I recently purchased an MG bass from the classifies here at talk base that is a seven string fretless. I would like to put flat wounds on it. I cannot find any flat strings except Chromes that sells singles. Chromes are not my preference.
I need help figuring out what gauges I need or could use for the high seventh string, which I will either tune to E or F depending on my whim.
I would consider nylon tape wound. I have a set of those on my six string Ibanez that I like, but I’m trying for more of an upright imitation on that one.
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No (or less of an) upright emulation, and no Chromes then.
Do you have experience with other flats? Which do you prefer?
Have you already tried feeding flats and/or tapes through this particular string retainer? Do they hold, as in not unravel?
Meanwhile, here's a list of six-string flatwound sets I compiled early this year:
6-string Flats
As noted there, you can also get a five-string set and a single high C.
As for the high E, you can use the G from a light (10-48) set of electric guitar flatwounds (in which case you may also use the D string in lieu of buying a bass C);
or get a single 020 from an online store (Thomastik-Infeld also makes a 019).
Only nylon tapewound 6-string sets are
Rotosound RS886LD
La Bella 760N-CB (standard) or 750N-CB (light) - black
La Bella 760C-CB (standard) or 750C-CB (light) - copper white
La Bella 760G-CB (standard) or 750G-CB (light) - gold white
La Bella 760T-CB (standard) or 750T-CB (light) - white
Pyramid 648/6
Galli G77-6
Lemma Sound in Argentina might make you a custom one.
Otherwise, the plan is:
- a 5-string set
(by one of the above manufacturers, or D'Addario, GHS, Magma or Eclipse; Warwick sells 4-string sets but also has single low-B strings available)
+ a single tapewound C, from one of those same companies
+ a guitar tapewound G (by La Bella, Pyramid or Galli; the latter also offers a set with nylon-tapewound plains, whence you could use the B instead if the G).
