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recommendation for a first set off flat wounds?
- Thread starter DuluthDank
- Start date
D
I really don't get all the recommendations for Chromes. I mean, here's a person with apparantly no experience with flatwound strings and you recommend the one flatwound string that doesn't sound like a classic flatwound at all??? For me personally the Chromes are more about retaining the bright, upper mid focused sound of roundwounds on fretless basses without ruining your fretboard. On most basses I find them harsh and clanky (but I actually like them on piezo equipped fretless basses).
I would never in a million years recommend Chromes to someone who is getting into flatwounds for the first time unless it's clearly specified that they only want flats for the smooth physical surface but want to retain the brighter, metallic sound of rounds. THAT's what Chromes are about for me. The OP clearly states that he wants a less bright sound with focus on the lower mids. So unless the OP is mistaken about what kind of sound he's really after, or some of you have inside information confirming that the bass player in King Gizzard uses Chromes... I'd say the Chromes should be pretty much near the bottom of the list for recommendations in this case.
Of course Chromes will settle in and lose some brightness over time like any other strings but unlike other flats I just don't think they sound better when broken in. Some strings get better after a long period of use, some just go dead. Chromes are in the latter category for me. And if I DID want a Chromes-style "modern flats" sound I would much rather recommend the Fender flats (can't remember the product number...), they're quite similar IMO (also manufactured by D'Addario I think?) but just... nicer.
Just my personal opinion of course.
I would never in a million years recommend Chromes to someone who is getting into flatwounds for the first time unless it's clearly specified that they only want flats for the smooth physical surface but want to retain the brighter, metallic sound of rounds. THAT's what Chromes are about for me. The OP clearly states that he wants a less bright sound with focus on the lower mids. So unless the OP is mistaken about what kind of sound he's really after, or some of you have inside information confirming that the bass player in King Gizzard uses Chromes... I'd say the Chromes should be pretty much near the bottom of the list for recommendations in this case.
Of course Chromes will settle in and lose some brightness over time like any other strings but unlike other flats I just don't think they sound better when broken in. Some strings get better after a long period of use, some just go dead. Chromes are in the latter category for me. And if I DID want a Chromes-style "modern flats" sound I would much rather recommend the Fender flats (can't remember the product number...), they're quite similar IMO (also manufactured by D'Addario I think?) but just... nicer.
Just my personal opinion of course.
Thomastik JF 344.
I'm using now almost only flats after 30 years of rounds. I remember that I found it not so comfortable to start using the flats. I actually come three times back to rounds. But after trying the Thomastik JF 344 I keep the flats.
Now I'm using them and thick La Bellas (s.c. Jamerson-set, 0760M) on my passive 7enders. (Tele, 51-style P, 57-style P and J)
I'm using now almost only flats after 30 years of rounds. I remember that I found it not so comfortable to start using the flats. I actually come three times back to rounds. But after trying the Thomastik JF 344 I keep the flats.
Now I'm using them and thick La Bellas (s.c. Jamerson-set, 0760M) on my passive 7enders. (Tele, 51-style P, 57-style P and J)
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It will depend on your bass, amongst other things. But have you considered GHS pressurewounds?
I'm not sure how they could be mistaken for anything but flats. Yes, they're a little brighter and retain that brightness a little better, but to my ear, especially as a long-time rounds user, they're unmistakably not rounds.
Exhibit A below. I wish that the JMJ video had better quality.
Any flats that are just strung up will be bright, that video as mentioned is a bad example of how they sound once broken in.
D
Yeah, you're right. I agree that they can't be mistaken for actually being rounds but I don't think they can be mistaken for being any other flats either (with the exception of the Fenders or any similarly voiced "modern" sounding flats I haven't tried). Chromes have that hollow clank in the upper mids that many roundwounds have. Classic, old school flatwounds aren't like that.
I'm not saying that's necessarily bad. What I was trying to say was that when someone asks about advice for their first set of flats I kinda assume they want a more classic flats sound. And in this case, when the OP specifically wants a darker, more lower mid focused sound, it doesn't make sense to me when people recommend the brightest flats out there!?!?
FWIW Lucas Skinner, of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Invalid Link Removed.
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D
Interesting. But I would take it with a grain of salt. A lot of the gear that is listed on that website as "used by xxx" is clearly wrong or in the "spotted once on a gig in 1983"-category.
Three pages and no one has suggested Dunlops? Not to pricy and sound /feel great.
Having said that, I play TI's on my go to bass. But as others have noted pretty pricy and may not be for you. Dunlops gets my vote.
Having said that, I play TI's on my go to bass. But as others have noted pretty pricy and may not be for you. Dunlops gets my vote.
I've tried a few different FW sets over the years. All the usual suspects. I always went back to rounds. But I just recently tried a set of TIs. They sound and feel great to me. On a Sting 4 no less. Do yourself a favor and try those first.
As far as expense... yes $70 is an expensive set of strings. But how many of us have spent 100x that amount on other gear over the years. It's a month's worth of lattes, not a second mortgage on your home.
As far as expense... yes $70 is an expensive set of strings. But how many of us have spent 100x that amount on other gear over the years. It's a month's worth of lattes, not a second mortgage on your home.
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My guess is that Chromes and Fender flats are made in the same factory. They look and sound similar.
I really like labella low tension flats. No matter what you select, watch out for string diameter. If the set you get is smaller dia. than the strings being replaced, they might lead to having to have some work done on the nut of your bass. Bigger strings = wider nut grooves.
One whole day and 59 posts...
I'm still waiting for the OP, @DuluthDank, to respond to my question in post #2.
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