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Best Flatwound Strings?
- Thread starter cv115505
- Start date
Its hard to tell a smaller diameter string will be floppier with less tension that a lager diameter.
But I associate more mass to dark sound.
So if I have to put my money down, I would guess a heavier string will sound darker.. I like that, but not to the point to use heave gauge strings... I always like to be in the middle, not too light or heavy
I love TIJF's.... the tone, the feel, and the lifespan.
But.... my current band is tuned down to Eb, and the TI's are just a bit too "uncontrollable" for me tuned down.
So, I picked up a set of the Sadowsky flats. Tension is a bit more than the TI's, so the Eb tuning is no problem. They are a lot more rigid and stiff than the TI's though, so that has taken some getting used to. Now that I've had them for a couple of months, and they've broken in (these actually sound great out of the pack), the tone resembles the TI's more and more. Another interesting bit..... When I first put these on ('08 Fender CS '59 P), I loved them with my Aggy TH/GK Neo 112's. The same head with my Heritage 810, they sounded "meh" at best. But now that they've rounded out a bit, they sound wickedly good through that cabinet.
Great mids, and don't have the scoop that you hear with the Labellas or GHS's. They also don't have that extreme upper end ping that you hear with the Labellas, nor do they have the upper mid clak that you get with Chromes.
A bit of foam under the strings at the bridge, and they'll thump like vintage labellas.
Great all around flat, especially if you dig the TI tone, but not the TI tension and/or less rigid feel.
But.... my current band is tuned down to Eb, and the TI's are just a bit too "uncontrollable" for me tuned down.
So, I picked up a set of the Sadowsky flats. Tension is a bit more than the TI's, so the Eb tuning is no problem. They are a lot more rigid and stiff than the TI's though, so that has taken some getting used to. Now that I've had them for a couple of months, and they've broken in (these actually sound great out of the pack), the tone resembles the TI's more and more. Another interesting bit..... When I first put these on ('08 Fender CS '59 P), I loved them with my Aggy TH/GK Neo 112's. The same head with my Heritage 810, they sounded "meh" at best. But now that they've rounded out a bit, they sound wickedly good through that cabinet.
Great mids, and don't have the scoop that you hear with the Labellas or GHS's. They also don't have that extreme upper end ping that you hear with the Labellas, nor do they have the upper mid clak that you get with Chromes.
A bit of foam under the strings at the bridge, and they'll thump like vintage labellas.
Great all around flat, especially if you dig the TI tone, but not the TI tension and/or less rigid feel.
I have always thought over the past 20+ years of playing that all strings were pretty much the same. So i just stuck with boomers since the early 90's. Well after joining this site a couple of weeks ago and seen the big debate about strings i thought i would try out something different. Well today I picked up a set of Fender 9050 Stainless Steel Flatwounds 45-100. Once I put them on my bass I was literally amazed how my bass woke up and started singing a smoother tone.
I've tried the TI and Chrome on my P bass and for me it is the La Bella Deep Talking that did it. You have to play them in a band situation to really appreciate them, they cut through like I had no idea and they sound big. For me anyway...
So, to sum up the thread so far: the best flats are... all of them. 
I've got my first set of flats on order - trying Chromes on my fretless J.
I've got my first set of flats on order - trying Chromes on my fretless J.
So, to sum up the thread so far: the best flats are... all of them.
I've got my first set of flats on order - trying Chromes on my fretless J.
Lol YES!!! but all comes down to the sound, frequency LOW/MID/HIGH, and feeling that you are after...!!! and Yet other personal factors
So if I'm planning on buying 2-3 sets to swap out and test, and I don't want to have to get a new set-up every time, which string tension has more effect on the set-up: the low E or high G?
For instance, I'm looking at three sets, all of which have the thinnest string at a .045. But the thickest varies: .095, .100, .104. Is that okay, or should I be trying to get sets where the thinner string doesn't vary as much, even if it means getting a thicker string that might be a different gauge?
Or is this all pretty much moot if they are all in the same range. I do plan on getting a setup done with the first set put on, but just want to be sure I don't have too many issues when changing sets.
Thanks.
For instance, I'm looking at three sets, all of which have the thinnest string at a .045. But the thickest varies: .095, .100, .104. Is that okay, or should I be trying to get sets where the thinner string doesn't vary as much, even if it means getting a thicker string that might be a different gauge?
Or is this all pretty much moot if they are all in the same range. I do plan on getting a setup done with the first set put on, but just want to be sure I don't have too many issues when changing sets.
Thanks.
It's a very subjective issue.
For me it's LaBella Deep Talkin'.
But some don't like it.
How about TI flats for you? (many people seem to like it)
For me it's LaBella Deep Talkin'.
But some don't like it.
How about TI flats for you? (many people seem to like it)
Once, on a friend's fretless. I wouldn't want to spend money on them for this bass unless I shielded it properly first. Touching metal strings kills the buzz - touching nylon, not so much.
Learn to do your own setups and it won't cost you anything. It's difficult to predict how a bass will respond to new strings. I say this as a very non-technical guy, who usually hates DIY. I just read the Fender setup guide, bought a couple of cheap tools and can happily set up my own basses and guitars.
I like a more classic tone from flats and Labellas and Sadowsky black label get that sound to my ears.
My problem is I used TIs on a bass for a month or 2 and I really liked the mid presence they got while playing with the band. This kind of spoiled me as I like the sound of the Labella/Sadowsky soloed better than the TI.
Like others said, the Sadowsky's had a little better mid range while keeping that amazing classic flatwound sound.
My problem is I used TIs on a bass for a month or 2 and I really liked the mid presence they got while playing with the band. This kind of spoiled me as I like the sound of the Labella/Sadowsky soloed better than the TI.
Like others said, the Sadowsky's had a little better mid range while keeping that amazing classic flatwound sound.
It's too bad TI doesn't make a set specifically for us Eb tuned bassists. I'd be all over that.
I try rotosound and labella. Rotosound are too stiff. Labella is the way to go. I cant find daddarios. I will try the next time.
Having just put labella jamersons on my pbass, I hereby declare them the best. I've been noodling for about an hour and my fingers are aching a bit, but they do sound fantastic.
I wouldn't argue with that (La Bella 760M, that is.)
Mine are on a 32 inch scale, so I guess naturally a hair slacker than they would be on 34 inches. Real easy to play. That might be something to thing about for people who play lower than standard tunings, too.
Mine are on a 32 inch scale, so I guess naturally a hair slacker than they would be on 34 inches. Real easy to play. That might be something to thing about for people who play lower than standard tunings, too.
