(Another) Flat Wound Question

[smtp4me]

Apologies for yet another thread about flat wound strings. I have searched for and read TB posts about them, but could not easily find one that directly answers my question.

Quick background - after 40+ years of playing, my experience with flat wounds is limited to:

• A set of Fender flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a MIM Fender fretless jazz. I played them for a about a year and then replaced them with rounds
• A set of unknown flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a Ric 4003 purchased new back in 1983. Played for maybe 6 months before being replaced with rounds

That's it. I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective. And yes, I can adjust the tone knob on the bass or use EQ, but I would like to know which strings sound as I describe without EQ or other adjustments?

I am aware of LaBella Flexible Flats, but I have no idea where they land in the tone scale (dull thud, middle of the road, bright). As highly recommended as TI flats are, I do not want to spend $100 right out of the gate, unless of course they meet my two criteria above. But if there are other brands that also match and are half the price of TIs, I am likely to go with them.

Suggestions?

 

[mini-milli]

Daddario Chrome Light Gauge

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I have a set of the regular gauge on my P-bass and they sound brighter than a typical flatwound. The regular gauge is pretty high tension but the light gauges would probably work for you.

The Low Tension Flexible Flats are pretty thumpy from what I've heard so you might not like their sound.

 

[michael_t]

I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective.

Dunlop Flats would probably best fit your description. Semi-modern in their tonal flavor and comfortable tension/stiffness without being floppy. They come in both 40-100 and 45-105 depending on how flexible you want them.

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[Yahboy]

EB Cobalt flatwound. Sound great on Jazz bass, growl and bite .

Labella LTF4A nail those classic old school bass vibe, sound woody organic on my CV50P without GHS Precision flat lifeless thud.

 

[michael_t]

Another one I can suggest to fit the OP's description...

Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats. Not as bright and roundwound-like as the Cobalt Flats, or not as old-school as La Bella or GHS. A nice middle-of-the-road flatwound with medium tension/stiffness and semi-modern tone. Reasonably priced as well.

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[Lenny JG]

La Bella or TIs are gonna do what you want tbh.

 

[lunarpollen]

if you are still using a Jazz and a 4003 I would recommend trying GHS Precision flatwounds for the former and investing in a set of Optima RB flatwounds for the latter

 

[iiipopes]

OK. I have played just about all the flats out there, with the exception of Sadowsky and a few other boutiques, which most are made to contract specs by one of the larger companies, anyway.

Your description of what you want and the instruments you have played, "That's it. I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective. And yes, I can adjust the tone knob on the bass or use EQ, but I would like to know which strings sound as I describe without EQ or other adjustments?" leads me to:
1) recommend the Optima RB set. They have the flexibility, are slightly lighter in gauge, and have great tone.
2) Another set would be the La Bella in either the 39-96 or 42-104, depending on your preference for tension, which have a traditional tone with some articulation and last years before going thud.
3) Ernie Ball Stainless flats in the 40's set are good, probably the most underrated flat strings out there, but like all "traditional" sets, have a tight D string, although they will get you the tone you are after and mellow well over time,

My experience with the other recommendations above:
Chromes: start with zing and fade to worthless thud;
TI's: go beyond low tension to worthless rubber band territory, especially the A string;
EB Cobalts: will be extremes; clanky and grindy, then go thud;
La Bella Low Tension Flats: lacking a little of the heft that the regular sets are known for.
GHS: wonderful dark chocolate tone, but I read you want something a little brighter, as they are definitely on the dark side of the tonal spectrum.

 

[NKBassman]

Apologies for yet another thread about flat wound strings. I have searched for and read TB posts about them, but could not easily find one that directly answers my question.

Quick background - after 40+ years of playing, my experience with flat wounds is limited to:

• A set of Fender flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a MIM Fender fretless jazz. I played them for a about a year and then replaced them with rounds
• A set of unknown flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a Ric 4003 purchased new back in 1983. Played for maybe 6 months before being replaced with rounds

That's it. I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective. And yes, I can adjust the tone knob on the bass or use EQ, but I would like to know which strings sound as I describe without EQ or other adjustments?

I am aware of LaBella Flexible Flats, but have no idea where they land in the tone scale (dull thud, middle of the road, bright). As highly recommended as TI flats are, I do not want to spend $100 right out of the gate, unless of course they meet my two criteria above. But if there are other brands that also match and are half the price of TIs, I am likely to go with them.

Suggestions?

