I found a flat (Help me find a flat [or something].)!

[twinjet]

Update: I found a flat! D'Addario Chromes did the trick!

Hey gang,
Not sure if it's how people demo them or if I really just don't like flats. But I want to. I like a mellow sound that isn't muddied, or hollow.

I have ruled out:
LaBella 760FL "Deep Talkin' "
GHS Precision Flats
D'Addario Chromes

The sound I want is deep, but one that doesn't lose clarity. I don't like mud. I don't like a hollow sound. The sound I was digging was that of a worn-in roundcore, but I am trying to find something that inherently owns that trait.

I play more jazz than anything, but a bit of my playing is that which supports an acoustic guitar with a strong foundation.

Am i stuck with aging my strings or is there hope?

 

[fermata]

I'm curious to see other responses--I'm looking for something similar, too.
GHS Pressurewounds would be one thought. I've got them on one of my basses, and they sound really good. Another idea (just based on reading) would be La Bella Copper White Tapewounds, since it seems like they're all about warmth and clarity.

 

[petrus61]

You might want to give Labella Quarter Rounds a try (before anyone comes in with the halfround hate, these are nothing like GHS or Daddario).

It sounds like you aren't looking for flats. You're actually looking for GHS Boomers. When they mellow (which is in, like, a day), they are thump city and come closer to sounding like flats than some flats can even manage. They are like pure fundamental, with some zing.

 

[fermata]

How long do Boomers last (meaning, how long do they stay in the mellowed state before dying)?

 

[michael_t]

The sound I want is deep, but one that doesn't lose clarity. I don't like mud.

For a set of flats with all the full-bodied low end goodness of the traditional flats, but with rich, smooth mids (ie not clanky or clangy) for punch and clarity instead of just thump and thud, the Sadowsky Black Label Flats may be worth a try for what you're looking for.

 

[michael_t]

You might want to give Labella Quarter Rounds a try (before anyone comes in with the halfround hate, these are nothing like GHS or Daddario).

Fyi...

I've just learned that the La Bella Quarter Rounds are now discontinued. Sigh...

 

[Mike N]

For a set of flats with all the full-bodied low end goodness of the traditional flats, but with rich, smooth mids (ie not clanky or clangy) for punch and clarity instead of just thump and thud, the Sadowsky Black Label Flats may be worth a try for what you're looking for.

What is the tension of the Sadowsky's like?

 

[michael_t]

What is the tension of the Sadowsky's like?

The only set I've tried is the 40-100, which I find to be very manageable. While they're not considered "low tension" like the TIJF's, they're quite comfortable to play on for being flats.

 

[petrus61]

Fyi...

I've just learned that the La Bella Quarter Rounds are now discontinued. Sigh...

Just received a set from BSO last week. Guess I'll hold onto it.

 

[michael_t]

Just received a set from BSO last week. Guess I'll hold onto it.

It was none other than @SLaPiNFuNK himself who told me about it just a few days ago.

 

[petrus61]

How long do Boomers last (meaning, how long do they stay in the mellowed state before dying)?

It varies. Some claim they last forever, most claim they die off pretty quick, mellow off and then stay pretty thuddy for a good bit. Realistically, they have the half life of Daddario XL nickels, IME. It all comes down to your PH, how hard you're playing them, etc.

 

[petrus61]

It was none other than @SLaPiNFuNK himself who told me about it just a few days ago.

Well, he would know. They're still on Labellas website, FWIW. I have an extra used set I can sell you cut for 4-in line Fender. PM if you're interested.

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

When I think of the tone you described I immediately think tapes. I use Rotosound 88's. YMMV
H

 

[rd1959]

I like Dunlop flats. Smooth feel, good clarity, and they do have a little top end bite when the tone is all the way up.

 

[Rockbobmel]

DR Legends. Round core. smooth, articulate, full. Don't change much from new to old.

 

[40Hz]

I'm curious to see other responses--I'm looking for something similar, too.
GHS Pressurewounds would be one thought. I've got them on one of my basses, and they sound really good. Another idea (just based on reading) would be La Bella Copper White Tapewounds, since it seems like they're all about warmth and clarity.

^This. Pressurewounds or Copper Whites.

I'd strongly suggest trying the Copper White Nylons. I was never a fan of any tapewound string until I tried these. Now they're one of my favorite strings precisely because they have a warm rich tone with good mids and some decent bottom.

 

[SAlcott]

At the risk of redundancy, Thomastik Jazz flats.

 

[onosson]

I'll put another word in for tapewounds. I actually like Fender's take on them, though they are quite different from most others, and I have the LaBella black tapes which are great and very smooth, in texture and sound...

For regular flats, I'd consider Rotosound 77s. They're a great string I come back to time and time again, but the one drawback (possibly) is they are very stiff tension-wise. For me, they are tonally pretty close to what you describe.

 

[barebones]

I like Rotosound flats for the tone you're describing, although some people complain about the high tension. I dial them in low with very little relief in the neck, and they work for me. I do play with a heavy right hand.

I have Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on my fretless right now, and I need to try them on my fretted. I suspect they will deliver much of what I like about the Rotos.

Thomastiks feel nice and light, and they sound great. They have nice highs and mids and sound clear and balanced, but they don't have as much metallic *zing* to them, due to the nylon filament between the core and outer flat wire.

For black nylon tape wounds, I like GHS. They have decent highs and good string to string balance.

 

[onosson]

I like Rotosound flats for the tone you're describing, although some people complain about the high tension. I dial them in low with very little relief in the neck, and they work for me. I do play with a heavy right hand.

I have Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on my fretless right now, and I need to try them on my fretted. I suspect they will deliver much of what I like about the Rotos.

Thomastiks feel nice and light, and they sound great. They have nice highs and mids and sound clear and balanced, but they don't have as much metallic *zing* to them, due to the nylon filament between the core and outer flat wire.

For black nylon tape wounds, I like GHS. They have decent highs and good string to string balance.

I was going to mention the cobalts! I also have them on my fretless jazz, and they are fantastic strings, and very low tension. I'm unsure if they would be as nice on a fretted, but I actually haven't tried so I can't say...