• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A Poll - What Are Your Favorite Flatwounds?

What Are Your Favorite Flats?

  • Total voters
    346
#21
I've used Precision Flats and Labella Deep Talkers on my L2000. The Precisions have an old-skool thump, but very little treble/overtones. As thick as the L2000 sound is, you can send out a huge wall of fundamental. However, I need some overtones on some of the slap-funk we do, so I prefer the Deep Talkers. I get a massive full tone and enough treble to slap. The L2000 is a very versatile and powerful weapon-- the Deep Talkers on an L2000 is like going nuclear thump!
 
#24
mrjim123 said:
I think you're correct; juststrings.com calls them "Nickel" Flats, but the model numbers (at least JF344) are the same as what others refer to as Jazz Flats.

I'm not sure about the DR Hi Beams. One guy in another thread said, possibly mistakenly, that there are DR Hi Beam flats (I know that DR also makes Hi Beam roundwounds). Another guy in this thread said basically the same thing, so I'm stumped.
Click to expand...


I guess I should have been more clear; I generally hate the sound of flats, so I usually try to get away with High Beam/Sunbeam ROUNDWOUNDS. If I have to use flats, I prefer TIs.
 
#26
You might want to also ask how many sets of flats people have actually tried. I suspect a lot of folks are going to give you a fave and they may only have tried 2 types. So conclusions you draw from that might be skewed. I've used 9 of these myself, and I've had different favorites at different times.
 
#28
Luckydog said:
You might want to also ask how many sets of flats people have actually tried. I suspect a lot of folks are going to give you a fave and they may only have tried 2 types. So conclusions you draw from that might be skewed. I've used 9 of these myself, and I've had different favorites at different times.
Click to expand...

That is a good point. Especially since flats last so long and take a while to break in it is harder to test them. I broke the G string on a set of Fender flats from removing them so often.

I have used six brands of flats, one set of tapewounds, and one set of halfwounds.
 
#29
I hate the D' Addario Chromes. I bought a set after my DR flats broke and they are so bright they might as well be roundwounds. They sounded like pure clank to me. I had to roll the tone knob back about 75% in order for it to be manageable.

Strings can change from one set to another so maybe the set I got was defective or something.
 
#30
I've tried most of the strings in the poll. I use different sets on different basses for different results.

Keep in mind that Lakland is made by GHS, and Sadowsky is made by LaBella, etc.

But the Sadowskys do sound different from the LaBellas. I like them both.

My test of a flatwound set centers around how high up the E string I can go without getting that choked, off-pitch sound so often associated with flats.

The LaBellas win the competition for that. You can play the E all the wy up and down the neck. I also like the fact that I can get LaBellas in intermediate gauges - in between 40-100 and 45-105. Most string makers only offer those two options.

To me, 105 is too clunky for a flatwound E string. Even just going to a 104 makes a noticeable difference. So if I have to choose between just 40-100 and 45-105 sets, I've usually choose the 40-100 sets. The sound I get is still plenty deep and meaty. Especially compared to a roundwound.

The LaBellas also have a certain sparkling clarity to them that they don't lose as they age and mellow. There's no mud or dull thump with them, unless you don't string them up the right way and kill the inner windings. (the guys at LaBella have a whole sermon on that subject).

Any roundwound player that has only heard the sound of flats on old recordings and thinks they hate flats in general and hasn't tried some of the strings in this poll will be surprised if they do try some. The Rotos should have enough zing to make a rounds player happy. They just have to toughen up and learn to deal with the higher tension of the Rotos.
 
#31
I forgot to add that I have yet to find a flatwound B string that I like. But I like to tune DGCF with flats because their higher tension will allow for that and still keep the strings from being floppy. So with that tuning I don't really miss the B string.
 
#32
I've tried several brands of flats. My usual favorite is Chromes, nice feel, nice clarity. As some people note, they're closer to rounds in tone, but no finger noise. I like the soft gauge (.100 E string).

My '74 Jazz has Fender flats to be true to the old school. They're pretty dull sounding strings with a fat fundamental and less sustain than most.

My current fave is Black Diamond Pure Jazz flats. They feel and sound like TI flats, but with a bit more body. Nice punch and not bright. Clear fundamental, sweet in the upper register.
 
#33
Voted Chromes, true they're a bit brighter when new but they wear in pretty well. I like to think of them as modern flats.
Tried TI's and didn't like 'em :hiding:, uneven from string to string, low tension and not enough low end thump but many here rave about them.
Labella FL's are nice as well in a more old school kinda way.
BTW, call me crazy but all my basses wear flats:bassist:
 
#34
p-bass said:
Last I heard DR was making a flatwound string called DR Hi Beams. I've never tried them,but I know alot of people seem to like them.
Click to expand...

They are supposedly the flatwound version of their famous Hi Beam strings. They are actually quite thumpy, deep and mellow. I really like them a lot. They are also very tightly wound to the point that there are no spaces between the wraps. They are completely smooth.
 
#35
lookiel said:
Voted Chromes, true they're a bit brighter when new but they wear in pretty well. I like to think of them as modern flats.
Tried TI's and didn't like 'em :hiding:, uneven from string to string, low tension and not enough low end thump but many here rave about them.
Labella FL's are nice as well in a more old school kinda way.
BTW, call me crazy but all my basses wear flats:bassist:
Click to expand...

Crazy
 
#37
9mmMike said:
I have only tried two from the list. Roto's and Fender's. I like the Fenders better.
Click to expand...

Then I would guess you might like Labella, and maybe GHS.and perhaps Sadowsky. Roto's to me are closer to Chromes. I couldn't get on with the Rotos. Lots of zing, but not enough lows and thud for me. My faves for now are Sadowsky flats. I really really like the Fenders and had them on my 66 P for a long time, but I don't want to keep that level of tension on that neck anymore.
 
#38
REQUEST - RECOMMENDATION -Acoustic Fretless Michael Kelly 5 String

I just picked up MK Dragonfly... it came shipped with rounds.. sounds OK.. afraid I'll beat up the neck.


I'm looking for a suggestion on what to install.

I've considered tape wounds (of some type).. have folks suggested LaBella.

1-I'm unsure of models
2-I'm unsure what will work effectively​

Want something that is a nice mwaah.

Not really looking for a "tried one and liked it" or "I like my" replies.. more of "I've tried several and this one met the criteria"

What make and model would you install on an acoustic long 34" scale bass



Thanks

Tim
 
#39
Hi guys,

I play mostly rock and metal (Velvet Revolver, Iron Maiden and the such).. I really searched hard and could not find any good A/B comparison of D'addario Chromes and Rotosound Jazz Flats.

I'm using the Rotosounds now, and was wondering if I should try the Chromes. Keeping in mind that I'm a student who doesn't have a lot cash to blow (so I don't want to waste the money), anyone out there who could give me an unbiased comparison (of sound, feel and tension)?

I normally play with the tone knob fully open, bass abt 11:30 on the amp, mids at about 1:30 and treble fully off, if that helps. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back