"slappable" flats

[Willicious]

I can tell you that TIs are the worst slapping flats I've tried. La Bellas and EB/Chromes work pretty well for flats.

Agreed. Love TI's, but their low tension isn't much good for slap.

 

[PlungerModerno]

Wow, what a lot of misinformation here!

I've slapped on any strings I ever used, and it sounds just fine with all of them. This idea that most flats aren't slappable is myth.

Even the deadest flats will make some tone when slapped... but whether it's good or bad is subjective. You can get great percussive, funky tones from almost any string...
Rounds will sound a little more Hi-Fi though...

 

[williamk]

well I'm that much talking about the sound but rather the "feel" of slapped flats...they just don't bounce back as much and feel awkward...

 

[CapnSev]

well I'm that much talking about the sound but rather the "feel" of slapped flats...they just don't bounce back as much and feel awkward...

Thats a true statement I think. Again, try the lighter gauge Sadowskys or Fenders. They feel pretty good.

 

[u84six]

Wow, what a lot of misinformation here!

I've slapped on any strings I ever used, and it sounds just fine with all of them. This idea that most flats aren't slappable is myth.

It's a myth that you can't get a good sound slapping flats. It's not a myth that all flats sound good when slapping. Sorry, there really is a reason why people prefer specific strings. Really!

 

[u84six]

well I'm that much talking about the sound but rather the "feel" of slapped flats...they just don't bounce back as much and feel awkward...

+1

 

[selowitch]

Chromes are fine for the limited amount of slapping that I do. If you're Marcus Miller, you have different requirements.

 

[JimmyM]

It's a myth that you can't get a good sound slapping flats. It's not a myth that all flats sound good when slapping. Sorry, there really is a reason why people prefer specific strings. Really!

I've played several different sets of flats (Fender, LaBella, Rotosound, GHS, TI, and D'addario so far) and slapped them all just fine and they all sounded just fine. Sure, I have my preferences, but that doesn't mean it can't be done, and it doesn't mean that someone else can't slap a set you find unslappable.

 

[selowitch]

Never tried ’em; nevertheless, I’ll bet the GHS Brite Flats would sound nice slapped.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I'm not much of a slapper at all but these strings actually surprised me with how good the slap tone was (especially with a foam mute). Probably won't be everyone's taste. From my limited understanding D'addario Chromes are the zingiest flats.

Fenders seem brighter to me, I have chromes on one bass and the Fenders on another and the Fender strings are brighter

 

[billgwx]

Chromes are fine for the limited amount of slapping that I do.

Same mileage here.

 

[babaseen]

What's the lightest gauge flatwound set for a 5 string. Hoping to get flats that are easier to slap. I do not want the flats to sound like rounds because I like the sound of flats being slapped. Rounds have that spring that makes it easy, flats take work to slap because they don't have that springy feel, so light gauge seems the best way to get there. I'm not sure low tension is a plus but maybe it is, I have yet to find this out (need to experiment).

 

[shoulderpet]

What's the lightest gauge flatwound set for a 5 string. Hoping to get flats that are easier to slap. Rounds have that spring that makes it easy, flats take work so light gauge seems the best way to to get there.

TI Jazz flats are lightest tension and least stiff 5 string set , unfortunately also priciest.

 

[CapnSev]

As an update to this thread, I would suggest the EB Cobalt Flats. They are the “roundest” sounding flats I know of right now.

I would also reiterate that any flats can be slapped just fine. If you’re looking for a looser flat, go with a light gauge.