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Flats on the P

C

capncal

Apr 14, 2009
389
5
#1
Yeah, I know, there are a hundred different threads on what's the best flats for a P bass. But I'm asking anyway. I've been playing for really only about 4 years. I did luck into an American Fender P at the local Doo Wop Shop, a music store that rents equipment and I snatched that bad mamma jamma straight up and have been playing her for about 3 of those 4 years.

I've had a variety of rounds on her and love it! I've recently acquired a Mexican Squire J Bass and therefore have decided to go flat on the P. I'll have the J with rounds for the harder rock and roll stuff my band plays. And I'll have the P for our more soulful type stuff. Needless to say I'm pretty excited about the sonic power I now possess!

My question is this: which of the various brands and styles of flat wounds should I try out first? I'm sure it'll be a process but with the cost of bass strings I figured I'd see what you fine Talk Bass folks would suggest for my first set of flats.

Ready, go!
 
#5
Can anyone reccomend flatwounds that maybe sound like they've got a bit more balls to them than the chromes? I'm really happy with chromes and I feel the blend right in on my P to the mix, but if there are some out there that would maybe come with a bit more 'attitude' if you know what I mean i'd love to hear about them.

Kind of like the difference between nickel and stainless steel rounds. Except the equivalent for flats I guess


edit: what the hell is this about chromes being cheap? In my country they are $100 a packet! Damn you local music chain monopoly and your limited bass stock. I'd have to import anything outside of the chromes myself
 
#8
puddin tame said:
Can anyone reccomend flatwounds that maybe sound like they've got a bit more balls to them than the chromes? I'm really happy with chromes and I feel the blend right in on my P to the mix, but if there are some out there that would maybe come with a bit more 'attitude' if you know what I mean i'd love to hear about them.

Kind of like the difference between nickel and stainless steel rounds. Except the equivalent for flats I guess


edit: what the hell is this about chromes being cheap? In my country they are $100 a packet! Damn you local music chain monopoly and your limited bass stock. I'd have to import anything outside of the chromes myself
Click to expand...

You might like Labellas ... or GHS flats.
 
#10
You want attitude? Oh, I know where you can find attitude! LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats on a P bass is plenty of attitude. They have that deep, authoritive thump and have a very smooth finish with a super tight wrap on the winding. I have not found DR Legend flats and Chromes to be as smooth.
 
#12
lmfreeman9 said:
I find Fenders, GHS and Chromes to have too much tension.

I prefer LaBella (FL), Thomastik Infeld (the best) and Pyramid Gold.

All are more expensive. The Pyramids and TI's are Nickel which I prefer.
Click to expand...

I'm just about there with you on this, but I've moved away from LaBella and replaced them with Sadowsky Flats. If you love TIs and Pyramids, I guarantee you'll love Sadowsky. Mid tension, smooth feel, and lots of attitude. ;)
 
#14
I'd start with GHS Precision flats. If you want something a little brighter/crisper, move to Fenders or Chromes. You should try TIs at some point, but I would try the more traditional flats first.
 
#19
Chromes. They are a good intro into the world of flatwound goodness, and are my favorite overall brand of flats.

My second favorite is the Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats (aka "TI flats"). However I do believe they have a somewhat richer tone than the Chromes(IMO etc etc).

But because the TI's are lower tension than most other strings, and because they are more expensive than most other strings, I hesitate to recommend them as a "first set of flatwounds". They do, however, have a world class tone and they do last for years and years, which of course offsets the initial purchase cost.

I just happen to think D'Addario Chromes strike a better working balance of tone and tension.

And I agree, having "both kinds" of basses, a P AND a J, you do have mighty sonic power indeed! ;)
 
#20
The tension and scoopy nature of Chromes nearly put me off flats for good. They were the first brand I tried due to cost but I could not get with them at all. I have since tried LaBella Deep Talkin', Rotosound, GHS and DR and the Thomastik Jazz flats are the clear winner with the GHS Precision Flats being a close second. They are the perfect string, round or flat, IMO. They have a depth and richness to them that no other string has, IME. They blend very well in a mix due to their even balance of mids with the other frequencies. They are unique in that they have a silk underwind, which makes for a different feel and imparts a distinct charachter as they age, due to the moisture absorbed into the silk through months or years of playing. In other words, they only sound better and better with age. The tension is something you may or may not have to adjust to, as they are very light but extremely balanced...not 'wimpy' sounding by any means. I highly recommend them as a first flat but they are in a field all their own compared to others such as LaBella. They pay for themselves, IMO as one needs to only buy them once but this is true for many flats. Just gave LaBella and GHS a few weeks on my AVRI 62' Precision and Jazz and the TI's are staying on the P-bass for good. The jazz seems to like higher tension to the LaBellas are staying there but if I pick up another Jazz, unless it is a 5 string theuy will wear TI's as well.
 

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