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Flatwound Recommendations for a Roundwound Guy
- Thread starter red_rhino
- Start date
"Forget all that low tension nonsense. Get yourself a thick high tension set of La Bella 1954 flats 50-110, like the flats I use to use."
When it comes to flatwounds, they're always going to be more expensive than comparable rounds (let's say $50 for flats vs. $25 for rounds), but many on TalkBass say to think of flatwounds as akin to buying in bulk. The up front cost is more, but you save money in the long run since flats last for several years whereas rounds only last for several months.
My only experience with flats was SIT PowerFlats. They were great sounding strings. Slapping was especially throaty. But they were way too stiff for my liking.
My only experience with flats was SIT PowerFlats. They were great sounding strings. Slapping was especially throaty. But they were way too stiff for my liking.
If you want to break your flats in instantly, rub Vaseline on them before installation, then wipe them off.
I recommend La Bellas or Chromes. TIs sound great but feel weird (at least to me).
I recommend La Bellas or Chromes. TIs sound great but feel weird (at least to me).
I’m sure it’s been said here but I’d recommend a set of groundwounds/ half-rounds. They’re a good transition string from round to flat. They’re what I’m playing on my Lakland now and I love them.
Do yourself a favor and invest in a set of TI JF344 flats for your P-Bass. You'll love 'em, and will likely never have to purchase another set of strings for your bass as long as you live. That sounds like an excellent investment to me.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?
I have these on at 5 of my basses, some of which have had them for 10+ years.
BTW, these are still on sale on Amazon for $66, and YES, these are legit (I've ordered from this vendor 4 times):
https://www.amazon.com/Thomastik-In...d670b6bc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
+1. IMO they are plenty thumpy, and you'll love the feel.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Do yourself a favor and invest in a set of TI JF344 flats for your P-Bass. You'll love 'em, and will likely never have to purchase another set of strings for your bass as long as you live. That sounds like an excellent investment to me.
I have these on at 5 of my basses, some of which have had them for 10+ years.
BTW, these are still on sale on Amazon for $66, and YES, these are legit (I've ordered from this vendor 4 times):
https://www.amazon.com/Thomastik-Infeld-JF344-Accordion-Accessory/dp/B00162ZSW6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=90TTEJ4G0ZPY&keywords=thomastik-infeld+jf344+jazz+flats&qid=1705276725&sprefix=Thomastik,aps,238&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
+1. IMO they are plenty thumpy, and you'll love the feel.
You’re right. They’re plenty thumpy. But not thudding if that makes sense. They’re definitely going to sound like flats but a little more lively than what you’d hear from Chromes or 77s.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Well, "red_rhino" was just the codename I was given when I entered Witness Protection, although in retrospect I'm sure my handlers would rather I had chosen a different username for my Talkbass account. Besides, anyone who knows me knows that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool roundwound guy; so all this talk of flats is surely throwing them off my trail.
I'm using EB Custom Gauge Group III 45-100 on my Precision Fretless. Medium tension, smooth feel and sound great from day 1.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?
"Amen!""Forget all that low tension nonsense. Get yourself a thick high tension set of La Bella 1954 flats 50-110, like the flats I use to use."
View attachment 5317167
Eucerin moisturizer cream, the plain white formula. Aquaphor also does well but not quite like the white cream.!!! Well it's just a mod!
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!
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
D
I guess this must depend on what kind of tone you're looking for. In my opinion GHS Precision Flats need the longest break-in period of ANY strings I've ever tried. We're talking AT LEAST at year of regular playing before I can really enjoy a set of GHS flats.
What would you say the longevity is on groundwounds? My guess is that they last longer than traditional rounds but not as long as flats, but I could be totally wrong.
I'm thinking of trying GHS Brite Flats on one of my basses.
Well for me I think they thump well right away and their g strings just don't have that annoying plinky sound, ever. Just my opinion. To me ghs strings are the most live gig friendly string out there as far as fitting into a mix, for what I play.
I will give those La Bella 1954 Flats a try the next time I restring.
Steve Harris uses his own signature strings but kinda the very same thing...
As the LaBella's...
I would say they definitely last longer than my standard round wounds, by a significant margin. But I’ve never used traditional flat wounds so I cannot compare to their life span.
What I will caution you about is the setup. Some techs and luthiers will set them up the same as traditional flatlands but that could cause some intonation issues—depending on the exact string and bass.
for reference, I am using Daddario XL Half Rounds standard lights
