Ernie Bass Group IV versus GHS Brite Flats

[Bobbadfinger]

In my quest of a proper flatwound string for my Matt Freeman, I'm trying to achieve those goals:

• No bridge cables (can't play them); but after some experience with TI rounds, I found I don't like noodles either; they fret out badly if you dig in and are pesky to properly setup the bass.
• No mid scoop (like Chromes for instance)
• Least growl possible (the "feature" that annoys me the most)
• E string must be between 95-100

Bass is now sporting Fender 9050L, which I found a little stiffer to fret/pluck than I'd like, and kinda generic sounding; plus I treated them with some hand cream (no eucerin here) and to my ears they are sounding even worse.

My next purchase would be EB group IV, but I just saw an youtube video of GHS Brite Flats and they seemed to sound remarkably similar to the Roto 77 I had in my Longhorn, which IS the flat tone I'm trying to replicate on the Precision: not the thumpiest, but thumpy 'nuff, mid forward and no growl at all.

A string that develop its real tone fast would be a bonus - I play sparsely and I'm not exactly the most patience guy - all GHSs I tried were good right out of the package.
(Long scale) Roto 77 would be an obvious choice, but I'm afraid of the stiffness, even with a 100 E.

Based on those requirements, group IV or BF ?

 

[michael_t]

EB Group IV vs. Fender 9050L... The EB are a little more flexible than the Fender and a little less growl.

Brite Flats (45-98) vs. 9050L... Similar stiffness. Also, similar in tonal character once broken in with a thick low-mid punch. The only thing about the Brite Flats is, being half-rounds (= groundwound), they're not quite as smooth in feel as true flats. I did like their punchy presence in the mix, thanks to the responsiveness of Alloy 52 (nickel-iron), vs. stainless steel.

In terms of the actual tension figures (if you care about such trivial things), the GHS are better-balanced than the EB, although they're almost identical in total tension.

EB Group IV, 40-60-70-95:

G 040 - 37.81 lbs.
D 060 - 45.16
A 070 - 34.64
E 095 - 35.41 (Total 153.02)

GHS BF, 45-56-77-98:

G 045 - 38.3 lbs.
D 056 - 35.9
A 077 - 39.3
E 098 - 38.8 (Total 152.3)

 

[GwenOnBass]

By some chance I just swapped in EB Group IV flats for Brite Flats. With only a week of play on the EB Group IVs, they remind me tonally of Dunlop flats.

 

[Yahboy]

EB group IV are very close to your tone request. But, on my hand, I found the Group iii less stiff compare to fender 9050L.

Or, Cobalt flat 2814 or 2814 and roll back around 30%-40% tone knob (.1uf cap).

 

[michael_t]

• No bridge cables (can't play them); but after some experience with TI rounds, I found I don't like noodles either; they fret out badly if you dig in and are pesky to properly setup the bass.
• No mid scoop (like Chromes for instance)
• Least growl possible (the "feature" that annoys me the most)
• E string must be between 95-100

With only a week of play on the EB Group IVs, they remind me tonally of Dunlop flats.

+1

If I were in the OP's position, I'd try the Dunlop Flats 40-100 first as they meet the above requirements.

 

[nmiller]

The Brite Flats are probably the closest strings out there to Roto 77s. They're a little stiffer for the same gauge and have what I call a "bigger" sound to them. They're also more expensive, but I think they have a much nicer feel as well.

 

[michael_t]

They're also more expensive, but I think they have a much nicer feel as well.

Are you talking about the Brite Flats or Roto 77?

According to the list prices at Fret Nation...

GHS Brite Flats 4-string set = $24.99.
Roto 77 Flats 4-string set = $32.99.
EB Group IV Flats = $34.99.
Dunlop Flats 4-string set = $47.99.

 

[nmiller]

Are you talking about the Brite Flats or Roto 77?

According to the list prices at Fret Nation...

GHS Brite Flats 4-string set = $24.99.
Roto 77 Flats 4-string set = $32.99.
EB Group IV Flats = $34.99.
Dunlop Flats 4-string set = $47.99.

Holy moly... Rotosound prices have gone through the roof while I wasn't looking! I've used Brite Flats for years, but decided to try the 77s about 6 months ago as a cheaper alternative. They were about $19 then. I know prices have shot up on everything recently, but apparently not for GHS, so this looks like a brand-specific increase.

Well, scrap the "cheaper" part.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

I'm aways being curious about Dunlop flats, but price don't fancy me (in my mind they were always a cheap stuff brand); so similarities to Group IV is a bonus to EB.
But tone closer to Rotos (besides being the cheapest) probably will lean me toward BFs...

 

[GwenOnBass]

I played in a set of Dunlop flats for 10 months



before reinstalling Low Tension Flats and had a fair idea what the EB Group IV flats were all about. Just a matter of finding the right instrument for the right strings. The Brite Flats broke in beautifully. The more they are played, the better they feel, and sound, IME.

While the pulling tension of the Brite Flats and Group IV flats is close, the EB strings don't feel as stiff as the Brite Flats.