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6-string Flats

Jan 15, 2019
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I'm looking for a set of flatwound strings for my new Ibanez 6-string SR (34" scale). I don't think I can handle muting and reducing string noise with these extra strings, so flats should help with one of those issues.

My preferred flats are Fender 9050L and EB Cobalts, though the last set of EBs had a G string that sounded a little off. But in any case, neither of these are available for a 6 string.

My only experience with La Bella is a recent set of Bass VI flats I put on my Squier VI. I'm really not happy with that set because the timbre of the upper 3 strings is much different from the lower ones. I had to add a mute to the upper strings to improve uniformity.

Would I run into this with a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats for standard scale bass? And will these be similar to the Fender 9050Ls?

The other option I see out there is a 6-string set from SIT. I have never tried SIT strings though, but see positive reviews.

SIT also has a set of half-rounds but I read here that they are sticky (I'm guessing similar to the D'Addario half-rounds which I didn't like due to sticky feel).
 
If you like the Fender 9050 flats, but need a factory 6-string set, Dunlop flats do come in 30-45-65-85-105-125. They're slightly more flexible (= less stiff) than the Fender but closer in tonal character to them (= semi-modern) than the La Bella flats (= old school).

 
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I'm a big fan of the SIT strings. They're an excellent value overall. And their customer service is nothing short of amazing!

SIT Power Flats also come in a factory 6-string set, for about half the price of the Dunlop.

 
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Thanks @michael_t ! I had not seen the Dunlop flats so I appreciate that recommendation. Those are pretty expensive though!

If I can I like to put things like this on my Sweetwater card and pay out over time, and only the La Bella Golds are available there. They cost about the same as the SITs. Any experience with those?

1738168799642.png


Some reviews say they are too "stiff" also the B/E string are too short (silk on the nut). That's a bit scary for a $70 set of strings...
 
If I can I like to put things like this on my Sweetwater card and pay out over time, and only the La Bella Golds are available there. They cost about the same as the SITs. Any experience with those?

View attachment 7138309

Some reviews say they are too "stiff" also the B/E string are too short (silk on the nut). That's a bit scary for a $70 set of strings...
I would never use the La Bella Gold Flats for myself. They're 80/20 brass, which has their own tonal character. I would prefer stainless steel for flats. But that's just my own personal preference.

I would take the SIT over the Dunlop any day, just for the price alone.
 
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I'm looking for a set of flatwound strings for my new Ibanez 6-string SR (34" scale). I don't think I can handle muting and reducing string noise with these extra strings, so flats should help with one of those issues.

My preferred flats are Fender 9050L and EB Cobalts, though the last set of EBs had a G string that sounded a little off. But in any case, neither of these are available for a 6 string.

My only experience with La Bella is a recent set of Bass VI flats I put on my Squier VI. I'm really not happy with that set because the timbre of the upper 3 strings is much different from the lower ones. I had to add a mute to the upper strings to improve uniformity.

Would I run into this with a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats for standard scale bass? And will these be similar to the Fender 9050Ls?

The other option I see out there is a 6-string set from SIT. I have never tried SIT strings though, but see positive reviews.

SIT also has a set of half-rounds but I read here that they are sticky (I'm guessing similar to the D'Addario half-rounds which I didn't like due to sticky feel).
First of all, since future posters may happen into this thread because of its title, a list of pre-packaged 6-string flatwound sets (complete to the best of my knowledge; integrations welcome) :

- Thomastik-Infeld (JF346)
www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/guitar-strings/bass-guitar/jazz-flat-wound
- La Bella (a number of them)
www.labella.com/product/760fl-cb/
www.labella.com/product/760fgs-cb/

www.labella.com/product/osf-6-olinto-signature-flats/
- Optima (4099.CB)
optima-strings.com/shop/de/elektrobass/flatwounds/295/4099.cb-e-bass-flatwound-strings-satz-6-string-low-b-high-c
- Dogal (JC106B6030, JC106C6035; JH1726S)
Link Removed
www.dogalstrings.it/en/perfect-pitch-flat-wound
- Galli (JF35130; BSN760; AJF32128)
Link Removed
Link Removed

Link Removed
- Rotosound (RS776)
www.rotosound.com/product/rs776/
- S.I.T. (PF630130L)
sitstrings.com/product/power-flat-wound-bass-strings/?attribute_pa_gauge=pf630130l
- Dunlop (DBFS30125)
www.jimdunlop.com/stainless-steel-flatwound-bass-strings-30-125-6-string/

- Magma (technically they're groundwounds, but more polished than others; BE146SUF, BE156SUF, BE166SUF, BE176SUF)
www.magmastrings.com/eng/1_1_2_ultra_flat_process_stainless_steel_round_wound.html

Pyramid, Octave4Plus and Lemma Sound make custom flatwound sets.
Other companies offer flatwound 5-string sets and single high C flatwound strings. (Others yet lack one of the other ingredient.)


