Flats: Smooth vs Sticky vs Grippy

[pbass2]

Regardless of the grippy vs smooth factor, if you're working your way through the gamut of flats to see what you like, you must try Labellas. I'm actually surprised they're not on your list. They are arguably "the" classic flatwound. And for many of us, they do indeed deliver that sound!

 

[SharpCat]

Regardless of the grippy vs smooth factor, if you're working your way through the gamut of flats to see what you like, you must try Labellas. I'm actually surprised they're not on your list. They are arguably "the" classic flatwound. And for many of us, they do indeed deliver that sound!

Oh, they are on the list. Last two are the Labellas and the TIs. I wanted to try everything else first so I know what I’m hearing when I get there. It’s a training regimen, really.

 

[SoulReflection]

I agree. I've found the LaBellas to be silky-smooth. The smoothest I've used.
I have not noticed any stickiness at all.

Me neither but, then again, I am a KFC Frequent Flyer...

 

[JKos]

I consider TIs to be quite sticky when brand new.

Cleaning them before installation seems to eliminate that. I use hand lotion. Use a white cloth and hand lotion and see just how much black stuff comes off the strings. (True of all the flats I’ve used, actually.)

 

[SoulReflection]

Cleaning them before installation seems to eliminate that. I use hand lotion. Use a white cloth and hand lotion and see just how much black stuff comes off the strings. (True of all the flats I’ve used, actually.)

Cleaning your flats??? What's next, polishing your fretboard???

My, how times have changed !

 

[pbass2]

Oh, they are on the list. Last two are the Labellas and the TIs. I wanted to try everything else first so I know what I’m hearing when I get there. It’s a training regimen, really.

Ah, good man. I think you'll find Labellas on the smoother side, but as always YMMV. To me the flatwound journey ends w Labellas, but there's so many different flavors out there now, it's pretty darn cool--I remember when I was a flatwound guy in the 90's it was hard to find any at times!

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

I've been working my way through various flat strings to see what I like best. In addition to the oft-discussed bright vs thumpy scale or string stiffness, I'm also noticing that the surface feel varies quite a bit as well. Generally this is only mentioned in passing, though it's well-known that on the roundwound side nickel strings feel softer than stainless most of the time. I guess I'm sorting flats into three categories: Sticky, grippy, or smooth. Most flats I think are trying to be smooth. I've seen comments that some of the sticky strings will become smooth as they break in. Grippy, the string is smooth, but it catches at you if you are pressing harder.

Anyway, feel free to add your evaluations, or disagree with one of mine. Here's what I've tried so far...

Smooth:
- Fender 9050
- D'Addario Chromes
- GHS Precision
- (honorable mention) D'Addario tapewound

Sticky:
- D'Addario Half Rounds

Grippy:
- Rotosound 77 Jazz
- GHS Pressurewound (on the border of being smooth though)

Thoughts?

Thanks in Advance!

Being a relative noob to the world of flats, I must confess that I was puzzled the first time I saw a mention of flats being "sticky". My first set of flats were EB Slinkys which I do not recall being "sticky" and since then I have only used Fender 9050s which are super smooth.

However, in a recent trade, I received an SBMM Ray34CA that the seller claims was strung with EB Slinkys and these strings initially were, indeed very sticky. They are becoming less so but now I understand. For what it's worth, I think I will only use the 9050s from now on as I am extremely happy with their overall performance.

 

[SoulReflection]

Ah, good man. I think you'll find Labellas on the smoother side, but as always YMMV. To me the flatwound journey ends w Labellas, but there's so many different flavors out there now, it's pretty darn cool--I remember when I was a flatwound guy in the 90's it was hard to find any at times!

LBs go back to the 60s but, you have to be one of "us" to remember .

 

[pbass2]

LBs go back to the 60s but, you have to be one of "us" to remember .

When I first started trying flats out, late 80's, all I could ever find were Ernie Balls. I used them for a while, but I remember them being kinda "meh". I had heard of the legendary Labellas, but no shops ever had them!

 

[lermgalieu]

I am always amazed how folks are willing to wipe hand lotion all over their strings instead of just playing them for a couple of weeks. But hey, you do you.

 

[SoulReflection]

When I first started trying flats out, late 80's, all I could ever find were Ernie Balls. I used them for a while, but I remember them being kinda "meh". I had heard of the legendary Labellas, but no shops ever had them!

It was a plot. GOFs were hording them...

 

[Grinderman]

Flats I use or have used:

Dunlop stainless flats
Fender 9050 flats
LaBella DTB '54 flats
GHS Precision flats
Rotosound 77 Jazz Monel flats


What I think about smooth, grippy, and sticky flats:

I wipe them off fresh out of the package with iso alcohol if needed, when installing them. Then I just play them, play them, play them, and play them some more. No lotion or whatever needed. Smooth, grippy, or sticky isn't an issue to me. There's not enough difference in that regard to matter to me.

 

[Holdsg]

I would add to your list:

DR Legends - very smooth right out of the box

And to answer the question "do you ever change them"?

I'm not typical, but I rarely own a bass more than 1-2 years. If it's got flats on it, I'm not changing them at all unless I want to try a different flat.

 

[SoulReflection]

I would add to your list:

DR Legends - very smooth right out of the box

And to answer the question "do you ever change them"?

I'm not typical, but I rarely own a bass more than 1-2 years. If it's got flats on it, I'm not changing them at all unless I want to try a different flat.

The only flats you change are tires...just sayin'.

 

[JKos]

I am always amazed how folks are willing to wipe hand lotion all over their strings instead of just playing them for a couple of weeks. But hey, you do you.

Why wait weeks for them to feel good when they can feel good from first use? Plus, you get all the manufacturing gunk off of them so it’s not coming off on your fingers.

 

[SoulReflection]

Why wait weeks for them to feel good when they can feel good from first use? Plus, you get all the manufacturing gunk off of them so it’s not coming off on your fingers.

"Manufacturing gunk" could be the least of your worries .

 

[JKaftertwoxans]

If string grippiness is causing you this much of a dilemma why not lubricate your hands with something like Eucerin and have at it with whichever sounds best to you. If frictionless motion is what you desire lube up. That said I have a hard time understanding how this non issue seems to be such a huge deal to many of you, guess im lucky to have naturally greasy hands that compliment my nose.

 

[MCS4]

I've only played Chromes, Fender flats, and Labella LTFs often enough to have a specific opinion, but to me they are all plenty smooth if you clean them before installing. After the first time I tried it I'll never install a set of flats without wiping them off with at least a little water beforehand, because there is always at least a little gunk on them and they always feel much nicer instantly afterward.

 

[SoulReflection]

If string grippiness is causing you this much of a dilemma why not lubricate your hands with something like Eucerin and have at it with whichever sounds best to you. If frictionless motion is what you desire lube up. That said I have a hard time understanding how this non issue seems to be such a huge deal to many of you, guess im lucky to have naturally greasy hands that compliment my nose.

Hmmm...one of the few times I don't have a comment...

 

[lermgalieu]

Why wait weeks for them to feel good when they can feel good from first use? Plus, you get all the manufacturing gunk off of them so it’s not coming off on your fingers.

Uh, because you are spreading a bunch of HAND LOTION on them???? I use them as intended. To me this is such a non-issue, and I am not in the habit of using hammers to kill ants. Typical hand lotion ingredients: glycerin, lanolin oil, dimethicone, sodium hydroxide, alcohol denat., chlorphenesin, benzyl alcohol.

But again, you do you.