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Less Thumpy Flats For A New Bass

#41
I have played many different sets of flats . Fender 9050's TI Jazz flats , DAD chromes, GHD Brite and Precision Flats , Several Ernie ball Flat sets Including Cobalts, Labella 760's and many others that slip my mind right now. Less thumpy can mean a lot of things. The most articulate flats I have played are the EB Cobalt Flats followed by the GHS Brite Flats. They still thump to a point but not like GHS Precision Flats do. If you want flats that have decent top end but no real Zing then the EB Cobalt flats ot the GHS Brite flats are what you want IMHO. If you want Good highs and deep articulate lows then Possibly GHS Pressure wound strings might be for you . Look up the thread Tangy not Twangy.
 
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#42
Rich Fiscus said:
I need suggestions for new flats for my new Kiesel JB5. I've been using vintage type flats for a few years, but I'm looking for something less thumpy, with more mids. Ideally I want something with the same silky smooth surface as the P Flats and Sadowsky Black Labels I've been using, but that's not a deal breaker unless they're unusually rough feeling.

I don't want something super modern sounding, like Cobalt Flats, but otherwise I'm starting with an open mind. What do you recommend?

I realize people are just going to post their favorite strings. That's fine. All I ask is that you explain why your favorite string meets my needs.
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Thomastik Infeld are the best in my opinion. All others sound meh. :thumbsup:
 
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#43
I play only PBasses each with different pickups and strings. I have one with Chromes, one with TI's and one has Fender 9050's that are new and still breaking in. So I like my flats more modern and more versatile. They sit very well in the mix and work very well for different styles of music.
 
#44
Flat-N-Round said:
I've been using some Blue Label Sadowsky flats on a hollow bodied bass. I think they are fairly modern, and they are very sophisticated with a solid mid-character. There is a little thump still in there, but it's in no way that of La Bella or Pyramid.

I read on here before joining that people didn't like them, but I'm happy to say I was surprised by them. I think when comparing to the Black Label, people were just upset at them being completely different.
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Have you ever used the Black Labels? My general takeaway from the comments on TB is the Blue Labels are as articulate in the high and low mids as the Black labels are in just the low mids. I also seem to recall Roger Sadowsky saying the current Blue Labels were reformulated to bring them a little closer to the Black Labels.

It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, and it's hard not trust Sadowsky after a few years with the Black Labels. I'm still amazed it's possible to get that much thump and clarity at the same time.

The TIs seem like more of a departure from my current strings, rather than an evolution, but that may be exactly what I need. Sometimes you can't get the sound you want because you're starting from the wrong place.

Normally I wouldn't worry about resale value, but with multiple options costing well over $100 each, I probably should. Strings pulled off my Kiesel should fit a Fender, so the TIs would be easy to sell. Of course, the most economical solution is to get it right the first time.
 
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#45
Rich Fiscus said:
Have you ever used the Black Labels? My general takeaway from the comments on TB is the Blue Labels are as articulate in the high and low mids as the Black labels are in just the low mids. I also seem to recall Roger Sadowsky saying the current Blue Labels were reformulated to bring them a little closer to the Black Labels.

It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, and it's hard not trust Sadowsky after a few years with the Black Labels. I'm still amazed it's possible to get that much thump and clarity at the same time.

The TIs seem like more of a departure from my current strings, rather than an evolution, but that may be exactly what I need. Sometimes you can't get the sound you want because you're starting from the wrong place.

Normally I wouldn't worry about resale value, but with multiple options costing well over $100 each, I probably should. Strings pulled off my Kiesel should fit a Fender, so the TIs would be easy to sell. Of course, the most economical solution is to get it right the first time.
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Unfortunately, no, I've never tried the Black Labels. I hear excellent things about the Blacks, but the people at Sadowsky felt they were "inconsistent". Before I bought the Blues, I read so many posts about how awful they were in comparison to the Blacks. Seems they listened to the people who swear by them and reformulated the Blues to retain some of what people appreciated in the Blacks.

I didn't get on with TIs. I'm a Pyramid and La Bella guy so the TIs were a stretch for me (I use TI on my acoustic guitar, though. Very high quality and beautiful strings).

