Flats database; deepest to brightest

[JustDavid]

I'd love to see a 'scale' that indicates where various flats rank on the deep/bright scale. My own experience is rather limited, & my time & $$ are too finite to try them all.

To the folk who've tried various flats, how do they compare?

I find TIJFs brighter than D'Addario Chromes.

 

[eedo]

After playing EB flats and listening to TI/Chromes A/B soundclip I can say that EB's are almost as bright as Chromes (but with strings getting progressively duller from 1 to 4 - not a big issue though)

BTW a great idea, JustDavid. I wanted to start a thread like this,but you were first)

 

[becker4567]

I haven't played an awful lot of flats (although I like them alot) but at the deep end has to be LaBella "Deep Talkin" flats. Almost too deep!

 

[JustDavid]

Thanks!

Figured it's worth a try.

 

[JustDavid]

So you found them deeper than which flats?

 

[timber22]

This is a tough one because the sound (at least to my ears) changes so much with time with flats. I have a set of LaBellas that are very deep, but not as deep as a set of Fenders I have on my SB-2, probably because the Fenders are many years old. I've also tried D'Addarios and TIJFs that seemed pretty bright, but I probably never left them on long enough to "age".

 

[JustDavid]

I presumed "broken-in" ratings. Probably best to go with that; I've not noted a huge camp liking "fresh Flats" & I think those folk would be better served by Rounds.

"How long to break in XYZ Flats" is an interesting & topical sidebar.

 

[tallboybass]

This is a tough one because the sound (at least to my ears) changes so much with time with flats. I have a set of LaBellas that are very deep, but not as deep as a set of Fenders I have on my SB-2, probably because the Fenders are many years old. I've also tried D'Addarios and TIJFs that seemed pretty bright, but I probably never left them on long enough to "age".

You're right, this will make it tough. Almost need separate lists....'new' and 'after so many months'.