Flats for a Stingray?

[Dubista]

Alright crew, I recently purchased a 3 band StingRay 4 and I'm after a set of flats. Being a Ray, I would like to keep some of the high end so I'm looking for a bright set of flats. I would also like them to not be very tight. The only experience I've had with Flats has been on my AV62 Precision, I've had Chromes, LaBellas, that are currently on there, and the old recipe Fender 9050s. I'm thinking of grabbing a set of TIs for the P.

I HAVE narrowed down my current choices to for my Ray:
GHS Precision Flats
Sadowsy Flats
TI's
Chromes

Could you guys chime in and help me out? In what order are the tension on these strings and the brightness? I do realise this is all subjective but I appreciate your help.

 

[Root 5]

My favourite flats are GHS. But since you want a brighter tone - I'd go with either Rotosound or D'Addario. The tension with these two is medium.

 

[JeffLieby]

I had a set of Chromes on my 5HH. They worked pretty good. I came to the realization that I wasn't a huge fan of the "Stingray" sound, so I put the flats on to tame it down a bit. They were good for this, while still retaining just enough of the Stingray tone to be satisfying.

 

[Dubista]

Yeah, I'm after something that would tame down the Ray a little.

 

[TripleDouble]

I did exactly this on my sterling, I went for GHS precision flats. Sounds cool.

 

[fenderhutz]

I put TI flats on my SUB. They are low tension, very playable, and sound better than any other flats I have tried. Still have some bark on the R ay while taking out some of the bite. From what I have read the Queen bassist used flats on a Ray to record Another One Bites the Dust. I have to say mine sounds very similar to that tone through my Ampeg PF350 and PF115 cab. I might switch to half rounds though, just to get the best of the round and flat world.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

The only way I can like a Ray is with flats. The one that cought my ears had chromes on it.

 

[Andy_D]

Pressure wounds?

GHS Pressurewound Bass Strings - YouTube

 

[parsons]

A search will yield a few threads on this setup.

I have a set of Chromes on one of my Sterlings. My SUB has rounds on it.

 

[jallenbass]

Based on your tone goals the GHS Precision Flats, while being a great flatwound string, will not meet your needs. Too dark. I have the new formula Fender 9050s on my SR Classic and they work very well. After maybe 6 months they aren't very bright any more but still lively.

 

[ddawson2012]

Chromes on my Sabre - featuring silver metal flake!! (the bass, not the chromes - although i'm probably considered a little biased!)

 

[Morning Beer]

I tried DR flats on mine and didn't like it much. I really like the tone of some dead dunlop nickle rounds on it the best.

 

[pudgychef]

I find Chromes and RS77s can work well... but take dialing in and settling - first day I find the Chromes too mid-heavy...but they settle....

I kind of like Ernie Ball group IIs for a happy medium

want to try the fenders....

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

Chromes on my ATK700 (active MM-like bass) and they sound incredible.

 

[Cairobill]

TI flats have good mids and are very low tension. I love those strings.