Flatwound strings that are bright like roundwounds?

You're not gonna find anything better than the cobalts for what you want.

 

Fender 9050s. (Similar to Chromes)

Forget about extending life by boiling, soaking, etc. Nothing can bring them back to like-new. (You may coax out a week or two of slightly improved performance.) Once oxidation sets in, it can’t be reversed.

 

As my taste in flat wounds runs in the opposite direction, I'll just say that I can't argue with Gorn. And yeah, Chromes would probably run a close second... As for boiling/soaking flats? Well, as I've said before; I refuse to slave over a hot stove for something I can't eat. I doubt that you'd get much of the "new flats" sound back if you did. And you'd certainly not keep it very long. The whole idea of flats - and breaking them in so that they sound like they're supposed to - is to avoid making those annoying bright sounds, in the first place...

 

Fender 9050 flats and the D'A Chromes are good options for someone who's venturing into the world of flats for the first time. But they're NOT designed to sound like rounds like the EB Cobalt flats. Their best tones are when they're broken in and have mellowed a bit. Don't even try to bring back the initial brightness as it is pointless and defeats the whole purpose of having flats.

If you want flats that sound like rounds, stick with the Cobalts.

 

I've tried Cobalts and D'a chromes. Didn't love either one but I guess if pressed I'd try the Cobalts on another bass.

 

It seems to me I used to get GHS Brite Flats for this type of thing. Been so long since I used them I can't really give you much info and I've never used chromes so I can't make a comparison, but it seems to me I remember liking them and used them for years on my Precision and G&L basses.

 

Pros who record will tell you that rounds can be made to sound like flats, but not the other way around.

 

Rotosounds.

 

Thomastik Jazz Flats are pretty bright

 

GHS Pressurewounds might get you there...

 

Beat me to it. Chromes and cobalts are similar. Roto flats are a step brighter. TI flats start out kind of bright but they mellow out.

 

Cheap bright long lasting rounds? Dunlop super brights. Very cheap, consistent, easy to play, and they last forever. For me, they stay on at least 3 months and dont really lose much brightness.

 

Bright flats? Oxymoron.

 

What about D'Addario tapewounds? I've tried these on a few basses and have been surprised at how much snap they have with the tone wide open. Dial it back, and they're nice and thumpy like regular flats. The downside is that you're insulated from the ground loop, so they can make your bass a little noisy.

 

I'm looking for exactly what you are. Bright Flats. I've never tried flats before but I know they are less harsh on the frets and play smoother. I am using D'Addario Pro Steels now. These are probably the brightest strings you can buy and I understand that. However, I have Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds and they can "brighten up" most any string since they are a relatively "hot" pickup. So, I'm thinking, the Chromes, Cobalt Flats, Roto Flats, Brite Flats, or Super Brights will still have a pretty bright sound... no matter which brand I decide to go with. I did read that the Chromes have a higher tension than most flats. As much as I like D'Addario strings, I kind of want to stay away from those, due to the higher tension. I also read some reviews of people complaining about the Dunlops' ball end coming loose and breaking off. Soooooo... looks like I may go with the Cobalts (pricey), GHS Brite Flats, or the Roto Flats. Let me know what you have decided on. I'd appreciate your report.

 

Where can I find that brand?

 

Rotosound Steve Harris strings are supposed to be really bright but they are very heavy gauge.

 

Just wipe your strings down every now and then with a paper towel sprayed with degreaser. I use purple power degreaser typically and it brings them right back to life. I use TI flats on all 10 of my basses. My 6 year old set sounds just as good as my 2 week old set.