• 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.

Do you use flatwounds? How often, on what?

#2
I loves me some flats.
They are the lost city of Atlantis when it comes to bass strings.
I got them on one of my P's and the other P has a BAII bridge with some rounds.
Fender flats, Ernie Ball rounds.
 
#3
I use D'addario Chrome Mediums on my Schecter C-4. Love them!! Granted, they're the first set of flats I've ever used, so I don't nothing to compare them to, but they rock!
The tone is so nice! Before, with the EMG's, D and G strings just sounded to high. Now they sound great! The E and A strings sound lower than ever! And they feel great too!
Give more of the 'old school' vibe.
 
#5
(Referring to the OP's salutation), I hope all three of you replied are also named Justin. ;)

Just joshin' ya. I love it when everyone chimes in.

D'Addario Chromes. I usually have two of every type bass, one with flats, one with rounds or something else like tapewound or halfround. They seem to work for me in all circumstances.

Best,
JMJ
 
#6
jmjbassplayer said:
(Referring to the OP's salutation), I hope all three of you replied are also named Justin. ;)

Just joshin' ya. I love it when everyone chimes in.

D'Addario Chromes. I usually have two of every type bass, one with flats, one with rounds or something else like tapewound or halfround. They seem to work for me in all circumstances.

Best,
JMJ
Click to expand...

Thanks.

And thanks to everyone else also for their input. Seems like Chromes are about the way to go.
 
#8
Chromes are indeed a beautiful thing. I actually met a guy from LaBella strings a few weeks back, and I felt very sheepish because I've been using Chromes as my main flatwound strings. All I could manage was "Your tapewounds are awesome! But the Jamerson flats nearly f**ked up the neck of my P-Bass".
 
#10
imho Chromes and Ps aren't a match made in heaven - love Ps, love flats but find chromes on a P to be tacky, clacky and clicky.....

Chromes on an EBMM, Jack Casady or J - great...but my Ps seem to like Rotosound RS77 flats or a more traditional flat like a GHS or even Webstrings......also the Ernie Ball flats sound good on a P to my ears....(group one or two....)
 
#12
I have never used flats, but I want to. I like the clarity and brightness of rounds but do not like the "clickiness" that comes with them, so my question is which flats have the brightest sound to them? My bass (MM Sterling Classic) really pumps out the treble (and bass) so I think I might be able to get the best of flats and rounds with the right string. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
#13
When I first put Chromes on a couple of my Fender basses, I went back and forth between loving them and hating them. Felt great, not as stiff as some flats, but way too middy. Spent a year switching back and forth from them to XL rounds, as I figured if they were going to ring like that, I'd rather have rounds. But a month ago, I decided to give them one more final try, and now that they're totally dead, it's a fantastic improvement, and I love them. The deadness mellowed out the middiness, and the thump they get is excellent. I only wish they made an extra light short scale set so I could put them on my Danelectro Longhorn. Unlike Justin, who uses very manly gauges starting with a .050 G, I am a pussy when it comes to strings, and I have to have my .040 G.
 
#15
JimmyM said:
When I first put Chromes on a couple of my Fender basses, I went back and forth between loving them and hating them. Felt great, not as stiff as some flats, but way too middy. Spent a year switching back and forth from them to XL rounds, as I figured if they were going to ring like that, I'd rather have rounds. But a month ago, I decided to give them one more final try, and now that they're totally dead, it's a fantastic improvement, and I love them. The deadness mellowed out the middiness, and the thump they get is excellent. I only wish they made an extra light short scale set so I could put them on my Danelectro Longhorn. Unlike Justin, who uses very manly gauges starting with a .050 G, I am a pussy when it comes to strings, and I have to have my .040 G.
Click to expand...

Well I love me some mids, so it sounds like I might get along with the chromes. I think I will try them or the TI Jazz which seem to be very popular with folks on here.
 
#16
Reading what you said about what you're looking for in flats, TI's would likely be up your alley, as they are the brightest and ringiest flats I've ever used, and not even 4 months of solid usage and sweating all over them could make them go dead. I'd rather use rounds, but those who like them speak of them in hushed, reverent tones reserved for deities, so I'd try them.
 
#17
I had chromes on my P - hated them. I have chromes on my fretless jazz - love them. I'm kinda itching to try some tapewounds on the fretless though. I generally like the way flats on a P sounds, I just have to find the right ones. La bella or GHS flats are up next.
 
#18
Systolic said:
I had chromes on my P - hated them. I have chromes on my fretless jazz - love them. I'm kinda itching to try some tapewounds on the fretless though. I generally like the way flats on a P sounds, I just have to find the right ones. La bella or GHS flats are up next.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I have chromes on my fretless EBMM, the perfect string for that bass, for me. I used to use flats (usually Rotosound or GHS) on my P and J basses all through the 90s, but I just don't like that tone on a fretted bass anymore. I like to have a nice snap available when I want it - that's what frets are good for! I love string and fret noise, it adds character IMO.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back