Dunlop Flats Out, What Now?

[Grinderman]

I tried Dunlop stainless flats in 45-105 on my Nash PB but unfortunately Dunlops G strings won't intonate. I've tried 5 sets at this point, including replacements from Dunlop so I'm done with those.

Now I'm considering LaBella Deep Talkn 45-105 vs 43-104 vs Low Tension 42-100 for my Nash PB. My Jazz bass and my '58 P parts bass are candidates for flats too.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions about these options from LaBella or other flats.

Back ground: I've always (meaning decades) used nickel or stainless 45-105 rounds. Now I'm trying to make the change to flats.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

DTF 760FL for me. I was going to go with the standard set, 760FS, but was advised to try the lighter 760FL. Thank-you Michael_t! All the thump you could want, but not "bridge cables" like the heavier sets. Actually has about the same tension as my D'addario EXL-165 strings on another bass.

I heard a lot about newer flats (e.g. Cobalts), but I am old-school. Oddly enough, I like slap on them, but usually go finger-style or pick. Slapping flats isn't for everyone, but I like it.

I definitely like my other bass with rounds though. Best of both worlds.

 

[Grinderman]

Something I don't understand is why LaBella offers 760 strings in 45-105 and 43-104. The gauge difference between standard and light seems so minute.

Edit: The apparent answer: La Bella 760FL vs. 760FS vs. 760FM

I suspect 760FL would suit my preferences better than 760FS.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

BTW, the DTF will last FOREVER but when installing them, you need to be careful to not twist the strings. The DTF can develop some extra "zingy" sound on an open string if the string gets twisted. I had that happen on my A string, but La Bella provided a replacement string. If I recall, there is a thread on TB talking about a "sitar" sound when this happens.

I filed some fret-ends in February, and replaced the whole set. Put them on carefully, no issues.

Just search TB for "sitar". In reading, some attribute the issue to nut/bridge issues you had anyway. All is well on my Sire P7 5-string now. It does seem I twisted the A string.

 

[Grinderman]

At this point I'm down to considering LaBella 760FL, D'Addario ECB84 Chromes 40-100 and Fender 9050L 45-100.

I recognize that the brightness (and so-called growl some argue about) of Chromes isn't preferable to many. I may not mind that.

I like the feel and tone of the Dunlop stainless flats I've tried, unfortunately they can't seem to deliver string packs with Gs that will intonate.

I'm not sure where Dunlop flats would fit in a comparative matrix along with DTF 760FL, Chromes (light gauge) ans 9050L in terms of tone, feel (surface and stiffness) and tension.

 

[michael_t]

At this point I'm down to considering LaBella 760FL, D'Addario ECB84 Chromes 40-100 and Fender 9050L 45-100.

I'm not sure where Dunlop flats would fit in a comparative matrix along with DTF 760FL, Chromes (light gauge) ans 9050L in terms of tone, feel (surface and stiffness) and tension.

I've tried all three mentioned. Here's my take on them...

760FL = classic old-school thump. Very nicely balanced across all strings in terms of playing feel. My only problem was the 104E tended to be a bit muddy on my Am Std P. Glassy smooth surface can get a bit sticky in high humidity.

ECB84 = manageable tension/stiffness. Balanced feel. The 40G stayed annoyingly bright and "twangy" while the 100E went all thuddy in time with poor definition. They do have a degree of hi-mid edge that can cut through a dense mix.

9050L = Nicely balanced feel and tone all across four strings with no "twangy" G. Full-bodied punch (not thump or thud) with some midrange grind and growl without the hi-mid edge of the Chromes. Medium tension/stiffness. I would guess the Fender 45-60-80-100 are similar in overall feel to the Dunlop 45-65-85-105.

 

[Mastermold]

BTW, the DTF will last FOREVER but when installing them, you need to be careful to not twist the strings. The DTF can develop some extra "zingy" sound on an open string if the string gets twisted. I had that happen on my A string, but La Bella provided a replacement string. If I recall, there is a thread on TB talking about a "sitar" sound when this happens.

I filed some fret-ends in February, and replaced the whole set. Put them on carefully, no issues.

Just search TB for "sitar". In reading, some attribute the issue to nut/bridge issues you had anyway. All is well on my Sire P7 5-string now. It does seem I twisted the A string.

I had a sitar sound develop with a La Bella 760FL D-string after about two years on the bass, so was not a twist, seemed like the string was just going bad. Second set I’ve had problems with so it’s cooled me a bit to these strings even though I like them and have other basses wearing them.

 

[Grinderman]

I'm tempted to try all three of these although considering the econo initial cost of admission, so to speak, I'll probably try the Fender strings first.

 

[michael_t]

I'll probably try the Fender strings first.

A couple of things about the Fender 9050 Flats...

They start out very bright, or even "clangy", and take a good month or two to settle. So, be patient.

Secondly, they can start out sticky due to the gunk left from the factory. A thorough cleaning with an alcohol wipe BEFORE INSTALLATION should take care of that.

 

[Grinderman]

A couple of things about the Fender 9050 Flats...

