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Help Me Find Such Flat Wounds

J

JazzyJacuzzi

Inactive
Sep 17, 2021
400
610
#1
Hello,

I'm looking to string a 60s reissue Precision with thumpy flat wounds that have a tad more mids than the LaBella Deep Talkin' 760FL. I'd prefer a set with a tension around the same as regular 105 round wound set (DR Sunbeams, for e.g.), ideally a notch lighter.

I've tried Chromes, Slinkys and Fenders, which I found too modern. The TIs were too middy and not thumpy enough.

I remember liking the Pyramids 640/1 on a Jazz bass, but they were stiff and could've been better balanced. One the strings was also much rougher than the rest. I don't remember how they were in the mids department, though.

I haven't tried the Dunlop Flat Wounds, DR Legends and GHS Precisions.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
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#2
JazzyJacuzzi said:
I'm looking to string a 60s reissue Precision with thumpy flat wounds that have a tad more mids than the LaBella Deep Talkin' 760FL. I'd prefer a set with a tension around the same as regular 105 round wound set (DR Sunbeams, for e.g.), ideally a notch lighter.

I haven't tried the Dunlop Flat Wounds, DR Legends and GHS Precisions.
Click to expand...

Try the Dunlop Flats 40-100 for what you're looking for. That's what I'll be trying on my P bass next.
 
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#3
GHS Precision Flats. I have similar experiences with LaBella, Pyramids, and TIs. The GHS have a definite precise note (what I find lacking from the LaBella) but still have all the thump one expects from a traditional flat (which isn't there in the TI's as much as I do li,like, their sound- it's just not an o.d-style flat sound). I have my Precision flats in the 45-105 gauge set and the feel is a bit more stiff than DR Hi-Beams on the same bass, so the next gauge down might be perfect for you.
 
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#4
Also, remember to really break a set of flats in if you're looking for thump. A lot of flats are a little clanky out of the box and it takes a few months of dedicated playing to break them in.
I can't stand chromes out of the pack, but they get thumpier as time goes on.
I'm currently digging SIT power flats. They were a bit of an experiment, but I've come to really like them. I have chromes on one p, Dunlop's on another, and SITs on a third. I find myself gravitating to the one with the SITs.
 
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#5
Optima Flats.
I've played the LaBellas, TIs and Chromes you mention.
The Chromes are on my P and that's where they stay, I like the zing (for a flat).
The TI's I have on my 5 String and those boiled spaghettis sing, all mid content and no thump.
On my 6, I've had LaBella DTF strings, but they were thumpin a bit too bassy and I wanted something a little more versatile - which is what the regular Optima flats are doing.
 
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#6
JazzyJacuzzi said:
Hello,

I'm looking to string a 60s reissue Precision with thumpy flat wounds that have a tad more mids than the LaBella Deep Talkin' 760FL. I'd prefer a set with a tension around the same as regular 105 round wound set (DR Sunbeams, for e.g.), ideally a notch lighter.

I've tried Chromes, Slinkys and Fenders, which I found too modern. The TIs were middy and not thumpy enough.

I remember liking the Pyramids 640/1 on a Jazz bass, but they were stiff and could've been better balanced. One the strings was also much rougher than the rest. I don't remember how they were in the mids department, though.

I haven't tried the Dunlop Flat Wounds, DR Legends and GHS Precisions.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with JTE. I have the GHS M3050 Precision Flats on my '78 P-Bass, and even with the foam mute in the bridge cover, they are (IMO) a little more... articulate?... than The La Bella 760 FLs - which I tried on the PB, and which I still have on a couple of my other basses. In my case, I wanted the original "P-Bass with factory flats" sound. Since their Precision Flats are their (more or less) recreation of those original strings, my choice was pretty obvious. I have to say that I am not disappointed, either. Their actual tension (174.6 lbs.) is not terribly high for the gauge - flats or rounds - and I don't find them any stiffer than most of the flats I play. And I have a lot of basses, with many different flats. As for their balance? Feel-wise, I couldn't say off hand; I've never paid much attention to that. Tone-wise? Yeah, the ones on my bass are, and that's more important - to me...:cool:
 
