Flats and Rics both gave me similar experiences. They both sound amazing when others are playing them. Both of them just FEEL 'wrong' to my hands and ears. I'm on the P bass with rounds team hands down. Those flats feel slick and smooth and just have that dead thump. I miss that grindy zing and that scratchy feel when I slide and bend. If I bang a chord that ringing sizzle just sounds right. I didn't have that experience of flats sitting better in the mix. Quite the opposite. Now I'll put on some Maiden and pull out those dang flats AGAIN.
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Flatwounds are just not for me
- Thread starter forrestlaw
- Start date
Every time I visit the Ernie Ball site I see nothing listed as Cobalt Flats. Just Cobalt Slinky. What is the actual label on the packaging?
Bass Guitar Strings | Ernie Ball
They might be flats for people who like rounds. I agree they sound rather different than all other flats.
Chromes over time sound like other flats. Just not initially.
I think you've found what works for you and that's good. I'm a flats and rounds player. For me it depends on the bass and the music, my strings are just another tool in the box for the job ahead.
Everyone can sound great on P bass, maybe not on small practice amps, they sound like poopie, but P bass sound is beautiful thing and you can sculpture it how you want.
did you try the various flats because of all the love/discussions/proclamations on TB? asking for a friend.
thanks! Now I just wonder why everyone calls them Cobalt flats.
I guess I could start a TB rant thread:
I’ve been denied flat satisfaction!
Ya, it’s a free video, but to me, didn’t tell me there was much difference at all.
For rounds, ss rounds would have told the story better. I believe Dunlop Super Brights are nickel.
Tapes- RotoSound 88 are THE tapewounds. IMO, the rest pale by comparison.
And Chromes for flats? Sure, they are technically flats, but not indicative of what flats really are. LaBella DTBs, or GHS Precision Flats would have been a better demonstration string.
I would like to know what the difference is between these two. Both are described as ‘Cobalts’ in their descriptions. The orange package has the word ‘Hybrid Slinky’ in their catalog name. And the purple package has the word ‘Super Slinky’. Is it merely different names for the different gauges?thanks! Now I just wonder why everyone calls them Cobalt flats.
I guess I could start a TB rant thread:
I’ve been denied flat satisfaction!
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Perhaps. Given his conclusion and the reasons he gave for his preference, I don't think moving further from the center on both sides would have changed the outcome.
I think string choices are dictated by the individual bass. When I first played basses in the mid 60s they always had (to me at the time) huge cables that were all thump and hard to tune and play. When I got my first set of Rotosound Swingbass 66's it was liberating. I played those exclusively until I had to remove the frets from a warped Schecter neck I converted to fretless. I used D'Addario half rounds for that which sound and play great. I bought a Kramer Ferrington used which had a warped soundboard because the strings on it were too high tension. I fixed it and searched for low tension strings and so found TI Jazz Flats. I play that bass a lot and at first they did feel slightly rubbery but I absolutely love how they play and sound now. Because I like them so much I researched flat wounds for a MiK Squier P bass I upgraded with an Aguilar 60's pickup. I chose Chromes in the end and didn't like how bright they were at first (was after the JPJ Lemon Song tone) but they mellowed out and play really well on that bass. Sticking with Ken Smith Compressors for an MM Sabre. They sound like round wounds and feel sort like them but are a little smoother.
Flats aren't for everybody--and I think that's okay that some like & use flats & some rounds & others tape wounds or other variations
It keeps it interesting
Personally flats are not for me.
My first bass (EB 3 copy)had flats & a foam mute.
I was not happy with the sound & a friend suggested it was something other than the strings & mute.
A plan hatched to use the neck, electronics & hardware & build a new bass body with more mass.
I would also get a guitar neck, electronics & hardware & use the body for an SG copy.
I did buy some parts (Most later got used on other projects), but not a lot.
I started to have misgivings & fears I would ruin my bass.
then I changed strings & put on round wounds.
I also removed the foam mute.
And there was the sound I was looking for.
It was there all along--just needed to dump the flats & get rid of the mute.
Yet many bass players love flat wounds & a mute--and they sound great playing bass that way.
It keeps it interesting
Personally flats are not for me.
My first bass (EB 3 copy)had flats & a foam mute.
I was not happy with the sound & a friend suggested it was something other than the strings & mute.
A plan hatched to use the neck, electronics & hardware & build a new bass body with more mass.
I would also get a guitar neck, electronics & hardware & use the body for an SG copy.
I did buy some parts (Most later got used on other projects), but not a lot.
I started to have misgivings & fears I would ruin my bass.
then I changed strings & put on round wounds.
I also removed the foam mute.
And there was the sound I was looking for.
It was there all along--just needed to dump the flats & get rid of the mute.
Yet many bass players love flat wounds & a mute--and they sound great playing bass that way.
Funny, I just posted a question about "tape vs flat" wound, but no responses yet. No, I have not tried them. Have you tried GHS Pressurewounds? Also, what tapewounds do you like?Have you tried Tapewounds?
Yes I have used pressure wounds. La Bella Tapes. My all time favorite string is La Bella White Nylon Tapewounds. Fantastic strings. Full Robust.
I have RotoSound TruBass 88 Tapes on my 1993 Ric. Those strings requires a nut mod as they are thick. But IMO, worth it as I have tried other brands of tapes that come in standard gauges and was disappointed.
If you decide on the 88’s, I suggest popping off the existing nut, saving it, and cutting a new one for these.
Do the White Nylons require a nut mod? Also, how they they compare to the Black Nylon version? ThanksYes I have used pressure wounds. La Bella Tapes. My all time favorite string is La Bella White Nylon Tapewounds. Fantastic strings. Full Robust.
I haven’t had to mess with the nut on any of them. The White Nylon is my favorite but the black nylon is right up there as well. I put black nylon on my Jazz only because it’s a black bass. You can check out Scott’s bass lessons on you tube. He compares rounds flatwounds and Tapewounds. The look on his face says it all.
I have found the tapes to be full and robust.