While I haven’t played a very big cross section of flatwounds out there, in my experience your description sounds like TI Jazz Flats. As much as I didn't want to spend the money on them at the start, I decided to see what all the fuss was about and I'm extremely happy with how that experiment turned out. They are very flexible with the lowest tension feel of any string I've ever used. I used to be a very heavy handed player, and these strings took a LOT of getting used to, but now that I'm used to them I really really like them. The tone has a nice midrange focus with good clarity and ample bottom end, but not boomy or thuddy by any stretch. I found them a little too midrangey at first, but they have mellowed out to a nicely balanced tone over time.

Another set that I really liked and spent a good amount of time with was GHS Precision Flats. I just didn't get the appeal of flatwound strings until I tried these, and now I'm a convert (on at least one of my basses, anyway ). They have a nice well rounded tone, warm and fat bottom end but not pure thud, and with enough mid and high end clarity to still provide the note definition that you want. They also sound great played with a pick and take on a nice growl/bark when you hit them hard, and I actually prefer them over the TIs in that specific use case. I'd recommend going lighter with those... I found the standard 45-105 set a little too stiff, and the "Custom Medium" set was just right for me at the time, but probably still stiffer than what you want.

I haven't used Chromes extensively, but I had a set on a cheap fretless ages ago, and I borrowed a friend's bass for a weekend more recently which had a brand new set of Chromes on that sounded fantastic. They are very bright, but the tone knob worked to knock that back. I'd definitely go with the light set, as I found Chromes at standard gauge to be on the stiffer side. I've never kept a set of Chromes on long enough to wear them out.

Dunlop flats or Fender 9050 are next on my list to try, but I'd need to buy another bass to put them on because I'm not changing out my TIs any time soon.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Apologies for yet another thread about flat wound strings. I have searched for and read TB posts about them, but could not easily find one that directly answers my question.

Quick background - after 40+ years of playing, my experience with flat wounds is limited to:

• A set of Fender flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a MIM Fender fretless jazz. I played them for a about a year and then replaced them with rounds
• A set of unknown flat wounds that came installed from the factory on a Ric 4003 purchased new back in 1983. Played for maybe 6 months before being replaced with rounds

That's it. I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective. And yes, I can adjust the tone knob on the bass or use EQ, but I would like to know which strings sound as I describe without EQ or other adjustments?

I am aware of LaBella Flexible Flats, but I have no idea where they land in the tone scale (dull thud, middle of the road, bright). As highly recommended as TI flats are, I do not want to spend $100 right out of the gate, unless of course they meet my two criteria above. But if there are other brands that also match and are half the price of TIs, I am likely to go with them.

Suggestions?

One thing to keep in mind... I think it's better to go with a "brighter" flat because you can always roll back your tone knob on your bass and it's a quick "fix". However, if you go with "middle of the road" for clarity, and strings begin to dull, you're pretty much stuck. I would go with either Chromes or EB Cobalt Flats. They aren't "crazy" bright and have good lower mids and punch with good note definition. the Chromes are a bit stiffer than the Cobalts, IMO.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

"Flexible, low to medium tension" flats will limit your options significantly. In my opinion your best options will probably be TI Jazz Flats, Optima RB or LaBella Low Tension, depending on what kind of tone you're looking for. All other flatwound strings I can think of (and I've tried most of them) are significantly stiffer and higher tension (but tension will vary with gauge of course).

Out of these three and for a "tone that is somewhere in the middle"... Well that would depend on whether you mean "in the middle of FLATS" or in the middle of ALL types of bass strings. If the former, probably Optima RB. If the latter, definitely TI Jazz Flats which are the brightest and least thumpy of these three but not zingy-bright AT ALL, just a nice, focused mid presence. La Bella Low Tensions are darker/thumpier and probably not what you're looking for, based on your description.

Most of the other suggestions above are considerably stiffer and higher tension than these three and I honestly don't understand how anyone can recommend them to someone looking specifically for flexible flats???

 

[Schlyder]

I also recommend Dunlop flatwounds. Very good strings. Exactly the tone you describe... in the middle between too thumpy, and too bright.

Tension wise.... I would rate them in the middle as well. Not too floppy, not too stiff.

I also use a TI flatwound high C string on my 5 and 6 string basses. It is less sharp and brittle in the high registers, than any other flatwound high C string I've used.

*** I saw that Dunlop is making 6 string sets now, so I will have to try their high C and see how it does against the TI.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

TI Jazz Flat user here.
When i only had 1 bass, i could swap between the TI Flats and the TI Rounds that i use without having to adjust the neck at all. That’s how low tension the TIs are.
I’ve had the same set of TI Flats for about 8 years, and they’re permanently set on a bass that i use a few times a week.
That $100 initial investment was absolutely nothing when viewed in the context of their longevity.

