They Is Be Groovy, Yes? I dig Fender 9050Ms. Yes I do.Fender 9050L's..
Fender 9050M Stainless Steel Flatwound
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Flats Decision for a Precision...
- Thread starter Chuck Canuck
- Start date
Fender 9050M Stainless Steel Flatwound
I have Chrome 40-100 on all my long scales. 45-105 on my short scale. I love the feel. They mellow nicely the more they are played. They don't ever seem to reach that Labella thump, which works for me. I like that they retain some clarity.
John’s response is probably the most honest answer you’re going to get.
You’re just going to have to try a set of strings and determine if you like them.
A few years ago, I ran the gauntlet with round wound strings for all of my basses.
I posted a thread on TB and received several recommendations.
But in the end, each bass has a different set of strings installed, which brings out the best tone of each instrument.
And three of my basses are built to the same specs, but with different pickup configurations.
Each bass has different brand strings.
Good luck in your search.
Chromes are very versatile if you still want some brightness similar to a round wound string. If you like some brightness in the tone and strings that you can slap and still get a great sound these are great. They mellow with age, as do all strings...but these tend to fall more into the classic flat wound sound after you play them a while. Depending on the gauge and scale length of your bass you might think these are really tight, but with the proper gauge and setup they can be super easy to play.
LaBella 760F are the classic P-bass flatwound sound that was used by James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, and others. Various gauges and options, such as through body or not. The LTFFs are similar but more flexible. The tone knob can really warm these strings up. Great strings... perhaps the strings that all other flats should be compared with!
GHS Precision Flats are really cool strings. They are not as smooth to the touch as Chromes or LaBellas. That said, the construction is excellent and the outer wrap is super tight. They get a dark woody sound with still some brightness but that wears away quickly. They are similar in tone to LaBella 760s but a bit more low mids and not as much highs. Once the brightness wears off they really sound like a one trick pony, meaning the tone knob or active EQ isn’t going to give you much of a different sound, but the sound is a very good one.
DR Legends are similar to GHS but more of a smoother finish to the outer wrap. They are really high tension like some of the heavier gauges in the aforementioned strings, which is unusual for DR since they are normally very soft and flexible. I have tried these a few times and personally don’t like them as much as the others I mentioned.
I’ve never used Rotosounds, but I probably tried them on another bass. Given how great the other options are I’d probably stay away, but that’s just my personal opinion.
Thomastik strings are great, but not like the others. The low strings are not as smooth to the touch, the outer wrap isn’t completely flat. Very popular with some players...personally I love their upright strings but like Chromes, LaBellas, or GHS better for my personal needs. I may eventually try them again, but they didn’t do it for me the first time.
LaBella 760F are the classic P-bass flatwound sound that was used by James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, and others. Various gauges and options, such as through body or not. The LTFFs are similar but more flexible. The tone knob can really warm these strings up. Great strings... perhaps the strings that all other flats should be compared with!
GHS Precision Flats are really cool strings. They are not as smooth to the touch as Chromes or LaBellas. That said, the construction is excellent and the outer wrap is super tight. They get a dark woody sound with still some brightness but that wears away quickly. They are similar in tone to LaBella 760s but a bit more low mids and not as much highs. Once the brightness wears off they really sound like a one trick pony, meaning the tone knob or active EQ isn’t going to give you much of a different sound, but the sound is a very good one.
DR Legends are similar to GHS but more of a smoother finish to the outer wrap. They are really high tension like some of the heavier gauges in the aforementioned strings, which is unusual for DR since they are normally very soft and flexible. I have tried these a few times and personally don’t like them as much as the others I mentioned.
I’ve never used Rotosounds, but I probably tried them on another bass. Given how great the other options are I’d probably stay away, but that’s just my personal opinion.
Thomastik strings are great, but not like the others. The low strings are not as smooth to the touch, the outer wrap isn’t completely flat. Very popular with some players...personally I love their upright strings but like Chromes, LaBellas, or GHS better for my personal needs. I may eventually try them again, but they didn’t do it for me the first time.
Chromes need a couple of months to lose their metallic edge. After that they are perfect.
I've had experience with Rotos, chromes, and La Bellas on my 76 P.
Rotos were stiff, but not as stiff as La Bellas and gave a decent thump. Overall very average string, good all rounder. I've come to find they shine when played with a pick. Bending is easy with them. They are kind of "meh" in terms of low end, nothing special. If you don;t boost your lows, you will feel a big loss in low end compared of other flats. They don't break in very fast, so if you are recording, go rotos. Rate 7/10
La Bellas gave my neck a heart attack, and was the best sounding flat I've heard. I would consider them again if they weren't impossible to play fast with (.105 set with action set to 5/64th of an inch). They are great for anything EXCEPT for genres like hard rock and metal that require a lot of hammer-ons. They broke in pretty fast so if you want that Jamerson sound quickly, they are your go to. Over they do a great job filling the bottom end in any mix where other flats and rounds don't. They are amazing when lows are boosted and played fingerstyle with the tone rolled off. Obviously sound great when dead, just listen to any Jamerson recording .Rate 8/10
I had chromes on there as well, but only for a short period before putting rounds on. They were pretty bendy and easy to play with normal gauge and action (6/64ths on an inch .105 set). They were the smoothest flat texture wise, which is nice if you are going for an upright sound and feel. I don't remember much of them, but they sound great especially when dead. Tons of low end on those bad boys and I might go back to them if I don't find a super bendy flat by La Bella to put on my MJT 60's P that's coming in a couple of weeks.
Hope this helps.
Rotos were stiff, but not as stiff as La Bellas and gave a decent thump. Overall very average string, good all rounder. I've come to find they shine when played with a pick. Bending is easy with them. They are kind of "meh" in terms of low end, nothing special. If you don;t boost your lows, you will feel a big loss in low end compared of other flats. They don't break in very fast, so if you are recording, go rotos. Rate 7/10
La Bellas gave my neck a heart attack, and was the best sounding flat I've heard. I would consider them again if they weren't impossible to play fast with (.105 set with action set to 5/64th of an inch). They are great for anything EXCEPT for genres like hard rock and metal that require a lot of hammer-ons. They broke in pretty fast so if you want that Jamerson sound quickly, they are your go to. Over they do a great job filling the bottom end in any mix where other flats and rounds don't. They are amazing when lows are boosted and played fingerstyle with the tone rolled off. Obviously sound great when dead, just listen to any Jamerson recording .Rate 8/10
I had chromes on there as well, but only for a short period before putting rounds on. They were pretty bendy and easy to play with normal gauge and action (6/64ths on an inch .105 set). They were the smoothest flat texture wise, which is nice if you are going for an upright sound and feel. I don't remember much of them, but they sound great especially when dead. Tons of low end on those bad boys and I might go back to them if I don't find a super bendy flat by La Bella to put on my MJT 60's P that's coming in a couple of weeks.
Hope this helps.
Of the three you listed, the D'A Chromes are the most "middle-of-the-road" suited for the widest range of styles. So, you should start there.
Then if you decide you want to go more "old school", try the DR Legends; if you want to go brighter, then the Rotos.
