Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

[chadhargis]

+1 on the Chromes!

I was getting a bass lesson last night and my teacher was playing with rounds and me with my flats. We were plugged into the same amp. My bass had more bottom end yet still sounded great on the top end with a tighter fundamental.

No question the Chromes sound good.

 

[blowabs]

Deep that is true as I have both.

 

[Exploiter8]

Hey Sundogue!

Great Thread! I started bass in the late '70's after drumming for a few years. I guess that has helped me unconsciously lock in with drummers. I started out with Dean Markley Ground Round Wounds. Rounds were too noisy, finger-wise. Bass has always been more of a hobby to me, a reason to get together with friends and jam! As I got older, bass as a hobby even took a back seat due to working 3-11's, marriage, a son, you know...LIFE! I'm in my 50's and recently came out of my retirement from music. I found even Ground Wounds were tough on me, so I went to flats. I found Chromes to be GREAT! So what did I do? Well, thanks to the internet and Google I learned of "piano like sound" and "cutting through" and "being heard past the first ten rows." The Ox's 5:15 solo on the Buzzard blows me away each time I watch! I was ready to order a set of Optima Gold Strings for around 60 bucks when I thought I'd try a set of DR HiBeams. Yes. I get "that sound" (along with the string noise), but it's just not me! We get together maybe ten times a year. There's no set list. We each have a lyric's book and take turns going around the room singing. Sometimes we all know the song, but most of the time it's learning on the fly! Flats allowed me to "recover" from a clanker compared to Rounds which just magnify any mistakes! I know there are purists out there saying "practice technique more" etc. Sorry, I'm no Rock Star wanna-be. Jams and occasional coffee house gigs are enough for me these days. Flats are going back on later today!

Once again, GREAT thread Sundogue!

X8

 

[dagrev]

While I'm really loving putting Flats on and many things as possibly, I thought I'd relate a pleasant situation today. Like most I hate the characteristic hollow sound from rounds. They got twang and upper mids and really deep lows but seem to hollow out in a band setting.

I was playing a Jazz with Fender rounds and was really liking the tone. Then we all started playing and the tone I was loving completely disappeared! All I was getting was some highs and lows. Hollow.

Tried again with Labella flats and what a difference. Solid and full. For the heck of it I put dome Infeld IN344 Superalloy Round Wounds that came on a bass I bought on the Jazz and tried it again. I was impressed. Really impressed. These are the first rounds that didn't have that hollow sound and are very full. Not like flats but far, far better than any rounds I've tired. When I need rounds, this might be one of my top consideration.

For some not wanting to go fully flat but fo want more fullness the Infeld Superalloy's may be a good option when wanting to get off the flat train for brief moments.

 

[blowabs]

While I'm really loving putting Flats on and many things as possibly, I thought I'd relate a pleasant situation today. Like most I hate the characteristic hollow sound from rounds. They got twang and upper mids and really deep lows but seem to hollow out in a band setting.

I was playing a Jazz with Fender rounds and was really liking the tone. Then we all started playing and the tone I was loving completely disappeared! All I was getting was some highs and lows. Hollow.

Tried again with Labella flats and what a difference. Solid and full. For the heck of it I put dome Infeld IN344 Superalloy Round Wounds that came on a bass I bought on the Jazz and tried it again. I was impressed. Really impressed. These are the first rounds that didn't have that hollow sound and are very full. Not like flats but far, far better than any rounds I've tired. When I need rounds, this might be one of my top consideration.

For some not wanting to go fully flat but fo want more fullness the Infeld Superalloy's may be a good option when wanting to get off the flat train for brief moments.

hmmm...
mite try this...
does anyone know how they compare to TI flats??? thx

 

[stflbn]

I loooved the tone of TIs when new but now that they have a coupe gigs on them the high strings are losing clarity and I know the lowers are following.

Love the feel but overall to polite now for my band with guitar, bass, drums, with female vocal cover band. Played my sr5 this weekend with broken in rounds omit and was much more preesent and defined finally. But if I had 2 guitars and keyboards and needed to support more than fill space I'd definately prefer ti's or chrome.

 

[blowabs]

While I'm really loving putting Flats on and many things as possibly, I thought I'd relate a pleasant situation today. Like most I hate the characteristic hollow sound from rounds. They got twang and upper mids and really deep lows but seem to hollow out in a band setting.

I was playing a Jazz with Fender rounds and was really liking the tone. Then we all started playing and the tone I was loving completely disappeared! All I was getting was some highs and lows. Hollow.

Tried again with Labella flats and what a difference. Solid and full. For the heck of it I put dome Infeld IN344 Superalloy Round Wounds that came on a bass I bought on the Jazz and tried it again. I was impressed. Really impressed. These are the first rounds that didn't have that hollow sound and are very full. Not like flats but far, far better than any rounds I've tired. When I need rounds, this might be one of my top consideration.

For some not wanting to go fully flat but fo want more fullness the Infeld Superalloy's may be a good option when wanting to get off the flat train for brief moments.

dag
you would say there are more lower mids w. the Infeld IN344 Superalloy's?
are they like a pressure wound/half round type string?
thx

 

[dagrev]

hmmm...
mite try this...
does anyone know how they compare to TI flats??? thx

I don't know how to describe it. The TI flats definitely have more of flat sound and sound unbelievable on a Precision. Nothing better. I do seem to like them less on a Jazz.

The Infeld Rounds have more thump of a flat-like thump than other rounds, but still have a round kind of sound as you can image. Very low mid present, similar to flats. Sorry to be so inarticulate.