They start out very bright, or even "clangy", and take a good month or two to settle. So, be patient.

Secondly, they can start out sticky due to the gunk left from the factory. A thorough cleaning with an alcohol wipe BEFORE INSTALLATION should take care of that.

Coming from from the perspective of only using rounds for decades, until recently, some initial clang may seem not problem or minor to me.

Plus, my Jazz has slightly dark Fralin split coils (with .047 caps) and my two P basses have .1 uf caps on tone.

 

[Grinderman]

Looking into further into opinions about Fender 9050 flats I see a fairly broad consensus that people like these strings for Jazz basses particularly. I'll be sure to try them on mine.

However, I haven't seen as much that suggests to me that Fender 9050 flats are as good with P basses which leaves me unresolved about what to get for mine. I definitely want flats for my Nash PB-63 and possibly for my PB-58. The later currently has Dunlop nickel rounds 45-105 (not SB). I'm not positively certain I want to switch to flats on that bass but I am definitely considering it.

I feel fairly sure now that Chromes are completely out of the running. I'm more likely to chose LaBella 760FL flats for my P bass/es but I am still open to suggestions.

 

[michael_t]

Looking into further into opinions about Fender 9050 flats I see a fairly broad consensus that people like these strings for Jazz basses particularly. I'll be sure to try them on mine.

However, I haven't seen as much that suggests to me that Fender 9050 flats are as good with P basses which leaves me unresolved about what to get for mine...

I'm more likely to chose LaBella 760FL flats for my P bass/es but I am still open to suggestions.

I do tend to agree the Fender 9050s did sound better on my J than on my P. I think it has to do with their midrange character that seems to match well with a J.

If I were to put flats on both my J and P, the 9050s would go on the J and the GHS Precision Flats 45-95 would go on the P. I did try the 760FL on my P, and while they gave me that classic P/flats tone, the 104E tended to get a little muddy. In comparison, the GHS 95E was cleaner and clearer with a more focused punch.

 

[Mastermold]

Looking into further into opinions about Fender 9050 flats I see a fairly broad consensus that people like these strings for Jazz basses particularly. I'll be sure to try them on mine.

However, I haven't seen as much that suggests to me that Fender 9050 flats are as good with P basses which leaves me unresolved about what to get for mine. I definitely want flats for my Nash PB-63 and possibly for my PB-58. The later currently has Dunlop nickel rounds 45-105 (not SB). I'm not positively certain I want to switch to flats on that bass but I am definitely considering it.

I feel fairly sure now that Chromes are completely out of the running. I'm more likely to chose LaBella 760FL flats for my P bass/es but I am still open to suggestions.

Personally, I really like Chromes on P-basses, they seem to really work particularly well with them and last very long time. But I like 760FL flats too and (assuming it's a good set) will last just as long. Either string will get the job done and over time the differences between them become less and less.

 

[Mastermold]

I do tend to agree the Fender 9050s did sound better on my J than on my P. I think it has to do with their midrange character that seems to match well with a J.

If I were to put flats on both my J and P, the 9050s would go on the J and the GHS Precision Flats 45-95 would go on the P. I did try the 760FL on my P, and while they gave me that classic P/flats tone, the 104E tended to get a little muddy. In comparison, the GHS 95E was cleaner and clearer with a more focused punch.

I've been really enjoying the GHS custom set you recommended, great P-bass string IMO.

 

[HaphAsSard]

However, I haven't seen as much that suggests to me that Fender 9050 flats are as good with P basses which leaves me unresolved about what to get for mine. I definitely want flats for my Nash PB-63 and possibly for my PB-58. The later currently has Dunlop nickel rounds 45-105 (not SB). I'm not positively certain I want to switch to flats on that bass but I am definitely considering it.

As I've mentioned a couple times on these boards, a set of 9050L on a friend's Squier P with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder made for a nice, really growly combination. So not traditional-sounding at all but very usable. If one of your Tetris-pickup basses is lively enough that you'd be inclined to keep rounds on it, there is a chance Fender flats might actually suit it.

 

[tvbop]

Dont get carried away with thump. Too much thump and you aint gonna cut thru. I play real old dead Chromes and they have a super mid range which is not to thumpy but cuts nicely.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

...and don't forget the 15" (or 18") speakers!

In addition to thump, also good if you forget your comb/brush, and need your hair swept back...

 

[Rockbobmel]

I’ve tried and liked the Labella flats. I prefer DR Legend flats over them because I think they have more slam. This may be because of my basses and technique and I mostly use a pick. I love Labella Beatle Bass flats on my Hofner. The DRs were inconsistent in texture but have gotten better.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I prefer DR Legend flats over them because I think they have more slam.

What does this mean?

The DRs were inconsistent in texture

This is why I don't play DR strings though.

 

[Grinderman]

Personally, I really like Chromes on P-basses, they seem to really work particularly well with them and last very long time. But I like 760FL flats too and (assuming it's a good set) will last just as long. Either string will get the job done and over time the differences between them become less and less.

Have you experienced a problem with those?