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Flatwound Club
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Speaking of clank mastery, I believe switching to flats actually worsened my technique in some ways, as I have to play harder to get The Best Clank For Metal(TM).
Then again, I find the flats make it easier to get a consistent mellower sound when needed, by playing more softly with softer parts of my fingers. All in all, I think the flats made bass playing easier for me, which is never a bad thing.
I know what you mean and I find to fill that particular sonic space I'll either
1) use the jazz bass
2) use a pick
3) add some outboard overdrive to punch things up.
90% of my stuff needs to be big and solid and only a couple times do I want TBCFM.
I like that the flats round out my sound, improve my string to string volume and add heavier low end.
1) use the jazz bass
2) use a pick
3) add some outboard overdrive to punch things up.
90% of my stuff needs to be big and solid and only a couple times do I want TBCFM.
I like that the flats round out my sound, improve my string to string volume and add heavier low end.
I guess I am crazy, I use Fender med, flats 25 bucks I think. I play church every Sunday and 2 or 3 times a week sometimes. I've had a set of them on a bass almost 2 years. Thats when they start sounding interesting, when you start hearing the sweat, dead skin and dirt. Is that not vintage sound baby. BUT I LIKE FLATS ONLY.
Gosh I need to get a set of flats. Thinking my next move will be Ernie Ball Cobalt 40-95 on my Schecter Raiden Special-4.
Though the worn-in Dunlop Super Bright SS 40-100 are working pretty well at the moment.. It's been too long since I've had a set of flats and with three basses, there's no excuse for that.
Though the worn-in Dunlop Super Bright SS 40-100 are working pretty well at the moment.. It's been too long since I've had a set of flats and with three basses, there's no excuse for that.
You've got that right! Good to see you've finally come to your senses. There is still hope for you.
My Steinberger Spirit 5 - Status Graphite Hotwire Flats 45-130
My Ibanez SR305 - Rotosound TruBass 88 Black Nylon Flats 65-135
My Squier VM Pbass 5 - D'ADario Chromes 45-132
The Chromes are my least favorite feel wise. They're probably coming off. From what I've gathered the Spirit feels the best to me, and the Ibanez sounds the best to listeners.
I try to play all 3 basses regularly, but I gotta get the Squier up to par, I always end up switching out, can't do a full gig with it anymore lol.
My Ibanez SR305 - Rotosound TruBass 88 Black Nylon Flats 65-135
My Squier VM Pbass 5 - D'ADario Chromes 45-132
The Chromes are my least favorite feel wise. They're probably coming off. From what I've gathered the Spirit feels the best to me, and the Ibanez sounds the best to listeners.
I try to play all 3 basses regularly, but I gotta get the Squier up to par, I always end up switching out, can't do a full gig with it anymore lol.
I'd like to part of this. Whatever number I end up I'm good with it. I use Chromes and Pyramids on my Hofner's. Just depends on the thump I need.
Got a set of D'Addario Half Rounds and rehearsed with my brother's band on Saturday. Subbing for their bass player who can't make the gig. Anyway the D'Addario Half Rounds sounds a lot like the Sadowsky Black Label Flatwounds but the G string is a bit zingier on the Half rounds
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Just strapped my Squire VM 70s Jazz with fender 9050ML flats, loving the feel and higher tension, the sound is completely different compared to Fender 7250ML rounds that came stock with bass.
But my 9050ML flats are Made in Mexico, I thought that Fender strings are USA made. They came in package like this:
But my 9050ML flats are Made in Mexico, I thought that Fender strings are USA made. They came in package like this:
But my 9050ML flats are Made in Mexico, I thought that Fender strings are USA made. They came in package like this:
Here's the latest packaging for the Fender 9050 flats. And it says "Made in USA".
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Then I would suspect you have the older version.
From what I understand, the older Fender flats were stiffer and sounded more "old-school" (think La Bella) with a woodier tone than the new version.
Well, it's been a few months since I posted. I switched over to flats in January, after being a ss rounder for 30 years. I keep switching brands back and forth, but am settling on Chromes ECB84's. Chromes do have a lot of tension, but that tightness helps produce a nice tight thump. I've also noticed that I can set the action closer, and when I hit the extender and drop to D, it's a lot less "floppy". It takes a little bit to get used to the tension, but the pros outweigh the cons for me. I would say that people that tune down 1/2 step would really appreciate these strings.
I finally received my long-awaited order of the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) a couple of days ago.
They're still too new for any meaningful assessment, but I do have a few casual observations to share for those who are thinking of trying this set.
They're still too new for any meaningful assessment, but I do have a few casual observations to share for those who are thinking of trying this set.
- They do start out with a rather pronounced metallic clang right out of the package, especially E and A, which caught me off guard after I'd gotten so used to the thick thump of the La Bella 760FL (now 6-mth-old). The good news is they're already starting to settle after less than two days. For those who are interested in trying them, I would suggest you do give them at least a month of regular workout before passing any judgement.
- The 9050CL is very similar to the 760FL in terms of overall stiffness and playing feel - not too tight/not too loose; just right for my taste. No significant difference in tension (pulling weight on the neck) between the two, either. No truss rod tweak needed, or any other setup modifications.
- The 105-E on the 9050CL definitely feels and sounds better-balanced with the rest compared to the 100-E on the 9050L.
Count me in please.
Currently using EB Custom Gauges in my SR 505 and will string my TMB 100 with Fender 9050ML's
Wanna try Chromes and La Bellas but I haven't seen them here.
Currently using EB Custom Gauges in my SR 505 and will string my TMB 100 with Fender 9050ML's
Wanna try Chromes and La Bellas but I haven't seen them here.
Out of topic.
With Flatwound string , those .05 gauge different could easier to mention how balance are they through our hand.
but, not too visible with 4 string roundwound . For B string is another story.
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Just as an update to my earlier comment about the new Fender 9050CL I just installed on my P, here's the comment I just posted in another thread:
