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Anyone use flats only or mainly?

#81
tekdiver500ft said:
Yes. When looking at rounds, you see a solid core, and the wraps have gaps, making them visually smaller than they are, as well as baing more flexible. Flats have no gaps, so you see the actual diameter, making them appear larger. They are less flexible, too, because there is no gap for them to flex into. As a broad, general rule (that means that there are exceptions), Flats need to be a full gauge smaller to feel the same. Thus, if you normally use a .105 set of rounds, then you should use a .100 set of flats.
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Well that answers the question i was going to ask. Thanks again Tek..
 
#83
My P-Bass is always strung with LaBella FL-760 flats. That set will probably never come off, actually. I have vacillated a bit between flats and rounds on my Jazz, but it currently has Fender flats. I find they're bright enough to handle some of the more idiosyncratic "jazz" sounds, but a bit punchier in the mids, and I like the feel better.
 
#84
I use flats on my Hofner Club, and both P basses. On one P, Labellas.
On the other, Chromes. All my other basses sport Rounds. Great variety of tones in my stable for live or recording. Really like the Chromes for their versatility with Classic Country, Blues, and some Pop/Classic Rock. Happy thumper!
 
#85
dalahorse said:
TI jazz flats on both of my basses. And I totally get any sound out of them I feel like! Note that I play rock and metal, and one bass is tuned down to D standard.
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I´m with this guy..TI Jazz just do everything I want and they last forever...using the same set for 8 years now..have a backup set just in case...8 years..same tone and no visible fret wear...what more can you ask for ?:hyper:
Schecter Elite 5 .modified to passive..just love the sound.
 
#86
armybass said:
(Anyone use flats?) And if so, on what bass and what brand? I have flats on one of my Rics and I am thinking of putting them on the other ones too.
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I use them on all makes, all models. Labella Deep Talkin' Flats in the light gauge .043-.104 are what I prefer. I have them on Fenders, Gibsons, Squiers, Univox and Gretsch...both solid and hollowbodies.
 
#87
Fretless precision with daddario tapewounds, fretted jazz and precision with roto77s. Can't beat the sound. I use them for my zeppelin and sabbath tribute bands, nothing modern although I plan on giving them a try for my punk ska outfit. I've used ernieball and labella and hands down my favorite are the roto77s. They are the stiffest though, but the sound can't be beat. They record well and have no clank sound for me.
 
#88
When I originally got my first fretless bass (sx 4 banger) it had flats on it. I primarily play rock and metal the smooth tones didn't fit with the music I was playing. Rounds (superslinkys) still gave me a good fretted tone while still having the versatility of a fretless. That guitar quickly became my favorite. A word of caution though, if you plan to use that set up, try to avoid bending the strings because the round strings will quickly destroy the fret board. If I were to play a different type of music, like jazz for instance, I would prefer the flats. So in my opinion it depends on what your playing and what sound you want.
 
#89
I've been using La Bella 760FS's for most of the last 50 years or so. I've tried many brands of bass strings in both round, flat or ground types and always come back to the La Bella Flats. Currently I have them on my P/J but I have used them with great results on lots of different basses (see my profile). I just love the tone, feel and the way they record.

Just my 2 cents,

Giorgetto
 
#90
78 P-Bass with GHS Pressurewounds (half-rounds). Does that count?

Before that was running a set of GHS Precision Flats but they wound up being a little *too* thumpy.

Anyway, love the Pressurwounds lots. I play in several bands running the gamut from classic/80s rock to new country to jazz standards to contemporary praise & worship (all with the same bass), and they seem to fit in to all those styles just fine.
 
#91
Thought I'd give you a little food for thought...
Like I said before, I am a flat wound convert. I love them and have been using them exclusively now. I used to play I went from nickel, to steel, to flat.
I just bought a new bass and it has round wounds on it. Played a couple of gigs with them, and already want to throw a set of flats on!

I've been using Thomastik-Infeld JazzE flats, and love them
 
#93
Depends on the season. Right now my J-bass is wearing light gauge Chromes, and the P has LaBella 760FL's...going for that darker deeper sound right now. Will brighten up when the weather warms up, with rounds on the J and tapes on the P. And if the indie power pop band I sometimes sub for calls me up for a gig, I'd switch to heavy gauge rounds on the P right away.
 
#95
You know I am a LaBella 760FL fanatic and I have always been afraid that not enough people purchased them and they would stop making them or go out of business. After reading through this thread I no longer think that is a concern. Love the 760FL love representing!
 

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