What flatwounds would work best on a Stingray?

madbassplaya · #1 03-15-2009, 11:36 AM

I used to own a jazz bass that had flatwound strings on it, and I loved the tension and lowend thump those strings produced, however, I sold the Jazz and moved on to playing a Stingray 5 string. I am incredibly happy with this bass. I absolutely love it! After playing our worship set this morning, I really thought my bass could use some flatwounds on it. I just performed a search to see if anyone actually put flats on a Ray and found that people do. I felt it may take away from the sound, since its such an aggressive instrument, but I think they would sound good and I am wanting to give them a try.

I had Chromes on my Jazz. Would those be good for a Stingray? I'm wanting something with solid lowend thump, that still has some good highs to it too. Nothing too dead sounding.

Anyway, I thought i'd see what you recommended. I'm currently looking at the Chromes and EB Slinky Flatwounds pretty hard.

Thanks for your help and opinions!

Sean Baumann · #2 03-15-2009, 04:16 PM

I had chromes on my old stingray 5 for awhile, sounded great. Be careful when stringing up a stingray with flats, the tuning pegs don't really grab them very well. I had to do a reverse wind first, then get them going the right direction to get them to not to slip off.

mobis.fr · #3 03-16-2009, 10:23 AM

i love the light fender... but they are not available in a 5 string set.

RickenBoogie · #4 03-16-2009, 11:37 AM

Roto Jazz flats are my favorite, but again, 4 string only.

Double Agent · #5 03-16-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I'm wanting something with solid lowend thump, that still has some good highs to it too. Nothing too dead sounding.

Sounds like you are describing Chromes to me. I have them on my P-bass Special and they fantastic. As a caveat, I know that over on the EBMM boards a lot of folks like the TI Jazz Flats for a rather bright flat with lots of thump. However, I like a decent amount of tension and TIJFs are apparently loose as a goose, so they wouldn't work for me. If you like low tension, they are worth a shot as they are a very highly regarded string. Otherwise, I would go with Chromes.

And both Chromes and TIJFs are available for a 5er, so no problems there.

RobertPaulson · #6 03-16-2009, 12:09 PM

I just put chromes on my SR4, I love them - I may just be a flatwound convert now.

madbassplaya · #7 03-16-2009, 04:03 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I do believe I will be going with the Chromes.

OneMoreRobot · #8 03-16-2009, 07:06 PM

That's weird, I was just about to ask the same question....

Nice input haha.

I mainly wanted to know after listening to "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. That bass tone is amazing, I"m guessing Jazz bass with flatwounds?

Groover · #9 03-17-2009, 02:03 PM

You may also want to consider a set of Sadowsky flats (black label). Nice strings. I think they may be a good fit for the SR5 and how your describing the sound your looking for.

mozarwasagenius · #10 03-19-2009, 10:56 PM

Now I'm interested in going this route myself.

Which strings did you use on the SR5 and what has been your impression?

Sundogue · #11 03-20-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMoreRobot

That's weird, I was just about to ask the same question....

Nice input haha.

I mainly wanted to know after listening to "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. That bass tone is amazing, I"m guessing Jazz bass with flatwounds?

Leon Wilkeson mostly used a Thunderbird during Skynyrd's heyday and played with a pick. I don't know what brand of strings he used, but I think his Thunderbird gave him his sound more than anything else.

I loved Leon's playing. Skynyrd wouldn't have been the same band without him.

Baker69 · #12 03-20-2009, 06:39 AM

I've always found that with my SR5 it doesn't sound very good unless it has fairly new (Roundwound) strings on it, once the strings start to lose their zing it seems to lose it's tone, so to put Flats on it I'm not sure how it would sound, pretty bland probably?

Sundogue · #13 03-20-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baker69

I've always found that with my SR5 it doesn't sound very good unless it has fairly new (Roundwound) strings on it, once the strings start to lose their zing it seems to lose it's tone, so to put Flats on it I'm not sure how it would sound, pretty bland probably?

While not zingy bright and piano-like, Chromes don't sound like that typical dull thud some flats have. TI's and Chromes are pretty bright for flats, though nothing like roundwounds. Not sure how they'd sound on a Ray though.

Whatever you do, don't put flats on if you want to gig in LA. I hear they don't like flats there.

krovx · #14 05-01-2010, 07:56 PM

Resurrecting the thread.

I want to put flats on my SR Dlx Classic. I am debating between the TI , Chromes, and GHS brites. I like looser strings and most fender flats that I have played felt tense to me and sounded darker. TIs seem to sound like a great start. Suggestions?

krovx · #15 05-05-2010, 08:15 AM

Going to try half rounds first, then possibly Thomastik Jazz Flats.

Captain Howdy · #16 05-05-2010, 10:53 AM

Not a Stingray, but I put Chromes on my fretless MM SUB and I quite like them.

odin70 · #17 05-05-2010, 10:56 AM

Roto. I would love to try them on Stingray. I only use 4 strings but theres a 5 string set as well.