Do flatwound strings last forever?

[Mastermold]

I recently recorded with a 68 P-bass borrowed from a friend that has had D'Addario Chromes for probably a decade, but the bass hasn't been played much the past five years. Still, sounded great for the studio, better than any of my basses which is why used it.

 

[ProfGumby]

My Chromes have lasted forever, so far.

Mine too!

I love the chromes, and do kinda scoff at the idea they are "starter" strings. I have tried 4 different brands of flat wounds and still have 3 on my basses. However, the DR's will be replaced by Webstrings Detroit Flats when (if ) they ever go dead and I am going to try Chromes on my next new bass as well as my 5 string. Did I mention I really like them?

I keep being urged to try TI, and I am sure one day I will, but for now....

And I will change the flats when they or one of them can't stay in tune for more than a day. Dead is dead.

 

[ProfGumby]

They certainly does!!

Yes in deedy! I non't deed ta change my tings! {Buckwheat the bass player}

 

[Pilgrim]

Wow . . . 37 years sounds like some kind of record. Do you clean them regularly?

I gotta say, I tried flats twice and found them very hard to play. They sounded great for sure, but the fingers on my right hand felt like they were sticking to the strings. actually impaired my playing... maybe it's just me.

Nope, never have cleaned them. They did sit in the case (fully tensioned) for about 20 years during that 37 year period, but I've never cleaned them.

I'm not generally a fan of rounds - to me flats feel smoother and easier on the fingers - and no annoying "zing" when you touch the string while chancing hand positions.

 

[babaseen]

Since this is about using flats over many years I thought resurrecting an older thread would be appropriate.

Just had a conversation on this subject with my bass tech (Winchester, MA) as I have the La Bella Jamerson set on my P bass going on 8 years. He was telling me that as strings get older they tend to lose their consistency even if you set the intonation at the 12th fret they may not be consistent over the full length of the string. I notice that my strings have minimal tone (although I like the "thud") and their playability is beginning to resemble rubber bands. I used a strobe tuner to verify his observations and I believe that for this particular set it is time to restring. The only down side is that I will have to break in a new flatwound set and that usually takes the better part of a year, but I just learned a lesson and thought why not share with other TBers since I have learned alot from many of your posts (although I do have a very long ignore list).

 

[Mastermold]

Since this is about using flats over many years I thought resurrecting an older thread would be appropriate.

Just had a conversation on this subject with my bass tech (Winchester, MA) as I have the La Bella Jamerson set on my P bass going on 8 years. He was telling me that as strings get older they tend to lose their consistency even if you set the intonation at the 12th fret they may not be consistent over the full length of the string. I notice that my strings have minimal tone (although I like the "thud") and their playability is beginning to resemble rubber bands. I used a strobe tuner to verify his observations and I believe that for this particular set it is time to restring. The only down side is that I will have to break in a new flatwound set and that usually takes the better part of a year, but I just learned a lesson and thought why not share with other TBers since I have learned alot from many of your posts (although I do have a very large ignore list).

How far off is your intonation? Do you really need to change the strings or is your tech's comment pushing you to do it when you wouldn't otherwise? I know Paul McCartney got along just fine with the Beatles without perfect intonation.

 

[babaseen]

How far off is your intonation? Do you really need to change the strings or is your tech's comment pushing you to do it when you wouldn't otherwise? I know Paul McCartney got along just fine with the Beatles without perfect intonation.

To be honest, after my last two gigs I was questioning whether I noticed some kind of change with the strings playability in regards to tension and response (I thought it might just be my imagination), after all I've been playing them for 8 years and know the feel well but still there was something going on. All three bands love this bass with these strings for the tone...so I was just unsure, but the majority of my gigs are based on improvisation (i.e., no rehearsals and no set list) no matter whether it is blues, r&b, funk or jazz so I use my ears to "survive" and thus intonation matters alot to me. I noticed I was struggling a bit on the last two gigs (which is a rare occurence) in regards to playing what I hear in the moment. If I was playing pre-determined, well rehearsed parts like Mr. Mac does it would be just fine.

 

[esa372]

How can you tell if flatwounds go dead?

lmbo

 

[Linnin]

I agree with babaseen's bass tech. Flatwounds do go 'wonky' {my term} and lose their consistency. I notice the E-string always goes first and looses it's abilty to hold tune and the fundamental tone just sounds 'off' to your ear. If you check you'll find that your intonation is also off. Don't bother to adjust your bridge, just change strings and start the long process of playing them in. It took nearly six months of playing and fine tuning the bridge and pickups to get them perfect.

 

[Major Softie]

No, flats do not last "forever." At some point the sun will explode, swallowing the earth, and your flat wounds will not survive the conflagration.

 

[Gorn]

Unless we make it to another solar system and take our flatwounds with us.

 

[hsech]

When the world ends, flat wound strings will be floating in space with the debris.

 

[radioface]

I never change strings unless, one breaks, then I change the whole set.

 

[JTE]

A. Joe Osborn put a set of LaBella flats on his Jazz Bass shortly after he got it (1960?). That bass with those strings was his working bass until he connected with Dan LAKIN ca. 1999.

B. After nuclear holocaust there will still be cockroaches, Twinkie filling, Keith Richards, and flat wound bass strings.

John

 

[chadhargis]

I have Chromes on my P bass. They are only a year and a half old, but I play that bass when I'm looking for an "old school" sound. Flats on a P have a distinct sound for sure.

Jazz bass has nickels and my Lakie 55-02 has stainless steels.

Different tools for different jobs. If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

 

[Mennolineum]

Different tools for different jobs. If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Eye opening in a way, awesome good thing i am here

 

[Dredmahawkus]

No, flats do not last "forever." At some point the sun will explode, swallowing the earth, and your flat wounds will not survive the conflagration.

I shouldnt have read this while eating I almost choked!

 

[Chasbo]

Nothing lasts forever except the Earth and Sky. (Dust in the Wind)

 

[Rich McCoy]

Flatwound technology comes from aliens. Think about it...

 

[BassChuck]

I get about 3 months use out of my TI flats. I play anywhere from 2 to 5 hours a day, so that's a lot of time. I could keep them on the bass longer but they lose the upper end and start to sound dull. If I were playing music that required more 'thump' than pitch then, yea, they'd stay on for years.