And yes the TIs are very low tension. If you play heavy handedly, you’ll have to adjust your technique.
I can still really dig in playing them because my overal technique is a bit softer. I like low tension and low action.

 

[MCS4]

I am aware of LaBella Flexible Flats, but I have no idea where they land in the tone scale (dull thud, middle of the road, bright).

I've switched over entirely to LaBella Flexible Flats for my basses that use flats, primarily for tension purposes. I would say that they are middle of the road with specific regard to brightness -- to my ear they are not especially bright or especially dark. However, I wouldn't say that they are middle of the road in the sense of being an average or typical flat, as they seem to have their own distinct sound going on. Going on pure tone I don't know that I prefer them to higher tension flats (Fender flats being my favorite in that range), but I did learn pretty quickly to appreciate their unique feel and sound.

 

[coy garcia]

I like Chromes especially on fretless. They are affordable, last forever (sets over 20yrs old) and to me they don't sound thudy after break in. Mine are mediums and tight which I like for low action and intonation on fretless however they do make lighter gauges.

 

[tvbop]

I had a set of Chromes that were bright for years, even fitting them to different basses ...then recently I fitted them to a bass and they immediately went thuddy....weird. Anyway. Chromes, zingy which will take years to mellow.

 

[GIBrat51]

OK. I have played just about all the flats out there, with the exception of Sadowsky and a few other boutiques, which most are made to contract specs by one of the larger companies, anyway.

Your description of what you want and the instruments you have played, "That's it. I want to put flats on one of my basses. My only two criteria are: 1) flexible, low to medium tension (definitely not higher tension), and 2) tone that is somewhere in the middle - I do not want flats that sound like rounds, but I also do not want a dull thud. Looking for something in the middle from a tone perspective. And yes, I can adjust the tone knob on the bass or use EQ, but I would like to know which strings sound as I describe without EQ or other adjustments?" leads me to:
1) recommend the Optima RB set. They have the flexibility, are slightly lighter in gauge, and have great tone.
2) Another set would be the La Bella in either the 39-96 or 42-104, depending on your preference for tension, which have a traditional tone with some articulation and last years before going thud.
3) Ernie Ball Stainless flats in the 40's set are good, probably the most underrated flat strings out there, but like all "traditional" sets, have a tight D string, although they will get you the tone you are after and mellow well over time,

My experience with the other recommendations above:
Chromes: start with zing and fade to worthless thud;
TI's: go beyond low tension to worthless rubber band territory, especially the A string;
EB Cobalts: will be extremes; clanky and grindy, then go thud;
La Bella Low Tension Flats: lacking a little of the heft that the regular sets are known for.
GHS: wonderful dark chocolate tone, but I read you want something a little brighter, as they are definitely on the dark side of the tonal spectrum.

With a couple of small caveats, I have to agree with iiipopes. They are;
- TI Jazz Flats. My experience with them is limited to the set that's on my Alembic Epic, but... IME, while they are very flexible, I don't think I'd class them as worthless rubber bands. Since I play so many other, stiffer flats with a pick, I don't try to play the TI's that way; the technique adjustment required just isn't worth it. But, with my finger playing style, they're perfectly fine. And their tone on that bass, IMO, is to die for. However... I'd never put them on any of my other basses; for me, they are definitely a one trick pony...
- Sadowsky Blue Label Flats. I can't speak to the new ones, although the current, 3rd generation Blue Labels are supposed to be reincarnations of the 1st generation ones - which are the ones I have on my Carvin LB-20. For flats, I don't find them particularly stiff/high tension; as for the tone? They might make you happy; I'd class them - on the Carvin - as just barely on the darker side of, say, Fender 9050Ls. Which, IME, are pretty much on the mid-point of the flat wound tone spectrum...
- Ernie Ball Stainless Flats. Those are one of the few flats that I have no experience with; I'll gladly bow to iipope's critique of those. I would like to try them - as well as the small handful of others that I've no experience with - but, I seem to have run out of basses to try strings on. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet, and just... buy another one...

 

[tvbop]

Chromes: start with zing and fade to worthless thud

S'funny how we all se things different. My 16 year old totaly dead Chromes are mid range heaven on a P bass with a light touch....There you go.

 

[coy garcia]

S'funny how we all se things different. My 16 year old totaly dead Chromes are mid range heaven on a P bass with a light touch....There you go.

I have the same experience as you...I like their midrange it seems to cut through the guitars.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I have used D'Addario light gauge chromes (ECB 81) for several years now and I swear by them. My fingers love them and I can get a nice Jaco growl out of them if I need to. I can also get a fat thumpy sound as well depending on technique and EQ settings. Good luck.