Flats?

GHS 8050M

Goos strings


G

 

What was the bad experience you had?

 

LaBella Deep Talkin' flats.

 

For low tension, I wouldn't use LaBellas. They're pretty high tension. Sounds like you'd be more happy with TI Jazz Flats. I hate them, but if you like low tension and a more pronounced midrange, they're the string you want.

 

D'Addario Chromes are nice if you get them in the right tension to your liking. Also, if you want to try out an inexpensive set of rounds, try the Fenders. I like the TI's a lot, but they are pricey. On the other hand, I've had my set on for close to 3 years and they still sound great, but you will find that with a lot of flats. JimmyM is correct in stating that they are very strong in the mids. They have punch, but they don't have as much booty as the Chromes or the Fenders. I also like La Bellas, booty o-plenty, but there is something about the D and G strings in all the sets I have tried that just doesn't sound natural to me. It's hard to describe, but it sounds like those strings don't sustain as much as the E and the A and sound sort of muted.

As far as tension, The TI's are loose, almost like playing rubber bands, yet they work really well with low action and are a exceptionally fun to play. My experience with the Chromes and Fenders is that ML's feel right to me tension-wise, but the La Bella's are fairly tight and I preferred the FL's in those.

I currently have Fenders on my p-bass and TI's on my RKB900 (which is a p/j).

 

I have chromes on my old jazz & La Bellas on my 57 RI w/65 neck. Chormes are a bit brighter w/a very very slight roundwound sound. La bellas are classic flat sound. Both have a deep bottom as compared to TI flats which are more complex middy sounding. If you get the La Bellas Deep talkin in the smaller gauge like I did, the tension is just fine.