PINO PALLADINO SMOOTHIE FLATS

[Mike Vee]

Here's a very promising review from Amazon (although we don't know which gauge):

"Ok... I have been a flatwound player for a looong time. I've used EB, D'add, La Bella, Thomastik... but these are something else. I've never played a flatwound string that felt like this. The smoothness is perfectly glassy. It's honestly hard to describe. The tone is perfect - They sound vintage, warm, creamy - I absolutely get why these are Pino's signature sets. But seriously.... the feel is incomparable."

 

[Mike Vee]

The 108s don't fit in my E string nut so I won't be trying these. And the light gauges are way too thin.

Good luck!

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Wonder if they'll ever offer a 5 string set of these. The 4 string set is around 160aud in Aussieland. So I guess if they did, it'd be up around the 200 I spose

 

[FyllingenOy]

The 108s don't fit in my E string nut so I won't be trying these. And the light gauges are way too thin.

Good luck!

That's surprising, none of my Fenders have had any issues fitting E strings as thick as .110

 

[Swerve]

Here's a very promising review from Amazon (although we don't know which gauge):

"Ok... I have been a flatwound player for a looong time. I've used EB, D'add, La Bella, Thomastik... but these are something else. I've never played a flatwound string that felt like this. The smoothness is perfectly glassy. It's honestly hard to describe. The tone is perfect - They sound vintage, warm, creamy - I absolutely get why these are Pino's signature sets. But seriously.... the feel is incomparable."

Looks like they reviewed the extra light gauge. Too light for me, but the mediums might work. Though the gulf between the 108 E and 76 A seems quite extreme.

Also taking a guess here, but is the silk color a play on Pino's name? Like Pinot noir. Similar red wine color. Lol. I dig it.

Gonna be a guinea pig and order these soon.

 

[BruceG68]

I emailed them and asked them if they are round or hex core and what are the tension per string spec for the 98 set.They said they are hex core and have no tension specs.

 

[Mike Vee]

Looks like they reviewed the extra light gauge. Too light for me, but the mediums might work. Though the gulf between the 108 E and 76 A seems quite extreme.

Also taking a guess here, but is the silk color a play on Pino's name? Like Pinot noir. Similar red wine color. Lol. I dig it.

Gonna be a guinea pig and order these soon.

The silk is aqua blue. I posted it.

 

[Swerve]

The silk is aqua blue. I posted it.

Ah, weird the ad shows a different color.

 

[Mike Vee]

Ah, weird the ad shows a different color.

View attachment 7225356

It's aqua here too

 

[OldManNewBass]

Ah, weird the ad shows a different color.

View attachment 7225356

That is definitely not red...! ;^p

 

[Ricky Rioli]

So .... Pinot Grigio, then, right?

 

[Swerve]

It's aqua here too

Upon closer inspection that wine color I was seeing is just a reflection on the string. LOL

 

[Mike Vee]

Upon closer inspection that wine color I was seeing is just a reflection on the string. LOL


View attachment 7225644

Here's a better look:

 

[Mike Vee]

I have the 108s in hand. They feel and look amazing. I will be installing them by Saturday hopefully. The E seems like a very manageable size and feels pretty flexible. It doesn't strike me as overly thick. The rest of the gauges seem very very manageable, they match closely to many other flats' light gauges.

They also state on the package that they are made to be ultra low tension. We won't know until they go on though, ADG strings seemed very, very nice and flexi.

Again, compared to Cobalt flats they are a little more polished and have a tighter, smoother wrap. They seem more flexible but it's hard to tell just yet.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Is the winding length confirmed?

 

[ElectricBass72]

Gonna try the extra light smoothie flats sometime in the future on my Sire V5 Fretless. It has EB Cobalt flats since I got it new in '21... and they still sound great, so there's no rush. $80 on Amazon is a little too high, IMO. Hopefully, the price will drop.

 

[OldManNewBass]

Gonna try the extra light smoothie flats sometime in the future on my Sire V5 Fretless. It has EB Cobalt flats since I got it new in '21... and they still sound great, so there's no rush. $80 on Amazon is a little too high, IMO. Hopefully, the price will drop.

$80 is the price on Sweetwater as well, Ernie Ball seems to have tiered pricing for their (4-string) flats:

• Pino Smoothie Flats = $80
• Slinky Flats = $60
• Group Flats = $40

We can only hope the price might come down some, but if they last as long as TI Jazz Flats do, $80 might not be so bad...?

 

[Swerve]

My local Guitar Centers have these in stock, but only the light gauge. I went ahead and ordered the Medium set from Amazon since I get free overnight shipping. Can't wait to try them tomorrow. My plan is to install them on my American Performer Jazz.

 

[TwototheValley]

I managed to get a brief look at a medium set….very smooth, nice slick surface feel. Quality construction. The silks are teal….very close in many respects to Fender's ocean turquoise (if that's important to people).

Didn't really spend much time playing them, and the tension is too low for my liking, so I'll leave reports on their tactile and sonic qualities to others. I imagine these will be popular, even if the price isn't.

 

[Swerve]

Turns out my local Guitar Center does stock both the light and medium gauges.

First very quick and vague impression of the mediums on my Jazz:

Feel - Dunlops, very smooth
Tension - Slinky Flats, not too taut or too loose
Sound - GHS P/LaBella, dark and old school right out the gate

The 108 E is so much bigger than the 76 A it feels like I replaced the E string with a B. Doesn't bother me but something that was immediately noticeable.

I need a few days on these and a band rehearsal to really get a full impression but so far me likey.