I think the Blues would fit you well. You know you don't want to give up ALL the thump.
 
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#48
Flat-N-Round said:
Unfortunately, no, I've never tried the Black Labels. I hear excellent things about the Blacks, but the people at Sadowsky felt they were "inconsistent". Before I bought the Blues, I read so many posts about how awful they were in comparison to the Blacks. Seems they listened to the people who swear by them and reformulated the Blues to retain some of what people appreciated in the Blacks.

I didn't get on with TIs. I'm a Pyramid and La Bella guy so the TIs were a stretch for me (I use TI on my acoustic guitar, though. Very high quality and beautiful strings).

I think the Blues would fit you well. You know you don't want to give up ALL the thump.
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If you think you can convince me the Sadowskys were what I wanted all along, well that's where you're right. I've been wondering how those strings sound for quite some time - once I got over the Black Labels being discontinued. Worst case scenario, I keep them for backups or put them on a different bass.
 
#49
Rich Fiscus said:
Have you ever used the Black Labels? My general takeaway from the comments on TB is the Blue Labels are as articulate in the high and low mids as the Black labels are in just the low mids. I also seem to recall Roger Sadowsky saying the current Blue Labels were reformulated to bring them a little closer to the Black Labels.
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I've not tried the Blacks, but the Blues (new version) are interesting. It's been a little while since I've had them on a bass and my memory of them has faded a bit, so take my comments with a grain of salt. But I liked them, just not quite as much as the TIs. I think the two are comparable in some ways. Both are mid-forward. I think the TI mids are somewhat smoother and sweeter. The Sadowskys may have a bit more (or at least different) bottom, and maybe some more extended highs, at least when new, not unlike new Dunlops. I think the Sadowskys might take a little longer to get through the initial break-in period before they show their true character. The Sadowskys (40-100 gauge) are noticeably stiffer, but not too much (e.g., less than the Fender 9050Ls, as I recall). The Sadowskys seemed a little more aggressive and, I dunno, a little less musical than the TIs, but that's a high bar, and the Sadowskys have a nice musicality of their own, especially in the mids.

When I first got my TIs, the D string was dead, so until I could get a replacement, I actually used the Sadowsky D string with the other TIs. Although it was noticeably different, it was not an obvious misfit, so take that for what it's worth. This was on a fretted jazz, BTW.

Sorry that some of this was kind of vague, but like I said, it's been a while. Been thinking about putting the Sadowskys back on a bass, though.
 
#50
DCCat said:
I've not tried the Blacks, but the Blues (new version) are interesting. It's been a little while since I've had them on a bass and my memory of them has faded a bit, so take my comments with a grain of salt. But I liked them, just not quite as much as the TIs. I think the two are comparable in some ways. Both are mid-forward. I think the TI mids are somewhat smoother and sweeter. The Sadowskys may have a bit more (or at least different) bottom, and maybe some more extended highs, at least when new, not unlike new Dunlops. I think the Sadowskys might take a little longer to get through the initial break-in period before they show their true character. The Sadowskys (40-100 gauge) are noticeably stiffer, but not too much (e.g., less than the Fender 9050Ls, as I recall). The Sadowskys seemed a little more aggressive and, I dunno, a little less musical than the TIs, but that's a high bar, and the Sadowskys have a nice musicality of their own, especially in the mids.

When I first got my TIs, the D string was dead, so until I could get a replacement, I actually used the Sadowsky D string with the other TIs. Although it was noticeably different, it was not an obvious misfit, so take that for what it's worth. This was on a fretted jazz, BTW.

Sorry that some of this was kind of vague, but like I said, it's been a while. Been thinking about putting the Sadowskys back on a bass, though.
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Actually that's very helpful. It sort of confirms what I was already thinking. I'm going to start with the Sadowskys. Of course, that means I'm going to have to try the TIs eventually to compare them.
 
#52
FrenchBassQC said:
Not sure if this was mentioned in earlier posts but I have the DR Legend on one of my P-Bass and they will stay on it... You mentioned mids, you'll get lots of it with them just sayin...Voilà
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I've recently come around to DR's after two previously failed attempts with them. The Legends definitely don't fall into the category of "Less Thumpy Flats" though.
 
