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first time flat buyer

M

miss g

Mar 30, 2008
150
1
#1
Ive never used flats before. The rotosounds on my fender p special are completely dead and since its not my main bass I was thinking about getting some flats. My bass is more on the treble side and I want something deep, smooth and bright sounding but not a harsh bright like rounds can be. After a month with rounds my E string always sounds weak and flat so im hoping that flats will solve that. I don't slap on or pick with my fender so its strictly for finger style. Id also like to order from theperfectbass.com so if you suggest me a string which I hope you do :) please make sure its available. Id hate to find out they don't sell the strings im looking for. Thanks, hope you guys can help me out.
 
#4
I can't comment on the tapewounds because I haven't use them for about 14 years. But I'm at a point now where I use flats almost exclusively. (I'll generally keep one bass strung with rounds, but I love flats.)

The ones that seem to get the most love around here are D'Addario Chromes; La Bella Deep Talkin' flats; and Thomastic-Infeld's (T.I.'s). All are good, but I generally go with the Chromes because they are cheaper than the other two, and generally easier to find. Almost any music store carries the Chromes. I find the Chromes to be a little bit brighter than I prefer when I first put them on, but after a few days, they "settle" in, and sound great. And the good thing is, you can leave them on for a long, long time. I've got a set on one of my P-Basses that's been on for about 5 years, and they still sound great!
 
#5
I was looking at the medium gauge chromes but they don't carry them on theperfectbass.com so I might go ahead and get the light gauge. Seems now I need to decide between the chromes and the fender tapewounds.
 
#9
bfc said:
Try the nylon wound Fender 9120 tapewounds. They've got a great vintage vibe and eliminate the fret noise. Plus they look cool with their black appearance.
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I use these and Chromes. Eventually all my basses will have either.


they last for what seems to be FOREVER.
 
#11
Miss, dont spend too much in case you dont dig 'em. Chromes spent 5 mintues on my Jazz bass. So then put them on my mexi P bass. Nope. Hi beams on that one now.

I find flats "sticky" as you have all that surface area vs a roundwound. But 5 mintues isnt enough to "grease them up" either.

Use DR rounds, they dont sound "flabby" after a month, and I use a low B. But good luck on your experiment. I tried 'em too, just to have an open mind and not listen to others.
 
#12
Well I ordered the chromes because I really want to try some flats so I hope I like them. If not im sure they are better than dead rotosounds I have on my fender now. Id like to try out more strings but at $20 a set I always end up getting what I know I like. Ive been using rotosounds and ernie ball hybrids for awhile. I like both but they die so quick. Ill definitely check out some DR rounds next time im string shopping. Thanks for all the replies guys, ill report back in here with what I think of the chromes once I get them :)
 

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