DR Legend Flatwound strings are surprisingly great on P Bass. 45-105

[hollowman]

Real smooth polished finish, which I like. The tension is very well balanced string to string...good output levels from string to string also, which is rare. Sound very good right out of the box...I look forward to seeing what gives after a nice break in period.

On another note LaBella Tapewounds are straight dookie. Waste of money. Tension is NOT balanced, far from it. False advertising. The G string sounds and feels so different from the rest of the strings, it seemed like it was from a different set. I gave them 2 months to break in too, still dookie. The E string was pretty good I'll say, but that's all I can say that's nice.
D'Addario Black Tapewounds are consistently good.

 

[stratovani]

I've been playing DR Legends on my P for over a year now, and for me they're the best strings I've ever tried on my P (my J has GHS Brite Flats, but that's another story). They've got THE P-Bass classic sound, IMO the true sound of bass, and my fingers aren't killing me after a long gig. They sound good with a pick, and they play nice with my pedals. I really don't see myself switching string brands ever again.

 

[iammr2]

I've had Legends on my Sting single-coiled for about 4 years now. They've got the thumb, not as stiff as Fenders, and not as high-middy/trebly as La Bellas.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I've thought about trying the Legends on my main Precision. I've used La Bella's on that bass for years but I'm very impressed with many of DR's roundwound strings such as the Pure Blues (which are currently on my Mike Dirnt bass) and the Hi-Beams. In general, it seems like players have a lot of good things to say about the Legends.

Maybe next time I change strings I'll finally give the Legends a try.

 

[hollowman]

I've been playing DR Legends on my P for over a year now, and for me they're the best strings I've ever tried on my P (my J has GHS Brite Flats, but that's another story). They've got THE P-Bass classic sound, IMO the true sound of bass, and my fingers aren't killing me after a long gig. They sound good with a pick, and they play nice with my pedals. I really don't see myself switching string brands ever again.

Question: How long of a break in time do these DR Legends need and what did you notice change in the tone as they settled in?
I have had mine on for only a few days. I'm hoping the A/D/and G string mellow on the hi end...

 

[stratovani]

Question: How long of a break in time do these DR Legends need and what did you notice change in the tone as they settled in?
I have had mine on for only a few days. I'm hoping the A/D/and G string mellow on the hi end...

From what I can remember it wasn't very long. They sounded good right off the bat, and it only took a few days for them to mellow out even more. But it was the smoothness that got me. I gigged with them shortly after installing them, and at the end of the gig my fingers still felt good, no soreness like on other strings, especially rounds.

 

[hollowman]

Yes indeed...the smoothness is a huge factor for me as well. I'm very pleased with the tension and output level uniformity especially...the only gripe I can muster thus far is the E string is noticeably less shiny on the high end than the rest of the strings, which I hope will even out over time...then we shall indeed have found the perfect flats for P Bass!
FYI: I just emailed DR about this issue and will share the response when it comes in...stay tuned.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Long time Roto flats user - but recently started using the Legends on my 5 string jazz bass. Really like them. May try them on the Fender P next time around.

They are a good all around balance of feel, tension, tone, and volume.

 

[thedovewarlord]

If you have any experience, how do they compare to either Chromes 105 or 100. I just posted because I am looking for a string with slightly less tension. I have 105 and they're pretty stiff but only notice the tension when I first get going, interested if these are another alternate to the Chromes 105's...

 

[thedovewarlord]

ps all my basses are Fender P's from 1965 all the way thru a 2017 MIM that was converted to fretless. My beast of burden is a late 60's that is quite woof if you know who Madeline Kahn is.

 

[stratovani]

If you have any experience, how do they compare to either Chromes 105 or 100. I just posted because I am looking for a string with slightly less tension. I have 105 and they're pretty stiff but only notice the tension when I first get going, interested if these are another alternate to the Chromes 105's...

As far as tension goes I think they have less tension than La Bellas, but a little more than Fender flats. I really can't say about other brands of flats, maybe someone else here will.

