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recommendation for a first set off flat wounds?

DuluthDank

DuluthDank

May 11, 2008
2,115
3,365
Minneapolis, MN
#1
I've always played rounds, and i'm currently playing a very old set of Hi Beams. I find that I'm interested in cutting highs and living in low-mid land these days. I just started listening to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and am really enjoying that bass players tone in that mix. So, what set of flat wounds would you suggest for a person's first ever set?
 
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#2
DuluthDank said:
I've always played rounds, and i'm currently playing a very old set of Hi Beams. I find that I'm interested in cutting highs and living in low-mid land these days.
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Going from the Hi Beams (stainless steel rounds) to flats is a rather drastic transition.

How about rounds or semi-rounds at the mellower/less zingy end of the roundwound tonal spectrum? Would you be open to that?
 
#5
Kro said:
IMO Chromes make for a decent gateway flat. They start bright like rounds (with a little more thump), and then mellow over time giving the ear time to get acclimated to the change... and addicted to the tone. :p
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+1
I played rounds for about 30 years, mostly Dad XL's or EB Slinky, till I discovered Chromes and never looked back. Try ECB-84. They are .40-.95 and will be a bit lighter tension than the ECB-81.
B.
 
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#6
BLDavis said:
Try ECB-84. They are .40-.95 and will be a bit lighter tension than the ECB-81.
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ECB84 = 40-60-80-100.
ECB80 = 40-60-75-95.

My very first encounter with flats was the Chromes ECB84, and they served the purpose of introducing me to the joy of flats.

If the OP insists on trying a set of flats, I would also suggest the Fender 9050L (45-100), which are "affordable, middle-of-the-road, all-purpose flats". Not overly "old-school", and once broken in, they provide a nice low-mid punch.
 
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#7
michael_t said:
ECB84 = 40-60-80-100.
ECB80 = 40-60-75-95.

My very first encounter with flats was the Chromes ECB84, and they served the purpose of introducing me to the joy of flats.

If the OP insists on trying a set of flats, I would also suggest the Fender 9050L (45-100), which are "affordable, middle-of-the-road, all-purpose flats". Not overly "old-school", and once broken in, they provide a nice low-mid punch.
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Oops! Thanks for catching my mistake Michael-T. ECB-80 is the way to go for starters. I like the 84's for a little more umpf from the low E string.
B.
 
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#8
My first and only set of flats is Chrome super light, and I love them. I tried D’A half rounds, I liked the sound but hated the feel. Tried these on a whim and very glad i did. I actually had to loosen the truss rod so they seem to be low tension (coming from Fender 7250 rounds)
 
#12
I would try some GHS pressure wounds. They’ll retain some high end sizzle of rounds while giving you the smooth feel and finger noise elimination that flats are known for. They’ll make for a nice middle ground where you’re coming from.

If you like those and want to go all in on the thump factor, you can transition to a more traditional flat (I recommend LaBella DTF or EB Cobalts) down the road. The Chromes, as mentioned, are nice as well.

I wouldn’t recommend a low tension set unless you can try before you buy or your willing to spend some money on outright experimentation. They’re not for everyone.
 
#13
Since you mentioned "low mids," the first string that came to my mind was thick and that means GHS Precision Flats. I think they have some of the best when shooting for low mids and lows. But they are old school sounding and feel like glass! Next might be LaBella's after they settle. Fender's are definitely moving up the mid chain. TIs are more mid to upper mids. Chromes in some settings actually lack low mids. Upper, upper mids is really their thing whenever I've tried them. They are in some ways as close to rounds as you can get for a flat. I think this is why many who like rounds love them. It's not because they have the traditional lower mid thump. There is another option but it's an expensive one. Pyramid Gold Flats. I don't recommend them unless you know exactly what you're getting.

In the end, you'll just have to get some ideas and pull the trigger. And likely you'll be hooked on flats. Remember, everyone's experience is affected by what they are playing through as much as anything, so take all recommendations with that in mind. What string might sound great through one rig may not through another.

If stiffness may be a problem, try a lighter gauge. It's not the same thing but can help with that problem.
 
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#14
If you're chasing one particular style of flatwound bass sound you really need to know what kind of flats was used. Flats can differ a LOT more in sound than rounds. You've got the high tension old school thumpy Motown style flats like LaBellas and GHS Precision Flats. Then you've got your "instant 60s beat" Pyramid Gold. Then there's the (almost painfully) high tension Rotosound 77s that just SCREAM British 70s rock and have the loveliest mids in any string known to man (in my humble opinion of course). Then you've got the bright, bordering on harsh metallic D'Addario Chromes (can you tell I'm not a fan?) and the similar but somehow nicer (again: IMHO) Fender Flats. We've also got the extremely low tension (some would say wet noodles) Thomastik Jazz Flats that are also very bright but in a smoother more organic way with a hint of an orchestral double bass vibe in there.

Even when going from the most mellow nickle rounds to the brightest stainless steel rounds you won't come close to the range of sounds you can get from different flats. And rounds just SOUND different. Different flats can FEEL completely different too. Massive differences in tension, sustain and general VIBE!

If you're going for a specific King Gizzard sound you really need to know what kind of strings the bass player used. And having listened a bit to that band I suspect he has used quite a few different types of strings over the years so you'd probably have to narrow it down to albums or even songs!

And if you're looking for flats I would definitely not go for any middle-of-the-road solutions like half-rounds, pressurewounds or whatever different manufacturers call them. They won't be what you're looking for.

Oh, and most flats start out surprisingly bright and usually not in a nice way. Some of them take a LONG time to break in. Months rather than weeks. Some fanatics would say YEARS and guard their 30 years old flats with their lives!
 
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#16
DuluthDank said:
I've always played rounds, and i'm currently playing a very old set of Hi Beams. I find that I'm interested in cutting highs and living in low-mid land these days. I just started listening to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and am really enjoying that bass players tone in that mix. So, what set of flat wounds would you suggest for a person's first ever set?
Click to expand...
Their bass player seems to have a pretty classic, low mid focused tone. Cool band!
I’d suggest any of the following based on the sound I’ve heard on the KGATLW tunes I’ve heard & their KEXP performances I’ve watched:
- GHS Precision Flats (Light 3025 set)- lower price, nice fat sound with the low mid heft you seek
- La Bella Low Tension- mid price, a little more round & woody than the GHS
- Pyramid Gold Flats (the lighter 640/1 set 40-105 are what I have on 2 Basses) high price, nickel, round core, smooth as a baby’s ass, classic bubbly 60s soul heaven

I can dig everyone’s recommendation on the Chromes, but I’d humbly suggest a more old school Flat with moderate tension. None of the sets I’ve mentioned have an awkward clanky sound when new, so you can hit the ground running.

Also, consider going top shelf right off the bat. Why? Because you may save yourself the extra expense of buying a less expensive set, liking them, but wondering “What about the fancy stuff?” and then upgrading out of curiosity :laugh:
 
#17
I recently took the flatwound plunge, as well. Put a set of used Chromes on my Fernandes and a new set of LaBella Low Tension Flats on the Carvin. I think I like the Chromes better but it's still early. Next go-round, I'm looking at a custom set of Chromes which will put me in LTF territory.

Riis
 
#18
I used La Bella, Rotosound and Chromes only. S.F.Sorrow explained what i am going to say already :)
Chromes were too bright for me, i use Rotosound or La Bellasi if i can find any of them in my country. I also heard comments about Fender Stainless Steel flats are nice and underrated, might try them with my new bass, if cant find Rotos.
 

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