Flatwounds with roundwound sound.

[vindibona1]

Maybe try Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Very full range string and they don't have the high end 'zing' that Chromes have. Supple under the fingers. Take the time to clean them before installation.

I think I concur about the EBCF's. Of all the strings I tried I think they are the most versatile strings. You know, i never thought to clean my strings before using them. They did have quite a bit of "stiction". It's funny, because I had taken them off for a few days to try other strings and "just because" I threw them in the hypersonic cleaner for a few minutes. And whaddaya know... They feel so much better. Where were you when I first put them on???? .

 

[Yahboy]

I won't say Cobalt flat are bright, she still has less zing than roundwound, but she has roundwound like growl whIch I cant found on others Flatwound bass string I play in past include Ti flat.

Ti flat only produce bright sounding while fresh from pack along with less low end.Once settle in, she has smooth mid voice present along with right amount of low end without dark and deep.

 

[ProdigalBassman]

I thought I had found "my string" with EB Cobalt Flats. Love the feel, good tone - close to roundwounds. But in the 30 years or so I've played bass I've never had a string break until EBCF. I've had 3 of their D strings break on me, 2 when putting on, 1 when I loosened it to adjust the saddle.

I followed EB instructions to the letter including the unusual reverse wind for the first 1/2 turn, replacing one string at a time. I always turn the tuner manually, not with a power tool, releasing any longitudinal torque just before it gets taut, pausing as it approaches pitch to ensure against over turning.
The first time I assumed I'd just over tightened despite my precautions. A year or more later, putting a new set on a different bass, the D string unwound and broke before getting it to pitch. At one time I had them on 3 or 4 of my basses. When the 3rd one broke while loosening it to adjust the saddle I was finished with these strings and went back to GHS Pressure Wounds. They're not quite as smooth of course but have a nice full tone. I have them on 2 34" basses and just put them on my short scale.

YMMV naturally but the breakage I experienced with Cobalt Flats, unlike any other string I've used, made me swear off them.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Personally I'm a big fan of them, I use 9050Ls on my P bass since a while and I love them. But I don't think they're bright flats, they're definitely on the darker thumpy side, in my experience. I think the best choice for the OP is to start from Cobalt flats, then move to Chromes (if needed). 9050Ls are similar to Chromes when they're new, but tent to become darker pretty quickly. Ant that's when I really love them, but that's another story.

Tested them .. yes, they are low-dark tones oriented but quite thumpy due to their inherent high tension ..

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

@gregmon79
My experience is totally different. Mine are around 4 months old and they're very thumpy and dark sounding with my P bass. That's how I like them anyway. I have another P bass with (not so fresh) EB Slinky rounds and the difference in treble and zingyness is HUGE compared to 9050Ls. I guess it depends on how old are your 9050Ls and which kind of rounds you use.

Correct, that’s the right definition of the 9050L’s tone

 

[Mark Ambler]

Update. I spoke to the Bass Gallery, and they advised me to just use round wounds as the wear takes a long time to happen and can be addressed, anyway. So Im in agreement with several posters that said, 'If you want a round wound sound, use round wounds'. As a side note, I've also started using Labella LTFs after trying TI Jazz flats, and Labella FL760, and now the LTFs are my favourite, just enough more tension than the TIs and they feel and sound great. I'd give a slight edge to the TIs for clarity and tone, but as I have the passive tone control almost off on the bass, it's not really noticeable.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Update. I spoke to the Bass Gallery, and they advised me to just use round wounds as the wear takes a long time to happen and can be addressed, anyway. So Im in agreement with several posters that said, 'If you want a round wound sound, use round wounds'. As a side note, I've also started using Labella LTFs after trying TI Jazz flats, and Labella FL760, and now the LTFs are my favourite, just enough more tension than the TIs and they feel and sound great. I'd give a slight edge to the TIs for clarity and tone, but as I have the passive tone control almost off on the bass, it's not really noticeable.

I’d like to try the La Bella LTFF as I slightly prefer their tone to that of the TI JF344, which, however, are very easy to play ... it would be interesting to get a comparison between the stiffness of the La Bella LTFF and that of the D’Addario Chromes .. I would say that the most flexible should be the TI, followed (but not very far away I believe) by the LTFF, with the Chromes being the stiffest ... is this the actual situation?

Anyway, I’m amongst those saying that if you want the tone of roundwound strings get hold of and install roundwound strings ...

 

[Mark Ambler]

I’d like to try the La Bella LTFF as I slightly prefer their tone to that of the TI JF344, which, however, are very easy to play ... it would be interesting to get a comparison between the stiffness of the La Bella LTFF and that of the D’Addario Chromes .. I would say that the most flexible should be the TI, followed (but not very far away I believe) by the LTFF, with the Chromes being the stiffest ... is this the actual situation?

Anyway, I’m amongst those saying that if you want the tone of roundwound strings get hold of and install roundwound strings ...

Yes, the TIs are more flexible than the LTFs. For me, the LTFs are just right. The TIs are great, but I dig in more when I’m playing live and that’s when I found them too loose, a great studio recording string, though.
I haven’t tried the Chromes, but I’ve read people criticising them for being too ‘clanky’.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Thanks. Yes, hand position, finger articulation, etc. I’m using TI Jazz flats on one fretted bass, and they sound great. Do you know how the Chomes compare to the TI flats?
Personally, I would just get the TI flats, but I’m asking on behalf of my son. TIA

Chromes have a trebly clank to them. TI’s have subdued highs but a lot of midrange content.

 

[michael_t]

I’m amongst those saying that if you want the tone of roundwound strings get hold of and install roundwound strings ...

I've always preferred the roundwound tone over the flatwound tone but disliked the roundwound feel compared to the smooth feel of flats. Then I discovered the GHS Pressurewounds and found them to be just the right thing for me. Plenty of the roundwound tone, but with a much smoother feel than a typical roundwound.

