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Affordable Flats?
- Thread starter Hutch801
- Start date
Re the white-whites, they have less metal per linear inch than non-tapewounds (of same final gauge), after all. Unless you like high action, you probably have adjusted your touch to the lower tension, which means same (not wider) motion within the pickup field, but less magnetically-active mass moving -> lower output. (Especially if they're the light-gauge, 50-105 version.)
Compounded to the above, the coppers have a final (well, second-final, before the nylon tape) winding that is non-magnetic. It is only natural they're noticeably less loud than untaped nickels or steels for a given plucking force and volume knob position.
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Thanks,
No I have the slightly heavier set 6 string 135 to 43 -- which means 4 string would be 115 to 60. But I did not know about the additional non magnetic winding. I do have the white white on another bass and that is almost as loud as a regular all metal string. I ordered the white white and when I start this singer songwriter gig again, I will probably put on the white-white
Yeah, copper (just as the brass/bronze of the "golds") is not magnetic. When used as a winding on an electric guitar or bass string, it does matter as to tone because it influences the way in which the string vibrates (and to tension because it adds mass) but, on a non-piezo instrument, it is not picked up per se: only the core and underwinding(s) are "seen" by the mag pickup.
Well, to answer the specific question; I imagine there are some flats in that price range, but I don't know what they are. Mainly because I've never been one for buying things based on how "cheap" they were; and because I learned a long, long time ago, that you generally get what you pay for...
Okay, so... that said? Basically, there are two ways to look at the cost of things. One, is simple upfront cost. Since TI Jazz Flats cost $78/set (the last time I bought a set), and Brand X flats cost $19.95? Obviously, Brand X is cheapest - and therefore, obviously the ones you should buy. However...
The other way to look at cost, is initial cost, amortized over the item's useful life span. I crunched the numbers once, some years ago, for a thread on this very subject. Based on a $78 set of TIJFs, with a projected life of 120 months, versus $20 EB nickel Hybrid Slinky's - that got replaced every two months? Over that 120 months, the Slinky's would cost $1,200 (more, if you paid to have them changed); the TI Jazz Flats? $78... So, which strings are really "cheaper"? Yes, some people pay more for TIJFs; some use other rounds; and the life of the strings also varies. But, the principle still applies. A "cheap" item that has to be replaced more often, over the equivalent lifespan of a more "expensive" item - isn't really all that cheap. Besides, if you're a registered Member of TB? You can sell the "expensive" flats here, if you decide you don't like them. Or, come to think of it? Buy a used set of flats you want to try...
I just bought a set of TI Jazz Flats on Sweetwater and financed them interest-free for $4/month... much less painful than paying full boat all at once. I expect to love them and to leave them on my #1 forever.
Wow I didn't even know you could finance strings. The thought of it is really hilarious and yet.. understandable.
Oh and if people are still looking for affordable flats. Fenders were only $5 at Guitar Center (in store) as of last week. I picked up the last two I could find in my area. Doesn't get much more affordable than that!
The very idea is ridiculous, but there it is... they'll take $4/month for 24 months (cost+tax only) via my Sweetwater card, no fuss, no muss.
Sounds like a great deal. That's like one less Starbucks coffee a month. Won't even notice it.
I could swear, these are just La Bella Deep Talkin flats, without the silk windings on them. Last time I tried a set, they even had the numbered dice on them, like the DTF has. I could be wrong, but they just said La Bella to me.
- Sep 9, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
I can provide a little insight into this, as I was at Sweetwater about a month ago and spoke with marketing about offering financing on our guitar strings. I know, it sounds silly.
It comes down to this; making it super easy for someone to add on accessories and increase their order. Their system is set up so that if you buy a $1,000 bass with 18mo financing and add on 3 sets of bass strings for $60, the latter is charged immediately and you start to accrue interest on it. So, most people will remove the strings but still buy the bass.
By offering financing on the strings as well, the total $1,060 is under the 18mo financing making it easier for the customer to pull the trigger.
I like both dead rounds and flats, but they're Def not the same sound. Flats have a mid punch that dead rounds don't. Dead rounds are more bass, to me
Just out of curiosity, what makes these so much better than the best of the other flats? Material? Construction? FM?
