Nickel 5 String Flats That Are Not Thomastik-Infeld?

[jnammy]

Are there any nickel 5 string flats that are not TIs? I have TIs but the B string is kinda quiet and the D and G strings are much louder than the rest. I like nickel though to keep fretwear at a minimum, that's why I'm asking. Seems like all of the 5 flats I've seen are steel.

 

[micguy]

Are there any nickel 5 string flats that are not TIs? I have TIs but the B string is kinda quiet and the D and G strings are much louder than the rest. I like nickel though to keep fretwear at a minimum, that's why I'm asking. Seems like all of the 5 flats I've seen are steel.

Stainless flats, while made of a harder material, are usually so smooth they don't really wear frets.

 

[iiipopes]

Try the Optima RB set and use either the TI B string or another Optima with this set. Additionally, they are better balanced string-to-string in tone and feel than TI's. Have you tweaked your pickup heights to help balance the tone and volume as well? It should be the opposite: the B and E strings louder and the D and G strings softer because of the different mass of the strings means you usually have to have the B side of the pickup lower than the G side. It appears someone overcompensated for standard NPS or SS rounds.

 

[jnammy]

Try the Optima RB set and use either the TI B string or another Optima with this set. Additionally, they are better balanced string-to-string in tone and feel than TI's. Have you tweaked your pickup heights to help balance the tone and volume as well? It should be the opposite: the B and E strings louder and the D and G strings softer because of the different mass of the strings means you usually have to have the B side of the pickup lower than the G side. It appears someone overcompensated for standard NPS or SS rounds.

Yes, I've adjusted the pickups a lot to compensate, but I'd rather have strings that are natively more balanced in string volume. I didn't see any Optima RB in 5 strings. I've been eyeing the LaBella Low Tension 5s, I wonder if they have even string volumes.

 

[sikamikanico]

I never had issues with string balance with TIs, but I have not tried them on a fiver either…still, I’d consider tweaking the setup further.

alternatives: I just learned about Dogal strings, seem interesting and their Hellborg flats are nickel… so are Pyramid.

but as mentioned above, SS flats don’t wear frets… so you can broaden your search…

 

[GIBrat51]

Yes, most flatwounds have a steel outer wrap. Not only that; most all of them are stainless steel. But, here's the thing;
Fret wear is mostly dependent - on you. If your playing style is "mash the strings through the frets"? Doesn't matter what that outer wrap is made of; your frets are pretty much gonna go away - real quick. Stainless rounds will probably make frets go away quicker that any other strings (they certainly did on my '78 P-Bass), but they, too, depend a lot on your playing style for that. So...
If you don't fret the strings any more than is really needed; if you don't play bends a lot; and if you dress your frets before the inevitable-with-any-string dents get really bad? Your frets will last for a long time. The small, thin, and very soft frets on my 73 Rick 4001 are still in beautiful shape. And, AFAIK, have never been dressed. Mainly because, although it's been played very hard - by several owners, - they didn't fret it like they were trying to crush a tick - and, because it's worn flats it's whole life. Mostly stainless flats...

 

[Jefenator]

Pyramid Gold flats are nickel IIRC.
I used to be a nickel guy but for flats they can be a little too dull - and expensive!

 

[iiipopes]

Yes, I've adjusted the pickups a lot to compensate, but I'd rather have strings that are natively more balanced in string volume. I didn't see any Optima RB in 5 strings. I've been eyeing the LaBella Low Tension 5s, I wonder if they have even string volumes.

La Bella are known for balance all the way around in tone and feel. I tried a 4-string set of LTF's, and liked their tone; I only changed out for 760FL because I needed a medium scale set. If you like the feel of the TI's, you will love the feel of the La Bella LTF's, especially since they changed their formula a few years ago and the A string is now balanced with the rest of the set.

