Flatwound Roundtable.

[Jon Moody]

I too really appreciate the time and effort that went into putting that out there. Thanks Jon, very helpful in so many ways. For me it only reinforced my previous position..GHS Precision Flats are "close" to perfect for me . I really like the explanation provided as well. The aptly described "air" with the GHS P Flats is IMO what gives them an articulation that other flats lack, for me. Also listening closely to the tracks brings me back to a question that I've always pondered, How does one consider Chromes to be bright?? I just don't hear it. I hear the Fenders as being much brighter- if any flatwound can be labeled as bright. Different ears = different take

That was actually my thought as well; I thought the Fender flats were a bit brighter. I will say of the six, the Fender ones were the set that, if I had to pick a set that wasn't GHS to use, I'd grab them. I really enjoyed the character and feel of those strings.

 

[G On Bass]

Thanks for the words. A couple of things to consider.

I left TIs out because I funded the whole thing - sans the LaBella flats - myself. I contacted a couple of other companies about this, and while they all appreciated the thought and the inclusion, were maybe leery of giving someone that works for their competitor a set of strings to write an article? Who knows. So yeah, TIs are expensive, and so are the Pyramid ones which are why they weren't used.

I totally get the funding thing. That kept me away from TI's for years until I ended up selling something and had some extra cash in the kitty. But I gotta say, they're pretty dadgum amazing.

TIs may be the flatwound on Talkbass, but from talking with many players who aren't on here, it isn't as much the case (for the same reasons I posted above).

Different experience here. Many/most players I've talked to that actually use flats almost always reference TI's. I've heard the others discussed here on TB, but out in the wild I mostly hear LaBella, Chromes and TI's. I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention DR Legends, though lots of folks rave about their rounds. I'll hazard a guess that the local 'players' I talk to are not in the same league as many of the pros you likely encounter.

Maybe I'll grab a set of the Sadowsky just for my own edification.

I love 'em. I don't care for their tapered B or I'd still have them on my 5. I'll be curious to hear what you think!

That would be great, however I have neither the time or the strings (sold them via TB to help recoup some of the expense) to attempt that, as we're talking years at that point. If you read the disclaimer, while I know that 2 weeks isn't enough, it still is a decent start to figure out the character of the string and get a good idea of where they're going to go tonally and mature.

It's also much easier to do your best to ensure that all sets of strings have gotten the same amount of playing time, whether in rehearsals or gigs. Since my gigging schedule is usually feast or famine, any attempt to keep the same amount of playing time on a set of strings over a six month span at a time would've been impossible. Too many factors.

I also totally get, respect and appreciate all that. Flats are often misunderstood and under appreciated tools, and I'd love for more people to be able to hear what they really sound like over time.

But thanks again for the time and effort!

 

[Jon Moody]

I totally get the funding thing. That kept me away from TI's for years until I ended up selling something and had some extra cash in the kitty. But I gotta say, they're pretty dadgum amazing.

When they first came out (with the rounds), I was all set to buy them. I had a set of Spirocores on my upright that I loved, so figured TIs on electric would be great. Then I saw the price, and as a college student, that killed me. At some point, I'm going to try them.

Different experience here. Many/most players I've talked to that actually use flats almost always reference TI's. I've heard the others discussed here on TB, but out in the wild I mostly hear LaBella, Chromes and TI's. I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention DR Legends, though lots of folks rave about their rounds. I'll hazard a guess that the local 'players' I talk to are not in the same league as many of the pros you likely encounter.

A player is a player; only thing different is the size of the stage.

As for the DR Legends, I had only heard a couple things about them previously. That was the only set that I really didn't know if I personally liked them or not, as they really didn't do anything at all for me. At least, in the case of Chromes, while I wouldn't use them myself I can know understand what people like about them and why someone else would. But the DRs, not so much.

I also totally get, respect and appreciate all that. Flats are often misunderstood and under appreciated tools, and I'd love for more people to be able to hear what they really sound like over time.

Surprisingly, I know a couple of our artists use the Precision Flats specifically for the tone when they're NEW, and then change them like roundwounds (although they say it's more a 9mo lifespan over a 2-3mo for rounds).

But yes, flats are a much different beast that more people would use if they go into it knowing full well that the tonal end result is the goal, and not the brightness.

 

[Ricardo X]

Excellent stuff! The past couple years I've been liking the medium Chromes on my straight '07 P Bass. I find I can get more different and (to me) pleasing tones with varying Plucking techniques and positions. Very recently I put a set of medium EB Cobalts on a Squire project; they seem pretty bright, but they are quite solid, with slightly stiffer tension than the Chromes.

It is most interesting to read everybody's take on this subject.

 

[adivin]

I just can't use to the "grabiness" of the Cobalts. I've had them on for two months and they are not getting smoother. Tension is a bit high too.

