Another thread about first flatwound strings

[Baffenstein]

Hello everybody!

This is my first post. I come with a question regarding a topic that is widely covered here on TB, but I'd like to ask you a more specific advice. Here's my story: I've been playing bass (for fun) for more than 20 years, and my main bass has always been a MIM Jazz Bass; I tried some different roundwound strings but I settled with D'Addario XL nickel 45-100, I like the sound and I fell comfortable with them. This is where I feel "at home". I would like to try flats on my new bass, an Orange O-Bass I recently purchased used, and I'm looking for something similar to what I'm used to in terms of tension or stiffness. I've read about Low Tension Flats but I'm afraid they would be too floppy. Do you have any advice for me? What should I try first? I don't expect to find the pertest ones at the first attempt, but I'm worried about spending a lot of time and money before I find the good ones, since trying flats are generally more expensive and take time to break in. I have my taste about tone but now I'm more concerned about playability.

Thanks in advance for the help.



P.S. English is not my native language, I hope that what I wrote is understandable

 

[bholder]

Your English is fine. I'm not sure where they fall regarding tension, but D'Addario Chromes seem to me like a good "starting point" for flats. Readily available and cheap, and you could spend a lot of time searching and do no better, sound- and playability-wise.

 

[Baffenstein]

Your English is fine. I'm not sure where they fall regarding tension, but D'Addario Chromes seem to me like a good "starting point" for flats. Readily available and cheap, and you could spend a lot of time searching and do no better, sound- and playability-wise.

Thanks a lot! They're in my imaginary shortlist

 

[iiipopes]

Do you have any advice for me? What should I try first?

Either the Chromes in their light gauge, or La Bella 760L 43-104. The Chromes have a lot of new string zing that quickly fades to worthless thump. The La Bella 760L 43-104 have a top end articulation that you will be familiar with considering D'A XL's are your favorite strings. Over time, they gently mellow and last a long, long, time. It may be years before you have to change them.

 

[Baffenstein]

Either the Chromes in their light gauge, or La Bella 760L 43-104. The Chromes have a lot of new string zing that quickly fades to worthless thump. The La Bella 760L 43-104 have a top end articulation that you will be familiar with considering D'A XL's are your favorite strings. Over time, they gently mellow and last a long, long, time. It may be years before you have to change them.

Thank you! Do you think the La Bella's would have a higher tension, considering the heavier gauge in addition to the different wounding?

 

[iiipopes]

Thank you! Do you think the La Bella's would have a higher tension, considering the heavier gauge in addition to the different wounding?

In general, flatwound strings, because there is more mass from the ribbon wrap and less space between the windings compared to any conventional round wound string, will have more tension for the same diameter. Most players adapt to this quickly with a good setup on both basses, as the difference in tension is usually marginal.

You are right: both the La Bella Low Tension Flats and the TI Jazz Flats have significantly less tension overall than your current set of D'A XL 45-100. That's why I recommended the La Bella's: only a tad more tension, but a similar tone profile keeping in mind the inherent differences between flats and rounds.

 

[LushPuppy]

I'd vote 45-105 Dunlop flats, lighter gauge Daddario chromes, or Labella 43-104 for coming from rounds. Labellas are great but they are very specific and much further from rounds than Dunlop or Daddario, in my opinion.

 

[michael_t]

I've been playing bass (for fun) for more than 20 years, and my main bass has always been a MIM Jazz Bass; I tried some different roundwound strings but I settled with D'Addario XL nickel 45-100, I like the sound and I fell comfortable with them. This is where I feel "at home".

If you want a set of flats that "feel at home" for you in terms of playing feel, try the D'Addario Chromes 40-95 (ECB80).

Or, for something a little more old-school for a warmer, more vintage tone, you can try the GHS Precision Flats in the light set, 45-95.

They both have a comfortable tension/stiffness without being too loose or floppy.

 

[Baffenstein]

In general, flatwound strings, because there is more mass from the ribbon wrap and less space between the windings compared to any conventional round wound string, will have more tension for the same diameter. Most players adapt to this quickly with a good setup on both basses, as the difference in tension is usually marginal.

You are right: both the La Bella Low Tension Flats and the TI Jazz Flats have significantly less tension overall than your current set of D'A XL 45-100. That's why I recommended the La Bella's: only a tad more tension, but a similar tone profile keeping in mind the inherent differences between flats and rounds.

Thank you! You are reassuring me a lot!