Caveat: all flat wound B strings, indeed all B strings on a standard 34-inch scale, will be problematic, because of the difficulty in getting the balance of tone to match the rest of the set, but still thick enough to have enough tension for stability in tuning. I solve the issue by using one gauge smaller, for example, a D'A XL130 to go with a set of their 170BT 45-107 sets, and tune up from B to C. Since a flat B string is even smaller in diameter by comparison to try to get the overtones to match the rest of the set, tuning up would also a consideration for flats. Of course, as with all players being different, YMMV.

 

[jnammy]

La Bella are known for balance all the way around in tone and feel. I tried a 4-string set of LTF's, and liked their tone; I only changed out for 760FL because I needed a medium scale set. If you like the feel of the TI's, you will love the feel of the La Bella LTF's, especially since they changed their formula a few years ago and the A string is now balanced with the rest of the set.

Caveat: all flat wound B strings, indeed all B strings on a standard 34-inch scale, will be problematic, because of the difficulty in getting the balance of tone to match the rest of the set, but still thick enough to have enough tension for stability in tuning. I solve the issue by using one gauge smaller, for example, a D'A XL130 to go with a set of their 170BT 45-107 sets, and tune up from B to C. Since a flat B string is even smaller in diameter by comparison to try to get the overtones to match the rest of the set, tuning up would also a consideration for flats. Of course, as with all players being different, YMMV.

Thanks for letting me know that the LTFs have balanced tone/volume across all of their strings. I didn't realize LTF 5s only came in long or short scale. Is it an issue to put on long scale strings on a 34" 5 string? What's confusing is that some strings say that their long scale strings are made for 34" basses, like Pyramid Gold.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks for letting me know that the LTFs have balanced tone/volume across all of their strings. I didn't realize LTF 5s only came in long or short scale. Is it an issue to put on long scale strings on a 34" 5 string? What's confusing is that some strings say that their long scale strings are made for 34" basses, like Pyramid Gold.

34" scale = "long scale". The La Bella "long scale" LTFs are designed to fit properly on a 34" scale bass when top-loaded (vs. thru-body).

 

[jnammy]

Thanks for clearing that up, Michael, looks like the LFT 5 is the way to go.

 

[maturanesa]

Are there any nickel 5 string flats that are not TIs? I have TIs but the B string is kinda quiet and the D and G strings are much louder than the rest. I like nickel though to keep fretwear at a minimum, that's why I'm asking. Seems like all of the 5 flats I've seen are steel.

Fretwear is produced because roudwounds sand the frets with their bumps not because you bend the fret with your preassure(unless you grip like king kong). Any flat, stainless or nickel, just slide in the fret. Flats and frets are two flat polished surfaces, there is no risk of chewing the frets. You can use stainlesl flats and never have to refret your bass.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I've never had any balance issues with the 5-string TIJF sets. I've currently got them on my SR2605 and they sound very balanced. In fact, they might have the tonally best balanced B-string I've ever played. I generally don't like 5-string basses very much because I don't like the different timbre of the B-string. The TIs are better than most other brands in this respect IMO. At least that's my experience but I only play 5-string basses when I absolutely have to.

I think Optima flats have nickel wrapping too. The RB sets (round core, light gauges, very supple "feel", somewhat similar "feel" as the TIs) are not available as 5-string sets. The Optima Chromes (hex core, stiffer) are available as 5-string sets though. The Optima Chromes have a more similar "feel" to other old school flats, like LaBella DTFs, but maybe a tad less stiff/thumpy. They're very good strings and one of my favourite flats but not nearly as supple/flexible/articulate as the TIs. More thumpy/mellow once they're broken in. Think a slightly less thumpy and slightly more articulate set of LaBella DTFs but still very much an "old school" flats vibe. I've never tried the 5-string sets though so I have no idea if the B-string is any good.

I think Pyramid Golds also have nickel wrapping but they start to get a bit unbalanced even on the E-string, which is very thumpy and "dead" compared to the rest. I suspect the B-string might not be very good. I've never actually tested them on a 5-string but Pyramid Golds are generally much better on short scale basses IMO. The short scale sets are perfectly balanced and my favourite strings EVER. The long scale sets... are not.

Apart from that I can't think of any nickel wrapping flats???