L2000 + D’Addario chromes =
I love Chromes on my flat basses, but they take a bit to "come in".
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New to flats... which bass? Which Strings?
- Thread starter TheReceder
- Start date
I love Chromes on my flat basses, but they take a bit to "come in".
I have Chrome flats on my Passive P, love them on it. EB-0 likes Labella flexible
It’s hard to guess beforehand which will match best with any particular instrument
It’s hard to guess beforehand which will match best with any particular instrument
I’m a TI guy but I’d you want zing, I personally think getting Dunlop or DRs would serve you better.
Are you unhappy with the sound of any of your basses? Like, do any of them seem to have a "baked in" tone that is too zingy or harsh for your liking? The right set of flats could help to remedy that. Maybe that is one way of approaching the question.
What sets of rounds do you normally use? Do you have any strong preferences when it comes to string tension / stiffness?
I think Ernie Ball Stainless Steel ("Group") flats are a very nice middle-of-the-road choice to begin experimenting with. Which set you choose will depend on how stiff (or not) you like your strings to feel. I really like the Group IV set, which is the lightest set, as I like my strings to feel flexible.
What sets of rounds do you normally use? Do you have any strong preferences when it comes to string tension / stiffness?
I think Ernie Ball Stainless Steel ("Group") flats are a very nice middle-of-the-road choice to begin experimenting with. Which set you choose will depend on how stiff (or not) you like your strings to feel. I really like the Group IV set, which is the lightest set, as I like my strings to feel flexible.
Honestly since he has a Rick 4003, I’d just use that. It does the vintage flatwound bass tones really well too.
Of the basses listed I have Jazz Basses and Stingrays.
TIs on both Stingrays and on one Jazz.
I also have Jazz's with EB Cobalt Flats & Dunlops.
TIs on both Stingrays and on one Jazz.
I also have Jazz's with EB Cobalt Flats & Dunlops.
I’d go with TI flats. I’ve tried the other flats, nothing else sounds or feels like TIJF’s. Worth every penny.
Next I’d look at my collection and figure out what is the longest string length I’d need for each string. Eg: four in line headstock, needs longer D and G strings…
Install the strings on the long string basses. Try to get extra wraps on the tuners and trim the silks as long as you can.
Then work your way through the stable with your set of TI flats. I’d want to try them all with the flats.
Take off the current set of rounds. Install the TI flats, do a set up. Give it a week. Next bass. And so on.
Think about soaking the old rounds in denatured alcohol and wiping them down. Label them. Swap the rounds to another bass. And so on.
You’ll be busy for months, and every bass will get a different set of strings. But you’ll have only bought the one set of TI flats. They last forever. I move them from bass to bass for years.
FretNation.com for strings and singles if you need an extra G.
Heck you could go crazy and try E-C on a fiver or B-D on a four.
So many strings to try.
Next I’d look at my collection and figure out what is the longest string length I’d need for each string. Eg: four in line headstock, needs longer D and G strings…
Install the strings on the long string basses. Try to get extra wraps on the tuners and trim the silks as long as you can.
Then work your way through the stable with your set of TI flats. I’d want to try them all with the flats.
Take off the current set of rounds. Install the TI flats, do a set up. Give it a week. Next bass. And so on.
Think about soaking the old rounds in denatured alcohol and wiping them down. Label them. Swap the rounds to another bass. And so on.
You’ll be busy for months, and every bass will get a different set of strings. But you’ll have only bought the one set of TI flats. They last forever. I move them from bass to bass for years.
FretNation.com for strings and singles if you need an extra G.
Heck you could go crazy and try E-C on a fiver or B-D on a four.
So many strings to try.
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I prefer Fender 9050L over LaBella's, better mids. I have DR legend's on my Yamaha BB435A. I like them a lot. This bass has a P pickup. Flats would sound good on any bass, but like others here said. Something about a P bass or P pickup. They really stand out.
Carrots my dude.
Honestly I wouldn't worry about which bass to commit flats to until you confirm you actually like flats first. Maybe you'll love them, but I got really bored of them after around a month and never looked back.
Honestly I wouldn't worry about which bass to commit flats to until you confirm you actually like flats first. Maybe you'll love them, but I got really bored of them after around a month and never looked back.
i have a MM Sterling (NOT sterling by MM) and Chromes and the sound is just lovely. i am generally a bright round wound guy but on this bass the flats sound is perfect. i also have Chromes on a G&L JB and it sounds great as well. i use round wounds on many other basses that i gig with regularly but i think the Music Man was just built for flats. give it a try! play what you like!
On your list, the G&L or the Foundation. Do not listen to the jokers telling you to buy a P-Bass
The real question is: which bass not to put flats on? (In my case that would be one or two w/ active EQ for that "modern" sound when called for.)
IME Tis are a nice way to ease in. Chromes may be a little more tense but bright. Labella DTFs are a good middle of the road choice - popular on P-bass for a reason. Pyramid Gold can be a little dull, but my J-bass brought then to life. Labella Jameson flats wear my hands out (and I play upright too) but they might be the ultimate for "THUMP".
IME Tis are a nice way to ease in. Chromes may be a little more tense but bright. Labella DTFs are a good middle of the road choice - popular on P-bass for a reason. Pyramid Gold can be a little dull, but my J-bass brought then to life. Labella Jameson flats wear my hands out (and I play upright too) but they might be the ultimate for "THUMP".
Oh, i see 75 Jazz bass on your list, suggest Cobalt Flat . But, cobalt flat never sound like traditional or old school vibe..
T-bird also well match with Cobalt flat too, especially pick playing !
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
I voted for the Affinity Frankenbass, but the L2000 would be an equally great choice in my opinion. I don't think you can go wrong with La Bella or TI flats to start with.
If you find yourself enjoying the feel of flats, I'd strongly recommend checking out EB cobalt flats on your StingRay or Jazz Bass. I just put some on my Sire V7 and I love the tone. Already ordered a set for my StingRay for whenever its current rounds go dead.
If you find yourself enjoying the feel of flats, I'd strongly recommend checking out EB cobalt flats on your StingRay or Jazz Bass. I just put some on my Sire V7 and I love the tone. Already ordered a set for my StingRay for whenever its current rounds go dead.
