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Do you use flatwounds? How often, on what?

#22
I have had flats on my jazz for the last year. I used to have .45-.100 chromes on for almost the whole year but just switched to the .50-.105 set of chromes and like them better. I can't wait for them to break in some more and finally go as dead as my old set. I tried various gauges of rotosound and didn't really care for them. I have occasionally tried to go back to rounds but can never last more than a day or two before I miss the flats. They seem to work well for everything.
 
#24
TI Jazz Flats really have the most unique tone.
I would never describe them as "bright" or "ringy" but rather focused and dry with far more note and way less tubbiness.
The silk layer in the windings is something nice

All in all, I love these strings.

And as with most things..... the longer they stay on the bass, the nicer they sound.
Just my €2
 
#26
I've got ten basses right now, and the only two that don't wear light or medium gauge chromes are my last build (neckthrough fretted Precision) and a couple builds before that - a bolt on fretted precision. both of these wear Ernie Ball rounds of some sort - the kind in the orange bag type packaging, I don't know what to call them.

but yes, overall I greatly prefer flats for everything. these two basses only have rounds because I haven't got the money to put into two sets of chromes right now (college student blues...)
 
#28
So I put some chromes on my MM Sterling today and I love them. Medium (105) guage. This is my first-ever set of flats and I was quite surprised at how bright they were. As much as I like them now I think I will like them more when they go dead, just like I prefer nickel rounds after they go dead. More tension than I am used to but I was able to lower my action quite a bit while still getting less buzz than I had using EB Slinkys.

The only problem is that my bass is thru body only (no thru bridge option) and the silk ends of the strings do not completely clear the nut (about 1/8 inch onto the first fret)! I had to trim some of the stuff off of the G string so it would fit in its slot on the nut. What can I do about that, other than just deal with it?
 
#29
Gyver said:
The only problem is that my bass is thru body only (no thru bridge option) and the silk ends of the strings do not completely clear the nut (about 1/8 inch onto the first fret)! I had to trim some of the stuff off of the G string so it would fit in its slot on the nut. What can I do about that, other than just deal with it?
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You should probably get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] the next time you buy strings. I ran into a similar issue with my Fender American Std Precision Bass 5 string. I put on a long scale set of Chromes, but when I strung it through the body the silks were resting in the nut. NOT GOOD! But when I anchored the strings at the bridge everything was cool.
 
#30
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.
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Jimmy, have you tried Pyramid Golds? The best in my opinion and you can order custom sets. I ordered a custom set from Germany and they were fantastic. I've used them on and off since the late 90's. They'll have the lighter gauges you're looking for.
 
#32
pudgychef said:
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....)
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I agree with you on that. I use Labella 45's on my PBass but use chromes on my MM and Duesenberg hollowbody.
 
#34
Ernie Ball Group III flatwounds on my Stingray Classic. LaBella Original 1954 .052 - .110 Flatwounds on the CS Precision. The quatersawn neck on the Precision handles the tension quite nicely. And, since I rarely have to change strings, it's a lot easier on my wallet.
 
#35
I'm trying out DR Legend flats on my P-type. They have a big, bouncy tone and sound a little more live than other flats I've tried.

There always comes a point with flats where I miss that slight metallic edge. Thing is, I NEVER wish that rounds were deader.

I'm dedicating one bass to flats to see how it works out.
 
#36
ShoeManiac said:
You should probably get a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] the next time you buy strings. I ran into a similar issue with my Fender American Std Precision Bass 5 string. I put on a long scale set of Chromes, but when I strung it through the body the silks were resting in the nut. NOT GOOD! But when I anchored the strings at the bridge everything was cool.
Click to expand...

Agreed, unfortunately they only make the medium light set in super-long (or I just am not looking in the right place). The mediums only come in long or shorter. I might try the medium lights or maybe a different company. For now I am leaving them on as is to see if I like them as much in a month as I do right now!
 
#40
The key to Chromes on a P is to not pass judgement on them until they are thoroughly worn in. They're like a baseball glove...... darn near unusable at first, but settle in wonderfully. And the mids absolutely sing. No problem at all with sitting in the mix right where they need to.
 

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