45-100 flatwound strings

[hgrind]

I'm looking for flatwound strings with about 45-100 gauge to put on a P-bass (either a Fender American Vintage '62 reissue or a Lakland Bob Glaub). I'm used to 45-100 Sunbeams on the P-bass, and don't want much stiffer strings, so it has to be of similar tension. Also want them to be deep sounding. What are my best options? I've found these in 45-100 gauge, but doesn't know the rest: Ernie Ball Flatwounds, D'Addario Chromes, Dean Markley Flatwounds, Fender (50-100), TI (43-100), SIT Power Flats (not entirely flat?). Could either of these be it, or are there others? I use DR strings, but can't find the gauge or where to buy DR Flats.

 

[billoetjen]

I'm always looking for the perfect tone, so strings are important to me. I've never used anything but flats.
Tried a lot of the ones on your list. At this point, I'm pretty settled on D'Addario Chromes (ECB82, the 50-105 mediums) for fretted and TI Jazz flats for fretless. The 45-100 Chromes should be fairly similar, but they'll be missing some of the harmonic richness and physical tension of the med's. Chromes are beautiful sounding to my ear. Especially after they're broken-in. They're too chimey at first. Almost like rounds, but they quickly mellow out.

Have fun.
Bill

 

[Mushroo]

I use and recommend the TI jazz flats. They are lower tension than other brands of flats, so I think they are an easy transition from roundwounds.

 

[73jbass]

I have EB's on one of my Sterlings. Tension is similar to my other basses with roundwounds. Labellas are an exellent choice also.

 

[Flounder102Bass]

Daddarios are the best flat they have 45 -100

 

[Bongolation]

I suggest you try Fender 9050L flatwounds, which are .045"-.095" in size, the lightest of three 9050 gauges, all of which sound different.

They are not the be-all and end-all of flatwounds, but they have two excellent points in their favor:

1: They will fit your Precision.

2: They are cheap, about $18 a set.

They are not especially low-tension for their gauge, but Fender doesn't publish tension figure, so anything anyone tells you would be subjective (worthless) anyway.

 

[One Drop]

I suggest you try Fender 9050L flatwounds, which are .045"-.095" in size, the lightest of three 9050 gauges, all of which sound different.

They are not the be-all and end-all of flatwounds, but they have two excellent points in their favor:

1: They will fit your Precision.

2: They are cheap, about $18 a set.

They are not especially low-tension for their gauge, but Fender doesn't publish tension figure, so anything anyone tells you would be subjective (worthless) anyway.

+1. For a classic thumpy flat the Fenders sound best in the .100 set to my ears, closer to a .105 Labella, FWIW.

 

[i_g55]

I suggest you give a shot at Rotosound Monel Flatwounds. For the real old-school P-Bass tone, I'd suggest LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass Flats or the LaBella Vintage 1954 (aka the Jamerson Set), however they're stiffer than the DR's you are used to. The Rotosound flats are;
- Deep enough to enjoy the flatwound vibe (even on the 12th fret on the G string)
- Bright enough not to miss the former DR rounds
- With tension very close to the similar gauged roundwounds...

My experience is based on a MIJ 57 Reissue Fender Precision (alder body, maple neck).

 

[Mastermold]

I'm looking for flatwound strings with about 45-100 gauge to put on a P-bass (either a Fender American Vintage '62 reissue or a Lakland Bob Glaub). I'm used to 45-100 Sunbeams on the P-bass, and don't want much stiffer strings, so it has to be of similar tension. Also want them to be deep sounding. What are my best options? I've found these in 45-100 gauge, but doesn't know the rest: Ernie Ball Flatwounds, D'Addario Chromes, Dean Markley Flatwounds, Fender (50-100), TI (43-100), SIT Power Flats (not entirely flat?). Could either of these be it, or are there others? I use DR strings, but can't find the gauge or where to buy DR Flats.

DR flats -- just one guage (.045 - .105). You can buy them here:

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...102913101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

You may want to try La Bella flats too.

Good luck!

 

[Jim Carr]

Light Flats I like and use: Ernie Ball Flatwounds, D'Addario Chromes, Fender L's (50-100), and TI (43-100). Old basses like these.

 

[seanm]

Most 45-100 flats are going to be higher tension than 45-100 rounds. In general, it is mass that matters for tension, not thickness. And there is generally more mass in a flat wound string of the same thickness as a round.

TI Jazz would probably be your best bet to keep the tension the same. They have a silk wrapping that helps keeps the weight down.

 

[ProfGumby]

I have the Dr Flats (45 - 105) and they are really nice strings. And they have a deep low end that none of the other strings I have provide!

I have them on a Jazz bass and they out thump the Rotosound 77's on my P bass!

 

[DavePlaysBass]

Labella 760FLs feel very close to 45-100 rounds. 45-100 rounds are my preferred gauge and 760FLs on my P-bass are very comfortable.

Dave

 

[Bongolation]

Fender L's (50-100)

Those are 9050MLs. 9050Ls are .045"-.095". I just put a set on one of my basses. I have 9050MLs on my Music Man passive and they sound fine, but the 9050Ls seem a bit brighter to me. Like both infinitely better than 9050Ms, which are awful on everything I've tried so far.

It seems to me that someone, maybe Dude Barr, warned me about 9050Ms a long time ago, but I wasn't paying attention.

 

[lmfreeman9]

I use and recommend the TI jazz flats. They are lower tension than other brands of flats, so I think they are an easy transition from roundwounds.

+1 on the TI's and for the same reasons.

 

[hgrind]

Thank you so much, all of you! I think I will go for the TI's.

 

[optikhog]

+1 on the TI's and for the same reasons.

+2 - another vote here for the TI Jazz Flats. I've tried oh-so many flatwounds and keep coming back.