 

[hollowman]

I tried Chromes years ago and didn't care for them, though I can't remember why exactly. I think it was the feel though. One of the things I like about the DR Legends is they are well polished and (while not perfect) way better than I expected as regards tension and output balance string to string.. I can't remember what I thought about the tension of the Chromes.

 

[Phaidrus]

It looks like Robbie Shakespeare is paying a bass strung with DR Legends in this video. Nice sweet round thick thumpy tone. Of course, it's Shakespeare playing.

 

[Root 5]

if you know who Madeline Kahn is.

"I'm tired."

 

[thedovewarlord]

"I'm tired."

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Ok we are comparing DR Legend FLATS here correct? Im wondering how they compare to Fender 9050 flats as far as tension, bendability etc.

Also anyone use DR flats in short scale?

 

[uwrossl]

I bought a lightly used set of Legends a few months back because I wanted to give them another go after having not been blown away the first time. Was in the middle of a massive flatwound test and liked them but they came off in a couple weeks to move to the next set. Recently just put them back on my Moollon P Classic IV. Third time is a charm and I'm loving them. They really do sound like broke in La Bellas and are a bit more flexible. Very balanced and comfortable to play and a nice high output. They've jumped to my top spot for traditional sounding flatwound.

how do they compare to either Chromes 105 or 100

I did test the Chromes 40-100 in my mass testing. DRs don't have much in common tonally with Chromes. As far as tension/stiffness goes the DRs(45-105) and the 40-100 Chromes are very similar so I think you'd find them a bit more flexible than the Chrome 105. There's also no initial tackiness or long break in period with the DR's. Glassy smooth.

 

[DCCat]

I bought a lightly used set of Legends a few months back because I wanted to give them another go after having not been blown away the first time. Was in the middle of a massive flatwound test and liked them but they came off in a couple weeks to move to the next set. Recently just put them back on my Moollon P Classic IV. Third time is a charm and I'm loving them. They really do sound like broke in La Bellas and are a bit more flexible. Very balanced and comfortable to play and a nice high output. They've jumped to my top spot for traditional sounding flatwound.

How would you compare the Legends to Precision Flats? I've tried neither but it looks like I'm going to be given a bass soon for which a set of traditional flats might be appropriate. From what I've read and heard, seems like these occupy more or less the same market space?

 

[uwrossl]

How would you compare the Legends to Precision Flats? I've tried neither but it looks like I'm going to be given a bass soon for which a set of traditional flats might be appropriate. From what I've read and heard, seems like these occupy more or less the same market space?

The Precision flats are quite a bit darker sounding then the Legends. Legends have a little more going on middle to high mids where I found the P flats to be more about the lo mids. Probably best way to describe them is somewhere in between La Bellas and GHS. GHS P Flats are the darkest and warmest flat I've played. I like them a lot and will definitely be keeping them on hand for when I want that dark, chocolatey tone.

I have the Custom Medium set and the Legends are slightly stiffer than those and are more flexible than the La Bella 105-45 set. Feel wise the P flats are a little grabby out of the pack but that dissipates fairly quickly. The Legends are smooth and fast out of the package. Sustain/Decay I find the Legends and P Flats to be very similar. So it would really come down to what you want tonally.

DR Legends/La Bella 760s/GHS P Flats....any one of these sets will get you that old school vibe with slight variations. With some eq you could probably get pretty close from one to the other. Right now I am preferring the Legends over the La Bella 760FS and GHS Custom Medium sets I have on hand. Just kind of a sweet spot between the two. I have a set of the 760FL in bound to see if I like those better than the FS and then to see how they stack up against the Legends.

 

[FirewalZ]

I like flats, but have a hard time finding the right ones. Not overly dull or overly bright, not high tension or stiff, but not floppy either
Labella 760fl's get to dull and scooped, Chromes to stiff, GHS and others have an uneven or dull E string, etc.
Maybe DR Legends should be next on my list?