• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Flatwounds with a full and warm G

antfarm

antfarm

Oct 2, 2017
1,268
2,880
#1
Currently, I have a two years old set of LaBella Low Tension Flats on my Fender AO '60s Jazz Bass and I like them a lot. That is, I really like the lower three strings. The G is very weak and trebly in comparison, even after repeatedly curing it with a good amount of Eucerin which worked great for the other three strings [1].

I play a lot of Reggae recently and in many songs would like to use the G string instead of shifting to the upper register on the lower strings. I like the sound of traditional flats and have tried my share of them in different gauges in the past (GHS Precision, Fender, Thomastik Jazz, Galli Jazz, Dunlop, Labella 760 FL, LaBella LTF, D'Addario Chromes), but if memory serves me correctly, none had a full sounding G.

So my question is: Is there a set of (traditional) flatwounds that is known for having a full and warm G that does not sound like it is from a different set?

The ones I would try next are probably DR Legends, Olinto Flats and the heavy gauge Pino Palldino Signatures from Ernie Ball. Any thoughts on them?

[1] Eucerin Skin Cream Kills Strings DEAD!!!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MechaSparky
#2
have you thought of shifting to short scale to just try out . I’ve found the shorter scale G has a fuller tone. When you think of it, a G string is the E string of a Guitar under greater tension. Bound to be trebly. Decrease the tension by decreasing the scale length and hey presto! Leas twangy and deeper, richer sound I reckon. That was my experience when I had various flats on a Mikro. Maybe try 30”
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NorthTexasBass, Crispus, thunesBARROW and 1 other person
#3
Prodigus Filius said:
have you thought of shifting to short scale to just try out . I’ve found the shorter scale G has a fuller tone. When you think of it, a G string is the E string of a Guitar under greater tension. Bound to be trebly. Decrease the tension by decreasing the scale length and hey presto! Leas twangy and deeper, richer sound I reckon. That was my experience when I had various flats on a Mikro. Maybe try 30”
Click to expand...
That's good advice, thanks. I have a Mustang with LaBella 760-MUS flats, and the G string is significantly better sounding. Dead spots are also way less pronounced. But I still haven't found a well balanced (tone-wise) set for my Jazz Bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prodigus Filius
#7
Jason Sypher said:
Play whatever Aston Familyman Barrett played. Too obvious? lol. Also, for reggae, playing up the neck instead of across near the nut is the money. Not just for warmth but also punch. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Familyman played an old, now discontinued type of Fender flats in custom gauges, so no luck there. He is said to also have played Chromes later on, but I guess with his technique and his rig consisting of multiple 15s and 18s he could have played any string and made it sound fat.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Sands, HowieD72, KevInDaBassment and 1 other person
#8
Two suggestions - I use Pyramid flats on my P bass and the G sounds just fine, not thin at all. I used Olintos on both my basses and they are great, just had to move away from them due to right hand issues (too much tension, having to move to TIs). I have two used sets (one only slightly used) that I'd sell you if you want to try them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sands and antfarm
#10
bherman said:
Two suggestions - I use Pyramid flats on my P bass and the G sounds just fine, not thin at all. I used Olintos on both my basses and they are great, just had to move away from them due to right hand issues (too much tension, having to move to TIs). I have two used sets (one only slightly used) that I'd sell you if you want to try them.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info and the offer. I am in Europe though, it might be cheaper to buy a new set locally.

Or try the Pyramid Golds. What gauge are yours? And, out of curiosity, what color are the silk ends?
 
Last edited:
#11
I think I read on thread somewhere here on Talkbass a complaint that the G (and often the D) sound too thin and "guitarish," and I tend to agree. I avoid playing on those strings below the 7th fret or so - does anyone make a "Heavy top, Medium bottom" set of bass strings, like 0.055-0.105, and might that help? Or would the tension then be too high on the D & G?
 
  • Like
Reactions: antfarm
#15
antfarm said:
Currently, I have a two years old set of LaBella Low Tension Flats on my Fender AO '60s Jazz Bass and I like them a lot. That is, I really like the lower three strings. The G is very weak and trebly in comparison, even after repeatedly curing it with a good amount of Eucerin which worked great for the other three strings [1].

I play a lot of Reggae recently and in many songs would like to use the G string instead of shifting to the upper register on the lower strings. I like the sound of traditional flats and have tried my share of them in different gauges in the past (GHS Precision, Fender, Thomastik Jazz, Galli Jazz, Dunlop, Labella 760 FL, LaBella LTF, D'Addario Chromes), but if memory serves me correctly, none had a full sounding G.

So my question is: Is there a set of (traditional) flatwounds that is known for having a full and warm G that does not sound like it is from a different set?

The ones I would try next are probably DR Legends, Olinto Flats and the heavy gauge Pino Palldino Signatures from Ernie Ball. Any thoughts on them?

[1] Eucerin Skin Cream Kills Strings DEAD!!!
Click to expand...
The Olintos may work for you (I don't know about the DR Legends or Pino's strings). They are in the same family as the LTFs tone-wise with a full-sounding G string. The tension is similar to the LTFs. I have them on a jazz bass and they work really well for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kyle_S and antfarm
#17
antfarm said:
Thank you for the info and the offer. I am in Europe though, it might be cheaper to buy a new set locally.

Or try the Pyramid Golds. What gauge are yours? And, out of curiosity, what color are the silk ends?
Click to expand...
Standard long scale - G string is .040. Since they are made in the EU (Germany I think), you might be able to source a single G without the whole set. They are beautiful strings though, but the E is prone to be a little dull-sounding. I am using a LaBella LTF E with the Pyramid A, D, G.
 
  • Like
Reactions: antfarm
#18
PBandJazzBass said:
I’ve heard good things about DR Legends, but have no experience with them personally.
Click to expand...
They're pretty nice. I have a parts P/J strung with Legends. Also two basses with Dunlop flats and one with La Bella DTF. Like them all, but the Dunlop's feel and sound best to me. They seem more balanced, (solid G) over the others. But all those basses are short scale 5 string.

tpaul said:
Have you tried taking a G string from a heavier set?
Click to expand...
This could also be a good solution, especially if you're digging the La Bella's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: antfarm, PBandJazzBass and Santinotafarell
#19
Over the decades I have mixed-and-matched sets to get rid of the twangy G-string. I would try a single GHS Precision Flat in the same gauge as what you play now, and see how that sounds with whatever you are playing now. Remember that all new strings will have some brightness until they settle in.

I would be very careful about going up a gauge, because it will feel off compared to the rest of the set. For example, Rotosound tapewounds have an extremely heavy G-string compared to the rest of the set that simply was not playable with any consistency after trying it out. So I changed the G string to a La Bella black tape that was more in keeping with the gauge progression, and therefore tension, of the rest of the set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: antfarm

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back