I have some GHS tapewounds on one of my basses. The low strings are pretty dark (I think that other brands may be brighter) but the feel is nice and flexible.
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Flats That Behave Like Rounds
- Thread starter Stan_da_man
- Start date
I have some GHS tapewounds on one of my basses. The low strings are pretty dark (I think that other brands may be brighter) but the feel is nice and flexible.
I played all of those, including the EB Group III flats (45-100).
La Bella are my go to flats for my P bass, currently around 3 years old or something. Classic, old school Motown thump, big lows, big thump, fantastic with my EMG GZR pup. They were by far my favorite on that P. I use the 760FS( 45-105) gauge set for half a step down tuning. Absolutely perfect tension, feel and tone. Old school all the way.
I wanted flats on my 2 band Stingray, for that 70s flats Ray tone, so I tested EB Cobalt flats, TI flats and EB Group III flats. I always had EB Super Slinky on that bass prior to flats (45-100). EB Super Slinky (nickel roundwound) are my choice of roundwound string for standard tuning - tone, feel and tension wise. I wanted a flatwound that has similar tension, but a traditional flatwound tone. My test commenced:
EB Cobalt flats (45-100) - tension wise, very close to Super Slinky set, nice and flexible. The feel however, due to bigger gaps in windings, is not as smooth as La Bella. It's not a traditional flatwound for sure. Those bigger gaps give it a more modern tone. What I heard was a smooth SS roundwound like tone, which I'm not a fan of. SS roundwounds always sound scooped to me, and too sterile in a way. I tried those for a week, but I wanted a traditional flatwound tone for my Stingray, and those were not it. Off they went.
TI Flats - I already tried those years before on my P bass, and they were too low tension for half a step down for me (my P is half a step down for one of my live bands). On my Stingray, in standard tuning, better. They sounded great. In comparison to EB Cobalts, those had a woody, old school quality, with beautiful mids. I had them on for maybe a week, 2 weeks tops, but off they went. Why? Still too soft and pliable for me. I like keeping the same sort of feel on all of my basses, and these were only good to me for super soft playing. Great sound, fantastic sound, but too soft and flexible for my taste.
EB Group III flats (45-100) - Now those were a surprise. I expected rebranded Chromes. Nope. Those are on par with EB Cobalt flats tension wise, which means - almost just like Super Slinky roundwounds, but they're smooth and they thump! Now, those aren't as thumpy and bass rich and old school like La Bellas, but they felt perfect on my Stingray because they retained a nice balance of lows, mids and highs. I now have them on that bass for around 4 months, and I want them to age further. Right now, they're still very articulate, but they're flats no doubt about it.
Also, I quickly tried EB Group IV flats (40-95) because I thought bigger gauge would have too much tension, but nope. 40-95 was also too soft, and actually less tension than TI flats. 45-100 (Group III) were perfect.
Hope this helps a bit.
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Cobalt Flats.
They have similar tension to same gauge rounds (of course there's variability in brands etc, but they're comparable), they feel like flats, but they can sound like rounds that have been on the bass for a little while: the extreme zing of new strings is gone, but they have plenty of top end still. You can get a more traditional flats sound from them, by turning down the tone control. They're a good compromise versatile kind of string.
My experience:
Tried = Fender 9050s, Labella DTF, Sadowsky Black Label and the original Sadowsky Blue Label
Used extensively = TIs, DR flats, Cobalts, Dunlops
I used DR Legends for a couple of years. Someone earlier posted about them feeling similar to LoRiders in stiffness. I think that's a good observation. They're pretty stiff, but they seem more flexible than other similar gauge flats, and with a more lively midrange. But I think they still are more like flats than rounds. They have the least amount of sustain out of all flats I tried.
I kinda liked the 9050s at home, but once I got them in rehearsal, it seemed like my dynamic range was significantly reduced (compared to some very old XLs), maybe due to the stiffness. So, off they came.
I think the Ernie Ball Cobalts or Dunlop flats are close to what you describe.
The Cobalts really are like dead rounds. I used the same set on a G&L LB-100 for a couple of years, and to me they sound a lot like a well worn set of D'Addario XL nickels, but with less grind and a bit less bottom. The midrange is pretty dry sounding compared to TIs, which is what made me eventually ditch the Cobalts. They are weirdly sticky at first, but that goes away with use. They are some of the most punchy strings I have used, round or flat, and the sustain is impressive. Even the .095 set doesn't feel as loose as the TIs.
