Favorite Flats/Reccommendations please!!

[GeneralElectric]

Tell me about the GHS flats, I've not tried them. Do they thump? How do they compare to La Bellas, Chromes, Fenders, etc.?

Tension feels close to what one would expect from rounds, but they definitely got the flatwound sound. They do the thump thing very well, but they cut through the mix without tearing it to shreds.

Its a very balanced set in terms of tone, feel, and volume, and very punchy if you crank the treble knob and fiddle with your EQ. What I like about these strings is that they really growl when you dig in, which isn't a common quality in flats.

My one complaint is that in the highest of registers, it isn't as clear and bell like, as I'd like. Thats just a personal thing; its not muddy at all, I'd just like it cleaner. Then again, I'm running a tube amp.

For the most part I've liked LaBellas and used to string all my basses with them, but I didn't like their CS one bit. I do have an ancient set of flats on my 82 P-Bass that might not ever get changed.

I've always hated Chromes with a fiery passion. I've tried to like them, I really did, especially since they're cheap and get rave reviews here on TB. However the G string is terrible and doesn't sound like it should be in that set. I also found the Chromes to be hollow sounding whenever I played them. I've bought 2 sets of Chromes and put each of them on basses for 3 months before changing them. Thats several hours of each day. They broke in terribly.

I've always liked the Fender flats, but I've never had the urge to buy them. They're consistant in tone and volume, yet I've never had the urge to buy them. They thump a lot, but something about them always makes me reach for something else when I'm at the sales counter. Its just a matter of different strokes for different folks.

I still think you should check out those Pyramids.

 

[nemo]

After trying Fenders, TI's, Chromes, LaBella and Sadowsky flats I ended up with LaBellas 760FL for old school flavour and Sadowsky flats fot a little bit more updated sound.
Sadowsky flats are excellent!

 

[GeneralElectric]

Sadowsky has its strings made by LaBella

 

[nemo]

Yes, I know, but they are made to Roger's specs, they are not the regular LaBellas.

Looks like LaBella factory knows its business

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

From your list I would chose Labellas. However, I use Dogal "Jaco" flatwound strings. They're from Italy & kinda hard to find, but PM me & I'll turn you on to the US distributor. I have used (& still use on some basses) Diaddarios, GHS, Ernie Balls, Sadowskys & LaBellas. All flats. I have not tried the famed TIs yet, but these Dogals sound like nothing else. If you're looking for old school thump with surprising definition, they rule.

 

[SBassman]

For me - Chromes. Great strings.

[Have played many sets of DAd strings and never had a problem with any of them.]

 

[DavePlaysBass]

TI Flats => sound great on my jazz bass but are a little bottom shy and are pretty low tension. The setup needs a lot of relief and height. These can be heavenly in the right setting.

Ernie Ball 50-105s: I think these are close to Chromes. They are smooth. Have some brightness. They slap well. In a mix, I never found any magic on two different basses (G&L L2000 and Highway One P). They had a lot of clank for flats but were pretty smooth.

Labella 760FLs: These are my favorites on my 50's P bass. I have upgraded the pickup and bridge though. These things are fat, deep, and punchy. I have not played them in aggressive loud settings but they have done fabulous in laid back church music with keys and a drum. They have enough sustain for notes that need to be held but still have the articulate, punchy decay of a flat.