sound (ESPECIALLY on a Pbass!). Chromes for a more modern (and a bit more versatile) sound--great for rock.
I do also like the sound of the Fender flats for a classic vibe, but the kooky guages of the stock set just never worked for me . . .

#9 09-21-2007, 10:28 PM

My first choice would be La Bella 760FL's.

TI's sound great but I don't like their very low tension.

George

Bobby King · #10 09-21-2007, 11:02 PM

There's a couple different varieties of flats. For the traditional old-school Motown/Stax sound - Labella, Sadowsky, Rotosound and Ernie Ball are all good. They're deep and thumpy and have classic flatwound feel. I like these on a P- Bass.

Then there's a few different style flats that are both good but different.

D'Addario Chromes are brighter and more sustaining than the traditionals, they have a somewhat stiff feel and a strong midrange presence. I have a set of these on my Jazz bass and I love them.

Thomastik TI Jazz flats are very different from a string like Labellas. They are very thin in diameter, very low tension, they have a lot of sustain for a flatwound, and they have a very mid-heavy sound. They are a little like upright strings. People either love these or hate them. I only ever liked them on a fretless, and they were great for that.

Of course, strings sound and feel different depending on the bass. You'll probably need to experiment a bit.

brianh · #11 09-21-2007, 11:20 PM

Looks like Labella or Rotosound might be the way to go first?

I've got a vintage p-sound in mind...old motown/stax stuff....but also need to do rock and country gigs....?

Bobby King · #12 09-21-2007, 11:27 PM

The Chromes are little more versatile for rock or country and you can still get them to sound Motown-y. But you might want to try a set of Labellas first to get the classic sound/feel to compare others to. My faves are actually the Sadowskys for this kind of flat.

shostkontrabass · #13 09-21-2007, 11:31 PM

I'm glad this thread was started. I'm going to start using flatwounds on my Ibanez Musician for more of the "upright feel" and was wondering which type people recommend. I think I'll try the LaBellas.

markdavid · #14 09-22-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianh

Looks like Labella or Rotosound might be the way to go first?

I've got a vintage p-sound in mind...old motown/stax stuff....but also need to do rock and country gigs....?

Rotosound would not be the right flat for you , they are VERY BRIGHT sounding, brighter than some flatwounds. I would avoid the Rotosounds or the Chromes if you are after traditional sounds

markdavid · #15 09-22-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

I just read on the Fender Forum a thread raving on the qualities of the LaBella as a good starting point. They come in four different sizes. You would probably want the FS (45-65-85-105) or the heavier FM. I personally have used TI flats and EB flats. Both very different. I like TIs best but they are not close to your 50-105. But at the end of the day everyone has opinions on what the best flat should be and they don't all line up.

I have a set of LaBella FLs I am trying to figure out which bass to put them on. I have a G&L that needs taming but I have a 50s P on the way that may get the honors of breaking them in.

link

Dave

Ive always wanted to try the Labellas , I have EB Flats on at the moment , which are fine but I would like something a bit darker sounding. Please post back and let me know how you got on with the labellas