You say you are "after a mellow, old school flatwound tone". I think you should check out the Dunlops. They feel stiffer than the Cobalts, but are still pretty flexible and dynamic like a roundwound. The brightness mellows out after some use, but they still retain nice, pronounced midrange; a lot warmer sounding to me than the Cobalts, with a much greater ability to thump, but not as dark and woody as TIs. I think the stiffness is a bit more than a .105 D'Addario XL set, but not as high the 9050s (fwiw, I did not break-in my 9050 set, so that could be a factor).
The 1954's have become my flats of choice. Even after hearing all the scary talk of being too stiff
That IS the sound I want. Don't get me wrong. I like TI flats and Chromes but that's for their sound.
Smooth sound for the TI's, Almost round wound sound for the Chromes. But when I want a flats sound,
it has to be the 1954's
The stiffness to me is not an issue, like playing an upright is not an issue.
It comes with the territory. You just adapt to the instrument. When I have the 1954's on, It's like a different instrument to me
Anyway...
The 1954's have become my flats of choice. Even after hearing all the scary talk of being too stiff
That IS the sound I want. Don't get me wrong. I like TI flats and Chromes but that's for their sound.
Smooth sound for the TI's, Almost round wound sound for the Chromes. But when I want a flats sound,
it has to be the 1954's
The stiffness to me is not an issue, like playing an upright is not an issue.
It comes with the territory. You just adapt to the instrument. When I have the 1954's on, It's like a different instrument to me
Anyway...
I totally agree. There's the 1954 Jamersons and there's everything else. I only wish they made a 5 string version with a B string that had the same tone, tension and stiffness. It would probably have to be about .145 or .150, but La Bella stops at .128, which to me, is like a boiled spaghetti noodle.
I played flatwound strings on my 1965 Jazz bass from 1966 until 1976 when it was stolen. From ~1971 until 1976 I used the Fender black tape-wound flats. Replaced that bass finally in 1985 with my late '82/ early '83 Jazz with maple neck because it had the same neck profile and shape as my 65. It came with Dean Markley Blue Steel rounds on it and I used those for many years, replacing them twice with the same strings. Then I bought a set of DR Black Beauties because a friend of mine was endorsed by them and he swore by those strings. I used those for about 4 years until the black coating started to get worn off and there were bright fret marks on the underside of them.
The flats back in the 60's and 70's were pretty dark sounding - not a lot of upper harmonics. The Blue Steel round-wound were much brighter sound. I didn't particularly care for the brightness on the D and G strings. The DR Black Beauty rounds gave me a better sound than the Blue Steel rounds just because the balance of sound was better between the strings. I
finally went back to flatwounds after I saw a Scott's Bass Lesson video with Scott using different types of strings on one bass. He was impressed with the LaBella Tape Wound flats and they sounded much better to me than the "normal" flats he put on them. My DR's were about done, so I bought a set from the TB store here.
I ordered the LaBella Deep Talking white tape wound flats #750T. I was really pleased when I put them on. They weren't muddy but had a very full sound and the strings were really nicely balanced. The D and G strings didn't have that jump in higher frequencies that the round wound ones did. I could play a run near the nut on the D and G strings without it sounding thin and wimpy.
One problem I did have at first was with my accuracy on them. I had to pay attention that I didn't slide past the fret I was shooting for when I first got them. They are supper smooth and fingers slide easily, so it was easy to overshoot at first. Didn't take long to get used to them though.
After only using round wounds since 1985, I am really impressed with the sound I get out of these. I might replace these with a different tape color, but these are absolutely my go-to strings now. I got the white tape wound because I have a white bass. Strings in white are not opaque white. You can see the core through them but they still are noticeably white strings.
I suggest you give these a try. And, if you're a supporting member, you get a discount on the TB store.
The flats back in the 60's and 70's were pretty dark sounding - not a lot of upper harmonics. The Blue Steel round-wound were much brighter sound. I didn't particularly care for the brightness on the D and G strings. The DR Black Beauty rounds gave me a better sound than the Blue Steel rounds just because the balance of sound was better between the strings. I
finally went back to flatwounds after I saw a Scott's Bass Lesson video with Scott using different types of strings on one bass. He was impressed with the LaBella Tape Wound flats and they sounded much better to me than the "normal" flats he put on them. My DR's were about done, so I bought a set from the TB store here.