Last edited:
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#7
GHS Precision Flats definitely have mids you seek, and can also get thumpy (they don't sound that thumpy on my bass-compromised P, but they were way thumpy on my Jazz and my Mustang). If you want Sunbeam-style tension, you're gonna have to go light (45-95). They felt too light for me on a short-scale bass, but the tone does not suffer. I enjoy the 45-105 on my P.

Dunlop Flats 40-100 are somewhat lighter in the mids compared to the GHS, but still have plenty, and have a really nice feel.

Both of these seem tighter in the low end than LaBella, but still have plenty of thump when you need it. My experience with LaBella is limited, though.

You can't go wrong with either of those two.
 
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#9
The EB flats are the answer...but you said you don't like them.

Did you let them settle?

Did you turn the knobs on your bass and amp?

If you have tried those five sets of flats and couldn't get "middy," I am thinking the problem is not going to be solved by buying something new, but by the spending of effort twisting knobs on your amp and bass.
 
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#11
michael_t said:
The OP mentioned "Slinky", which refers to the EB Cobalt Flats. Are you referring to the EB stainless steel flats?
Click to expand...

I am talking about the ones the OP tried, of course! Slinkys – the ones that say "COBALT" on the package.

The Group flats are mid scooped and modern sounding – not what the OP is asking for. The Slinkys are a nice hybrid of modern and classic...and aren't stiff. Just what he is asking for.
 
#13
JazzyJacuzzi said:
Hello,

I'm looking to string a 60s reissue Precision with thumpy flat wounds that have a tad more mids than the LaBella Deep Talkin' 760FL. I'd prefer a set with a tension around the same as regular 105 round wound set (DR Sunbeams, for e.g.), ideally a notch lighter.

I've tried Chromes, Slinkys and Fenders, which I found too modern. The TIs were too middy and not thumpy enough.

I remember liking the Pyramids 640/1 on a Jazz bass, but they were stiff and could've been better balanced. One the strings was also much rougher than the rest. I don't remember how they were in the mids department, though.

I haven't tried the Dunlop Flat Wounds, DR Legends and GHS Precisions.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Eucerin kills flats dead. Thumpiness-rich and good for your skin.
Eucerin Skin Cream Kills Strings DEAD!!!
 
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#14
JazzyJacuzzi said:
Hello,

I'm looking to string a 60s reissue Precision with thumpy flat wounds that have a tad more mids than the LaBella Deep Talkin' 760FL. I'd prefer a set with a tension around the same as regular 105 round wound set (DR Sunbeams, for e.g.), ideally a notch lighter.

I've tried Chromes, Slinkys and Fenders, which I found too modern. The TIs were too middy and not thumpy enough.

I remember liking the Pyramids 640/1 on a Jazz bass, but they were stiff and could've been better balanced. One the strings was also much rougher than the rest. I don't remember how they were in the mids department, though.

I haven't tried the Dunlop Flat Wounds, DR Legends and GHS Precisions.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yeah! Try La Bella White Tapewounds.
 
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#18
As one other has said already, the thing with flats is that they sound sound how they sound for up to several months out. So good luck trying a set for a few days and saying "That's not for me." There's no such thing (in my experience) as flats that sound like they will sound right out of the pack.

In short, you have to commit to a trial period of 6 to 8 weeks of regular playing (or more).
 
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#20
Another one who would suggest GHS Precision Flats. I like the 105s for tension on Fenders. Ten years from now when you finally decide it’s time to replace them, you’ll think the new set is a little too bright. I buy two sets at a time so I won’t convince myself that they have changed the build. I may not live long enough to use the two sets of spares I have
 
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