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FUNK FLATWOUND STRINGS

valloti

valloti

Mar 6, 2010
66
7
Berlin, Germany
tomasperalta.tk
#1
Hi there,
I just got a nice korean P Squier from the 90' (which sounds unbelievable) because i'm starting a vintage funk/soul/motown band. I normally use roundwound 45 or 50 but somehow i feel i need to change to flats for this kind of music.
The question is: Do you think there's a difference between let's say Rotosound GHS Precision, d'addario Chromes, La Bella Flats, and the very expensive La Bella James Jamerson. I mean the GHS are 25€, the Chromes 30€, the normal La Bella 45€, and the James Jamerson 60€.
Please someone tell me GHS and Chromes are enough. I'm thinking about buying the Jamersons but i just bought a new set for my upright and i will be very happy if i can spenjust few bucks!
Any advice is very welcome!
 
#2
Big differences, in terms of sound and feel. Are you looking for that classic Motown sound or something with more edge? They will all develop that thumpy sound after a year or so of playing, but the GHS and Labellas will get you there faster IMO and Chromes will always retain some aggressiveness.
 
#6
valloti said:
And famousbirds, i haven't try Fenders but if you recommend them i'll be happy to try them as well since they're the most affordable flats in the market, at least here in Germany! Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

The Fenders are my favorites, but they are the brightest and least thumpy flats that I've used(I'm a slapper/tapper/soloist/etc). If you really want the classic, powerful thump and don't mind high tension then the Jamersons are what you want, the price may be high for you but they will last forever. You can set them up for incredibly low action as well.
 
#7
I use 9050s. Fantastic string for that style of music on a p-bass. I know, having used them on my cheap squire p-bass for this same type of band.

I'll agree with other posters in saying they're bright for flats but after a short while they die off just enough to sound great with a nice balance of thud and sparkle.
 
#12
valloti said:
I think i'm goin for the Jamersons, but one more question: aren't they too heavy? i mean, not that i care about my fingers cause i'm a doublebass player but will the neck be under a lot of pessure? Just to know!
Thanks again guys!
Click to expand...

It will be fine unless the neck has problems. I've put really high tension strings on a thin mahogany neck with no issues, I do recommend a truss rod adjustment for them though.
 
#13
Thanks guys! As i told i have a P with maple neck and fretboard so i guess there won't be any problem with high tension then??? Thruss rod adjustments are easy piecy but i just had to turn several times the rod some days ago, when i just got the bass, because it was pretty ****ed up, it looked like a violin bow! but i'll give it a try. At the end i do need the very old school sound and if they last as long as everybody says it would be a good choice.
Any other good advice on Fenders/GHS/d'addario still might change my mind! :)
 
#15
Pyramid Gold, Sadowsky flats, TI flats are my favorites, I play Motown/R&B, blues and country/western.

I also heartily recommend getting a mute from TB member bassfreakah, send him a PM. I got a mute to put under the strings from him (or his wife, I suspect!) on my MIJ P-bass with LaBella flats, and it sounds amazing!
 
#17
I think you might like the jamersons for awhile. Of course you'll have to cut your nut slots to match the diameter, and crank your truss rod to keep your neck from bending. Then, after awhile, your hands will start screaming, unless you totally develop a softer touch approach. Then, after your experiment is over, you'll ditch the jamersons, get a new nut, and put some "milder" strings on. Just IMO, but check back in 6 months and let us know how it went.
 
#18
Klonk said:
Pyramid Gold, Sadowsky flats, TI flats are my favorites, I play Motown/R&B, blues and country/western.

I also heartily recommend getting a mute from TB member bassfreakah, send him a PM. I got a mute to put under the strings from him (or his wife, I suspect!) on my MIJ P-bass with LaBella flats, and it sounds amazing!
Click to expand...

+1
Those are my favorite flats, too. In that order! Pyramids are just so unique, have such a great feel and tone, and you can use them for just about any style. Those are my goto strings for recording as well.
 
#19
I have kept a set of GHS Precision flats on my Highway One P-bass for 18+ months now, and they're still great. Old-school tone and thump. They're lower tension, so they are very playable. I'm lightning fast on this bass! :)

However, I tried a 2nd set of these on my older MiM Precision, which has modified Seymour Duncan pickups added many years ago, and I did not like the tone at all: too muddy. I went back to rounds on that instrument.

I have heard that GHS Precision flats can be spotty in terms of workmanship. But if you get a good set, and you like the tone on your particular bass, they're a steal.

For what it's worth, I hated D'Addario Chromes. They refused to sound like flats, and worse in my opinion they made lots of string noise, like "fret clack". I can't recommend those, but many people seem to like them as a "roundwound substitute".

I would avoid the heavy LaBellas just because you'll have to modify your bass to install them correctly (tighten the truss rod and likely file the nut to accommodate the bigger strings). It's not worth it if these are your first flats!
 
#20
Thanks Troph, i will keep that in mind.
I have to say guys that modifying my bass is not a problem at all, i use to work with instruments. Just now i changed both knobs and the cap, a thruss rod and nut modification wouldn't be bad, in fact it would be more fun.
And Luckydog, as i said earlier on this post, i'm a contemporary jazz double bass player so my fingers are already stone hard!
So if the La Bella 54' need modification on the bass and they're very stiif but the sound is satisfying i'll totally go for these!!
 

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