Like TI flats, but thicker, stiffer and with less mids: options?

[Boneless]

I mounted TI flats on my Jack Casady bass. They sound very nice, and I can envision them on this bass for quite a while. Still, I find that they are a bit too flexible and mid-forward and I might like something a bit stiffer and "fat" sounding, and with a bit more attack (TI flats have a very "rubbery" attack which I do like, mind you) but still maintain the string-to-string consistency and the long sustain. I don't like LaBella LTFs (dark and a bit "floppy"), and I don't care for D'Addario Chromes (too "tic-tocky"). I'd like something like Fender flats (which are very consistent string-to-string) but with more character and heft. Maybe Cobalt flats?

 

[2saddleslab]

Fender flats, light gauge.

 

[blacktocomm]

I would try the EB Cobalts. Bright like TI flats but a little less flexible.

 

[bassdude51]

IMO/IME these are a good substitute for TIs. Especially the 40-95

D'Addario ECB81S Chrome Flat Wound Short Scale Bass Strings 45-100 Stainless 19954947743 | eBay

D'Addario ECB80 XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Strings | eBay

(Brighter, a bit stiffer and little less mids.)

It's always good to let flat wound strings "age". Be patient.

 

[Boneless]

What about Rotosounds?

 

[Barton Lee]

I had TI flats on my JC and wanted something similar to the OP. I tried installing a set of Fender 9050L flats but found that the silks on the ball end make them too wide/large to fit with the stock bridge. Rather than strip off the silks, I put on a well-used set of Optima RB flats.

I do think Fender flats would sound great on a JC.

 

[michael_t]

I'd like something like Fender flats (which are very consistent string-to-string) but with more character and heft. Maybe Cobalt flats?

EB Cobalt Flats are good if you want roundwound-like brightness out of your flats. For something "semi-modern", you might also want to consider the Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats. Plenty of the traditional flatwound goodness but with clarity and articulation.

I have Fender 9050L (45-100) on my Jazz and EB Group IV (40-95) on my P bass, and am very happy with both.

 

[BassBrass]

My Jack Casady has EB Cobalt flats as 'the answer' but I Am looking for almost round-wound brightness to bring out the piano-like ultra P tone of that bass. They also bring out it's percussive THUMP power.

 

[bherman]

My Jack Casady has EB Cobalt flats as 'the answer' but I Am looking for almost round-wound brightness to bring out the piano-like ultra P tone of that bass. They also bring out it's percussive THUMP power.

Take a look at LaBella Olinta flats, I put them on my P bass and liked them so much that I put a set on my Reverend. A bit more tension but not over the top, and a very clear sound across the whole tonal range. Bright-sounding with the tone all on and deep and thumpy when rolled back.

 

[BOOG]

Kinda all over the place…maybe start ordering some different sets and reserve a few years for testing them all out.

 

[themickster]

I mounted TI flats on my Jack Casady bass. They sound very nice, and I can envision them on this bass for quite a while. Still, I find that they are a bit too flexible and mid-forward and I might like something a bit stiffer and "fat" sounding, and with a bit more attack (TI flats have a very "rubbery" attack which I do like, mind you) but still maintain the string-to-string consistency and the long sustain. I don't like LaBella LTFs (dark and a bit "floppy"), and I don't care for D'Addario Chromes (too "tic-tocky"). I'd like something like Fender flats (which are very consistent string-to-string) but with more character and heft. Maybe Cobalt flats?

What on Earth do you mean by tic-tocky character and heft?

 

[BassBrass]

Take a look at LaBella Olinta flats, I put them on my P bass and liked them so much that I put a set on my Reverend. A bit more tension but not over the top, and a very clear sound across the whole tonal range. Bright-sounding with the tone all on and deep and thumpy when rolled back.

Interesting, but a 47 G seems tight...and my Reverend Dub King loves the EB Cobalts which these would not fit on...my Sterling SUB Ray5 loves LTF's, I'm trying to figure out a reason to try these! My Moses neck PJ, that's another with Cobalt flats...

 

[jmlee]

This is a bit off-target for the OP's initial question, but D'Addario Tapewounds sound fabulous on my JC. The feel may be just about what's desired, combined with definite pitch and long sustain, but there's a lovely organic warmth to them that *really* suits and brings out the wood in the instrument.

 

[bherman]

Interesting, but a 47 G seems tight...and my Reverend Dub King loves the EB Cobalts which these would not fit on...my Sterling SUB Ray5 loves LTF's, I'm trying to figure out a reason to try these! My Moses neck PJ, that's another with Cobalt flats...

yeah, when you look at the specs you'd think they'd be stiff and hefty but they're not. I had been using a combination of Pyramids and LaBella LTF (E string) on the P bass before, and the Olintos are only a tad stiffer. But sound way better.

 

[Laurent]

Try Dunlop flat strings, they might be exactly what you are looking for!

 

[Highs&Lows]

Dogal Flatwounds (Carbonsteel) are really nice and remind me of TIs but a little stiffer and a tad less mid pronounced. Like TIs they arent super cheap though.

 

[el murdoque]

So you want a set of TI flats, but you don't want any of those qualities that make the TI flats special?
That is surprisingly easy: Optima Flats are exactly what you want.

 

[Boneless]

What on Earth do you mean by tic-tocky character and heft?

No imagination, no intuition.

 

[Boneless]

So you want a set of TI flats, but you don't want any of those qualities that make the TI flats special?
That is surprisingly easy: Optima Flats are exactly what you want.

On the contrary, what make TIs special is that they are so consistent and rich, not overly thumpy, etc. but of course if TIs are one end of the scale (10) and, dunno, thick LaBellas are the other end (1) I'd like something around 7-8/10?

 

[Boneless]

Dogal Flatwounds (Carbonsteel) are really nice and remind me of TIs but a little stiffer and a tad less mid pronounced. Like TIs they arent super cheap though.

I refuse to spend little shy of €100 for a set of strings. I remember when Dogal strings were dirt cheap, too.