tekdiver500ft said:
Actually, I just installed these on my p bass and while I do like them because of the smooth feel and lower tension, I find that they produce a hollow sounding harmonic. I'm hoping that this will die out a bit as I break them in.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Confessions of a flatwound convert pt 2.
- Thread starter john turner
- Start date
Actually, I just installed these on my p bass and while I do like them because of the smooth feel and lower tension, I find that they produce a hollow sounding harmonic. I'm hoping that this will die out a bit as I break them in.
Long time flat user here. When I first started playing bass many years ago, I thought round wound was the only way to go. But one day I wanted to try something different, so I installed a pack of those old Fender flats. From that day forward, i haven't used anything but flats. When I play my friend's bass that has rounds on them, it just feels wrong. They always feel grimy and they feel like they're on the wrong instrument (i.e. best suited for a piano). 
Anyhow, I used La Bellas, Fenders, and Rotosound for a really long time, and just over the past few years I have been experimenting. I used the oh so expensive Pyramid Golds for a while. Love the sound but hate the quality. If they lasted longer than 3 months without breaking, these would be my goto strings. My goto strings right now are TI jazz flats. Currently my pick for best all-around flats. I don't really care about the price because they last forever!! I'm also currently using Sadowsky Black Labels. I do like them a bit better than the La Bellas, but still prefer the TIs. Next I'll probably try the GHS flats that everyone hypes around here. I doubt they'll beat the TIs, but I'd like to find some flats with a good thud that doesn't have the tension of bridge cable.
Anyhow, I used La Bellas, Fenders, and Rotosound for a really long time, and just over the past few years I have been experimenting. I used the oh so expensive Pyramid Golds for a while. Love the sound but hate the quality. If they lasted longer than 3 months without breaking, these would be my goto strings. My goto strings right now are TI jazz flats. Currently my pick for best all-around flats. I don't really care about the price because they last forever!! I'm also currently using Sadowsky Black Labels. I do like them a bit better than the La Bellas, but still prefer the TIs. Next I'll probably try the GHS flats that everyone hypes around here. I doubt they'll beat the TIs, but I'd like to find some flats with a good thud that doesn't have the tension of bridge cable.
I have Spector rebop 5 and after numerous roundwounds I put Galli Black nylon and GHS Black nylon tapewound on bass.But Something was missing.Than I put Fender flats on but D string broke soon.Than I said to miself ,after reading and hearing reviews on Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats,I must buy them.I have them on bass for a month And I am very happy .Tension is getting lower every day and sound duller wich I like.
So until recently, I've had D'Addario Chromes on my Squier Precision V (5-string, Jazz electronics, Precision body) and I've enjoyed the sound; Chromes, after all, are my favorite bass string.
I decided to try rounds again. I bought a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Bass 45-130 and installed them. They sound "cool" when solo, of course, but in a mix, they're getting lost. The director of the worship band I'm in (two guitars, keys, drums, bass, three vocalists) pointed out yesterday that when I go up past the 7th fret on the D-string, the bass disappears. It's true! I really wanted to love rounds again, but I miss the beef of flats
The thing is, I'm not in love with the Chromes B-string. However, that very well may be entirely due to the lackluster pickups Fender sent these basses out with.
I think for my next set of strings, I'll look at different brands of flats. Fender and Rotosound have my eye, at the moment. There's just no denying the presence of flatwounds when played in a mix!
I decided to try rounds again. I bought a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Bass 45-130 and installed them. They sound "cool" when solo, of course, but in a mix, they're getting lost. The director of the worship band I'm in (two guitars, keys, drums, bass, three vocalists) pointed out yesterday that when I go up past the 7th fret on the D-string, the bass disappears. It's true! I really wanted to love rounds again, but I miss the beef of flats
The thing is, I'm not in love with the Chromes B-string. However, that very well may be entirely due to the lackluster pickups Fender sent these basses out with. I think for my next set of strings, I'll look at different brands of flats. Fender and Rotosound have my eye, at the moment. There's just no denying the presence of flatwounds when played in a mix!
the chrome B string is really Thuddy. The TI flat b string is the best flatwound B I have ever used as far as clarity and usability goes.
So until recently, I've had D'Addario Chromes on my Squier Precision V (5-string, Jazz electronics, Precision body) and I've enjoyed the sound; Chromes, after all, are my favorite bass string.
I decided to try rounds again. I bought a set of Ernie Ball Slinky Bass 45-130 and installed them. They sound "cool" when solo, of course, but in a mix, they're getting lost. The director of the worship band I'm in (two guitars, keys, drums, bass, three vocalists) pointed out yesterday that when I go up past the 7th fret on the D-string, the bass disappears. It's true! I really wanted to love rounds again, but I miss the beef of flats
I think for my next set of strings, I'll look at different brands of flats. Fender and Rotosound have my eye, at the moment. There's just no denying the presence of flatwounds when played in a mix!
Try TI Jazz flats. You'll have to try to get lost in the mix after that. They have everything rounds AND flats seem to lack. The perfect bass guitar string, period. IMO, of course.
Thanks guys. I would LOVE to try a set, but a 5-string set costs a whopping $87, and that's including my Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop... discount for being a TB member (shameless plug for Jason!). Let the penny-pinching begin..
It seems strange to me that we spend hundreds if not thousands on gear, but hesitate to spend $80 on a set of strings that will-
- Last for years, perhaps outlasting an amp change or two, and
- make perhaps the most profound change in your tone, maybe even more than your instrument or amp.
I'd suggest going for it!
- Last for years, perhaps outlasting an amp change or two, and
- make perhaps the most profound change in your tone, maybe even more than your instrument or amp.
I'd suggest going for it!
I have a lakland 55-01 and am buying some new flatwounds to try out, any suggestions? any thoughts on stringing through the body vs. the bridge with flats? opinions on gauge? reading through this thread is helpful but any thoughts on what to put on the skyline would be appreciated.
Traditional flats sound--La Bella 760FL through the bridge
A little brighter--Fender 9050CL through the bridge or body
The sound won't be any different through body or bridge.
Either of those will work very well, depending on what sound you want to get.
I'm keeping an eye on the Fender 9050-5M set (45-65-85-105-125); I've used Chromes plenty of times and have never enjoyed the massive .132 B-String. The idea of a .125 is much more comfortable. For rounds, I don't mind a .135, but for flats I like a little lighter gauge.
I'm not sure at all about how the floppiness of a B-string works. I don't know if the .125 would be more or less than a .132 B-string. I'm interested if people have info, though.
For reference, I play a 34"-scale Squier Standard Precision V.
bassist4dalord said:
That is why I asked. I have had better success with .130 rounds. However the tension of flats seems to allow for a lighter gauge. I personally found the .132 of the Chromes a bit too tight for my playing style. I will have to try that on my next string change.
Everything is relative. I have used MANY different B Strings, and the TI Flat B string is one of the best I have ever used, whether we are talking rounds or flats. It IS the best if we are talking flats. If you really like Chromes, but don't like their B string, try using the Chrome set of your choices with the TI flat B. It is huge, at .136, but it is very clear and musical, not dull and thuddy like the Chrome B string. It is also lower tension and won't kill your hands. It is usable up to the 12 or 13th fret (on my bass)
TI Flats are my favorite flat so I may have give the 5-string set a try. Thanks for the feedback.
I've got medium gauge Daddario Chromes....sounds and play great on my 55-01 fretless.
Sadowsky Black Label flats would also be worth a spin.
I recommend top-loading all flats. Many string makers discourage thru-body stringing and it's already a long scale.
