NSD: First Time. Flats.

[maplenecked]

Changed the strings on my bass for the first time ever last night. Was a little apprehensive because I’ve always bought guitars with locking tuners and haven’t had any experience with string winding. After watching a couple of YouTube videos, I gave it a shot!

Went with the D’addario Chrome Flats 45’s.

Just started playing in October and didn’t know anything when I picked up this SUB except what I know about Sterling’s guitars (that I knew it would have a decent setup and easy truss rod access, got a great deal on it). However, since then, I’ve learned that I prefer a passive bass. So I thought I’d experiment with flats to help this thing simmer down a bit.

My first impression is that it reminds me of when I switched from 9 to 10 gauge strings on guitar. Every thing feels more solid, focused, and singing. The comfort of the flat strings is incredible. I’m anxious to see how the character evolves over time. The bass is still smoking hot with that pre-amp tho!

I’ve been monitoring the neck since I’ve read that flats have higher tension than rounds and so far it’s ok. I was mostly relieved there were no nut/string height issues. I will double check the intonation tonight.

Anyway, since I stepped into the bass world just a few months ago, I am really digging it. And thanks for the hours of reading available to me here, appreciate you all.

Here are some pics of the new strings, did I screw it up? Thanks, new bass fam

 

[jallenbass]

Those are great basses but you're right that the electronics are hot. I like flats on MusicMan style basses but you can never really tame them.

 

[Linnin]

Here are some pics of the new strings, did I screw it up?

Looks like you did an excellent job! Far better than I did on my first string change. You did string through the bridge, right?

 

[michael_t]

I’ve been monitoring the neck since I’ve read that flats have higher tension than rounds and so far it’s ok.

When they talk about flats being "high tension", it refers more to their "stiffness" than the actual pulling weight. When a flat ribbon wire is wound tightly, the whole thing becomes rigid. Doesn't necessarily mean they're that much harder on the neck of your bass than rounds, although there may be a slight increase in the overall tension.

The very first set of flats I ever tried was D'A Chromes ECB84 (40-60-80-100). I was using the EXL165 Nickel rounds (45-65-85-105) at the time and I had read on TB I should go down one step in gauges when switching from rounds to flats to maintain the same playability. They did work out alright.

Keep in mind flats do take longer to break in and settle before they start showing their true character, so make sure to give them adequate time (min. 3 mths) before passing any judgment.

 

[maplenecked]

Looks like you did an excellent job! Far better than I did on my first string change. You did string through the bridge, right?

Yep was my only option, I did read about the body-through kink being a little much for flats, would that be the case for chromes?

 

[maplenecked]

When they talk about flats being "high tension", it refers more to their "stiffness" than the actual pulling weight. When a flat ribbon wire is wound tightly, the whole thing becomes rigid. Doesn't necessarily mean they're that much harder on the neck of your bass than rounds, although there may be a slight increase in the overall tension.

The very first set of flats I ever tried was D'A Chromes ECB84 (40-60-80-100). I was using the EXL165 Nickel rounds (45-65-85-105) at the time and I had read on TB I should go down one step in gauges when switching from rounds to flats to maintain the same playability. They did work out alright.

Keep in mind flats do take longer to break in and settle before they start showing their true character, so make sure to give them adequate time (min. 3 mths) before passing any judgment.

So far I really like them, I'm curious if my opinion on them will improve in 3 months! Thanks for clearing up the neck tension thing, you're right they do feel like they have more tension and I am really liking that, I feel like it helps me on some faster passages.

 

[maplenecked]

Those are great basses but you're right that the electronics are hot. I like flats on MusicMan style basses but you can never really tame them.

Lol not even by locking her in a case when my new passive bass comes? Lol she'll still be kickin' and screamin in there

 

[Linnin]

Yep was my only option, I did read about the body-through kink being a little much for flats, would that be the case for chromes?

As far as I am concerned, yes. If you want to keep your flats long term the straighter the string pull the better.

