Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender Flats
- Thread starter bdplaid
- Start date
Didn't bother me. The next gauge up on the LeBellas are too tight for my taste so prefer the lighter ones. The Fenders felt fine. (I'm back to the 760FLs now... just can't live without them)
You mean the 760FS are too tight? But if so, then aren't the 9050M super too tight? By the way, I have the 760FS and find them quite agreeable in terms of tightness and tension. What I don't like about them is that the E and A sound fat and thumpy while the D and G don't.
It was the 760M (.55-.110) that I had on before, sorry. Didn't remember there was another set in between. Don't think I've ever tried the 760FS.
I have been using Fender flats for a very long time. I like them a lot and they are not super expensive either . I just put a new set on my 32 year old MIJ Ibanez SR800 that’s all I have ever had on it since I have own . I also have a no name Jazz bass with Fender Flats I use 9050M love them.
Unfortunately the GHS Pflats are way too long for a standard Pbass. The E string may not break going round the post but it looks wrong.
Do you then think that the PV63 is not a good match with old school flats like LaBella?
9050s are great strings. Any chance of disclosing tension numbers (especially of the 9050M set)?
I been using 760fl on pv63 pup, big thumb sound but lack clarity on my gentle plucking hand. But 760fl match better with ori 60 pup which has better upper mid voicing than fat thick voice pv63.
Last edited:
This is the one thing that kept me from trying them for a long time. I did eventually get over my OCD, though.
This is the one thing that kept me from trying them for a long time. I did eventually get over my OCD, though.
View attachment 4888052
Gosh, I can feel the pain of that E string. But I'm sure it sounds good!
Gosh, I can feel the pain of that E string. But I'm sure it sounds good!
I used to let visual appearance dictate my string choices; now it's all about how they sound. It doesn't sound like the E is in any pain as my P bass is happily purring with chocolate-y smoothness.
I'm sure it does!
By the way, may I ask once more an age old question: How would you compare, in one phrase (or perhaps more
) the Fender 9050s, the LaBella DTFs, and the GHS Ps? Also, does gauge play a significant role in the character/tone of a given set of the aforementioned flats?
How would you compare, in one phrase (or perhaps more
I've tried Fender 9050L (100E) and 9050CL (105E), LaBella 760FL (43-104) and GHS P Flats 45-95 on my P bass.
Fender = Full-bodied punch with some grindy mids. This "grindy mids" worked great on my Jazz bass, but a bit too much on my P. The 100E sounded cleaner and clearer on my P, while the 105E sounded better (and felt more balanced) on the J.
LaBella = Classic "thump" with a hi-mid metallic edge. The 104E sounded a bit muddy down low and too boomy up the neck on my P. These were not a good match on my J as they seemed to suck the J-bass character out of my J bass.
GHS = Warmer and "woodier" than the other two with a focused punch. The 95E is cleaner than the other two (specifically on my P) with excellent definition without ever sounding muddy or boomy. Haven't had a chance to try them on my J.
The gauge selection DOES make a difference depending on the bass. My P bass has always sounded better with a smaller E (.095/.100), while my J seemed to do better with a "balanced tension" set, such as 45-60-80-105 (Fender 9050CL).
Yes, on my Pbass it's this metallic edge of the D and G LaBella (760FS) strings I want to get rid of. E and A are mostly alright although perhaps a bit too much on the puffy-thumpy side.
The Fender 9050M could perhaps be an alternative but then I'll have to fight those grindy mids...*
Have read good things about the Galli Jazz flats (45-105). Perhaps I should try them. Or would the 45-105 GHS Ps fit the bill?
* Apropos Fender flats, I had a set in the past, don't remember which one, probably the 9050L. I didn't give them enough time and went on with my flats quest. But then videos like the one below make me reconsider them, in this case the 9050M set. They sound good on this Squire P - full, punchy and not puffy. Don't hear much grind, I think. Of course, Mr. Price can make his setup groove nicely.
Last edited:
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,668
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
with apologies, that project was so long ago that I can't remember. As well, I wasn't really concerned with tension as I am not today on any strings I play. I'm always more focused on flexibility. My goal with the flats was to make them quite flexible as there were plenty of stiff, flat wound strings in the market.
I'm sure it does!
By the way, may I ask once more an age old question: How would you compare, in one phrase (or perhaps more
Been use GHS flat 3050 on 51 pbass (and spil cool 60 pbass) but never impress me at all until I strung a set of Labella LTF4A , sound just creamy sweet to my ears than dry voicing GHS flat. All string has balance tone and balance stiffness, no such unacceptable high tension and ball lacking G string which happened on GHS flat. Meanwhile, the ltf4a break in period also shorter than GHS flat even 760fl. I want healthy voice E string and full sounding G string without unbalanced string to string stiffness. Of cause , comfort fretting and plucking feel too. Hopehelp.
Off topic.
I rarely play with pick, here is Ti flat with pick. Jus for tonewise reference between Ti Vs ltf4a.
Last edited:
The metallic edge mellows after about a year of constant gigging. Did you lower the E string poles on your P-pickup a turn? That should cure the boom.
Even history is torturing me... $200 CV P basses from ProAudioStar are haunting me..... I am holding out for the bass I want but this is just mean... LOL