I ordered the LaBella Deep Talking white tape wound flats #750T. I was really pleased when I put them on. They weren't muddy but had a very full sound and the strings were really nicely balanced. The D and G strings didn't have that jump in higher frequencies that the round wound ones did. I could play a run near the nut on the D and G strings without it sounding thin and wimpy.
One problem I did have at first was with my accuracy on them. I had to pay attention that I didn't slide past the fret I was shooting for when I first got them. They are supper smooth and fingers slide easily, so it was easy to overshoot at first. Didn't take long to get used to them though.
After only using round wounds since 1985, I am really impressed with the sound I get out of these. I might replace these with a different tape color, but these are absolutely my go-to strings now. I got the white tape wound because I have a white bass. Strings in white are not opaque white. You can see the core through them but they still are noticeably white strings.
I suggest you give these a try. And, if you're a supporting member, you get a discount on the TB store.
Tapes are definitely not what I'm after. I have tried these and they were not for me. Felt like plastic!
Thanks for all the help guys. For what it's worth, I have narrowed it down to the DR Legend and Dunlop flatwounds or something else that hasn't come to my attention!
I am after:
A flatwound string with 'normal' gauge and tension.
Has much flexibility as a roundwound.
A dark, warm tone that would pair nicely with a valve/tube amp.
Smooth feeling & glassy but not sticky.
I am after:
A flatwound string with 'normal' gauge and tension.
Has much flexibility as a roundwound.
A dark, warm tone that would pair nicely with a valve/tube amp.
Smooth feeling & glassy but not sticky.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
D'Addario Tape Wounds have been a staple on at least one of my basses for this reason.
They're a round wound string with the nylon tape wrapped over top. Has lots of upper mids and low treble but no zing, or clunky carp. Lots of solid bottom too.
Have you tried Pyramid Gold Flats? I've been running the 40/55/75/105 set (package #640-1) on one of my P Basses and they are quickly becoming one of my favorite flats (I've tried a couple dozen sets). Ultra smooth with a powdery, non-tacky finish. Deep, full bottom with solid mids (not overbearing) and a subdued high end. They sound plump & fat, with a great midrange voice. I can run them with the tone knob wide open and get a great balanced sound.
They have normal tension that is easy to fret but also offers nice resistance for the plucking hand.
They're not SUPER flexible, but that's the only box they don't check from your list above ^^^ Not the "bendiest" strings in the world, but still really supple for the fretting hand.
Note: This bass is tuned down 1/2 step, so keep that in mind, too.
No problem. They took me a little bit to get used to after playing round wounds for 35-years, but they have the sound I wanted and have never found in any other flat wound string. Good luck with your search.
Like a lot of folks I spent a bunch of time and money* trying all the different flat wound, half wound, pressure wound and tape wound stings when the whole craze started. My landing point is the RotoSound TruBass 88 Nylon Tapewound Strings for tone, feel and playability.
My usual preference is a custom light set of D'Addario XL rounds 35 - 55 - 80 - 100 and the TruBass 88 have a similar tension feel, the harmonics still ring true and the strings play in tune up the neck on the two basses that I have them on a Washburn AB20 and my Carvin LB50 with EMG HB (incognito P).
My usual preference is a custom light set of D'Addario XL rounds 35 - 55 - 80 - 100 and the TruBass 88 have a similar tension feel, the harmonics still ring true and the strings play in tune up the neck on the two basses that I have them on a Washburn AB20 and my Carvin LB50 with EMG HB (incognito P).
I'm using extra/super light gauge Cobalt flats on my P bass right now, and they're pretty nice. I use it for an alt rock band that generally uses heavily overdriven tones and they really punch through the mix and have a great pick tone. They don't sound like the flats on my other basses at all, but they also aren't really like rounds. They're as close as I've ever heard a flat get, but they're still lacking some roughness to the highs and high mids if that makes sense. They have that same shiny high end that chromes have, but don't get as metallic sounding as some rounds to, a quality I really like. Worth a try for sure, they feel so good to play.
Those rust. Mine rusted about 3 months after installing. It's not minor, but significant compared to what other strings.
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