 

[GIBrat51]

Yep was my only option, I did read about the body-through kink being a little much for flats, would that be the case for chromes?

Sometimes people get away with it... and sometimes they don't. And, some flats are more tolerant of being treated like that, than others. LaBella makes flats that are specifically made for string-through bridges... but, you got away with it with the Chromes, and, if you like the sound, then it's all good. And, yes, michael_t is right. Don't confuse "tension" (weight of pull) with simple "Stiffness". When round wounds were a new thing, some companies (like Rickenbacker) would void your warranty if you used rounds, because their tension actually was higher than the flat wounds commonly in use then. These days, the tension of most common string sets - rounds or flats - are pretty much the same. Flat wounds do feel stiffer than lots of rounds, because they often are stiffer. But, rounds with a large diameter hexagonal wire core - like, say, GHS Boomers - are pretty darn stiff, too. I know, 'cause I use them... Ultimately, how they feel just depends on the construction of the string...

 

[HaphAsSard]

When round wounds were a new thing, some companies (like Rickenbacker) would void your warranty if you used rounds, because their tension actually was higher than the flat wounds commonly in use then. These days, the tension of most common string sets - rounds or flats - are pretty much the same.

Hm, I've never bought into that. At least some La Bellas or Fender flatwounds must have been tighter, more neckey-pulley, than Rotosound Swing Bass sets, then as now. Either the Rotos were tighter than the specific Maxima flats that Rickenbackers came with as opposed to every flat available at the time, and this I'd certainly believe, or RIC's note on voided warranty because of rounds having more tension concealed a lack of confidence in the short-term durability of their fretwire against roundwounds...

 

[Aidil]

Yep was my only option, I did read about the body-through kink being a little much for flats, would that be the case for chromes?

Don't worry about the thru-body stringing thing on your Chromes... just enjoy playing them. I strung my first set of Chromes thru-body too. No issue with breaking/snapping at all. Even when I took them off and put them on another bass, from fretted to fretless one, they still sang. I did try to straighten the bent points as best as I could and of course they could not recover fully straight. Yet, they were still awesome and I could use them for years after until I sold them with the bass.

 

[cool breeze]

I installed a GFS pickup on my SUB and now have Rotosounds on it. The pickup calmed the electronics down and the bass sits well in the mix.
Keep us posted on your experience with the chromes. Before the pickup change I had them on my bass for a year but could never get past the boomy E.

 

[briandavismurph]

Changed the strings on my bass for the first time ever last night. Was a little apprehensive because I’ve always bought guitars with locking tuners and haven’t had any experience with string winding. After watching a couple of YouTube videos, I gave it a shot!

Went with the D’addario Chrome Flats 45’s.

Just started playing in October and didn’t know anything when I picked up this SUB except what I know about Sterling’s guitars (that I knew it would have a decent setup and easy truss rod access, got a great deal on it). However, since then, I’ve learned that I prefer a passive bass. So I thought I’d experiment with flats to help this thing simmer down a bit.

My first impression is that it reminds me of when I switched from 9 to 10 gauge strings on guitar. Every thing feels more solid, focused, and singing. The comfort of the flat strings is incredible. I’m anxious to see how the character evolves over time. The bass is still smoking hot with that pre-amp tho!

I’ve been monitoring the neck since I’ve read that flats have higher tension than rounds and so far it’s ok. I was mostly relieved there were no nut/string height issues. I will double check the intonation tonight.

Anyway, since I stepped into the bass world just a few months ago, I am really digging it. And thanks for the hours of reading available to me here, appreciate you all.

Here are some pics of the new strings, did I screw it up? Thanks, new bass fam

Coming from rounds to flats you will enjoy the new sound of slides and glides and your fingers will thank you for the smooth feel as well. Try using a piece of sponge below the strings at the bridge on songs your looking to dampen the ring. Works really well on some songs particularly Motown stuff.