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Flatwound Dilemma

Bassic Playing

Bassic Playing

Sep 2, 2011
1,583
1,441
Canberra, Australia
#1
Hey guys,

So for a while now (maybe 6 months?), my beloved, much cherished P-bass has been rocking the Steve Harris signature Rotosound flatwounds. I love everything about these strings, except for how they feel. The sound is very organic and woody, with a muted top end and tight low end, with a hint of growl in the mids. The tension is fantastic, I love the way the rigid feel and it makes me play with a really light, smooth touch. Their sound and this p-bass just work.

The issue is, they have got to be the least smooth strings ever made. This is coming from a guy who loves roto SS strings on my other bass. They just feel really sticky, to the point where it is deleterious to my playing.

Bottom line, I want a string that sounds around the same, with a similar tension (although I'm somewhat flexible regarding tension, I'd probably get used to it). The aim is smooth, round, fat P-bassy tones. JPJ on Ramble On? Yes please.

Thanks guys.
 
#4
I'm fairly sure I've read somewhere before about that being an intentional thing. To give a bit of grip. Might have been different strings, though.

But I use some Ernie Ball "Custom Gauge" [that's their name, they are not actually custom]. Not much top end once they've been worn in from new. Lots of lows and mids. Especially easy to get growl from my GK. But it's a naturally growly amp. Smooth as butter on my fingers.
 
#7
Fender Flats are more "growly" than chromes. They are stainless wrap instead of chrome, so they are more grey in color. They are wrapped the opposite direction on the core wrap. The tape of the E string is narrower, so the string is more flexible and retains more overtones, not going "thumpy" as bad over time as Chromes. The 50-105 set of Mediums will feel similar to the Roto 77's, but the E string will be a little lighter. So if you really "dig in" to your E string, you may get some fingerboard slap.
 
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#15
iiipopes said:
Fender Flats are more "growly" than chromes. They are stainless wrap instead of chrome, so they are more grey in color. They are wrapped the opposite direction on the core wrap. The tape of the E string is narrower, so the string is more flexible and retains more overtones, not going "thumpy" as bad over time as Chromes. The 50-105 set of Mediums will feel similar to the Roto 77's, but the E string will be a little lighter. So if you really "dig in" to your E string, you may get some fingerboard slap.
Click to expand...
Chromes are stainless.
 
#16
Chromes are too stiff for me. Thomastik are too loose.
Ernie Ball flatwound offer the perfect tension and feel for me. Note also they come in 4 different gauges including something similar to the Steve Harris Flats.
They are also relatively inexpensive. Let's call that a good value. Note I am not endorsed by Ernie Ball, I just like their products and their strings are a big part of my tone.
 
#19
Bassic Playing said:
Bottom line, I want a string that sounds around the same, with a similar tension (although I'm somewhat flexible regarding tension, I'd probably get used to it). The aim is smooth, round, fat P-bassy tones. JPJ on Ramble On? Yes please.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

if you want tension, REAL smooth feel and a big sound, LaBella 0760M, the "Jamerson" flats. 52-73-95-110, stainles steel but glass-smooth, awsome sound.

JPJ on the first two albums of Led Zeppelin used them (not the Jazz 77... is a false rumor), before switching to Roto Swing 66 for Led Zeppelin III.

I have lots of samples, if you want :) ask me in PM
 
#20
iiipopes said:
Chromes are Chromes. Yes, they are stainless in that they have some nickel in the alloy, but also chromium, what gives them their name, and makes them shiny. The Fender wrap alloy is more greyish, like other steels.
Click to expand...
Fender flats have chromium in them too. All stainless strings have chromium. The fact that d'addario polishes them to a shiny, smooth finish is most likely where they obtained the name "chromes".
 

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