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Confessions of a Flatwound convert...
- Thread starter Sundogue
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It seems like once every few days I have something to say about DR flats. I have a set on my P bass, and I don't think I'll ever change them. They are easily the smoothest string ever made. The sound is very focused and punchy, with lots of lows and low mids. They are nothing like chromes or labellas. They are closer to TI orchestral strings for upright than any other string I can think of. They aren't dull, but there is practically no shimmer to the sound, and no string noise.
Always learning... much, much more so since I found these forums.
I am sold, Chromes are going on my P tomorrow.
As a life long nickel round user, I am sure I will cry at first. I am just tired of dialing in a great tone, only to have it vanish when the band shows up.
I have a note on my amp that reads "play bass, not treble".
It is time to live up to that and switch, you guys sold me.
D'addario Chromes 50-105 seem to be what I am looking for.
thanks for all the info. You probably also saved me a big chunk of change buying new strings every few weeks.
I am sold, Chromes are going on my P tomorrow.
As a life long nickel round user, I am sure I will cry at first. I am just tired of dialing in a great tone, only to have it vanish when the band shows up.
I have a note on my amp that reads "play bass, not treble".
It is time to live up to that and switch, you guys sold me.
D'addario Chromes 50-105 seem to be what I am looking for.
thanks for all the info. You probably also saved me a big chunk of change buying new strings every few weeks.
Awesome! I'm guessing the name 'Steve Harris' came up in favor of flatwounds.
You will love it! I am rocking chromes on my Sadowsky and they sound really good. I might suggest the lower gauge, as chromes are pretty stiff. I have the lightest gauge, and they still have more thump and fundamental then any roundwound you will ever play. and are perfect for any "rock" band, particularly if you play a P. Be patient with them, as you will like them much better in your band context than in your rehearsal room. The good news is that the chromes should last you at least a couple of years. Justin Meldal Johnson really sold me on the idea of chromes when I watched a youtube of him talking about his #1 bass (out of like, 100) which is a 65 P with Chromes and he said the chromes have been on there for 5 years and they still sounded great!
I actually just ordered a set of TI flats to replace my Sadowsky flats on my P5, in hopes that they'll be a little more rounds-sounding.
I really like the Sads, but they're still pretty stiff, and I play pretty lightly.
Here's hoping that Jimmy is right that the TIs are "rounds disguised as flats".
I really like the Sads, but they're still pretty stiff, and I play pretty lightly.
Here's hoping that Jimmy is right that the TIs are "rounds disguised as flats".
I actually just ordered a set of TI flats to replace my Sadowsky flats on my P5, in hopes that they'll be a little more rounds-sounding.
I really like the Sads, but they're still pretty stiff, and I play pretty lightly.
Here's hoping that Jimmy is right that the TIs are "rounds disguised as flats".
I just replaced the TI's on my Sad with Chromes to try to find a little bolder tone. The TI's are awesome don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't say they get a round tone. The E and A string can growl if you dig in, since they are such a light guage. You should also try chromes as I find they are brighter than the TI's.
If anything, TI's allow for a round-wound type FEEL while retaining a flatwound sound, mainly because of the low tension. IMO/IME at least. Personally I prefer the Sadowsky flats.
Sadowsky flats are my next strings to try out! Since I love the basses, and I really like their rounds, maybe I'll like their flats. Can you say how they compare to Chromes as far as tension/tone is concerned?
ElMon, on an unrelated note, I was just lusting over your profile. You have the NYC PJ5 that I want and the BSX Allegro (not sure about the allegro or Azola) and your list of previously owned gear is insane! Your profile doesn't mention that you use flats on your Sad though. What bass do you have the flats on?
It's been TOO long since I've had chromes, but from what I remember I'd say that they're similar in tone somewhat but that the Sadowsky flats have less tension right out of the bag.
That is good to know. I am using the lightest gauge of Chromes, and I find the tension pretty doable, even when working over some very fast stuff, like bach cello suites. However, I could imagine the heavier gauge sadowsky's having more oomph. Yep, next on the list to try, although I don't see myself buying more flats anytime soon.
I thought the Sadowskys were incredible for about a month, then they kind of lost some of their magic to me. I feel like they don't pick up my dynamics as well as I would like. I like to get a nice "burp" when I dig, but I feel like I have to dig way too hard to get that. I also have a hard time getting a range out of my tone knob with them in a band setting, it all sounds about the same no matter where my tone knob is set.
(The tension on the light gauge Sads is pretty workable actually)
Chromes were nice, but the low Bs that I tried were were awfuland the silks create a problem at the bridge end for me. I don't know if I just got a couple of bad Bs, but they were really muddy, and I had a hard time getting them intonated.
I'm hoping that the TIs will work with my playing dynamics a little better, and give me a little more definition.
(The tension on the light gauge Sads is pretty workable actually)
Chromes were nice, but the low Bs that I tried were were awfuland the silks create a problem at the bridge end for me. I don't know if I just got a couple of bad Bs, but they were really muddy, and I had a hard time getting them intonated.
I'm hoping that the TIs will work with my playing dynamics a little better, and give me a little more definition.
I really liked the sound of the chromes on my P. If I was in a band with 2 guitarists, or perhaps just more instruments, it would have worked out very well. Being I am in a 3 piece, and carry a bit of melody, I went back to rounds. I know, it was one day. The band comes first though, so I let them decide. Maybe for the next CD. So, proggin with the rounds for a bit longer... I sure did like the tone though.
60 pages about flats, man am I late to the party. I started playing flats on my 1965 Framus back when I got it in 1965. I used flats exclusively up until the early 80s. I bought into the new modern sound the round wounds gave me for close to 20 years. Then I built my fretless P style bass and slapped a set of TI Jazz flats on it.
I keep a 5 string at rehearsal, it's a low volume affair and I still have round wounds on it but I will replace them with flats on the next string change.
I only own 5 working basses, the Framus is long past playability, and the 5 string is the only one with rounds, it's kind of cool to have the different sound but in a loud venue it does get washed out.
I keep a 5 string at rehearsal, it's a low volume affair and I still have round wounds on it but I will replace them with flats on the next string change.
I only own 5 working basses, the Framus is long past playability, and the 5 string is the only one with rounds, it's kind of cool to have the different sound but in a loud venue it does get washed out.
framus? which one? i used to have a strato-star. solidbody. hated it. tuners broke within a month, the neck was a pig, and it had a real boingy sound with not much meat on its bones.
wish i still had it!
wish i still had it!
I used to play rounds only. First I tried chromes, they were interesting but dull to my ears. After, I've put on TI jazz Flats... at first I wasn't convinced about them and I ordered a set of GHS Pressurewounds to try next. The GHS set is still in the pack, I just can not dare to change my TI's. I'm in love now...
You know, I have been really happy with the Chrome B string, and I have had no problems with the silk at the bridge, probably depends on the bridge. Although I will say the TI Flat B string is fantastic, very musical and useful. Also, the dynamics on the TI flats are awesome. The light tension allows for a huge dynamic range. I will probably end up with the TI's, although I am enjoying the more aggressive Chromes for now. The great thing about flats, is they aren't useless after you take them off the bass the rounds are once you stretch them out. If the the chromes grow old on me, I can swap the TI's back on and they will sound just as good!
I'm a bass neophyte. However, I have Thomstik-Infeld Jazz Swing flat-wounds on all three of my electric guitars. So, I'll probably end up putting TI's on my new bass as well (I am not a fan of D'Addario Chromes pas du tout.) I just have to decide between pure nickel and nickel plated steel.
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