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D'addario Flats problem

M

markdavid

Jun 29, 2007
702
37
47
#1
Hi all,

I have just got some new strings for my bass as my roto tapewounds had unfortunately been on my bass for way too long I thought I would try D'addario flats. Now heres the problem, these strings are so bright at the moment , they are flats but sound like rounds. Does anybody know of anyway I can dull these a bit, any suggestions welcome.
 
#5
If they still sound too bright after two weeks of playing them, try a set of LaBella flats. They are more mellow and have lower tension than the Chromes. I have a "medium" set of 4 on a Fender P-bass and I get that classic thump. I put a "standard" set of 5 on a Spector Euro 5 LX and the hot EMG pickups / Spector pre-amp combination bring out a lot of top end when the treble control is boosted.

What bass are you using with the flats?
 
#6
PaulMacCnj said:
If they still sound too bright after two weeks of playing them, try a set of LaBella flats. They are more mellow and have lower tension than the Chromes. I have a "medium" set of 4 on a Fender P-bass and I get that classic thump. I put a "standard" set of 5 on a Spector Euro 5 LX and the hot EMG pickups / Spector pre-amp combination bring out a lot of top end when the treble control is boosted.

What bass are you using with the flats?
Click to expand...

If the strings are the same gauge, the La Bellas have higher tension than Chromes. You must be comparing a heavy set of Chromes to a light set of La Bellas. Out of the package, the La Bellas weigh more than the Chromes, and the are much stiffer (try coiling a Chrome and a Labella E-string). I love La Bellas and I'm luke warm on Chromes.

Edit: I also wouldn't describe La Bellas as mellower than Chromes. I think the La Bellas are louder and punchier than Chromes with a less brittle high end.
 
#7
king_biscuit said:
If the strings are the same gauge, the La Bellas have higher tension than Chromes. You must be comparing a heavy set of Chromes to a light set of La Bellas. Out of the package, the La Bellas weigh more than the Chromes, and the are much stiffer (try coiling a Chrome and a Labella E-string). I love La Bellas and I'm luke warm on Chromes.
Click to expand...

Stiffness isn't tension. I've tried both strings on quite a few basses (I do this because Chromes sound great on some basses and less good on others, and while LaBellas always sound good, the increased upper mids of the Chromes are useful sometimes), and depending on the bass I've always noticed a bit more relief with the Chromes, or I've had to tighten the trussrod to accomodate them. This is always with the .104 760FL and the .105 Chromes set, roughly the same gauge.

The larger gauge LaBella Jamersons are a whole different kettle of fish, though. Very high tension.


[/QUOTE]
Edit: I also wouldn't describe La Bellas as mellower than Chromes. I think the La Bellas are louder and punchier than Chromes with a less brittle high end.[/QUOTE]

I've never noticed a loudness difference (though I'm not disputing it, I have no opinion) but the Chromes definitely have more pronounced high mids, making them brighter and on some basses very aggressive, on others just more articulate.

Sadowsky flats sound more aggressive to me than both, while being no brighter than the LaBellas.
 
#8
Thanks for the replies , I am using them on a squier with seymour duncan quarter pounders, I am planning to switch back to my usual rotosound tapewounds as soon as payday comes around again.
 
#10
The beauty of the LaBellas is how mellow they can be if you want, and how punchy without getting aggressive they can be.

Nothing else sounds like Roto tapes. That gnarly brightness with big lows and the lack of sustain is very unique.
 

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