Funny about that.
The title caught my eye immediately. Somehow I just knew it had to be about flats, and so...I clicked on it.
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Been playing bass 28 years...
- Thread starter since197three
- Start date
The title caught my eye immediately. Somehow I just knew it had to be about flats, and so...I clicked on it.
I use flats on my fretless basses mainly, although I do have flats on my old 70s Mustang bass and my acoustic Michael Kelley - so that's 40% flats for me (10 basses total). Haven't tried the LaBellas as I use the TI flats. Best I can tell, flats don't ever have to be changed. 
On the 6 basses strung with rounds I have either Roto 66 or the coated DRs (I really like the Black Beauties).
On the 6 basses strung with rounds I have either Roto 66 or the coated DRs (I really like the Black Beauties).
Just replaced some TI Flats on my P with LaBella Low Tension Flats. The LaBellas have won me over. Silky smooth and very low tension, what's not to like? I was actually prepared not to like these strings due to my experience with the TI's. But, for now, they stay on the bass.
FWIW - my preferred strings have always been GHS PressureWounds, which I would recommend for anyone not feeling the love for flats. They're the best of both worlds IMHO. Very low tension too, if that matters to you...
FWIW - my preferred strings have always been GHS PressureWounds, which I would recommend for anyone not feeling the love for flats. They're the best of both worlds IMHO. Very low tension too, if that matters to you...
I've been considering those for quite a while now... just haven't made the move to buy a set. I'm on that this year at some point though. I've read several guys on here who recommend them.
Ive recently bought a set....they first went on my P bass, than the Jazz, IMO they seemed to "work" better on the Jazz so that's where they are staying.
Man.. that is the most beautiful pickgaurd I have ever seen. Is that leater or wood?
Started with flats like everyone else in those days. Done tapes and rounds since. They're all fun. For sound shaping I think rounds are a bit more flexible, but when the money's on the table the flats are 'old reliable.'
I tried flats once because Steve Harris uses them. I used the Rotosound stainless (not the Steve Sig, too heavy). I liked them for about a week and than the clankiness wore off and I thought they sounded too subdued in the highs and high mids. I'm sure Labellas or TIs are a better choice for pure flatwound tone.
I love LaBella's on my Jazz Deluxe. They can actually growl with the active EQ turned up.
If you want a bit more treble, I highly recommend Ernie Ball cobalt flats. They have a bit more voice on the high end.
If you want a bit more treble, I highly recommend Ernie Ball cobalt flats. They have a bit more voice on the high end.
Thanks! It sure gets a lotta compliments.
Hand-tooled leather with a thin plastic backing so the screws won't rip through over time. Excellent workmanship. Came from someone named "M.K. Holloway" in Texas. On FB, Reverb and Etsy:
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And this my first time playing with Flats!!Lovin' them!!!
After reading some posts about flats I
ordered some LaBella Deep Talkin' flats from bassstringsonline and put them on my Pbass special.
Now that's what a bass should sound like!
I've always played metal and hardcore so always used roundwounds but these feel great for a low end tone.
Late to the party
I would like to simply give a bump and shout out for bassstringsonline.com where you got them.
Jason, the owner, is SLaPiNFuNK here on TB. He is the best! Best service anywhere and he'll do whatever he can to make it work for you. They have not only strings, but some super nice basses, amps, cabinets, accessories, etc. I just bought a GK amp from him this week, and an Aguilar pedal a few weeks ago. Some cabinets earlier this year (2015, actually). Every imaginable string set you could want of course, and at the best price you'll find anywhere. Sign up as a VIP on his website by mentioning you are a TB member, for even greater deals, I mean VERY good deals.
Just sayin'. Carry on.
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The VIP membership offers great deals that you only see once the item is in the cart and Jason will go out of his way to help out.
Applies to some amps too
I used flats early on, tried some pressure rounds, but have been using nickel round wounds (Sunbeams these days) for the last 30 years.
Do the pressure rounds change tone reasonably quickly like a roundwound?
So far pretty much everything I've bought through bassstringsonline, the VIP discount has applied to, including the GK amp I just bought.The only thing I recall it didn't apply to were 2 cabinets that already had a steep special discount to where it was the already best new price on the web.
Yesterday I was ogling a couple of Spector basses over there, which I dropped into the cart just to see what the discount is. It is substantial. Sad that at present I don't have the funds for the Spector, and so I had to remove it again. Perhaps in the future. The normal price he has on them is good to begin with. I saw some elsewhere considerably higher than his normal price.
I suppose there may be some stuff, like open box or used items, or stuff from a particular manufacturer, or something already heavily discounted, that he can't apply the discount to, but it's not like it's only on a few things. I think it's been on everything I've ordered except those cabs, already discounted. One time I ordered a used item on his website; turns out that used item was already sold, so he sent me a brand new one for the used price. I mean, I can't say enough good stuff about him.
I know this is supposed to be about flats, but I had to help out my fellow TBers with this high recommendation.
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Definitely a great source for strings and gear which is why I mentioned where I got the strings.
Great deals and LIGHTNING fast shipping. Ordered on Friday got delivered Monday from Cali to NJ.
Definitely a great source for strings and gear which is why I mentioned where I got the strings.
Great deals and LIGHTNING fast shipping. Ordered on Friday got delivered Monday from Cali to NJ.
I am gonna stop talking soon, but AMEN on the fast shipping. I have also emailed him a question on a Sunday evening, and he called me on the phone 10 minutes later, and had the item ready to go out the door first thing Monday morning. I am sure he'd have had it out Sunday night if only there were a carrier who would pick it up then.
Okay, done now.
"Hand-tooled leather with a thin plastic backing so the screws won't rip through over time. Excellent workmanship. Came from someone named "M.K. Holloway" in Texas. On FB, Reverb and Etsy:
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I'm wondering if he/she does buses. I've been in two maybe three tour coaches that are based in Nashville that have that kind of leather all over the walls, seats, one has some on the ceiling. It's hard work so not too many will do it, even for good money. Also think Charlie Daniels has a lot of it in his personal bus. Anyway, your bass looks great!
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I'm wondering if he/she does buses. I've been in two maybe three tour coaches that are based in Nashville that have that kind of leather all over the walls, seats, one has some on the ceiling. It's hard work so not too many will do it, even for good money. Also think Charlie Daniels has a lot of it in his personal bus. Anyway, your bass looks great!
lol It's cool Pluto this is "Talk"bass.
He is very attentive. I orderd the strings Friday evening and figured they wouldn't be shipped until Monday. 20 mins after placing the order I got the shipping email. Even though it was earlier in Cali I wasn't expecting them to be shipped so fast.
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It's nice to know that there is a first-class source for strings out there.
If I run out before I die (however doubtful), I'll certainly check 'em out.
If I run out before I die (however doubtful), I'll certainly check 'em out.
