Flats That Behave Like Rounds

[tekhedd]

Halfrounds are the worst strings ever invented.

While I'm inclined to agree, there are some rounds that are quite atrocious.

Wait'll you try my new invention "razorwounds". Designed for intensely aggressive tone, superior sustain and lots of string noise. It's an improvement on my previous invention "vertical flatwounds", where the flat part is also sharpened to a razor edge, pointing outwards. This is to help increase string feel for bassists with very thick callouses, and a very sharp tone. And, yes, they are the ultimate string for metal.

 

[Selim]

I do not like stiff strings either, and my current set is these Dunlops. OP, you might give these a try, they are pretty flexible, but I went from a 45-105 set to a 40-100 set and I like them much better.
I tried the LTF Labella, while they felt nice, the tone just wasn't there. So far the Dunlops have the feel and the tone.

Just how different are the two Dunlop gauges? I'm familiar with the mediums. Thanks

 

[Jeff Bonny]

TIs are waaay too loosey goosey for me. Wish they did a 40-100 or 45-105 gauge.

Have you considered trying something like GHS Pressurewound?

They didn't do it for me. I'm after a mellow, old school flatwound tone. I did like the tension and flexibility though.

It sounds to me like TI JF's and GHS Pressurewounds are the closest things to what you're describing you want. Having used both on several basses I wonder if you didn't give them more than a few days or even hours before deciding they weren't cutting it. If you dig the way the TI's sound it might be worth taking the time to learn to play them because nothing else sounds like they do. They aren't for everyone but some people who didn't like them at first warm up to them. When you start to learn to control the excursion of a flexible string they can actually be played quite hard.

With the Pressurewounds if you give them a couple of months of regular playing they definitely do die off and sound more thuddy and flat-like than a lot of brighter flats like Chromes ever will.

 

[JimmyM]

Just how different are the two Dunlop gauges? I'm familiar with the mediums. Thanks

The lighter set isn't a far cry in tension from the medium set, but they are a tad looser.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Just to follow this up, I've installed SIT Silencers 45-105 gauge on my bass and am very happy with them. They're already starting to mellow out after a month of play time.

 

[jeff62]

Silencers I've been a go to string for me for some time. I dig 'em on many of my basses.

I am thinking about trying some Dunlop flats. Big Labella fan for many years but basically got tired of the tension. I've now got Labella low tension flats on a Jazz. I like them but am wondering if the Dunlop's might fall inbetween the two. Anyone with direct knowledge?

 

[Selim]

Silencers I've been a go to string for me for some time. I dig 'em on many of my basses.

I am thinking about trying some Dunlop flats. Big Labella fan for many years but basically got tired of the tension. I've now got Labella low tension flats on a Jazz. I like them but am wondering if the Dunlop's might fall inbetween the two. Anyone with direct knowledge?

I went from 45-125 Dunlops (I like) to La Bella DTFLs to currently La Bella LTFs (also like). The Dunlop's tension feels in between those other two. I found them to be a comfortable string and may go back to them at some point. The low tension La Bella's however, have the best B string out of the bunch.

 

[martinc]

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.

Stan: Did you try the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats? They may be exactly what you are looking for. Lots of mid-range.

 

[subdude67]

Just read some posts about DR Nylon Tapewounds. People seem to like their physical flexibility.

Do you have more info on these strings, a quick search yielded nothing?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Do you have more info on these strings, a quick search yielded nothing?

Nothing to report, sorry.

 

[martinc]

Do you have more info on these strings, a quick search yielded nothing?

Subdude: they are available on Amazon.

 

[4StringDave]

I too found that I wanted something that sounded like flats but "behaved", ie felt and responded, like rounds. In the end I just decided to try and work with the way the flats were (Fender 9050L) and adjust. I've become used to them and switching back and forth between rounds or different basses is no longer a problem.

 

[Selim]

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.

Re-reading this thread and in particular your post quoted here, this sounds like 45-105 Dunlops.