 

[Linnin]

I just can't use to the "grabiness" of the Cobalts. I've had them on for two months and they are not getting smoother. Tension is a bit high too.

I had thought about trying the new cobalt flats on my jazz as an alternative to rounds, but the more I read about them the less I want to give them a shot. I want real aggressive growl and snarl and no flat is ever going to give me that.

 

[adivin]

I had thought about trying the new cobalt flats on my jazz as an alternative to rounds, but the more I read about them the less I want to give them a shot. I want real aggressive growl and snarl and no flat is ever going to give me that.

I must say they are pretty damn growly and snarly. I love the tone, but it's the other factors that I don't like. Some people are not bothered at all by the feel.

 

[Root 5]

Fast Rock track: I liked the GHS and D'Addario flats best.
Motown track: GHS and DR. All sounded good. However, these are the one's that stood out to me. I like LaBella flats and am surprised I can't pick them here.

 

[ZenG]

I think that may be because the tone control was used...I REALLY appreciate the time and effort put into this, and would love to have had a recording with the tone wide open. Often, the differences show up more with more treble. But thanks SO much Jon, for these recordings!

Yes...thanks Jon for putting it all together......

 

[Root 5]

As for the DR Legends, I had only heard a couple things about them previously. That was the only set that I really didn't know if I personally liked them or not, as they really didn't do anything at all for me. At least, in the case of Chromes, while I wouldn't use them myself I can know understand what people like about them and why someone else would. But the DRs, not so much.

I love the ultra smooth feel of DR flats - they're so highly polished you really can't see the individual ribbons ( not unlike GHS flats ). I like their sound, too.

Generally I'm a GHS & LaBella flats kind o' dude. So I don't know why I was digging' the Chromes here! I need a drink.

 

[Root 5]

That was actually my thought as well; I thought the Fender flats were a bit brighter. I will say of the six, the Fender ones were the set that, if I had to pick a set that wasn't GHS to use, I'd grab them. I really enjoyed the character and feel of those strings.

I can see that. I always scoffed at the new Fender flats until I played some recently. They felt very nice & smooth, sounded great in a mids-ey well-balanced way and had nice tension.

 

[Camaro]

Off topic but obligatory:

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And thanks, Jon, for the overview.

 

[Linnin]

@Camaro, of course such 'heavy metal' knights must play the Steve Harris signature set of Rotosound Flats, yes?

 

[Camaro]

Either Rotosound Flats or Picato Flats, out of Patriotism.

 

[Linnin]

Either Rotosound Flats or Picato Flats, out of Patriotism.

God Save The Queen, Baby!

 

[nerkoids]

That was actually my thought as well; I thought the Fender flats were a bit brighter. I will say of the six, the Fender ones were the set that, if I had to pick a set that wasn't GHS to use, I'd grab them. I really enjoyed the character and feel of those strings.

It's funny also, that with perhaps one exception (I've seen SITs go for cheaper on special occasionally) both Fenders and GHS seem to be the most affordable of the sets.

I know you can't speak for Fender, but why are GHS flats so inexpensive (well, maybe not in Europe, Oceania or Asia, but still) ? Even here in Soviet Canuckistan, we get them and the Fenders about 10 bucks cheaper than the most common flats, D'Addario, which in most places start at the 45 dollar mark (and keeps climbing, since our dollar keeps taking hits).

 

[nerkoids]

Picato flats? Tell me more!

 

[Martin Beer]

Picato flats? Tell me more!

I bought a set of Picato flats several years ago. I didn't keep them on for long as the sound didn't suit my band at the time, but as I recall they were very smooth textured with tight windings and the sound was a long way towards the dark end of the spectrum. The price is good here in the UK, but I don't know if they're as competitively priced overseas.

 

[Camaro]

Picato flats? Tell me more!

Picato Musician Strings

Stainless steel, hex-core.
50/70/85/105, 45/65/80/100, 40/60/75/95.

According to British bassists they are dark and old school, I can't tell you because the set I brought had 3 long scale strings... and one Short scale . Later I brought a set from an Ebay-store and never got any strings . And now I see that Schneider Musik has increased the price .
Me ->

I will try again to get hold of them, trough.

Here is the only video I'm aware of:

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Mind that he is using a Seymour Duncan Quarter-Pounder pick-up, a very colouring PU.
The high strings sound pretty good and quite even but the E is very muddy, IMO.

 

[nerkoids]

I bought a set of Picato flats several years ago. I didn't keep them on for long as the sound didn't suit my band at the time, but as I recall they were very smooth textured with tight windings and the sound was a long way towards the dark end of the spectrum. The price is good here in the UK, but I don't know if they're as competitively priced overseas.

I can't find them anywhere on my side of the pond. I like the dark and thumpy.

The video Camaro linked to of the strings being used don't sound that dark to me. Not particularly zingy or pingy, or maybe it's just in the register he was playing in the video -- they don't seem on this video to have much bottom end to them.