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G&L Club Part 7

Infeld Jazz flats on my L5000 and L2500 (as well as several non G&L basses) and love them. Low tension and no issues going through body on the L2500. I think I even used the 34" set. They also make 36".

yeah, I'm conflicted on the TIs..love them on my Alembic 4 string, but not so much on my main player (short scale Serek). I'm really curious how TIs sound on a 5er though...
 
I have liked TIs on everything I have tried them on so I might be biased (the G&Ls, a Fretless Tobias Growler, and a Peavey GV).

Labella makes -TB flats that are intended for string through body only. Never tried them but is another option.
 
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Quick question for all you G&L players out there:
I have an L-1505, currently strung with D'addario chrome flats (ECB81-5).

I'm looking for a new set of strings that are a bit lower tension, and i would like to try string-through the body.
maybe i'm making this up, but i seem to recall that in order to string-through, i need to get a longer set.

currently, i'm a big fan of Dunlop flats and Labella DTF (have not tried the Low tension flats yet), moderately "deadened" with some Eucerin treatment.

main applications would be R&B, Rock (finger-style and pick, no slap).

Any suggestions for my next set of strings?
thanks!
Comments on tension:

When I switched from rounds to flats, I went with Chromes because my online research showed their tension (~185# for 4 strings) was similar to my previous set of rounds (GHS Boomers), so I avoided having to reset the truss rod.

For my new bass, the truss rod is maxed out so I'm looking to the opposite end of the scale -- LaBella Low-Tension Flats which have about 50# less tension. Most other brands of flats will fall in between these 2 extremes.

If you're only looking to go "a bit" lower in tension, I wouldn't recommend LTFs as your first choice.
 
Comments on tension:

When I switched from rounds to flats, I went with Chromes because my online research showed their tension (~185# for 4 strings) was similar to my previous set of rounds (GHS Boomers), so I avoided having to reset the truss rod.

For my new bass, the truss rod is maxed out so I'm looking to the opposite end of the scale -- LaBella Low-Tension Flats which have about 50# less tension. Most other brands of flats will fall in between these 2 extremes.

If you're only looking to go "a bit" lower in tension, I wouldn't recommend LTFs as your first choice.

that is some solid data right there! thanks for the great information.
yeah, i'm leaning toward the LTFs first, just to see how it goes with lower tension.
 
I believe LaBella makes a flat with a string thru body option. Tapered at the ball end or something. Name escapes me for now.

TIs work through body, but IMO they're very full in the mids and the L-150x is very mid forward as well. Could be a bit much.

yeah, that is my main concern regarding the TIs. My L-1505 is already pretty mid-heavy, even in passive, and i'm hoping to dampen that a bit.
 
yeah, that is my main concern regarding the TIs. My L-1505 is already pretty mid-heavy, even in passive, and i'm hoping to dampen that a bit.

There is a mod to add a cap in the circuit that would bring the resonant peak of the pickup down, make it focus more on lower mids. I've not had the chance to try it myself, but if you're handy with a soldering iron, it'd cost you very little to try it.

But all other things considered, I'd take a swing for the LaBella's that are made to go through the body, not the LTFs. I have LTFs on my L-2000, and while they're nice, the E is a little flubby, at least compared to any sets of Chromes that I've tried. Can't imagine that would translate well to a low B, but maybe I'm wrong. I haven't tried the 5 string set.
 
well there you go...i hadn't even thought about whether flats would work well strung through. thanks for the tip!

Even though they're technically not supposed to work going string through, I can attest that they actually do.. at least for me they have... and quite well..

My Duck Dunn is wearing LaBella 760FL's.. for almost two years now. I took it to a tech because at the time I didn't have any time to do it myself.. I'm guessing since the rounds that were on it were strong through the body he just did the same thing... regardless, they wok and sound fantastic still
 
I strung my Lull as thru-body (the Hipshot bridge supports either), using the Labella 760FLs. Note that
the set specifically indicates thru-body:

La Bella 760FL-TB Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings - Thru-Body Designed

The silks worked out perfectly, which I suspect is part of the design:

7.jpg
 
I believe LaBella makes a flat with a string thru body option. Tapered at the ball end or something. Name escapes me for now.

TIs work through body, but IMO they're very full in the mids and the L-150x is very mid forward as well. Could be a bit much.

I have an L1505 as well, when I first got it I found it possessed the finesse and svelteness of a machete; briefly considered flipping it back out and giving up.
I'm glad I didn't. Restrung with DR Flats and I found the right combination of pickup settings to get a good voice out of it...and of course when I need more edge, I can kick it over to series mode in active (I generally play it parallel / passive) and it will cut through block walls.
 
Typically at a really good price too with the supporting member coupon code.

...where does one find
I have an L1505 as well, when I first got it I found it possessed the finesse and svelteness of a machete; briefly considered flipping it back out and giving up.
I'm glad I didn't. Restrung with DR Flats and I found the right combination of pickup settings to get a good voice out of it...and of course when I need more edge, I can kick it over to series mode in active (I generally play it parallel / passive) and it will cut through block walls.

yep. i was in the same situation (a few times), but i have decided that it is an excellent choice for the one 5er that i have in my collection. the more i play it, the more i love it!

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...where does one find


yep. i was in the same situation (a few times), but i have decided that it is an excellent choice for the one 5er that i have in my collection. the more i play it, the more i love it!

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Nice, I like the woodgrain. good going on the thumb rest. Here's mine:
DSCN0063-X2.jpg
 
Used my JB at practice tonight . I shielded it and put a new set of Dunlop Superbrite strings on it a couple days ago . Wow ! It has a very growly tone with plenty of low end . The E string almost sounds like it has chorus on it but still deep . Its not a P Bass with flats sound but whatever I am playing this is going to be my sound and I love it ! The neck already is my favorite of all my basses I've had so this bass is killing it . I know you guys are talking strings and what flats work but I love the Dunlop Superbrites , great mids and focus .
 
Used my JB at practice tonight . I shielded it and put a new set of Dunlop Superbrite strings on it a couple days ago . Wow ! It has a very growly tone with plenty of low end . The E string almost sounds like it has chorus on it but still deep . Its not a P Bass with flats sound but whatever I am playing this is going to be my sound and I love it ! The neck already is my favorite of all my basses I've had so this bass is killing it . I know you guys are talking strings and what flats work but I love the Dunlop Superbrites , great mids and focus .

If any of your strings sound like they have a chorus on, they may be too close to the pickups. That's the sound you get with magnetic interference with string vibration. :whistle: During set-up, select each pickup individually, then press each string on the last fret and listen for "chorusing", lowering that pickup (if string action is set) until the chorusing just goes away. That's the maximum pickup height you can use. Anything lower is OK, with some loss of signal strength and some change in tone as the pickup goes down.
 
Ok, so I've decided to price out a USA L2500 with a few added options. There's one I can't decide on. K mod.

I know I want it. I know I don't want both outside coils.

I've heard both inner could and like it, but I can't help but think that outer neck, inner bridge are J bass positions and I'm keen to hear from anyone who has had this combination before.

From there I think it's gonna be black burst over swamp ash, natural body binding, maple board and matching headstock.