Modern Flatwound Strings With OK Slap?

[OldSchoolFlats]

Also wondering if through-the-body is OK with Chromes. La Bella indicates you need a special set for through-the-body, so strings don't break. Didn't see such detailed info on D'Addario's site.

 

[OldShark]

To clarify: Can't tell whether the string size is the same but as you can see, the silk windings are properly sized.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

FYI, currently reading through a massive thread here on Chromes: D'Addario Chromes User Group- Chromeys Speak Out!

 

[Aidil]

It looks like the Chromes are only available in the regular for us 5-string guys, not custom set: XL Chromes | Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

Was reading one place that the regular set is unbalanced: tight high strings, floppy low strings. Hoping to pull trigger soon, but want to check the details first.

Thoughts?

Buy Chromes 4 string set ECB80 Super Light Gauge 40-95 and the Chromes CB132 single low-B string, you'll get almost balanced tension of the whole strings, from G to low-B. And if you don't mind getting another Chromes single string, the CB055, and sacrificing the 60 D from the ECB80 set, the whole set of Chromes 40-55-75-95-132 is even more balanced tension according to D'Addario tension chart PDF file. This is what I did.

Also wondering if through-the-body is OK with Chromes. La Bella indicates you need a special set for through-the-body, so strings don't break. Didn't see such detailed info on D'Addario's site.

No problemo. I had my first set of Chromes installed thru body.

 

[michael_t]

Question: Are the chromes all the same length, so the silk windings all start at the same distance from the nut?

D'A Chromes flats = 37.1" from ball end to silk (blue) on all five.
Dunlop Flats = 37.25" from ball end to silk (black) on all five.
EB Coblat Flats = 37.25" from ball end to silk (purple) on all five.
EB Stainless Steel Flats = 37.25 from ball end to silk (blue) on all five.

 

[MarkA]

Flats I've used and liked: TI, Labella 760 FL, Sadowksy Blue Label ("new" version - haven't tried the old, though it seems Sadowksy are going back to that).

Those can all be slapped (and I've made them all work live), but, for slap, for me, the Sadowksys have the clear edge. Mine were quite bright when new but settled in after a few weeks (I guess they've been on a year, now) and, if I open the tone control up, still have plenty of edge to cut, slapped, in a mix.

More mids than the LaBellas, more thump than the TIs (not especially thumpy, but moreso than rounds and respond well to technique), with a better "bounce" under the right hand than either.

I haven't played the EB Cobalt flats everyone mentions, but, from the demos I've heard, I don't think the Sads would be as bright and aggressive as those, but they do have more edge than the LaBellas or TIs.

The Sadowksy flats seem to have doubled in price (ballpark with TIs) since I got mine, though - don't know if that's permanent or temporary. If they last like the TIs (near forever - we'll see, but mine still have plenty of life after a year) and you like them, could be worth it, but they are a pricey string.

 

[Killing Floor]

I've played bass since 1978. Only flats I can get a decent slap tone and feel from are TI Jazz Flats. Not the only brand I play, I like a lot of strings. But for flats that can be slapped/popped without thud that's the one.

 

[eddododo]

Aging 15" speaker flatwound thump player here getting back into bass after many years...
...I want to include some slap in my "revival", but had assumed that meant roundwound. I'd been leaning toward GHS Pressure Wounds, but in a recent thread, it sounds like Dunlop Flatwounds and a few others have a more modern twist that might make actual flatwounds viable.

Mostly I like the more old-school Motown thump, but I'd also like the ability to:

• Occasionally play some respectable slap.
• Not change strings more than every 6-9 months.

I have a Boss GT-1B, with a good compressor patch, and plenty of EQ (on bass too), but I'm worried any flats would go dead, and ONLY thump after a short time.

I only have one bass, a Sire P7 5-string, so I realize I'm dealing with compromise. Ideally, I'd have nickel rounds on a jazz, and La Bella Deep Talkin' on a precision. I like moderate tension, so TI Jazz Flats are out, though I love their sound.

