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Recommend me some heavy gauge flatwound strings

M

Markpotato

Jul 19, 2012
92
3
Eureka Springs, AR
Disclosures
Luthier, Sorrentino Guitars
#1
Who makes good sounding flatwound strings in heavier than normal gauges? I wanted to go with Thomastik Infeld but the bass (5 string fretless) will be tuned a whole step down and I suspect the low strings might be flabby with this tuning. If not, please correct me.

I want some quality flats that don't sound like garbage. I think Thomastik Infelds sound incredible compared to Daddario Chromes, which I think sound like mud.

Bass is to be made with 34" scale unless I'd be better off making it 35".
 
#4
If you really like the sound of TI flats adjust your technique to their soft feel because nothing else comes close to how they sound. It's not as difficult as it might seem right now and when you do they will become even more alive and full of nuance.

And FYI if you disliked Chromes because they sounded muddy you'll hate any La Bella set. Chromes are actually a fairly bright sounding flat.
 
#6
I've used all of them... I LOVE D'Addario Chromes. I also love Rotosound Jazz Bass flats. The Rotosounds are almost as 'ringy' as rounds, and they last an incredibly long time. The downside, is they are VERY high tension. and if you cannot handle that, they're not for you. The upside- is you can get the action quite close when setting up the bass, and they play amazingly well. The Chromes have the best initial tone, and time related break-in period. The Rotosounds seem to just go from zingy to just a bit less zingy! I like the LaBella flats on my Danelectros, but don't play them enough to speak about the long term break in characteristics.
The TI flats are amazing strings- but FAR too light and flexible for me, and a lot of other bassists.
 
#10
Interesting. The Rotosounds might be worth a try, since high tension is kind of what I'm looking for here. My friend who the bass is for likes the sound of P basses and wants to get close to the sound and feel of those, except that this will be a fretless 5 string tuned a step down. I know a fretless will never sound like a fretted but I want to avoid dullness as much as I can in favor of crisp rich tone. Moral of the story, tone is the main factor here, while achieving the step down tuning. Thanks for the replies.
 
#11
Jeff Bonny said:
If you really like the sound of TI flats adjust your technique to their soft feel because nothing else comes close to how they sound. It's not as difficult as it might seem right now and when you do they will become even more alive and full of nuance.
Click to expand...

I'm very skeptical that this will work out. I just tuned the TI Flats on my 4 string P-Bass to DGCF and for me that's unplayable. Maybe if one sets the action much higher and plays very carefully it might work.

Also, the sound of the strings became notebly darker, the fretted E,A,D and G are now less zingy.

On the plus side one can now make crazy string bending.

Bass is to be made with 34" scale unless I'd be better off making it 35".
Click to expand...
35", better save then sorry.
 
#12
Camaro said:
I'm very skeptical that this will work out. I just tuned the TI Flats on my 4 string P-Bass to DGCF and for me that's unplayable. Maybe if one sets the action much higher and plays very carefully it might work.
Click to expand...

Unplayable? I guess I'd have to see the setup on your bass and how you're playing it to understand why it isn't working for you. Yes it's very loose but on a Jazz neck with very medium high action I can cope pretty easily....and I regularly tune down a half step for a couple of bands I play with. I don't even play with a lighter touch I play closer to the bridge.

As much as anything else though I was saying that there really isn't any other flat out there that sounds like the TIs.....there just isn't. Honestly if that's the sound you want but really feel you need a heavier gauge go with nickel rounds and a little high end rolled off. You'll get closer doing that than you will with any other flat.
 
#13
Heavy gauge flats that come to mind are: 1) Rotosound 50-110
2) Labella 0760M Original 1954 aka 'Jamersons' 52-110
3) Ernie Ball Group I. The gauge is 55-110

I don't know, off-hand, what the gauge of the 5th string is with the above sets.

TIs are quite small in gauge, although the 5th string is a fatty.
 
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#16
Webstrings' flats are higher tension than usual. Such that most people end up going with the light guage. Which is why they are often sold out. The point is, the .105 or .110 set should be plenty stiff for you. They are perfectly smooth, no finger grabbing.
 
#17
Markpotato said:
Who makes good sounding flatwound strings in heavier than normal gauges? I wanted to go with Thomastik Infeld but the bass (5 string fretless) will be tuned a whole step down and I suspect the low strings might be flabby with this tuning. If not, please correct me.

I want some quality flats that don't sound like garbage. I think Thomastik Infelds sound incredible compared to Daddario Chromes, which I think sound like mud.

Bass is to be made with 34" scale unless I'd be better off making it 35".
Click to expand...

To answer that - I don't know about 5 strings, but 4 strings I use is the best...- I agree with below comments I quote

DTB-0760MBvintage-351x356.jpg

jbl71004 said:
I now have Labella Deep Talkin Flats on all my basses. Tried many others in the meantime but always go back to the Labellas. Best string on the market, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

aus_bass said:
La Bella Deep Talkin' "Original 1954". .052 - .128 flats. Awesome "heavy" flats. Genuine fat old-school thump.

Invalid Link Removed

Heavy tension on these, but tuning a step down would make them perfect. IMHO
Click to expand...

Root 5 said:
Labella 0760M Original 1954 aka 'Jamersons' 52-110
Click to expand...

Mojo-Man said:
La Bella original 1954's.
Heavy indeed.
Click to expand...
 
#18
Tuning a whole step down? The Rotos might really fit the bill here. I was using Roto rounds (RS66, 105 E string, etc) until I joined a band playing half step down. I remembered the high tension of the Roto flats (RS 77, 105 E string) and decided to put those on to compensate for tuning down. It worked really well. It also converted me to a flats player for good......

Weird thing is, I eventually tried TIs and once I got used to the feel, I love 'em, even tuned a half step down. But, I have really changed my technique, this was about a two year evolution if you will.

That said, I can't imaging working with TIs a whole step down, unless I radically changed the setup of my bass, they'd just be too loose.
 

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