Flats suggestions for a newbie??? Yamaha BBP34

[rpt50]

I think I want to try flat wound strings on my Yamaha BBP34. I'm looking for a little bit thumpier tone like the G&L fallout tribute that I have. Do I buy the same gauge as the stock strings (which I like)? Also, this bass has the option of strings through the body (extra long scale strings recommended) or top loaded. Any recommendations on that choice?

 

[bholder]

Flats and through body stringing generally don't get along, not bendy enough.

 

[Mili]

I think I want to try flat wound strings on my Yamaha BBP34. I'm looking for a little bit thumpier tone like the G&L fallout tribute that I have. Do I buy the same gauge as the stock strings (which I like)? Also, this bass has the option of strings through the body (extra long scale strings recommended) or top loaded. Any recommendations on that choice?

I suggest La bella DTF 760FL-TB(Through Body)
Recently I installed them and I'm happy with them.

 

[Fondsdale]

GHS Precision flats seem to work fine thru body. They came stock on 70s Stingrays which were thru body, and I have some on a thru body short scale with no issues. Fender flats would be okay too, as they ship them on the JMJ mustang. They may not be long enough though on a 34 inch thru body (would have to double check their winding length).
Chromes are probably fine to use as well.

What sound do you want? Every brand of flat sounds wildly different to my ears.

Chromes for example are super bright (almost like rounds) when fresh, take ages to die down into thump territory and are very stiff compared to most rounds.

GHS Precisions sound very old school (probably the thumpiest flats around) in comparison with similar tension feel to same gauge rounds.

Labella are the "default" flat tone imo, as almost every famous flat player used these on classic recordings, if you wanna sound like Jamerson or Chuck Rainey, get Labella. Quite flexible, feel pretty close to equivalent sized rounds.

Dunlop are nice, they have some top end but some decent thump too, pretty low tension (less than GHS/Labella).

What are your stock strings? My Yamaha 734 came with 100-45 D'addario so I'll assume you want similar tension/stiffness? Chromes and Fenders in the same gauge are far more stiffer feeling. Maybe light gauge Dunlops or GHS would feel similar.

 

[michael_t]

I think I want to try flat wound strings on my Yamaha BBP34. I'm looking for a little bit thumpier tone like the G&L fallout tribute that I have. Do I buy the same gauge as the stock strings (which I like)? Also, this bass has the option of strings through the body (extra long scale strings recommended) or top loaded. Any recommendations on that choice?

First, the Yamaha's "diagonal thru-body" design does NOT require "extra long scale" strings as such. Most companies' "long scale" with 37.25" winding length (ball end to taper/silk) is plenty long enough. For example, here's how the GHS Boomers "long scale" with 37.25" winding fit on a BB424 thru-body: (Photo previously posted by @Ricky Rioli)

Secondly, due to the 45-degree thru-body design, the break angle at the saddle is not as great as the traditional thru-body design. Most flats should be fine with the thru-body installation. La Bella DTFs are the only ones I would be very leery about.

Thirdly, flats come in different gauges and stiffness depending on the brand and design. They also come in different tonal characters from "old-school thump" to "semi-modern" to "roundwound-like brightness". As a general guideline, go one size lighter than the rounds you normally use.

I always recommend the Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100) as a good middle-of-the-road, all-purpose flats for someone who's trying flats for the first time. They should be a good match for your Yamaha PJ. Dunlop Flats 45-105 are also a good option for being "not too old-school and not too bright".

EDIT: Fender 9050s are 37.1" from ball end to silk and the Dunlops are 37.25". They should both be long enough for thru-body on the Yamaha.

 

[michael_t]

Also, this bass has the option of strings through the body (extra long scale strings recommended)

Yamaha's recommendation for "extra long scale" strings is based on the old standard of 36.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk) for "long scale". Most companies have since moved to 37" - 37.25" for "long scale" in recent years to accommodate the thru-body option on 34" scale basses.

 

[Lowendchamp]

Cool Yamaha! I miss my RBX170 that I started on 30 years ago. Just my opinion I run EB cobalt flats on all my basses and have for some time and even my through bodies like them. At first my tuners pulled the ends straight so I couldn't get it tuned it would just slip but once I got a solid bend for the tuner to grip it was all good.

 

[rpt50]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looking forward to trying flats!

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Yes, it's true, La Bella DTFs are the only ones I can think of that you should be super concerned about. Those suckers will snap if you bend them a little too much. I've been able to string them through body with success, but it made me cringe every time waiting for that snap.

Regardless, they should be fine on the Yamaha. I had a BB434 that I strung through using La Bella's with zero issue. And I DO recommend La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats or Pyramid Golds.