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Flats advice for jazz bass

Groovy Luca

Groovy Luca

Inactive
Jul 18, 2016
80
82
Italy
#1
Yet another flats thread so I'll try to be very specific.
Here are the kind of tones I'm after for my jazz bass (MIJ 64 reissue with fralin pickups):





I guess the obvious answer for the Jerry Jemmott tone would be heavy gauge La Bella's? Like 760FM? Which I think are what's played in those 'Beta' pedal demos (I already have a similar pedal for the tube Ampeg vibe).

I like medium/high tension, I had GHS precision flats 45-105 for a year and like their thump but I feel they don't have enough top end in a band mix.
Went to Ernie Ball group III a few weeks ago, nice even tension and tone but they sound a bit thin to me; I know it takes time for flats to break in and tame down some highs, but will the low end get bigger and looser? These sound too tight for me.
Tried the "new" Fender 9050L in the past for about a year, but they soon became unbalanced in both tone and tension: E floppy and muddy, G tight and clanky, A and D were rad though.
Had La Bella 760FL for a while but tension was low for me and they sounded a bit too dull and polite.

Any other suggestions? I've read good stuff about Dunlop and Sadowsky flats but it's kinda hard to find them here in Europe.

Thanks in advance to all the flatwound aficionados!
 
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#4
I been put the very stiff broken in Labella DTF760fl set from pbass to jazz bass. She sound pretty similar to the beta pedal demo clip but My tone not as solid from my finger pluck.
But, I believe able get the tone solid if I using thick plastic pick.

Hopehelp
 
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#5
I've used and loved Dunlop flats and TI flats on my Jazz. If you weren't getting enough low end out of the Group IIIs which I've also tried, you might prefer the Dunlops. Takes em a couple weeks to get their thump but they are great once they do and feel fantastic under the fingers. Like you, I liked the Fender 9050s on it for awhile but they didn't sound right after extended playing time. I'm eager to try the Sadowsky Blues again once it's been made clear that the reformulated strings are released and that that's what I'll be getting. Right now Sadowsky is far too ambiguous about what is what in the midst of their reformulation. No change in packaging or anything to note which version you're actually getting. A lot of people in the Sadowsky thread have compared the Blues to a slightly higher and more even tension version of TI's.
 
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#8
Yahboy said:
I been put the very stiff broken in Labella DTF760fl set from pbass to jazz bass. She sound pretty similar to the beta pedal demo clip but My tone not as solid from my finger pluck.
But, I believe able get the tone solid if I using thick plastic pick.

Hopehelp
Click to expand...

Cool, I think I'll try LaBella after I break in these Ernie Ball a bit, I also saw in another thread you said the EB don't have much bottom, wish I read it before lol. Maybe the LaBella heavier sets have more attack than the 760FL?

uwrossl said:
I've used and loved Dunlop flats and TI flats on my Jazz. If you weren't getting enough low end out of the Group IIIs which I've also tried, you might prefer the Dunlops. Takes em a couple weeks to get their thump but they are great once they do and feel fantastic under the fingers. Like you, I liked the Fender 9050s on it for awhile but they didn't sound right after extended playing time. I'm eager to try the Sadowsky Blues again once it's been made clear that the reformulated strings are released and that that's what I'll be getting. Right now Sadowsky is far too ambiguous about what is what in the midst of their reformulation. No change in packaging or anything to note which version you're actually getting. A lot of people in the Sadowsky thread have compared the Blues to a slightly higher and more even tension version of TI's.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll definitely look into the Dunlop flats, I wish all brands made youtube demos to get an idea of what it sounds like before spending 50€. I also found a post by Sterling Ball on the EB forum that a few years ago they made their "traditional" flats brighter, so that may be why they're different and lack bass from what I read in other threads here.
I wish I had tried the Sadowsky black labels back when they were available but I'm always late to the party :meh:

Fernando Costa said:
Electric Bass Strings

https://shop.warwick.de/en/strings/...-label-bass-string-set-nickel-4-string?c=3218
Click to expand...

Thanks I've found the Sadowsky blue label flats on that page
https://shop.warwick.de/en/strings/...7220001583850483A26-D0351329001575429564A1163

Quite expensive though.
 
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#10
I think mine are Chromes ? Can't remember what brand but they seem like they are decent
581D3695-EFD8-4487-AB7C-8122B294A6EC.jpeg
 
#13
Groovy Luca said:
Cool, I think I'll try LaBella after I break in these Ernie Ball a bit, I also saw in another thread you said the EB don't have much bottom, wish I read it before lol. Maybe the LaBella heavier sets have more attack than the 760FL?



Thanks I'll definitely look into the Dunlop flats, I wish all brands made youtube demos to get an idea of what it sounds like before spending 50€. I also found a post by Sterling Ball on the EB forum that a few years ago they made their "traditional" flats brighter, so that may be why they're different and lack bass from what I read in other threads here.
I wish I had tried the Sadowsky black labels back when they were available but I'm always late to the party :meh:



Thanks I've found the Sadowsky blue label flats on that page
https://shop.warwick.de/en/strings/...7220001583850483A26-D0351329001575429564A1163

Quite expensive though.
Click to expand...

EB Cobalt flat - solid tight bottom
Labella 760FL - big ballsy bottom

Something like 90hz Vs 63hz voice different.

My opinion on both 760fs and FM are very short because both has more thud on E string and too stiff(even fresh from pack) for me compare to already stiff enough broken in 760fl.
 