Since you like Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds (aka "cobalt flats"), you could either get the Magmas (they're said to compare favourably),
or the 5-string EB set (2816), and harvest the 032 string from the 2593 6-string guitar set for your high C (you could also keep the 042 as a spare G). They have a good chance to be long enough for a 34" top-loading 6-string bass, and only need a washer, an old ball ball end or similar, for the small ball end to be caught at the bridge.
 
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First of all, since future posters may happen into this thread because of its title, a list of pre-packaged 6-string flatwound sets (complete to the best of my knowledge; integrations welcome) :

- Thomastik-Infeld (JF346)
www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/guitar-strings/bass-guitar/jazz-flat-wound
- La Bella (a number of them)
www.labella.com/product/760fl-cb/
www.labella.com/product/760fgs-cb/

www.labella.com/product/osf-6-olinto-signature-flats/
- Optima (4099.CB)
optima-strings.com/shop/de/elektrobass/flatwounds/295/4099.cb-e-bass-flatwound-strings-satz-6-string-low-b-high-c
- Dogal (JC106B6030, JC106C6035; JH1726S)
Link Removed
www.dogalstrings.it/en/perfect-pitch-flat-wound
- Galli (JF35130; BSN760; AJF32128)
Link Removed
Link Removed

Link Removed
- Rotosound (RS776)
www.rotosound.com/product/rs776/
- S.I.T. (PF630130L)
sitstrings.com/product/power-flat-wound-bass-strings/?attribute_pa_gauge=pf630130l
- Dunlop (DBFS30125)
www.jimdunlop.com/stainless-steel-flatwound-bass-strings-30-125-6-string/

- Magma (technically they're groundwounds, but more polished than others; BE146SUF, BE156SUF, BE166SUF, BE176SUF)
www.magmastrings.com/eng/1_1_2_ultra_flat_process_stainless_steel_round_wound.html

Pyramid, Octave4Plus and Lemma Sound make custom flatwound sets.
Other companies offer flatwound 5-string sets and single high C flatwound strings. (Others yet lack one of the other ingredient.)


Since you like Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds (aka "cobalt flats"), you could either get the Magmas (they're said to compare favourably),
or the 5-string EB set (2816), and harvest the 032 string from the 2593 6-string guitar set for your high C (you could also keep the 042 as a spare G). They have a good chance to be long enough for a 34" top-loading 6-string bass, and only need a washer, an old ball ball end or similar, for the small ball end to be caught at the bridge.
This is very helpful, thanks! I'll look at that approach for the EBs but as I said above I had an issue with my last set, so I'm hesitant. I may go with the SITs which are available for $50 and may match up well to my favorite 9050s.
 
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These are the other (non-gold) La Bella options at Sweetwater. The Deep Talkin' flats are special order but they have the Olinto.

I'd have to dig a little to see how the Olinto compare with the DTBs, and how the Olinto might compare to the Fender 9050s. Any insight there would be appreciated too!

The gauge pattern seems a little off for the Olinto strings. (gauge differences of 18, 27, 12, 19 and 17). What's up with that 27 and 12?

1738271111124.png
 
I think I found a solution for my string issue. This post:


Suggested an over-string mute that turns out to be very easy to implement.

I bought a big sheet of black foam "paper" from my local craft shop for 96 cents. Cut a little strip about 1/2 wide and long enough to cover the upper 3 strings. Just cut slits about halfway through, slide over the 3 upper strings and push it all the way up to the saddles. It provides a perfect amount of muting to make the timbre match! Super cheap and easy solution.

My only problems are 1) I don't particularly like the pickups on this bass (too dark) and 2) still not quite sure what to do with this VI or how to play it. But I'm going to hang onto it for now, pick it up from time to time and see if motivation gets me one day. If I keep it maybe a pickup swap will be in order down the road.
 
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