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How about for people who like really taut strings? Every string more or less is taut at the bridge, but i pluck right around the front pickup where some strings can feel very loosey goosey to me.
Then go D'addario Chromes. They much stiffer (and not for me).
I can't remember exactly what/how stiff the medium Chromes felt, but went from there to the Chrome lights, which I found a were a good substitute for the TI Jazz Flats, at half the price.
The TI Jazz (med) and D'a Chromes (lite) would both be too soft for 3bc, but those D'a Chromes might be just right.
I use Labella flats on one of my basses, great strings. I just bought a Warwick Infinity bass that came with Tomastic flats, slightly rougher feel, but brilliant strings.
Another thought might be GHS Pressurewounds, I have them on my 44-94 and they are my favorite string. Kind of the best of both worlds and easy on your fingers.
I recently bought these (Low Tension Flats in the light gauge) to try on my 55-94, but I have not changed the strings yet because the bass and strings are new, so I wanted to break-in the stock strings (and give them a chance) to see if I would like them.
I have these (Deep Talking Flats medium gauge) on my Spector Euro 4 LT and Squire P Bass-- I love them, they feel and sound great (to me). I almost bought a third set (for the Lakland) but I wanted to try a different LaBella Flat string--just for curiosity, not disappointment. I know if I don't like the Low Tensions then I'll buy the Deep Talking strings for the Lakland.
I love LaBella Deep Talking Flats. Solid on a 44 64.
Something to keep in mind, in addition to different levels of tension, each brand of flats has their own tone. I have also found that a brand that sounds great on one bass may not work for another. A consideration as you weigh the options.
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i'm so newbie on the flats that i don't know much about how the brands compare, or even what i'm hoping to get out of them other than to try something different. watched shootout on youtube that seemed fairly illustrative on a few different sets. i know flats are not something you dip your toe in or experiment with a whole lot since i think the purpose of them is to get them on there and leave them for a long long time. we'll see what happens i guess!
I've posted so much about my exploration into the world of flats (during the pandemic) that I feel I should preface any comments with an apology for the redundancy.... So, SORRRRRYYYYYYY!! LOL
So, after 32 years I finally got bored enough to start throwing different brands and sets of flats on my 30-ish bass collection. I too looked at many reviews on youtube. One youtube bass celeb said that he found that a bright or aggressive bass needs bright modern flats, and a warm passive bass needs thumpy old school flats. Think Stingray= bright flats and old P bass = thumpy. I have found that to be true.
That said, I've tried almost all the major string manufacturers and probably 12 (maybe 13) different flat sets. Definitely consider LaBellas for your 44-64!! I also feel that DR Legends would be high tension and old school enough for you. Chromes have always seemed stiff to me... others say they're low tension... I don't know. But, they would be another good choice. Sadowsky flats are an excellent choice for a P as well! I have a new set for sell (105-45)… PM if interested. Rotosound Monel flats seem to have many fans, although I have not yet tried those.
If you decide you would rather play some milder tension sets, here's some benefits:
1) super easy to fret notes
2) less hand fatigue during long shows
3) faster plucking hand speeds attainable
4) closer action with imperceptible buzz (if they buzz at all)
5) for me...easier to play means more creativity and joy
If you want to try easy to play and very bright flats (roundwound-like sounding), try EBMM Cobalt flats. Dunlop flats are amazing as well, but not near as bright as Cobalts. TI J flats (like Dunlops) are in between old school and modern, very flexible and low tension. LaBella Low Tension Flats are super easy to play but VERY old school thumpy.
Hope that helps.
JJ
Great post (as usual) @JEDI BASS !
@3bc there are usually sets of used flats for sale in the classifieds - a less expensive way to check out a few options.
This thread can heip decode what some of those brands are -
flat brands and their silk colors
This thread can heip decode what some of those brands are -
flat brands and their silk colors
- Jul 11, 2005
- 3,113
- 1,456
- Disclosures
- Gecko Leatherworks
Seems to be a pretty good price hike too
I have been able to play several of JJ’s basses on occasion that had flats on. I too am curious about flats but have very little experience with them. I gravitated towards the Cobalt flats. Liked the feel and the bright tone of them. JJ has tried many and has diff brands on several basses. Just not guilt ready for dull thumpy tone yet. Thanks JJ.
Thanks for your thoughts! I ordered a 45-105 set of la Bella deep talkers and a set of slightly skinnier chromes to try. I get the feeling that these kinds of strings are meant to be worn in over the course of weeks/months/years, but this will at least give me the opportunity to see if the tension is right for me. I’m looking forward to a more round warm old school tone. My 4494 is constantly strung with very fresh fat beams, and set with a jazz bass profile with a slight bass and treble boost.
this will be 100% opposite!
I would bet that you'll be surprised at how thumpy the LaBellas are straight out of the pack. And, Chromes will take a long time to sound broken in. People definitely claim that all flats get better with age. But, I assume they mean that they get deader, thumpier, more even from string to string, since some sets have more lively NEW strings, when compared to the others in the same pack.
For us guys that like both old school and bright flats, I've been immediately happy with almost all the sets I've tried. The exceptions were sets that were too tight or stiff, and those that I paired up with the wrong bass. For instance, I sold the 45-105 Gold LaBellas due to their tension. They sounded fine on my 44-64GZ. But, the Dunlop 40-100 set feels better on it, and sound more gooder (my daughter used to say that as a child... still makes me laugh!). Another example of the wrong set on a particular bass is my sparkly Stingray Classic that I put DR Legends 45-105s on. I tune that bass down a half step. But that set still feels stiff to me. They also aren't as silky smooth as many other sets that I've fallen in love with (Dunlops for instance). The Legends killed the Stingray's personality and will either be switched to another thru-body bridge-equipped bass, or sold as barely used. If I keep flats on the Stingray, it will get EBMM Cobalts. I play a couple Flea basslines on that bass and want to retain some of that sound. Most flats can't give that. Cobalts can.