#54
Is Sadowsky even doing strings anymore? If not, that is too bad.

I have several sets of Sadowsky flats here.....

The old version Blue Labels are my favorites (in fact, my favorite strings ever). TIJF tone (very "woody"), with just a slight bit more tension and stiffness. No thump (unless you use a mute). Incredibly expressive, .... I would say even more so than TIJF's, because these won't choke out if you dig in. The set I have on my CS'59 P have been in use now for over three years. I was lucky enough to find a couple sets of the old version Blues..... They are heavier gauges than what I'm using now, but I don't think they will be too different from the lighter ones I have on now. They are stashed away for safe keeping!

I have a set of the latest version Blues on my AmStd P. Also very expressive.... And super punchy (but not nearly as "woody" as the old version or TIJF's). They've been on that bass for a couple of years now. Like the old version Blues, they don't thump unless you mute. Very strong and widely voiced in the mids. More tension than the old Blues, but something about their construction makes them super pliable.... They feel like a round core, but are hex. Probably the most comfortable strings I have ever played. I hated these when I first put them on....... But they broke in beautifully.

I also have a set of the Black Labels. They will thump..... Think LaBella DTF's, but with better pitch definition (especially on a well broken in E string), and not nearly as scooped. I think these are the perfect flats for a passive Jazz!
 
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#55
ljazz said:
Is Sadowsky even doing strings anymore? If not, that is too bad.

I have several sets of Sadowsky flats here.....

The old version Blue Labels are my favorites (in fact, my favorite strings ever). TIJF tone (very "woody"), with just a slight bit more tension and stiffness. No thump (unless you use a mute). Incredibly expressive, .... I would say even more so than TIJF's, because these won't choke out if you dig in. The set I have on my CS'59 P have been in use now for over three years. I was lucky enough to find a couple sets of the old version Blues..... They are heavier gauges than what I'm using now, but I don't think they will be too different from the lighter ones I have on now. They are stashed away for safe keeping!

I have a set of the latest version Blues on my AmStd P. Also very expressive.... And super punchy (but not nearly as "woody" as the old version or TIJF's). They've been on that bass for a couple of years now. Like the old version Blues, they don't thump unless you mute. Very strong and widely voiced in the mids. More tension than the old Blues, but something about their construction makes them super pliable.... They feel like a round core, but are hex. Probably the most comfortable strings I have ever played. I hated these when I first put them on....... But they broke in beautifully.

I also have a set of the Black Labels. They will thump..... Think LaBella DTF's, but with better pitch definition (especially on a well broken in E string), and not nearly as scooped. I think these are the perfect flats for a passive Jazz!
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It's too bad they aren't making them any more. I really enjoyed the original version of the Blue Labels on my Sadowsky MV4. Great strings.
 
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#57
Rich Fiscus said:
I don't want something super modern sounding, like Cobalt Flats, but otherwise I'm starting with an open mind. What do you recommend?
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Cobalt strings are very good sounding flats. It's what I use on my Kiesel V59K for gigging where they don't sound super modern to me. At home, solo practicing yes, but much of the highs get lost in the mix when performing, or by Mr. Soundguy.

Cobalt strings are much more thumpier than GHS Pressurewounds. But foam with Pressurewounds brings out a very good thump tone. So you might want to consider versatility in your string choice.

Some of it will depend on your amp. Mine has a LPF. Since I have active pre-amp on the Vanquish (with low, mid, and high), I use the filters more than the EQ on the amp.

I take it you have a LB75 with active pre-amp?
 
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#58
I have a Carvin 5 string, 35+" scale. Has a J neck pickup and a Stringray type bridge pickup. I bought a used set of TI flats here on TalkBass and put 'em on. EXCELLENT!

Not thumpy. Clean tight bottom and balanced mids, rolled off high end. I could not have found a better sound.

Sadly, TI Flats are very, very expensive! But, on the positive side, they will last for years and years. (And they don't stress the truss rod.)

Good luck finding your flats.
 
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