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#14
^^^ I think the classic heavy La Bella 760M DTFs are a good bet for all of these sounds. They have the natural pluck & attack of the videos you posted, and the higher tension is actually pretty nice once you get your action WAY down low. Buttah. :thumbsup:

IF you're in Europe, have you thought about trying the Pyramid Flats? They're beautiful strings with a medium tension and I feel like they work well on a Jazz since they have a TOUCH more in the midrange than, say, GHS and a warm, loose low and low mid vibe. (NOTE: Pyramid 640/A set has heavier G/A/D strings 045 065 085 105 while the 640/1 set has lighter G/A/D strings 40 55 75 105 )
 
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#15
e-flat said:
^^^ I think the classic heavy La Bella 760M DTFs are a good bet for all of these sounds. They have the natural pluck & attack of the videos you posted, and the higher tension is actually pretty nice once you get your action WAY down low. Buttah. :thumbsup:

IF you're in Europe, have you thought about trying the Pyramid Flats? They're beautiful strings with a medium tension and I feel like they work well on a Jazz since they have a TOUCH more in the midrange than, say, GHS and a warm, loose low and low mid vibe. (NOTE: Pyramid 640/A set has heavier G/A/D strings 045 065 085 105 while the 640/1 set has lighter G/A/D strings 40 55 75 105 )
Click to expand...
Thanks for your suggestions, will definitely look into Pyramid!
I know I'm very picky about strings and honestly I really like the GHS but for my current projects I need the same full bottom and punch but a little more high end definition especially on the E string, having a hard time EQing in highs for the low notes and having the other strings sound clanky.
I also like medium-low action but with more tension so I think I'll definitely try the heavier LaBella's. I've read many threads and opinions seem to be the FS are a little more flexible than the GHS 45-105 I've used so I think the FM set is what I'm looking for.

By the way thanks everyone for your suggestions, much appreciated.
 
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#16
I would think DA Chromes would be right up your alley. They seem to have a touch more top end than Fender flats and a little more tension as well. Not as boomy on the bottom as LaBellas or GHS, IMO. They do seem to take a good amount of playing time to fully settle in though, as I recall.
 
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#17
e-flat said:
I think the classic heavy La Bella 760M DTFs are a good bet for all of these sounds.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this. The 760M is my favorite set of DTFs(borrowed ;)). Got some nice meat to them but not dark or muddy. Actually found them to have more clarity than the FS and FL sets. Been tempted to try out a set of the FM. Did you ever try them?

I think your take on the Pyramids is on point as well from what I remember of them(again...borrowed ;)) and being in Europe make it a good set to try.
 
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#18
Groovy Luca said:
Yet another flats thread so I'll try to be very specific.
Here are the kind of tones I'm after for my jazz bass (MIJ 64 reissue with fralin pickups):





I guess the obvious answer for the Jerry Jemmott tone would be heavy gauge La Bella's? Like 760FM? Which I think are what's played in those 'Beta' pedal demos (I already have a similar pedal for the tube Ampeg vibe).

I like medium/high tension, I had GHS precision flats 45-105 for a year and like their thump but I feel they don't have enough top end in a band mix.
Went to Ernie Ball group III a few weeks ago, nice even tension and tone but they sound a bit thin to me; I know it takes time for flats to break in and tame down some highs, but will the low end get bigger and looser? These sound too tight for me.
Tried the "new" Fender 9050L in the past for about a year, but they soon became unbalanced in both tone and tension: E floppy and muddy, G tight and clanky, A and D were rad though.
Had La Bella 760FL for a while but tension was low for me and they sounded a bit too dull and polite.

Any other suggestions? I've read good stuff about Dunlop and Sadowsky flats but it's kinda hard to find them here in Europe.

Thanks in advance to all the flatwound aficionados!
Click to expand...

I know danny morris is using chromes on that jazz bass...in my experience, chromes are wonderful strings and will get you and old school+modern flats sounds, as opposed to the common opinions, i think they're too end sound faboulous.
 
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#19
Hmm...
I think the Dunlops might be a good choice. I don't use them, but gotta say; after that sound clip? They're on my radar now. The strings that I do use that might make you happy?
- Optima 4099RL "Chromes". I have them on a Kramer 450B lumie, with stupid hot Kramer pickups. Killer bottom end, but really decent mids, too. These pickups give me useful highs, too, but... other pickups might not.
- Dogal R44 Flats. I have them on a Gibson Thunderbird, believe it or not. Surprisingly good highs, but definitely low/low mid focused. I don't pay much attention to balanced feel, but the tone is well balanced - which I do pay attention to... Also, the folks that use Dogal's "Jaco" Flats are very happy with those strings. Evidently Jaco was, too...
- Galli's JF4505 Jazz Flats might make you happy. I certainly like them on my EBMM Stingray 4HH Special. IMO, they sit just over the line on the "bassy" side of the "Modern" sounding flats. Plenty of low end; good mids; and really useful high end. I'm a fan, but... some people here have had quality problems with them. UB da judge...
- DR Legends. I'm hesitant about these, because I'm only using the short scale SFL45 set - on an aluminum-necked, headless Kramer Duke. To my ear, they sound like what you're looking for, but... I can't speak to the long scale sets. Finally,
- Sadowsky Blue Label flats. I have a NOS set of BLs on my Carvin LB-20, and to my ears? Yeah, I think they'd do you proud. Sadowsky has supposedly given in to the... pressure?... of their many fans, and brought them back. Maybe the new ones sound the same; maybe not. I can't say, but I sure hope they do...:cool:
 

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