(5 string) P Bass: "1 with rounds, 1 with flats." So which flats?

[Maxi Funkl]

I have never really used flats because I want that crisp response of rounds Nickel-plated is my preference. But I did put on a set of Erine Ball Cobalt Flats because the hype was they sound very similar to rounds. So, I threw a set on my Charvel PJ IV and I couldn't be happier. I'm sure flat string purist may not like them but Thumping & Popping on them just sing. I'm not a pick user but.even tried that with a heavy distorted fuzz tone was awesome. I've heard people say their set rusted but I've personally haven't seen that and this bass sits on a guitar rack 24/7.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Confirmed. Chromes are plenty smooth if you wipe them down before you put them on (I use a very lightly damp cloth and then dry them thoroughly, some folks have recommended using rubbing alcohol).

I use ernie ball string wipes

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I haven't found whatever it is you all have that inspires such romance in the way we talk about flats on a p bass.

My second p style is coming in a few days, and it'll get rounds. Pretty sure I'll try flats on my current one and see if I can find the magic.

No romance for me. No magic. Never found it in 30 years of playing Precision Basses and occasionally putting the flatwounds on to "enjoy" and see if my perspective has changed. It never has. Maybe some time it will, but after all this time, they're just not for me, and it's not something I'm "just not getting". I just don't like them on anything, or anyone else's electric bass either.

It's fine to not be into roundwounds no matter who likes them or uses them. And it's fine to like roundwounds if you like them. I'm just saying ignore the "I should like this because 'everyone else' does."

Good luck with it.

 

[wboyd68]

I always come back to Labella 760s.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Get a set of these

La Bella OSF5 Olinto Signature Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - .047-.125 Standard 5-string

.047-.125 Flatwound Stainless Steel 5-string Bass Strings, Standard Long Scale

www.google.com

 

[Sam Dingle]

Labella

 

[Paul New]

I've tried a lot of flats over the years and like GHS, various LaBella edpecislly the Originsl 1954s, etc…but have converted entirely to TI jazz flats. Except for the five string set. I have not found a flat wound B string that sounds or plays worth crap.

 

[SteveBlair]

I have TI Jazz flats on all my p basses (4). The buy in is prohibitive for a lot of people trying them out for the first time but I highly recommend them. LaBella Deep Talking flats are like bridge cables to me but I know a few upright players that love them for that reason. TIs are very low tension. Something to consider, rounds, for most people peak right out of the package as far as tone. But flat wounds take a lot of time to break in and sound really good. I have a heavily used set on my main P that is 5+ years old. Pino is still running a set from the early 90s on one of his p basses.

 

[overit]

I like the light flats - Labella 760FL-B. Maybe you just don't like flats but want something different - try tapewounds. I have the White Copper Nylons Labellas on my 5-string P and the 760FL-B flats on a 5-string jazz. I've swapped both around.

 

[NocoLaw]

I never have liked Chromes, personally; and while they are popular, I would not characterize them as "Flatsy Pbassy" in the classic sense I think you are going for. I like good old Fenders and La Bellas and have used them on Ps and Js - basic, classic flats. For that, I prefer the La Bella LTFs - they have that classic thump, but good clarity, with as little tension (felt; I don't know technical pulling tension on any of these) as I can stand, especially on my 5 with low B. I'm good with light DTFs or Fenders too though.

If you want killer tone closer to a round (which I know is not what you asked; just a bonus) and don't mind tension, Rotosound 77s sound awesome; best middle of the road I have found are Sadowsky (new blue) - like the Roto 77s, they are brighter and grindier than "classic" flats, but a nicer feel, better tension and middle/versatile tone. Ernie Ball Cobalt flats are also really popular for the bright flat - I haven't tried them for years and probably should again on my Jazz V.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

Based on your post I would say go for Chromes. They have a tonal depth that rounds don't have and are more new-school than the thumpy La Bellas (which I don't think you'll like but are great for some situations).

 

[RGerhart]

See, that's the problem, right there: there are no good flats for 5 string. 4 string flats? Great. 5 string? Naw.

 

[NKBassman]

GHS Precision Flats were the ones that finally broke my aversion to flatwound strings.
Whatever gauge/tension you're used to with rounds, go down a step with the Precision Flats. I found the "Custom Medium" set with slightly smaller gauges to be about right for me.

You might also like GHS Pressurewounds for more of an in-between option. Closer to roundwound sound overall, but more fundamental punch and less zing right out of the pack. My fav.

