Best flatwound strings for the G&L L2000

[Sands]

What flatwound strings have you tried on the L2000 and what ere your results? I've tried TI flats and found them to be too much - too responsive. I didn't try adjusting PU or string height.

Not interested in roundwounds- they tear up the frets too fast.

 

[michael_t]

Not interested in roundwounds- they tear up the frets too fast.

Wow, talk about a gross misconception!

By the way, you should have this moved to "Strings" section.

 

[bholder]

Well what sort of sound are you looking for? Bright or thuddy?

 

[Sands]

Wow, talk about a gross misconception!

By the way, you should have this moved to "Strings" section.

It's moved.

Gross misconception? Smooth on smooth vs serrated on smooth? You lost me.

 

[Sands]

Well what sort of sound are you looking for? Bright or thuddy?

Looking for a well articulated note that is warm and growls.

 

[michael_t]

Looking for a well articulated note that is warm and growls.

Instead of being stuck with the idea of needing flats for the sake of protecting the frets, you should consider the GHS Pressurewounds. Easy on the frets, easy on your fingers, but they will still give you the tone you're looking for - "articulate, warm and growly".

 

[michael_t]

Gross misconception? Smooth on smooth vs serrated on smooth? You lost me.

"Rounds tear up the frets too fast" = misconception.

 

[Jeff Scott]

What flatwound strings have you tried on the L2000 and what ere your results? I've tried TI flats and found them to be too much - too responsive. I didn't try adjusting PU or string height.

Looking for instant gratification without the work to idealize the setup?

Did you even bother adjusting the neck relief for the new and different strings compared to what was on there, originally?

 

[Sands]

Looking for instant gratification without the work to idealize the setup?

Did you even bother adjusting the neck relief for the new and different strings compared to what was on there, originally?

Well sir I have done a lot of work in the area of coffee over the years. I recommend a cold brew, less acidic, easier on the gut and it just makes the day much more pleasant in all ways.

I simply figured the TIs were probably overkill on the L2000. Sure. Maybe that was too easy. It also saved a nice set of strings for another bass. It takes me a lot of trial and error to dial in relief to spec. The strings were not a good match with the tube amp I'm using. Very sensitive, slight variations in touch led to major changes in output. with a L2ooo I suspect sensitive strings are of no beneficial help.

Maybe someone can share their experiences here. Kind of the point of this forum, isn't it??. . .

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I switched from rounds to D'Addario flatwound chromes over two years ago and have not had any issues with fret damage or blisters on my fingers at all. I love the chromes as they are sooooooo smooth and comfortable on my fingers plus they sound great.

 

[BassWaffle]

Looking for a well articulated note that is warm and growls.

I really want to emphasize that roundwounds are not going to ruin your frets. Your tone goals might be satisfied by flats, but you shouldn't limit yourself to them. You might want to check out nickel roundwounds, they're pretty good at getting a growly warmth.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I simply figured the TIs were probably overkill on the L2000. Sure. Maybe that was too easy. It also saved a nice set of strings for another bass. It takes me a lot of trial and error to dial in relief to spec. The strings were not a good match with the tube amp I'm using. Very sensitive, slight variations in touch led to major changes in output. with a L2ooo I suspect sensitive strings are of no beneficial help.

I find the TI's to be a GREAT match with my L2500 precisely because they are so responsive. The last thing I want is an unresponsive string or instrument. It's takes some effort over time to reign things in and learn how to play expressively and all that, but the end result is that you have far more control. I rarely use a compressor for the same reason.

If all you ever do is thrash around live, then I guess "responsive" and dynamic isn't for you. Personally, I play a lot of different styles and sounds, and I do a fair bit of studio work, so having excellent dynamic control is critical. The less time is spent compensating for my lack of dynamic control, the more studio work I get called for.

I haven't used a lot of flats on my G&L, but I'd say you want something very taught, rather than the looser feel of the TI's. Also, if you think the L2k is overly dynamic, get a compressor.

 

[Owen Bacon]

Sadowsky black labels are IMO the perfect flat. Not too dead, not too responsive. Tapewounds are always an option too if you want more articulate.

 

[InhumanResource]

It's moved.

Gross misconception? Smooth on smooth vs serrated on smooth? You lost me.

I've been playing rounds on a fretted bass since 2002 and everything still works fine. Probably looking at refret down the road, but not just yet.

 

[AcridSaint]

I was happy with D'Addario half-rounds on both of my L2Ks. Take it for whatever it's worth.

 

[bass40hz]

Flats on an L2K...wow, ok to each his own, but I have to say that L2K is one of the greatest ROCK basses out there, I own a custom order and its my main gigging bass...I got flats on my P, but never on my L2K...the flats i do use are the Rotosound Steve Harris Signatures, they are awesome, if you have to put flats on an L2K, they would be a good choice, IMHO.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

I switched from rounds to D'Addario flatwound chromes over two years ago and have not had any issues with fret damage or blisters on my fingers at all. I love the chromes as they are sooooooo smooth and comfortable on my fingers plus they sound great.

I, too, had chromes on my L2k for a year and thought they were fantastic.

But I switched to TI Powerbass because I wanted my L2k to sound like this:

 

[pbass2]

Had Chromes on a L2500 and it was a killer combo FWIW. Only added to the versatility of that beast.
Otherwise, I prefer Labellas, but at the the time my L2.5k was intended to be my "do it all" bass....

 

[Pbassmanca]

What flatwound strings have you tried on the L2000 and what ere your results? I've tried TI flats and found them to be too much - too responsive. I didn't try adjusting PU or string height.

Not interested in roundwounds- they tear up the frets too fast.

I had a set of Rotosound Jazz 77 Monel flats ( .105 - .45) on my L2000 for atleast a couple years, and frankly they sounded incredibly good, especially with the neck pickup.

 

[Pbassmanca]

If I still had that bass, those strings would be right back on there!