 

[dagrev]

dag
you would say there are more lower mids w. the Infeld IN344 Superalloy's?
are they like a pressure wound/half round type string?
thx

Yes, definitely more lower mids--more so than any rounds, but not as fat as flats. I would say on the Jazz anyway they are perfect for someone who wants the best of both worlds. I did use them on a Pbass once and was surprised there as well. But the TI flats sound better on those.

 

[blowabs]

Yes, definitely more lower mids--more so than any rounds, but not as fat as flats. I would say on the Jazz anyway they are perfect for someone who wants the best of both worlds. I did use them on a Pbass once and was surprised there as well. But the TI flats sound better on those.

thx
may just try:Thomastik-Infeld EB344's Powerbass strings???!! Even tho i love my TI's (even over my Chromes)!!

 

[engedi1]

IMHO, TI strings are always of the very highest quality, and you really can't go wrong with any of their strings. I have used the superalloys and were impressed, although they are little too stiff for my liking. That is why they are worth the money. I have yet to try their jazz rounds, they are even lighter gauge than the jazz flats, which I love completely. Can anyone chime in on the jazz rounds?

 

[old-fashioned]

Anybody using flats on StingRay? I've put on Chromes on mine but I'm not sure whether I like them better than rounds... They are different for sure. I tried to get used to, sometimes I like them sometimes don't.

 

[dagrev]

....I have used the superalloys and were impressed, although they are little too stiff for my liking. That is why they are worth the money. I have yet to try their jazz rounds, they are even lighter gauge than the jazz flats, which I love completely. Can anyone chime in on the jazz rounds?

Lighter gauges--thus far that's the one thing I would like for the Superalloys. Why they need to be that stiff I'm not sure.

I just noticed that the Jazz Rounds are very light. I too wonder how they feel tension wise compared to the TI flats. I like the Flats, but wonder if the Jazz rounds may simply be too loose. But I'd like to find out!

Sorry to sidetrack the thread a bit, but the TI SAs seem to a great option for flat lovers.

 

[dagrev]

Anybody using flats on StingRay? I've put on Chromes on mine but I'm not sure whether I like them better than rounds... They are different for sure. I tried to get used to, sometimes I like them sometimes don't.

I just can't bring myself to put flats on by 4 or 5 string Rays. Maybe I will one day. I've heard here that some really like that setup. There's a clip on Youtube with a SR with Chromes.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I have both TI's and Chromes and while the TI's are great strings, they settle in and become more mellow (in a good way) whereas the Chromes maintain that punch far longer. In fact, my Chromes are about a year old and they are still pretty much as bright as the day I put them on. The TI's sound more like (but not just like) traditional flats now (they did not at first).

Of course the tension is different between the two and I prefer tighter strings, but the Chromes are reserved for my classic rock and the TI's are for my mellower projects.

Chromes are just a different type of flatwound. They are like an aggressive, roundwound-like flat in that they seem to have more punch, clarity and can even sound clanky and bright when slapped. Yet they also have that killer thumping punch to them like all flats do. Even after a year! If someone is looking for Chromes to settle down and give them that traditional thump of an old school flat, good luck with that.

Chromes are THE perfect string for classic rock IMO because they give one most all the benefits of both flats and rounds and do so for a very, very long time without string changes.

Wanna know how to keep from buying new roundwounds once a month? Use Chromes! Seriously, for a flat they are bright, and unlike a round they keep that brightness literally forever.

Just another opinion.

What you have described with the Chromes is EXACTLY what I am looking for. I have tried TI's and honestly I didnt dig the "woodiness". I like to play the same type of music you're talking about. I have been thinking about Roto Rounds because I was so turned off by the TI's and that upright jazzy tone but if I can get punch and sizzle out of Chromes on my P then that is what I want to do. What gauge Chromes are you using?

 

[Sundogue]

What you have described with the Chromes is EXACTLY what I am looking for. I have tried TI's and honestly I didnt dig the "woodiness". I like to play the same type of music you're talking about. I have been thinking about Roto Rounds because I was so turned off by the TI's and that upright jazzy tone but if I can get punch and sizzle out of Chromes on my P then that is what I want to do. What gauge Chromes are you using?

5 string set...45-132. So a 4 string would be 45-100.

 

[NoBlackTShirts]

Hello. I'm new here. Happy to meet you.

"Sidenote: I've never liked P basses. They never "grabbed" me when I played 'em..... "YUCK" was my usual response. But, they sound great w/ a band..... much like your observations about flatwounds. Needless to say, I'll be giving flats and P basses a try soon, maybe paired together Harris-style ."

Nobody likes being a sheep in the herd but I switched to roundwounds when Yes came out and I'm putting together a PBass for flatwounds right now. It's time.

I don't enjoy practicing with them but that's not the point, is it?

N

 

[Deep]

Anyone here have experiences with DR flats? I don't see too much written about them in the forum. What are your feelings about them and how do they compare to TI's or GHS Precision Flats since all three have round cores?

 

[stflbn]

Sadly, I had to sever myself from flats. I loved the TI Jazz Flats when new, but they quickly got to mellow and lost the edge that I initially liked. And I'm not a slapper or a thin tinny weak bass sound kind of guy.

But I now know that I 'am' a modern bass sound kind of guy, which I really knew all along but foolishly kept trying to convince myself otherwise.

So my two sets were put up for sale last night and one already sold.

 

[CElton]

I actually just ordered a set of EBMM Group III flats to try on my SR5. I'm going from one extreme to the other as it's currently strung up with Elixir's which I really like on there. I just want to give flats a shot. If I like 'em, great. If not, hey, I tried. The sound samples I've heard with the MM/Flats combo was nice. Follow up to come...