 

[Baffenstein]

I'd vote 45-105 Dunlop flats, lighter gauge Daddario chromes, or Labella 43-104 for coming from rounds. Labellas are great but they are very specific and much further from rounds than Dunlop or Daddario, in my opinion.

Thank you! Do you mean further in terms of tone or in terms of feel?

 

[Baffenstein]

GHS Precision Flats

Thak you! Added to the shortlist!

 

[pingvuiini]

Perhaps try D'Addario black nylon tapes. No finger noise at all when you slide up the neck. They also have a bit of 'zing' to it like roundwounds, not totally dead sounding like true flats.

 

[Killing Floor]

My advice is to try several sets if you are able. The feel is different between rounds and flats, the tension might be the same. Maybe not. What I like may not be what you like.

I'll say that my favorite flats are Thomastik Insfeld Jazz Flats. But they are expensive. They last forever so the cost is OK but I would tell anyone to try LaBella or something less expensive tort the first set.

You absolutely must allow yourself a couple weeks to give an honest assessment. Don't put them on and expect the transition to be immediate. Most flats feel very sticky when they are new. This lasts a day or more depending how much you play. Be patient.
Many flats are bright for a few days or even a couple weeks before they settle in. Be patient.

Good luck, have fun.

 

[Baffenstein]

Perhaps try D'Addario black nylon tapes. No finger noise at all when you slide up the neck. They also have a bit of 'zing' to it like roundwounds, not totally dead sounding like true flats.

Thank you! I've heard nothing but good things aboun black nylon tapes: I'll consider them. I don't know, I think I'm after a quite warm / mellow sound, I might even like the "dead sound", but i really have to try! Thanks for the help!

 

[Baffenstein]

My advice is to try several sets if you are able. The feel is different between rounds and flats, the tension might be the same. Maybe not. What I like may not be what you like.

I'll say that my favorite flats are Thomastik Insfeld Jazz Flats. But they are expensive. They last forever so the cost is OK but I would tell anyone to try LaBella or something less expensive tort the first set.

You absolutely must allow yourself a couple weeks to give an honest assessment. Don't put them on and expect the transition to be immediate. Most flats feel very sticky when they are new. This lasts a day or more depending how much you play. Be patient.
Many flats are bright for a few days or even a couple weeks before they settle in. Be patient.

Good luck, have fun.

Thanks! I was considering Thomastik-Infeld The price and the relatively low tension are a negative factor but i'm still very curious abot them. Alas no bassist i know IRL has any experience with tthem.

 

[Barry Vestal]

Another vote for the GHS(3025) set!!! They are super comfortable with low tension and great note fundamental....The Labella 760fx set is also great and would be my second choice...Good luck

 

[Baffenstein]

Wow! I wasn't expecting so many replies, and all of them are useful. TB is indeed a supporting community!
Two things I didn't mention in the opening post:
- I'm looking for a mellow sound and the reference abount D'Addario XL's is more about the feel / tension / stiffness then about tone; I play with a quite old and quite dead set of rounds in fact. On the other end very thumpy strings would probably make me play harder and digging in more, so feeland playability would be different. Am I right?
- I actually have some experience wuth flats: they're on a 60's EKO 995 but it's a hollow body short scale bass so it's a completely different instrument with a different feel, plus i haven't changed the strings since i got it, so I don't know anything about brand and model of the strings; for sure i didn't have to wait for them to settle in... Maybe I should have mentioned this earlier but the title would have been " Another thread about first flatwound strings on a solid body long scale bass"

 

[Stewie]

I've been playing GHS Precision flats 45-105 for more than 30 years. Always been good to me. Should last at least ten years too

 

[Killing Floor]

Thanks! I was considering Thomastik-Infeld The price and the relatively low tension are a negative factor but i'm still very curious abot them. Alas no bassist i know IRL has any experience with tthem.

Even though they are low tension they are lively enough to get a good sound. The first time I tried them it took a couple weeks to get used to it. But I found it was helpful for my technique. You don't need to use as much force to get a good tone.

There is no wrong string. Don't let anyone tell you one is best because everyone has different preference.
As much as I like the TI, I love boy use the stiffer LaBella on my fretlesses. And I use bright rounds on my MusicMan. And I have played for decades.

 

[shoulderpet]

Another vote for the GHS(3025) set!!! They are super comfortable with low tension and great note fundamental....The Labella 760fx set is also great and would be my second choice...Good luck

I would also recommend the Labella 760fx set over the 760fl set, IME the 760FL set feels kind of stiff, when I tried Labella's first I tried the 760FL set and it really put me off then years later I tried the 760fx set and they are much more manageable