 

[pwilson]

at least outside of the studio and by studio, I mean actual recording studio, not the extra bedroom that everyone calls a studio

A single coil P bass with a Curtis Novak gold foil pickup (which is fantastic)

100% agree - the Curtis Novak gold foil is a much overlooked pickup. Also it's super easy to install because it's surface mounted. I am enjoying this combination

 

[trothwell]

You might be more inclined to appreciate the sound of flats on your own bass if you appreciated the sound of flats on someone else's bass.

Starting playing bass well after the heyday of flatwound strings, what drew me to try them was hearing this tone on 1960s/1970s records, like Joe Osborn and Carol Kaye. I didn't even know what role the strings played, but I liked that sound, and I knew that I wasn't getting that sound.

It wasn't until I tried flatwound strings that I got that sound (or at least in the ballpark). And then I ran with flatwound strings a lot for years.

I wouldn't say that I grew tired of them, as I still love the sound, but I have since then realized that most of the music I personally play is better suited by roundwound strings, and drifted back to mostly using rounds again. (Have used GHS Pressurewounds a lot also.)

I did find that some flats agreed with my personal taste more than others. I came to really super like the tone of Rotosound 77 flatwound strings, but have mixed feelings about their stiffness and slightly lower output. I like GHS flats, probably about tied with the Rotosounds overall. I like Labella DTF, but am not super into Labella LTF. I like the TI flats, but found them maybe a bit TOO flexible, and I didn't like how the E string lacked low-end depth. Etc. There are differences even amongst flats, and you might have to try more than one kind to get the tone you want.

That is, if you want flatwound tone at all! If you don't hear flatwound strings on records and think "wow, I want to sound like that!" then maybe flatwound strings aren't for you.

 

[Lo-E]

I have the Ernie Ball Group 4 Stainless Steel Flats on my P bass and am very happy with them. Not too bright, not too dark and thumpy; a nice middle-of-the-road flat with a smooth but clear midrange.

You can get a 5-string set (45-130) for $55.

Ernie Ball Traditional Flatwound Bass Strings Long Scale - 5-String 45

Ernie Ball Traditional Flatwound Bass Strings Long Scale 5-String Group 5 45-130 2810 - .045 .065 .080 .100 .130 Ernie Ball Long Scale strings feature a 37.25" Winding from Ball End to Taper. Fits most 34" scale and some 35" scale basses. Ernie Ball Flatwound Electric Bass Strings. Ernie Ball...

fretnation.com

These strings are a great starting place for flats. Dead center in terms of tone, tension and flexibility. Not too bright or thumpy, not too taught or floppy, not too stiff or bendy. For me they're the default.

Sometimes I'll vary from there if a certain bass seems like it will work better with something else but the Ernie Balls are my starting point if I'm switching a bass to flats.

What to like about flats? Fewer overtones and more fundamental. It provides a more focused tone that works great in a busy mix or for more "old school" styles of music. I'll never give up playing rounds but I really like having some basses with flats handy.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Love my roundwounds, but I always try to keep flats on one of my P-style basses (all five string).

5 string flats are a challenge, but good B strings do exist. Just like any B string, care and caution must be used when installing and intonating.

I haven't tried 'em all but I've tried quite a few. Unfortunately my favorites so far are expensive: TI Jazz Flats, Sadowsky Blue Labels.


Note: I'd been hearing lots of buzz about EB Cobalt flats. As it happens, I went to see some musician friends at their gig a few weeks ago. My bassist buddy invited me to sit in on a few tunes, so I played his Moollon J5 strung with flats. I told him how much I liked those flats... including the B, which sounded great even at the 12th fret. He said they were EB Cobalts, which had become his favorites. I'm gonna have to get me a set.

 

[stringthrough]

Long time D'Addario Chromes user here who's recently switched to Labella Deep Talkin Flats. There's no going back, they just feel better under my fingers.

 

[TheArchitect]

I have primarily been a LaBella player when it comes to flats. I have a set of Ernie Ball Cobalts to try next. The LaBellas are working well so who know another set might go on.

 

[Mr Ignoto]

I'm all about flats on the electric bass. I like both LaBellas and Thomastiks. The Thomastiks are pricier, and softer, while also very expressive. The standard LaBellas stiffer/more substantial feel and strong fundamental can be just the thing sometimes, however.