I use D'Addario light gauge Chromes on my Pbass. They feel soooooooooo good on my fingers. I will never go back to rounds. 
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Flatwounds, Really?
- Thread starter howlin
- Start date
I couldn't bond with the pressure wounds, they didn't sound right on any of my basses. It was like they were the worst of both worlds for me. after those I went back to rounds, but when the rounds died, I tried another set of Flats.
Right now I have EB Cobalt Flats on my main bass, and TI flats on 2 of my others.
The Cobalts are the most round-like flat I have ever played, lots of mids and harmonic content. only have a few gigs on them, still working on getting them to sit right in the mix.
Right now I have EB Cobalt Flats on my main bass, and TI flats on 2 of my others.
The Cobalts are the most round-like flat I have ever played, lots of mids and harmonic content. only have a few gigs on them, still working on getting them to sit right in the mix.
I play the heaviest set of Ernie Ball Custom Flats that they make (.055 G) on my P bass for that thumpy tone and rigid feel. That comes down to a combo of feel, tone, and an old school "mindset" for the kind of music I usually play on that axe (R&B/Funk and Classic Country).
Chromes on all of my fretlesses and two of my fretted Jazzes. I find that depending on the bass the Chromes can have a very different feel. On my Geddy they are pretty rigid, almost as much as the EB Custom Flats. On my '75 RI they're less so. On my fretlesses they seem to keep the slinkier feel. Not sure if that's just how they get as they age or what.
I recently picked up the EB Cobalt flats for my Stingray HH5 and I'm loving how versatile they are. I use that axe for gigs that need more modern rock tones and the Cobalt flats work great for that.
At this point the only bass I have rounds on anymore is my Roscoe and I think I will probably always have DR Hi-Beams on that because it's my Swiss Army Bass. But who knows, maybe I'll put together a 6-string set of the Cobalt flats and try them on the Roscoe just to see.
Chromes on all of my fretlesses and two of my fretted Jazzes. I find that depending on the bass the Chromes can have a very different feel. On my Geddy they are pretty rigid, almost as much as the EB Custom Flats. On my '75 RI they're less so. On my fretlesses they seem to keep the slinkier feel. Not sure if that's just how they get as they age or what.
I recently picked up the EB Cobalt flats for my Stingray HH5 and I'm loving how versatile they are. I use that axe for gigs that need more modern rock tones and the Cobalt flats work great for that.
At this point the only bass I have rounds on anymore is my Roscoe and I think I will probably always have DR Hi-Beams on that because it's my Swiss Army Bass. But who knows, maybe I'll put together a 6-string set of the Cobalt flats and try them on the Roscoe just to see.
I have flat wounds on four of my five Precisions, my Jaguar, my Jazz, My Telecaster bass and my Dimension. I have round wounds on both of my Rickenbackers, my Stingray and one Precision. I think that the flats serve one purpose, the rounds serve another.
Play what makes you smile.
Play what makes you smile.
The GHS PWs on my J bass are now 9 mths old. I initially set out with these last Sept with the hope they would last at least for a year. Meanwhile, I liked them so much I decided to purchase two more sets to keep on hand.
Based on how long yours lasted so far, it may be a long while before I need to buy another set.
You know what? No. Don't do that. They're not flats and are susceptible to the tone-suck of aging, although not quite as badly as rounds; they're only that old because I'm a lazy ass.
Are they dead? Not like rounds of similar age, but they've lost some zing. Season to taste, of course.
I really love flats, but I am struggling live with some of the diversity of the repertoire I am required to play. The flats sound great on much of the material, but just don't cut it when a Guns N Roses or Chili Peppers cover comes up in the set. Since I am a one-bass-per-gig kind of player, I take my active bass with rounds. Its easier to get a flat sound from rounds, than it is to cop a good round sound from flats.
Another +1 for GHS PWs. I have them on my Roscoe Beck-V, and used to string my '73 PBass with them. However I recently put a set of TI's on the Pbass. I love the TI tone on it - very organic sounding. I may go back to PWs on it though, its hard to get used to the low tension of the TIs.
If everyone liked the same strings, there'd only be one choice, which would be hugely boring. FWIW, I run flats, PW's, and 1/2 rounds on my 3 basses. Diversity works for me.
I would love to do that, but I have always had this thing with playing just one bass. I don't know what it is and it would make more sense to do like you, but I am very monogamous when it comes to instruments. I normally own two, but never play the second one as it is only a backup, even at home. Strange I know, but cheaper at least
First time user of the GHS Pressurewounds on an Aerodyne PJ (been on there for a bit now). Like them so much I have another set on order for the P. I can see these being a go-to string for me.
- Jun 6, 2012
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You're one step away from purity - steel rounds!!Okay, so, I've been on & off the "flatwounds on your P bass wagon" for well over 4 years. Started out with LaBella FL-760's (?). Went to D'Addario Chromes & their Half-wounds and then on to TI's. Ended up using LaBella Low Tension Flats. All good strings. That said, every time I end up back with GHS Pressurewounds, which is where I am now. To my ears flats always sound best in a studio situation but live MEH.
No matter how I tried: wiping them down pre-gig with alcohol, running steel wool over the strings before putting them on my bass, etc., etc. They always managed to fail one way or another IME. I'm just always amazed how sounds I can get with the PW's. Foam under the strings. Using a pick. Getting slap happy. You name it they're always right there with a tone that I always find useable. I guess its just a matter of what works for you but, right now, I feel like the kool-aid has warn off, if you what I mean . . .
I would love to do that, but I have always had this thing with playing just one bass. I don't know what it is and it would make more sense to do like you, but I am very monogamous when it comes to instruments. I normally own two, but never play the second one as it is only a backup, even at home. Strange I know, but cheaper at least
Got ya. If I HAD to own only one bass, PW's would be high on the list. However, as I am primarily a blues player, I'd probably go w/flats. If I was into more diverse music styles......probably PW's! As long as YOU are happy, that's what counts. Use what you like, and rock it! Never heard the term "monogamous" used in regard to a bass...I like it! I guess I am more of a bass "slut"........
Me, too. The only rounds I have are sets that have been on a bass 5+ years...and only 2 out of 8 basses have them.
Only if you think Joe Osborn's and Dee Murray's tones suck.
I just put a set of GHS Stainless Precision Flats on a MIM P that I got a month or so ago. They are very nice. I'll buy more if they are still available. I bought them in 1990. My old fretless Jazz has lighter GHS flats that I put on in 1990. They are as mellow as a string could ever be. Once in a while I think I should replace them, but then I realize that it takes a long time to achieve the thunk of that ancient Kay upright that I used to play in High School. I have taken them off a few times and cleaned them with Murphy's Oil Soap. That old bass is so smooth, it almost plays iteslf.
GHS Pressurewounds are fine strings. I had them on my Cabronita before I sold it. I might need to pick up another P bass so I can keep a set of those on it.
