I'm no slap genius, but I like to do it some; and chromes worked find for me. I tried the mediums, but the seemed to heavy to me and I like the lighter gauge Chromes better.
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Modern Flatwound Strings With OK Slap?
- Thread starter OldSchoolFlats
- Start date
I'm no slap genius, but I like to do it some; and chromes worked find for me. I tried the mediums, but the seemed to heavy to me and I like the lighter gauge Chromes better.
At the risk of throwing gasoline on a fire...
...any reason not to go with La Bella Low Tension Flats (LTF)? In comparing string to string tension, and wrap lengths, I am close to "pulling the trigger" on the LTF.
My main interests are:
...any reason not to go with La Bella Low Tension Flats (LTF)? In comparing string to string tension, and wrap lengths, I am close to "pulling the trigger" on the LTF.
My main interests are:
- Proper string winding-length for my tuning pegs. The Chromes are about 1/4" too long for my B tuning peg.
- Overall flatwound "vibe". Doesn't need to be "bridge cables", but no roundwound "twang".
- Ability to slap, sometimes. Not Marcus Miller, more original Larry Graham.
- Tension similar to rounds.
- Balanced tension between strings.
- Silk winding, similar to TI Jazz Flats, which I like except for the extremely low tension.
- Good documented specs on vendor web-site.
Last edited:
I have plenty of EQ: bass, amp and GT-1B.
I think I'm looking for a "new flatwound" vibe, though, that isn't quite as muffled as old-school high-tension flats.
La Bella LTFs wouldn't provide the "new flatwound vibe" you're looking for. They're as old-school as any La Bella Flats, except in a lighter package.
Looked at those. How's the
Crap. BTW, I see you've been involved in this conversation (flats/slap) for 8+ years. Leaning back to Chromes, but still researching...
...thanks!
Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats might be worth considering. They're not quite as "old-school" as the La Bellas, not quite as bright and roundwound-like as the EB Cobalt Flats and not quite as stiff-feeling as the Chromes.
I thought the throaty slap tone from SIT PowerFlats was pretty solid.
They were my first and only experience with flats and though I think they're a good string, they also helped me realize that flats aren't for me.
Still, they are an option not mentioned yet and I dug their slap sound.
They were my first and only experience with flats and though I think they're a good string, they also helped me realize that flats aren't for me.
Still, they are an option not mentioned yet and I dug their slap sound.
Not at all in my experience - they were noticeably stiffer than the Daddario rounds it replaced when I tested chromes.
You can submit a request to the string manufacturer for a "deviation from intended playing style" and see what happens. Most string manufacturers have these forms on their websites. Until you receive a written response permitting the different playing style I would definitely not recommend slapping.
drumvsbass
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- Aug 20, 2011
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OK massive thread-drift now...
...I am SERIOUSLY considering DR Sunbeams. Like I said: thread-drift.
I only have one bass, and have to compromise. With my active EQ, P/J pups and a Boss GT-1B, I can dial-in old-school with most any string (within reason).
I tried DR Low Riders once, but they seemed inflexible (for rounds), and had kind-of a "clanky clunk" to my ears.
On YouTube, listening to various vids, the Sunbeams sound nice for chords and slap, and again, I can sort-of dial-in the "thud" with my rig.
While I can roll-off the highs with rounds, rolling-up the highs with flats is harder (for nice siunding chords).
Question: With medium gauge, do the Sunbeams have an OK "fundamental", so if I roll-off the highs, and add some "meat" with my myriad of effects, I can still get a bit of "thump"? I realize it won't sound the same as true flats, but after listening to so much Marcus Miller, my tastes are changing. Still hoping I have the option for sound similar to flats through a slightly over-driven tube-amp. My GT-1B has various amp and distortion modeling options. Looking at this set: Medium, (45, 65, 85, 105, 125). I see a 130 B is available, but ass-u-me that the 125 would be a bit tighter. Don't like a floppy B.
...I am SERIOUSLY considering DR Sunbeams. Like I said: thread-drift.
I only have one bass, and have to compromise. With my active EQ, P/J pups and a Boss GT-1B, I can dial-in old-school with most any string (within reason).
I tried DR Low Riders once, but they seemed inflexible (for rounds), and had kind-of a "clanky clunk" to my ears.
On YouTube, listening to various vids, the Sunbeams sound nice for chords and slap, and again, I can sort-of dial-in the "thud" with my rig.
While I can roll-off the highs with rounds, rolling-up the highs with flats is harder (for nice siunding chords).
Question: With medium gauge, do the Sunbeams have an OK "fundamental", so if I roll-off the highs, and add some "meat" with my myriad of effects, I can still get a bit of "thump"? I realize it won't sound the same as true flats, but after listening to so much Marcus Miller, my tastes are changing. Still hoping I have the option for sound similar to flats through a slightly over-driven tube-amp. My GT-1B has various amp and distortion modeling options. Looking at this set: Medium, (45, 65, 85, 105, 125). I see a 130 B is available, but ass-u-me that the 125 would be a bit tighter. Don't like a floppy B.
If the construction is similar, the 130 should be tighter (higher in tension) than the 125.
I've not played Sunbeams much, but I recall liking them more on some instruments than others.
I wonder if you might like the new GHS Balanced Tension Nickels. I'm trying a 4-string set, for the first time, on my main player. They definitely have more fundamental than other rounds I've played and slap fine - if you're feeling the Marcus influence, they're scooped, to my ears, which plays into that, without as much sheer top end.
I'm not sure if they're the string for me - I think I like more present and complex mids - but the feel is nice and even and the G-string doesn't sound thin. I can see why people dig them (and I am going to play on them a bit more before I make final judgement).
Can't comment on their B-string.
OK, went for the DR Sunbeams, 130 B.
My profound thanks to all here for the feedback. I realize I was "all over the map", but I'm just getting back into bass, and looking to get into things that flats are not ideal for. I only have the one bass, and funds are tight. In the past, I only used flats.
I always found that it all starts with the strings, so I always liked to find "the strings" for a given bass, so that I then have a firm foundation for:
My profound thanks to all here for the feedback. I realize I was "all over the map", but I'm just getting back into bass, and looking to get into things that flats are not ideal for. I only have the one bass, and funds are tight. In the past, I only used flats.
I always found that it all starts with the strings, so I always liked to find "the strings" for a given bass, so that I then have a firm foundation for:
- Neck adjustments - I don't like to change neck tension frequently, or much. Messed up a neck once decades ago, so I am careful now.
- Tone - I like to "know" my strings, so I can then adjust everything else. I like to have lots of "patches" for different kinds of music (more than the tone pot and pickup selector).
Larry Graham used nylon tapewounds in the 70´s, very funky sound.
