Flatwound Recommendations for a Roundwound Guy

[BobDeRosa]

I have a 65P that doesn’t get a lot of playing time. It’s currently strung with rounds (GHS Pressurewounds) and they’re due for a change. This time, I thought I would try a set of flats on it. (It already has a tort pick guard, so this will bring the bass into compliance with Talkbass CC&Rs. )

I’m looking for recommendations of which strings to try. I want something not too expensive (which probably rules out TI’s), low to medium tension, with a smooth feel (not sticky), and a very short break-in period. (I don’t want to spend months breaking in a set.) I’ll be playing mostly with fingers, but occasionally using a pick.

So, whatcha got?

If you like GHS, their Precision Flats are pretty remarkable. Otherwise, I'd go with La Bella.

 

[red_rhino]

A big THANK YOU to everyone for your informative and helpful replies. It's given me a lot to think about.

Do you want dark sounding, thumpy, "vintage" flats or brighter, "modern" flats with more sustain?

My guess is that I want a more modern sound. Less thump, more pure smooth bottom with good articulation. Think McCartney on Come Together (although I'm not sure that qualifies as modern these days; definitely less thumpy than Jamerson).

If you are currently using GHS Pressurewounds and they are well broken in, you probably won't be too far removed from actual flats.....I'd leave them on there

The Pressurewounds did work very nicely on this bass. But I want to lean into the whole flatwound experience and give it a proper effort. This bass will never be my main player, but maybe it can become a specialized tool that's available to me when I want that sound.

Define short break in period?

Weeks, not months. For as often as I typically play this bass, a multi-month break-in period will turn into years.

Is your P-bass a string through?

Not unless I drill holes in it. I'm pretty sure that posting a poll titled "Should I Drill Holes in my 65P?" will result in a total meltdown of the TB website.

I should also point out that my "short break-in" and "probably not TI's" criteria is driven by the thought that I'm likely to try several different string brands over the next few months, and it would be nice to get a quick read on what's working and what isn't without spending too much money initially. I'll probably try the TI's at some point because my curiosity will get the better of me.

 

[Geogio]

I should also point out that my "short break-in" and "probably not TI's" criteria is driven by the thought that I'm likely to try several different string brands over the next few months, and it would be nice to get a quick read on what's working and what isn't without spending too much money initially. I'll probably try the TI's at some point because my curiosity will get the better of me.

I have TI on two violins, a viola and a cello, I HAVE HEARD that TI's might not have the amount of metal to excite the hall effect to its maximum. In other words they might sound a little weak but I'm not sure I've never put them on electric instruments but they are very mellow on acoustic instruments. Might even be a totally different string for electric bass but that's something I really not interested in and to be sure there is probably a lot of information on construction and materials for their electric line... maybe.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Yeah, if your going for the brighter type of flats I'd be looking at the Ernie Ball Colalts, Fender 9050's and D'Addario Chromes.

 

[Wisebass]

I'm pretty sure that posting a poll titled "Should I Drill Holes in my 65P?" will result in a total meltdown of the TB website.

!!! Well it's just a mod!

Weeks, not months. For as often as I typically play this bass, a multi-month break-in period will turn into years.

I am a roundwound player just like you. Roundwounds are easy to test because they die.

You need new ones if you don't want to sound like ... you know what!

I tried a bunch of flats (3, 4 or 5 different sets at a time) and it took me years!

it would be nice to get a quick read on what's working and what isn't without spending too much money initially

I don't know if that will work out (the quick read) but I know that @JimmyM has a magic secret sauce to

break in his flats faster (a hand cream or something like that)

Maybe he will chime in?


Wise(b)ass

 

[jglunt]

You have undoubtedly gotten more opinions on this than there are flatwounds. I also am a roundwound guy making a switch to flats on some of my basses. I do like the Pressurewounds, but for real flats that have a modern sound, I'm having good luck with Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt flats and also Rotosound 77 Monel flats. I must admit that I have had some QC issues with the Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt flats.

 

[wolffire99]

I use D'Addarrio light gauge chromes ECB 81 45-100. Nice and smooth on the fingers and with proper technique, you can get vintage to modern tones out of them.

Exactly why I love chromes. They cut through the mix so well with the tone rolled up…or… roll it down for old school thump.

 

[Swerve]

Dunlop & Fender.

 

[Gizmot]

I know you said not TIs due to price but they last.

I’ve used Jazz Flats for years and they’re fantastic. Yes - they outlast anything out there. I change the ones on my basses every five years out of sheer boredom. If you consider how long Jazz Flats last, they’re one of the lowest cost options available.

