Six string flatwounds

[mickebas]

Hi
Maybe an obvious answer but is the high C string in a six string set the same in a flat-wound set as in a round-wound set?
Seem to me they are.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hi
Maybe an obvious answer but is the high C string in a six string set the same in a flat-wound set as in a round-wound set?
Seem to me they are.

The same how?

 

[nonohmic]

No, it's flat wound.

 

[Kevin Hailey]

Hi
Maybe an obvious answer but is the high C string in a six string set the same in a flat-wound set as in a round-wound set?
Seem to me they are.

Have you tried any? I can assure you that you are incorrect.

 

[mickebas]

Have you tried any? I can assure you that you are incorrect.

it’s not a matter of being incorrect or correct. I was asking a question only because I find my round-wound C strings not to feel like the other roundwound strings as far as the finish and the surface. But I posted the question because I don’t know, not to say I’m correct in my assumption.

 

[mickebas]

The same how?

Since the C-string is so thin I don’t feel the typical roundwound surface texture under my fingers. It feels smooth even though it’s roundwound if iit makes sense.
So I figured maybe I could use a 5 string flatwound set and add one of my C-strings from a roundwound set.
Much easier where I live to find a decent flatwound 5 string set than a 6 string set.

 

[Kevin Hailey]

it’s not a matter of being incorrect or correct. I was asking a question only because I find my round-wound C strings not to feel like the other roundwound strings as far as the finish and the surface. But I posted the question because I don’t know, not to say I’m correct in my assumption.

Probably has to do with the thinness of the wrap wire. Using a roundwound C on top of flats may well give you a very unbalanced sound. I’ve had some success using a flatwound C on top of rounds.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

Much easier where I live to find a decent flatwound 5 string set than a 6 string set.

Where do you live? Can you buy online? In most places in the so-called First World, if you have internet, you can order a 6-string set just as easily as you can a 5-string set. The real issue, then, wouldn't really be where you live but the (to me) unfortunate fact that fewer manufacturers make flatwound 6-string sets to begin with (which is the case wherever you live).

I use T-I Jazz Flats myself, but Galli makes 6-string flats too, and La Bella as well. IIRC SIT and Dunlop might. I think I heard that Magma does too.

 

[mickebas]

Where do you live? Can you buy online? In most places in the so-called First World, if you have internet, you can order a 6-string set just as easily as you can a 5-string set. The real issue, then, wouldn't really be where you live but the (to me) unfortunate fact that fewer manufacturers make flatwound 6-string sets to begin with (which is the case wherever you live).

I use T-I Jazz Flats myself, but Galli makes 6-string flats too, and La Bella as well. IIRC SIT and Dunlop might. I think I heard that Magma does too.

I live in Sweden and there are a lot of 6 string sets in general to buy but my problem is I want a thicker C string to match a flatwound set that is heavy and all the 6 string sets are quite limited in options.
Tried Galli and TI sets but not really my kind of strings What I think I’ like is a hybrid set of Ernie Balls group II with an added low B (135) and a high C (36) but I don’t even think there is a heavier C string to buy anywhere.
I’m actually considering getting a thinner G string (40) instead but that may be too much
I guess I’ll have to keep on experimenting but it’s expensive

 

[el murdoque]

I live in Sweden and there are a lot of 6 string sets in general to buy but my problem is I want a thicker C string to match a flatwound set that is heavy and all the 6 string sets are quite limited in options.
Tried Galli and TI sets but not really my kind of strings What I think I’ like is a hybrid set of Ernie Balls group II with an added low B (135) and a high C (36) but I don’t even think there is a heavier C string to buy anywhere.
I’m actually considering getting a thinner G string (40) instead but that may be too much
I guess I’ll have to keep on experimenting but it’s expensive

You can contact either Optima or Pyramid directly, both are based in Germany.
I've had both send me custom sets before, which worked extremely well.

 

[HaphAsSard]

First of all, since future posters may happen into this thread because of its title, a list of pre-packaged 6-string flatwound sets (complete to the best of my knowledge; integrations welcome) :

- Thomastik-Infeld (JF346)
www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/guitar-strings/bass-guitar/jazz-flat-wound
- La Bella (a number of them)
www.labella.com/product/760fl-cb/
www.labella.com/product/760fgs-cb/
www.labella.com/product/osf-6-olinto-signature-flats/
- Optima (4099.CB)
optima-strings.com/shop/de/elektrobass/flatwounds/295/4099.cb-e-bass-flatwound-strings-satz-6-string-low-b-high-c
- Dogal (JC106B6030, JC106C6035; JH1726S)
Link Removed
www.dogalstrings.it/en/perfect-pitch-flat-wound
- Galli (JF35130; BSN760; AJF32128)
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
- Rotosound (RS776)
www.rotosound.com/product/rs776/

- Magma (technically they're groundwounds, but more polished than others; BE146SUF, BE156SUF, BE166SUF, BE176SUF)
www.magmastrings.com/eng/1_1_2_ultra_flat_process_stainless_steel_round_wound.html

Pyramid, Octave4Plus and Lemma Sound make custom flatwound sets.
Other companies offer flatwound 5-string sets and single high C flatwound strings. (Others yet lack one of the other ingredient.)

