Flats that are "off the grid"?

[shawshank72]

I have tried every flatwound by a major manufacturer, what im looking for is some flats made by smaller or unknown companies and what were your experiences with them.

 

[FretlessMainly]

Well, what sound are you looking for? Jamerson/McCartney thump or a more growly sound?

Problem is, bass strings are a bit like VCRs; many variations made by only a few manufacturers. That said, there can be some significant variations in them, but maybe not so much as in rounds.

Have you really tried at least ten distinctly different sets of flats, including the nylon tapes?

 

[mongo2]

What have you already tried?

Without knowing that anything we post is just a SWAG.

 

[jongor]

Curt Mangan

 

[shawshank72]

Curt Mangan

Do you have experience with these?
What are they like?

 

[jongor]

Played them on a friends bass; medium tension, smooth feel, punchy.

Never used them personally.

Another one to consider are the Ken Smith Slick Rounds, I've used these; not completely smooth but feel nice, nice round, punchy tone too, medium tension.

 

[pringlw]

Not sure if you've tried them, but I've landed on Pyramid flats for my fretless. The thumpiest, most "double bass" sounding flats on the planet. Makes sense, they also make double bass strings. Very $$ but they last literally forever.

 

[shawshank72]

Have you really tried at least ten distinctly different sets of flats, including the nylon tapes?[/QUOTE]

Yes I have, I bought a set of 5yr old chromes off a fellow tber and they are incredible. But how often can you find used old flats? Been going through lots of sets and am just looking to go outside the box for a more obscure brand trying to find some hidden gold.

 

[panama]

Not sure if you've tried them, but I've landed on Pyramid flats for my fretless. The thumpiest, most "double bass" sounding flats on the planet. Makes sense, they also make double bass strings. Very $$ but they last literally forever.

strings literally lasting forever is not possible.

 

[pringlw]

strings literally lasting forever is not possible.

Well, ok perhaps not literally forever, but 5 to 8 years or more is very practical. They just get thumpier and thumpier.

 

[michaeln]

strings literally lasting forever is not possible.

Anything's possible on the internet where you don't have to back up statements with facts. ;-)

 

[markanini]

Status: Thin sounding and floppy. Picato: Very smooth sounding, may come off as dull. Optima: Wonderful!

 

[DTF]

vote for pyramids

 

[spiltcoil]

Have you tried Thomastik? Like was mentioned, without knowing what you have tried makes this thread pointless.

 

[shawshank72]

Have you tried Thomastik? Like was mentioned, without knowing what you have tried makes this thread pointless.[/QUOTE
If they made a thicker guage string set, i would give them another try.

 

[rumblethump]

Sound City Flatwounds.......UGH Made in England. Don't waste your time. I use Chromes on 5 of my basses.

 

[One Drop]

Never tried them myself, but I've heard good things about Galli and Curt Magnan flats.

 

[jessicabass]

I know this was my brothers thread many years ago, but im looking to hear more about this subject myself.
So back from the dead.

 

[Fab Superlative]

Invalid Link Removed, makes a variety of flats. Their "Jaco" series, are tonally similar to TI's, the tension feels slightly stiffer, but not by much.
The Dogal, Invalid Link Removed strings are similar to Chromes.

Recently, I've taken quite the shine to Invalid Link Removed

 

[unclebass]

Not sure if Curt Mangan is making flats anymore. Not able to find them on his website. If you are interested in trying them, you may have to contact him directly to see if they have been discontinued. May be worth a try, I have played his nickel and stainless roundwounds, and I love them both.