In my opinion they’re far superior to Cobalt flats

 

[lowdownbp5]

My recommendation to anyone trying flats for the first time is Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. They are the outlier in all flats I’ve tried in that they are brighter and remain bright longer than any flats I’ve tried, which include TI Jazz Flats, Chromes, a couple different kinds of Fender flats, Ernie Ball Group 3 (not sure of which “group”), LaBella 760 FM and FLs.

If you want old school thump and want it quickly, you should probably not get EB Cobalts. They tend to remain fairly bright for a long time.

Ernie Ball Cobalt flats are the way to go IMHO. Nice and bright and long life

 

[Geogio]

... driven by the thought that I'm likely to try several different string brands over the next few months, and it would be nice to get a quick read on what's working and what isn't without spending too much money initially.

If you're only going to do quick shots and then switch out for another experiment I would like to reiterate that there exists a market on used flatwounds. I've seen examples on both eBay and Reverb and some people part the sets out and sell them singularly as used singles... so there's a recoup of some of your outlay. It's probably safe to assume that the used market only exists for bridge through.

Cheers!

 

[logdrum]

I am surprised that someone called red_rhino is not a flats user. Rhinos have tough hide just like flats. You might like DR Legends Flats

 

[logdrum]

Although I still have 2 basses with Cobalts, I am starting to not like them and putting in AA-JF344 (Accordion Accessory JF344 ) aka Thomastik Infeld Long Scale Bass Jazz Flats. I already took of the flats one but giving it another go.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I'm digging the LaBella Low Tension Flats on my P. Not as stiff as regular flats (obviously) but they still have the feel and sound. You could also try the nylon tapes for something a bit different.

 

[mrperkolator]

Long-time flats user here. My current favorite I would not recommend as they are bigger strings than you are looking for (LaBella Olinto), but I am also a big fan of the Labella Low Tension Flats. I am not a fan of TI’s, tension is way too low for me (and they are expensive).

I really enjoyed when I played LTFs. Currently I've got labella black tapes on my full scale. How do the Olinto's compare to the LTF?

 

[fishdude101101]

Do you want dark sounding, thumpy, "vintage" flats or brighter, "modern" flats with more sustain?

The tone and dynamics/"feel" of different types of flats can vary a LOT more than with different types of roundwounds. I find it rather pointless to make any specific recommendation without knowing at least roughly what kind of tone you're aiming for. With the currently available information my recommendation can only be: Get the lightest gauge set of the cheapest flats you can find.

Having said that... If you want flats with "a very short break-in time" you've basically got the choice between TI Jazz Flats and TI Jazz Flats.

To me ghs precision flats are ready to go right out of the pack.

 

[bherman]

I really enjoyed when I played LTFs. Currently I've got labella black tapes on my full scale. How do the Olinto's compare to the LTF?

A little heftier (they're larger diameter) and slightly higher tension and less flexible than the LTF. They're certainly not stiff like Chromes nor as tight as standard LaBella DTF. But they have a really gorgeous tone - more high-end than any other flats that I've used, will the tone control full-on. But dial the tone back and they have a rich, deep, chocolatey tone. They're unlike any other flats that I've ever used.

 

[mrperkolator]

A little heftier (they're larger diameter) and slightly higher tension and less flexible than the LTF. They're certainly not stiff like Chromes nor as tight as standard LaBella DTF. But they have a really gorgeous tone - more high-end than any other flats that I've used, will the tone control full-on. But dial the tone back and they have a rich, deep, chocolatey tone. They're unlike any other flats that I've ever used.

That'll give me something to think about. When I switched my V3 to black tapes it lost a bit of that "jazz" character. The tapes sound amazing, just a little more subdued. It was what I wanted till I stumbled upon a Hollowbody AFB that I'm taking down it's natural path to thumpy. So that leaves room to brighten up the V3. I still don't like rounds though.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

If you want the real (old school) flats experience with minimum break-in time, I recommend GHS Precision Flats (like dark chocolate, also smooth) and La Bella Low Tension Flats.
If you want something that sounds more like rounds but with a smooth feeling, try Cobalt Flats, normal Ernie Ball Group Flats (long-ish break-in time, so quite a lot of hi end for a while) and Fender Flats.

My favorites on a P Bass are La Bella 760 JF or TX. They become the classic sound after a little while and are no bridge cables and quite plyable.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

PS: I buy all flats a size thinner to get the same feeling as with rounds: E.g. 40-100 instead of 45-105.