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

[Nickweissmusic]

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?

I just tried Ernie Ball cobalt flats on my new passive Jaguar, very present, dare I say bright. I get a nice range of sounds blending the pickups, and rolling off the tone is actually useful for even more colors. Only 3-4 hours on them so far so I'm not sure what they'll sound like broken in, but definitely not muddy or hollow at this point. They feel great too. I'd definitely recommend giving them a shot, I just got them on a whim since GC had them in stock, so far I like them a lot.

 

[twinjet]

Interestingly enough, I did more research on chromes and found a demo that did them justice. I will have to give them another shot...

 

[Jaimelarumba]

Ti jazz flats. Roll the tone off a bit or a lot and you will have a flat that sounds like a dead round but with a ton of sustain and clarity in the fundamentals. If you're after bite and grind with similar characteristics to the TIs then dunlop super bright nickels will get you close. Especially in the 40-100. And as a bonus they age like no other round I've played.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Roto '77 jazz flats. But get a lighter gauge than you would usually use (I use 100s).

 

[Bodeeni]

I have the regular EB flats that came on my Bongo. Those strings are as round a sounding flat as I have used. Could be the bass a bit, but that is even running passive. The have not developed that dead hollow flat thing, which I get with the Chrome. Which I like for that sound. These came with a custom string set 40,55,75,100,130. The tension is also very round like. To me the are more old round sounding than the TIs. The TIs, to me, have a very even sound, I almost describe it as a flat EQ hi fi sound. Those do work great on my fretless 6, but not on my Fenders.
I am still very surprised about the EB flats ( not Cobalt) and not a ton of $ to try

 

[okonokos]

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?

I've been playing with long scale GHS Brite Flats for about 6 years. Best strings I've ever played with. Great tone and great versatility as I play in a prog/alt rock band so often need to switch from a real round motown sound to a Geddy Lee-esque clank.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Fyi...

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

When did that happen? I just got some.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

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.

I switched from Precision Flats to Sadowsky Black Labels on my 5 string, and the difference in clarity was so obvious that my wife (who doesn't really notice subtle differences in bass sounds) noticed the clarity instantly.

If you decide flats just aren't your thing, and they may not be, don't rule out tapewounds or pressure wounds, or even just dead rounds.

 

[Bodeanly]

Interestingly enough, I did more research on chromes and found a demo that did them justice. I will have to give them another shot...

I was going to suggest giving Chromes another shot. I strung one bass with them about six months ago for my "flats bass," but they are gradually spreading to all.

 

[michael_t]

I switched from Precision Flats to Sadowsky Black Labels on my 5 string, and the difference in clarity was so obvious that my wife (who doesn't really notice subtle differences in bass sounds) noticed the clarity instantly.

To further illustrate my earlier post regarding the Sadowskly Black Label Flats...

My P bass wore the La Bella 760FL for 3 mths before I decided to try the Sads. The very first weekend I played in church with the Sads, the sound tech came up to me afterwards and said, "Your bass was sounding great this weekend - noticeably punchier and clearer than usual! What the heck have you done to the bass?" I told him it was my secret recipe with eleven herbs and spices.

 

[Schlyder]

I have tried GHS, LaBella, Fender, and Dunlop. and I use a TInfield C-string.
My preference is the Dunlop flats.

 

[Luckydog]

I switched from Precision Flats to Sadowsky Black Labels on my 5 string, and the difference in clarity was so obvious that my wife (who doesn't really notice subtle differences in bass sounds) noticed the clarity instantly.

If you decide flats just aren't your thing, and they may not be, don't rule out tapewounds or pressure wounds, or even just dead rounds.

For me, GHS precision flats are some of the grainiest feeling, most inarticulate flatwounds out there. I've used them many times, on many basses and for many years, and I've used them in multiple genres. They seem to me to be a flat that "tries" to capture the vintage vibe of Labella flats, but lacks in every area...doesnt have the smooth feel, doesnt have the capability to poke out in certain frequency areas in a mix like Labella, and certainly doesnt get better with age.