I live in Sweden and there are a lot of 6 string sets in general to buy but my problem is I want a thicker C string to match a flatwound set that is heavy and all the 6 string sets are quite limited in options.
Tried Galli and TI sets but not really my kind of strings What I think I’ like is a hybrid set of Ernie Balls group II with an added low B (135) and a high C (36) but I don’t even think there is a heavier C string to buy anywhere.
I’m actually considering getting a thinner G string (40) instead but that may be too much
I guess I’ll have to keep on experimenting but it’s expensive

Apart from the aforementioned Octave4Plus, I'm only aware of two companies offering flatwound low B strings larger than 130: D'Addario makes a .132" (CB132), and Thomastik a .136" (JF34136). That's it.

As for heavy-gauge flatwound high C strings, you have two courses of action:
- try a 035/036 electric guitar single flatwound. They exist
Electric guitar strings trends and top brands - order now!
lordofthestrings.com/en/all/search?keywords=chromes,single,guitar
and are often long enough to be installed on a bass; small ball ends, so you'll probably need to use a washer, or to thread the string into a bass ball end before installation;
- a 040 will not only be super high-tension, but probably break before reaching C3 on a long-scale bass. If you absolutely have to have a C that fat, you need a double bass high C (part of their gauge is due to the inner silk wrap between core and outer metal winding)
www.thomann.de/intl/single_double_bass_c_strings.html

 

[ole Jason]

A 40 tuned to C is going to sound awful if you can even get it to pitch without it breaking assuming your bass is 34". Honest question, are you new to playing six strings? If so I'd suggest spending a good amount of time with normal gauges practicing and acclimating to them before going down the experimental route.

 

[mickebas]

No I’m not new to playing six string but I have a thing for heavier string gauges. I just think it’s hard to get a sound to my liking on the C string on a six.
And using a 40’ C string is a stretch, I know. I just mentioned it as an example of the rather limited options on buying a normal heavy flatwound set for six string bass. But a 35’ flatwound would probably do the trick.
Even though a six string nowadays is relatively common I still think it’s a bit complicated buying a set if you have to mix sets, buy single strings.
It would be nice to have 3-4 options ranging from light to heavy as with regular 4 string sets. Maybe soon

 

[Kevin Hailey]

I’ve been playing a 6 string for about six years now and IME the C string is always going to be some kind of compromise due to its pitch, weight and length (also potentially usage!) it’s just not really a bass string so getting it to balance in feel and sound is always going to be an issue.
Even though LaBella makes a bunch of different sets they seem to only make one C string, although the tapewound set does have a thick C string I don’t believe it’s high in tension.
On my old bass I used the C from a TI set on top of old nickel rounds and it sounded really balanced, my current bass just using TI flats. It took me a while to adjust, but for me, using low tension strings has helped facilitate better technique and taking some tension off the bass I feel helps it to speak a little better.

 

[logdrum]

You can get a 5 string GHS Precision Flats and buy the C separate it is not very expensive - I think they charged 6 for one string. Yes they are flatwounds. Just use a magnifying glass or the macro mode on your phone. La Bella is the other one and they sell complete sets. I think D'Add Chromes as well.

No Fender, no DR, no EB, no Dunlop -- high C flats. I think if yuou sell a liver Dogal also makes one.

With the very open Delano and the Mike Pope Pre in my 6-string, East and Nord fat stack in E-C 5 string and my Yamaha TRB 6 electronics I asked myself, why I am putting flats with their reduced high end and shelved bass. I like flats on passive Precisions and in some application passive Jazz

Even when I thought I liked flats on my 6 strings, C flats are a disappointment in tone for me. I have better luck with La Bella Tapes, White, Gold, White Copper on my E-C

 

[HaphAsSard]

integrations welcome

(self-integration)

- S.I.T. (PF630130L)
sitstrings.com/product/power-flat-wound-bass-strings/?attribute_pa_gauge=pf630130l