I haven’t tried the Chromes, but I’ve read people criticising them for being too ‘clanky’.

"Clanky" is exactly the word I've always used to describe the Chromes. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, depending on one's tonal preference, but the "punch and crunch" of the Pressurewounds work much better for me personally.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I've always preferred the roundwound tone over the flatwound tone but disliked the roundwound feel compared to the smooth feel of flats. Then I discovered the GHS Pressurewounds and found them to be just the right thing for me. Plenty of the roundwound tone, but with a much smoother feel than a typical roundwound.



"Clanky" is exactly the word I've always used to describe the Chromes. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, depending on one's tonal preference, but the "punch and crunch" of the Pressurewounds work much better for me personally.

Mh.. no.. Chromes are not clanky.. TI JF344 are definitely brighter than Chromes... Chromes are just brighter than the standard La Bella strings but not clanky ... I'd define them as "snappy" because of their inherent medium-high stiffness .. anyway, assessments, in this regard, can be highly subjective, so ... my 2 cents

 

[michael_t]

assessments, in this regard, can be highly subjective...

Agreed.

 

[TomB]

If the question is/was are Chromes stiffer than either Labella LTF’s or TI Jazz Flats, the answer is clearly yes.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

If the question is/was are Chromes stiffer than either Labella LTF’s or TI Jazz Flats, the answer is clearly yes.

Yes.. noticeably in the case of the TIs although much less than the Fender 9050L (somebody has defined them as "bridge tendons".. I tend to agree).

 

[Emanuel]

However, I just "discovered" Fender Black Nylon tapes and they might fit the bill? I haven't actually played them, but apparently they are a round-wound string with a final wrap of nylon tape. So round-ish tone, but fingerboard friendly.[/QUOTE]

I’ve used the Fender tapes a lot
over the years as a substitute for Nickel rounds on Basses that got used 3 or more times a week for local stuff. I saved so much money. One set was on for over two years. I didn’t think you could kill them but I managed to completely deaden a set during the Pandemic. The compromise is the low tension, kinda flabby.
I hadn’t tried them on fretless until a couple years ago but they are fantastic on fretless IMO.
I’m currently trying the La Bella gold flats on fretless and I love them; medium tension, great tone right out of the box, on the bright side, fantastic feel and look super posh.
Cobalts are the brightest flat for sure and will stay on my V63 4001 “forever”.
I wish Fender made the tapeswaaa assaaa 5 string set!
Has anyone sub’d in a Black Beauty/Pressure wound/whatever B string when using flats/tapes on a 5er?

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I thought I had found "my string" with EB Cobalt Flats. Love the feel, good tone - close to roundwounds. But in the 30 years or so I've played bass I've never had a string break until EBCF. I've had 3 of their D strings break on me, 2 when putting on, 1 when I loosened it to adjust the saddle.

I followed EB instructions to the letter including the unusual reverse wind for the first 1/2 turn, replacing one string at a time. I always turn the tuner manually, not with a power tool, releasing any longitudinal torque just before it gets taut, pausing as it approaches pitch to ensure against over turning.
The first time I assumed I'd just over tightened despite my precautions. A year or more later, putting a new set on a different bass, the D string unwound and broke before getting it to pitch. At one time I had them on 3 or 4 of my basses. When the 3rd one broke while loosening it to adjust the saddle I was finished with these strings and went back to GHS Pressure Wounds. They're not quite as smooth of course but have a nice full tone. I have them on 2 34" basses and just put them on my short scale.

YMMV naturally but the breakage I experienced with Cobalt Flats, unlike any other string I've used, made me swear off them.

Mine haven't broken, but they did rust :/

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Update. I spoke to the Bass Gallery, and they advised me to just use round wounds as the wear takes a long time to happen and can be addressed, anyway. So Im in agreement with several posters that said, 'If you want a round wound sound, use round wounds'. As a side note, I've also started using Labella LTFs after trying TI Jazz flats, and Labella FL760, and now the LTFs are my favourite, just enough more tension than the TIs and they feel and sound great. I'd give a slight edge to the TIs for clarity and tone, but as I have the passive tone control almost off on the bass, it's not really noticeable.

Is this wear on fretless? Depends on the fingerboard. My first fretless was totally untreated rosewood and needed a complete rework after under 18 months. But then I used various polymerising oils on it and it was fine. It's had flats on for a while, though.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I didn’t think you could kill them but I managed to completely deaden a set during the Pandemic. The compromise is the low tension, kinda flabby.

Labella tapes surprised me. I got the same width as normal, but of course there's a lot less metal in there, so less mass. I should have gone up one. Works on a fretless, though.

 

[Mark Ambler]

Is this wear on fretless? Depends on the fingerboard. My first fretless was totally untreated rosewood and needed a complete rework after under 18 months. But then I used various polymerising oils on it and it was fine. It's had flats on for a while, though.

Yes, a fretless Fender Jazz Bass. What oils did you use?

 

[Emanuel]

Ernie Ball trad flatwounds (the "Group" series). These are sleepers; they don't get much attention / love here on TB. They retain a high-mid
brightness that cuts, while still sounding like a traditional flat when needed. I can't seem to kill mine, even after 3 years! I think that's a good thing.

Hey Tom, what group number of the EB trad flats do you prefer?
I never tried those but am working my way through every option.
Then again I’ve yet to try the LaBella LTFlats. I need to do that. Ive always preferred the orchestral type, I adore ITs tone but they are very low tension.
I’m just searching for my ideal 5 String set of flats or tapes for fretless bass.
That’s why I asked if anyone had used a pressurewound or groundwound B string but the E A D & G strings were flats. Sometimes the B is just lifeless.