Beatle/Violin Bass flatwound/groundwound strings considerations

[smaughazard]

I use black tapewounds on my Icon. I have TI flats on my Contemporary. If you want good cheap flats, try [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] flats. For $16 they're a steal.

I also like tapewounds: LaBellas on my Cort violin body. Nice warm tone, and seem to last a looong time.

 

[funkytoe]

Can you pls describe as precisely as possible what you mean by the tone you prefer over the TIs, "more vintage"? The TIs I know. Are the Rotos brighter, as bright, more thumpy, more muted, etc etc?

Its hard to explain. The Rotos are a little brighter than the TI's to my ear, but they do not sound modern at all. I hear a very round fundamental, like the TI's. But the TI's are a little more muted in the upper mids. The Rotos have really good balance all the way up the neck, with just the right amount of bloom on the high end to cut through the mix and get you heard. I think this is why I prefer them over the TI's. Also, at $26 a set, the Rotos are about half of the price of the TI's. I have put TI's on several Fender basses and agree with you that they are great strings. For me, however, the roto monel flats just nailed it on my violin bass. Both through an Eden Metro and a Vox T-60, I have never closer to Beatles' Nirvana. I highly recommend these strings.

 

[Old Joe]

Wish I saw this thread before buying some Rotosound flats short scale for a Douglas. Silk part doesn't clear the nut. I hope amazon takes them back since I purchased two sets.