My first bass had rounds on it and I've never tried anything else. However, I'm curious about giving flats a try to see how I like them. I've heard that synth pedals tend to have an easier time tracking flats than rounds, and I'm in an 80s band that requires a lot of synth pedal work. In our set I play fingerstyle, slap, and with a pick. I'd rather not have to switch basses during the set some I'm looking for strings that are versatile and not too thuddy. I primarily play a modded Ray5 with a John East 3 band preamp and a bartolini pickup. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
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Flats recommendations
- Thread starter Kleebs
- Start date
I just put Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on my Marleaux Diva, replacing LaBella Deep Talking' Flats, because the LaBellas are dull, thuddy and lifeless from new. The cobalts did exactly what I hoped for, they sound warm, lively and keep enough of the high frequency to provide a slight bite to the sound (similar but not as much as you get with roundwounds). They could sound oldschool too if that's what you want, as my reasoning is that it's easy to eq stuff out, but you can't add something that's not there to begin with
(such as trying to make the LaBellas sound good). The only problem is they stupidly come coated in something that feels like WD40 and leaves your fingers (and presumably fingerboard) feeling oily after playing. I didn't notice until I had installed the strings, so now I need to take them off and clean them and the fingerboard with denatured alcohol or something before refitting. Other than that these are pretty much everything I was hoping to find sonically. I've seen some old reviews that say the D strings are/were prone to breaking but no such problems for me so far.
(such as trying to make the LaBellas sound good). The only problem is they stupidly come coated in something that feels like WD40 and leaves your fingers (and presumably fingerboard) feeling oily after playing. I didn't notice until I had installed the strings, so now I need to take them off and clean them and the fingerboard with denatured alcohol or something before refitting. Other than that these are pretty much everything I was hoping to find sonically. I've seen some old reviews that say the D strings are/were prone to breaking but no such problems for me so far.
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I use the same EB Cobalt flats as well as D'Addario Chromes and Ken Smith Slick Rounds (ground rounds so they're smooth.)
They're all a little different, but they're all on the bright end of smooth/flat wounds.
Super thuddy flatwounds lack definition and articulation for me.
It is unfortunate that flat wound strings tend to be expensive because I needed to try them to find out what I liked.
I want to try another set of TI flats, but I really disliked them about 20 years ago. The tension was just too low for me. I like digging in and getting a snap in the initial response, and I like that fast decay of flat wounds.
They're all a little different, but they're all on the bright end of smooth/flat wounds.
Super thuddy flatwounds lack definition and articulation for me.
It is unfortunate that flat wound strings tend to be expensive because I needed to try them to find out what I liked.
I want to try another set of TI flats, but I really disliked them about 20 years ago. The tension was just too low for me. I like digging in and getting a snap in the initial response, and I like that fast decay of flat wounds.
The light (50-105) gauge LaBella tapes are only good if you tune to standard tuning. Anything below that and your strings will be floppy.
The regular (60-115) gauge requires you to file your bass’ nut to fit them in. But they might be better for downtuning or drop tuning.
Suggest EB group flat 2810. Gauge 45-130. I been use on my previous sub Ray5 and sound meaty and full. The B string sound well balance to others.
I personally like the sound and feel of La Bella DTFs. Others might not. Opinions vary and yours may not agree with some others. I also like Chromes. You just have to try some to find your preference as we all have had to do. You like what you like. I like what I like.
I'd suggest the EB cobalt flats. Great first flat for somebody wanting to test the water.
Another....EB cobalt flats
I like tape wounds meself
I think they're GHS on this. Sounds great and lasts long time. I keep going to change em, but then think, why? Nothing sounds or feels better on this
I like tape wounds meself
I think they're GHS on this. Sounds great and lasts long time. I keep going to change em, but then think, why? Nothing sounds or feels better on this
You're gonna get alllllllllll kinds of recommendations! And you will still end up wondering what kind of flats... "will work for me".
Welcome to the "wonderful world of trial and error" with bass guitar strings! (Flats) Expensive effort!
I've used about 5 different kinds of flats and don't forget that there are different gauges for each brand which needs to be considered.
My #1 issue with flats is that most of them have a pretty stout string tension that stresses the neck's truss rod.
My recommendations for flats. #1 TI Flats! WOW! The best! Low tension! 141 lbs pull. Great sound! #2, D'Addario Chromes 40-95. About 162 lbs tension. Pretty darn good! A little bright but some tone roll off gets 'em sounding right. (Some flats are 200 lbs and more!)
Good luck choosing!
Welcome to the "wonderful world of trial and error" with bass guitar strings! (Flats) Expensive effort!
I've used about 5 different kinds of flats and don't forget that there are different gauges for each brand which needs to be considered.
My #1 issue with flats is that most of them have a pretty stout string tension that stresses the neck's truss rod.
My recommendations for flats. #1 TI Flats! WOW! The best! Low tension! 141 lbs pull. Great sound! #2, D'Addario Chromes 40-95. About 162 lbs tension. Pretty darn good! A little bright but some tone roll off gets 'em sounding right. (Some flats are 200 lbs and more!)
Good luck choosing!
TI Flats are the greatest strings ever made. They feel great once you get used to the lower tension and they are less thuddy compared to other flats with more definition.
