Searching new "In Between" flats to replace the Cobalts

[Basspaolo]

I’m looking to try a new set of flat (or half-flat) strings on my Precision Bass (alder body, rosewood fingerboard, EMG Geezer Butler pickup).
I’ve been using Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats for years, are fantastic strings (I use them on my musicman now) but now I’d like something different to have a sound further away from the rounds.
The problem is that I haven’t found that sound in any of the flats or half-rounds I’ve tried so far on this bass.

Here’s what I’ve tested on this P-Bass and don’t want to go back to:

• Fender 9050: too much low-mid content and too little sustain; I actually like them much better on my Jazz Bass.
• Thomastik-Infeld: too low tension and too mid-focused for this Precision.
• GHS Pressurewounds: didn’t love them on this bass, they work better on my Jazz Bass.

What would you recommend?

P.S. I don't like too much tension (like chromes)

 

[Stan_da_man]

La Bella Low Tension Flats.

 

[ardgedee]

Ground wounds? I used GHS Brite Flats for years and liked them before switching to TI Jazz Flats (for more or less the exact reasons you don't like the TIJFs ) Decent sustain, kind of middling for brightness and tension, if you're comparing them to typical flats. LaBella's been shipping some interesting ground wound sets lately, like Olinto, Super Polished and Ian Martin Allison signature -- I haven't tried any of those but there are a few threads here discussing them. The main downside among them seems to be you have to wipe them down thoroughly before installing because they still have some metal dust clinging to them, but that shouldn't be a problem as long as you know it's got to be done.

 

[jeff62]

SIT Silencers are my go to strings for an in between flats and rounds. They sound like nicely broken in nickel rounds.

 

[Yahboy]

I’m looking to try a new set of flat (or half-flat) strings on my Precision Bass (alder body, rosewood fingerboard, EMG Geezer Butler pickup).
I’ve been using Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats for years, are fantastic strings (I use them on my musicman now) but now I’d like something different to have a sound further away from the rounds.
The problem is that I haven’t found that sound in any of the flats or half-rounds I’ve tried so far on this bass.

Here’s what I’ve tested on this P-Bass and don’t want to go back to:

• Fender 9050: too much low-mid content and too little sustain; I actually like them much better on my Jazz Bass.
• Thomastik-Infeld: too low tension and too mid-focused for this Precision.
• GHS Pressurewounds: didn’t love them on this bass, they work better on my Jazz Bass.

What would you recommend?

P.S. I don't like too much tension (like chromes)

Base on your description and picky on string tension , suggest keep using cobalt flat , swap the GZR with Model P are better than string swap....

Don't use 500k as volume pot that dimarzio suggest. And install .068 uf cap for more tone control especially with bright and lasting tone cobalt flat.

 

[Gervais Cote]

La Bella and chrome flats deserve your attention.

 

[michael_t]

Here’s what I’ve tested on this P-Bass and don’t want to go back to:

• Fender 9050: too much low-mid content and too little sustain; I actually like them much better on my Jazz Bass.
• Thomastik-Infeld: too low tension and too mid-focused for this Precision.
• GHS Pressurewounds: didn’t love them on this bass, they work better on my Jazz Bass.

I use both the Fender 9050 and the GHS PW, but I tend to agree they work better on Jazz basses. As for my P bass, it's currently wearing the Ernie Ball Group 4 (40-95) stainless steel flats and I like them a lot. Not too bright (like the EB Cobalt) and not too old-school (like La Bella). Plenty of sustain with a nice midrange clarity. Very comfortable tension/stiffness without feeling too loose.

 

[bassdude51]

Ahhh, the "what kind of strings should I use?" dilemma. There's sooo many choices. And, the sound of older strings usually is different than fresh out of the pack.

My 2 favorite flats are TIs which you don't care for and D'Addario Chrome Flats. You mentioned that you don't like the tension of the Chromes but D'Addario makes (I think) 5 different gauges of the Chromes and the lighter gauges have lower tension. D'Addario does publish the tension pull (in pounds) for their strings.

You could try a lighter gauge of the Chromes. 40-100 or 45-100. (I like the 40-95.)

I find the Chromes to be on the bright side and so I roll off some with the P Bass tone control.

Good luck on your string quest.

 

[blacktocomm]

Dunlop flats might get you what you’re after. Not as bright as Cobalts, less tension than Chromes.

 

[burgerdj]

DR Lengends are nice strings - definitely more in the traditional flats category and the tension is forgiving.

 

[AMJBASS]

La Bella Low Tension Flats.

This ^

 

[tpaul]

I like the Dunlops. Lots of mwah.

 

[el murdoque]

If the Chromes have too much tension, you could always get a lighter set, but I always perceived the Cobalts as the brightest flats around, with the Chromes coming in second. Sound wise, I'd say try LaBella. But those have tension. There is a light set, though.

Other than that, try out the Optima flats.

 

[sethlow3]

Ahhh, the "what kind of strings should I use?" dilemma. There's sooo many choices. And, the sound of older strings usually is different than fresh out of the pack.

My 2 favorite flats are TIs which you don't care for and D'Addario Chrome Flats. You mentioned that you don't like the tension of the Chromes but D'Addario makes (I think) 5 different gauges of the Chromes and the lighter gauges have lower tension. D'Addario does publish the tension pull (in pounds) for their strings.

You could try a lighter gauge of the Chromes. 40-100 or 45-100. (I like the 40-95.)

I find the Chromes to be on the bright side and so I roll off some with the P Bass tone control.

Good luck on your string quest.

TI’s and super light Chromes 100%

 

[doughybuns87]

Dunlop flats might get you what you’re after. Not as bright as Cobalts, less tension than Chromes.

I was going to recommend the same. They are my favorite flats along with the TI's and have slightly more thump and tension compared to the Ti's but retain their clarity. Fantastic (and expensive) strings!

 

[pbass2]

I’d like something different to have a sound further away from the rounds.

At some point ya gotta try Labellas - they are the classic flatwound sound. And, never change 'em!
Alternatively I'd also suggest DR Legends - similar to Labellas but a little different, not too stiff but can still sound old school. I feel like they have a little more of a midrange focus (but that's bass dependent of course).
Labellas just get better and better over time. I have a 10 year old set on one Pbass. I just started using Legends on my Kiloton about 6 mos ago so the jury is still out on how they age.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

You mentioned chromes, but have you tried DA half-rounds? They’re more flexible than chromes IMO.

 

[MynameisMe]

If you don't have a problem with mild string tension, get the labella deep talkin flats. If you have issues with the string tension, get the LaBella low tension flats. Both are excellent. I have the deep talkin flats on my pee base and the low tension flats on a five-string that is jazz style and both are excellent.

 

[JJR58]

I use both the Fender 9050 and the GHS PW, but I tend to agree they work better on Jazz basses. As for my P bass, it's currently wearing the Ernie Ball Group 4 (40-95) stainless steel flats and I like them a lot. Not too bright (like the EB Cobalt) and not too old-school (like La Bella). Plenty of sustain with a nice midrange clarity. Very comfortable tension/stiffness without feeling too loose.

My vote as well on the Group IV’s in that gauge.
Big fan of the Cobalts.
My J has the Cobalts, and the P, Group IV’s.

 

[MynameisMe]

If you don't have a problem with mild string tension, get the labella deep talkin flats. If you have issues with the string tension, get the LaBella low tension flats. Both are excellent. I have the deep talkin flats on my pee base and the low tension flats on a five-string that is jazz style and both are excellent.

Also, on the labellas if you're doing string through body, they have a version for that. If they're strung through the Bridge, any of them will work.