I use D'addario flats on one bass and it's actually one of my favorites to slap.

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, or maybe my strings just aren't 20 years old, but I don't find an insane amount of difference with flats- I just don't get zippy finger noise, string noise is limited to point of attack and only on hard strokes, and I find the low end to actually be nice and round and mid/fundamental driven rather than any deep lows.

 

[azureblue]

I use fender flats, but afaik, they don't make a B anymore. But LaBella has a 128 and it works as well as the original Fender. I just bump up the top end to get more snap. Flats lack that "boink" sound that rounds give, but I consider that to be a plus. Some slap sounds might as well be a synth bass patch. I also have another bass set up with half wounds that I polished, but it it a JJ type. Nice compromise.

 

[T Bassman]

D'Addario Tape wounds have been surprisingly adaptable for slap on my Kinal bass with Jazz pickups. Caught me off guard, and I may even prefer them to regular flats for slap now. Give em a shot

 

[MarkA]

D'Addario Tape wounds have been surprisingly adaptable for slap on my Kinal bass with Jazz pickups. Caught me off guard, and I may even prefer them to regular flats for slap now. Give em a shot

I played someone's fretless Jazz Bass, strung with Fender tapes, a few years back. It had a killer slap sound (and great sound in general). Tried the same strings on my fretless P and got a thin, weenie tone.

Some strings just mesh better with some bases.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Turns out the only strings I have found so far that would fit properly are La Bellas, since I need 36.5" wound length to keep off the tuning pegs. Even there, I'd need to swap a G in the set, since their stock set had 38" wound length for the G.

Might end-up with Pressure Wounds because of the wraps, but hoping I can find decent flats with 36.5" winding length.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Ernie ball cobalt flats. They sound very close to roundwounds, and last a long while. My only complaint is that they are kinda stiff. They have 37" of unwrapped string.

 

[Aidil]

Turns out the only strings I have found so far that would fit properly are La Bellas, since I need 36.5" wound length to keep off the tuning pegs. Even there, I'd need to swap a G in the set, since their stock set had 38" wound length for the G.

Might end-up with Pressure Wounds because of the wraps, but hoping I can find decent flats with 36.5" winding length.

Nope.

Mentioned and shown already on this thread (post #15), Chromes fit just fine and AAMOF the factory strings for Sire P7 fretless, including the 5 string.

Pressurewound winding length of 36.5" is a history. Current products are 37.25".

 

[burgerdj]

EB Cobalt Flats do exactly what you're looking for. I've had mine on for years, still sound great.

 

[iiipopes]

Fender 9050L. They have solid fundamental, great grind and the right top end that doesn't zing out. Others may have mentioned them above.

 

[Element Zero]

I've only used 2 sets of flats. TI Jazz Flats and Chromes. Both fairly different feeling and sounding but both clearly sounding like flats. As far as slap, personally I believe any string can be used for any technique. Slap on flats will not sound as "piano" or "Miller" like but that doesn't mean they sound bad. For me, it's really the "pops" that you hear the biggest difference. Pops on flats won't be nearly as bright and pingy sounding as they are with rounds, but that's not to say they sound bad.

It just depends on what you like.

 

[Dominic D]

Another vote for Cobalt Flats here.

 

[DCCat]

Ernie ball cobalt flats. They sound very close to roundwounds, and last a long while. My only complaint is that they are kinda stiff. They have 37" of unwrapped string.

The 40-95 Cobalt Flats are probably the right answer here. Quite flexible, bright, with great transient dynamics that make them quite amenable to slapping.

 

[shrigg]

The 40-95 Cobalt Flats are probably the right answer here. Quite flexible, bright, with great transient dynamics that make them quite amenable to slapping.

+1 on 40-95 Cobalt Flats. I use em on my main players now (couple of P Basses) after falling in love with them on my fretless Jazz