The Sadowsky black label flats are light years ahead in quality and, for my purposes, do everything a very good flatwound should do. They may not be the middiest, may not be the thumpiest, may not be the stiffest or the loosest, but they are the only flat that I know of that is nearly the best in every single category that I desire in a flat...and they never disappoint.

 

[39-Bassist]

Have you thought of trying the D'Addario Half Rounds?...just seeing if that was another option.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Ha!....I thought that @twinjet was looking for an apartment!....

 

[Koog]

I use Roto 77s and Chromes. Mostly Chromes these days on just about everything. Dialing in a bit more mids has been the secret for me achieving the deep vintage tones I like with good clarity and punch.

Season to taste!

Hope this is helpful.

Koog.

 

[petrus61]

For me, GHS precision flats are some of the grainiest feeling, most inarticulate flatwounds out there. I've used them many times, on many basses and for many years, and I've used them in multiple genres. They seem to me to be a flat that "tries" to capture the vintage vibe of Labella flats, but lacks in every area...doesnt have the smooth feel, doesnt have the capability to poke out in certain frequency areas in a mix like Labella, and certainly doesnt get better with age.

The Sadowsky black label flats are light years ahead in quality and, for my purposes, do everything a very good flatwound should do. They may not be the middiest, may not be the thumpiest, may not be the stiffest or the loosest, but they are the only flat that I know of that is nearly the best in every single category that I desire in a flat...and they never disappoint.

Wound up being pretty much the opposite for me. I used Labella exclusively for years, starting with the 45-105, eventually landing on the 43-104 set. While they are certainly more articulate than GHS, I found that came at a sacrifice to low mid content. Their glassy highs can be both a boon and a crutch, depending how you're EQ'ing, and I always found myself trying to add more low mid and bottom end that just wasn't there.

Don't get me wrong, they're a fantastic flat, truly balanced tension wise, and really shine in certain mixes, particularly when recording, but they were just a struggle for me and my P bass. What I also eventually figured out, and what was probably the biggest motivator for jumping ship, was that they actually didn't improve with age, IMO. They sounded great when new, really good when just broken in, then became an unbalanced, muddy mess after prolonged use. The fundamental was fleeting and the once glassy highs would be diminished to a dull "thwack". It was as if overnight they would go from the perfectly broken in flatwound, to something that was just unusable for me. The high highs and high mids that I sacrifice with the GHS is more than made up for by a steady attack and prominent fundamental, which for my rig and needs is essential. Are they perfect? No, but they do age a bit more gracefully than the Labella 43-104 set.

I use the 45-95 GHS and it's worth noting that they are a slightly different animal than the Std gauge set, with a bit more top end articulation and are rigid without being stiff, pliable without being floppy. They're ideal for me. All that said, it doesn't sound to me like OP is looking for either Labella or GHS flats and perhaps isn't looking for flats at all.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I'll chime in along w/ the others about GHS Pressurewounds. To me they're a nice compromise between rounds and flats.

And I'd say TI Jazz flats also, but they are on the expensive side so if you bought them and they didn't do for you what you wanted...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Yet another vote for LaBella White tape wounds.
I have not tried the coppers or the golds yet (These last la loooong time without change )

 

[Bolsyo]

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

I've been using Boomers for years on all my basses. At first I used to change them like once per year, but after experimenting, I think the sweet spot for me is every 4-6 months, depending on how hard they are played.

I just recently tried GHS Precision Flats for the first time (never tried any flats before), and they have an extremely different tone compared to Boomers. I wouldn't compare them at all tbh.

Here is a nice comparison of most types of GHS strings, you can hear them both new and old: GHS Strings

 

[onosson]

I've been using Boomers for years on all my basses. At first I used to change them like once per year, but after experimenting, I think the sweet spot for me is every 4-6 months, depending on how hard they are played.

I just recently tried GHS Precision Flats for the first time (never tried any flats before), and they have an extremely different tone compared to Boomers. I wouldn't compare them at all tbh.

Here is a nice comparison of most types of GHS strings, you can hear them both new and old: GHS Strings

I used to swear by GHS Brite Flats on my P-Bass, and listening to those clips I can hear why, it's a great combination.