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String Identification Please
- Thread starter dagrev
- Start date
That's not a very good pic. I always thought Sads came with dark blue silk instead of light blue. I could be wrong, though.
The Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats (aka "Group Flats") have light blue silk at both ends with all brass ball ends.
The Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats (aka "Group Flats") have light blue silk at both ends with all brass ball ends.
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Yes, I was in a hurry and thought it looked good...with no glasses!
That sounds right about the EBs. I was thinking they had some that were light blue, but was second guessing myself and thinking I was misremembering that.
If EBs, could you comment on them and what that may sound similar to or opposite from maybe? Seems I recall we have similar likes in strings, generally speaking. They feel really nice while not on the bass.
@michael_t is the expert, and EBs are way more common, but Magma's flats also have light blue silk at both ends:
Interesting about the Magma flats having light blue silk - something I didn't know. Looking at the winding close to the silk at the ball end, the outer winding has more gaps in between than typical flats, almost looking like half-rounds/groundwound. The EB Group Flats are very smooth with very little gaps in the winding.
These are very smooth (while not on the bass). They feel really nice--and flexible. Almost like they could be round cores or very light.
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I really like the EB Group IV (40-95), which I've used (and probably will again) on my P bass. They're fairly neutral in tonal character, which I would consider "semi-modern". Smooth and mellow with a nice midrange character for clarity and definition. Not overly thumpy or thuddy like some traditional flats, and not overly bright and roundwound-like. A nice middle-of-the-road flat overall.
I picked up some EB Group III Flats (45-100) quite awhile back, and while they were nice strings they just didn't appeal to me at the time. On that bass, for the sound I was trying to achieve, they sounded kind of "generic" IMO.
I have always been curious about "modern" flats, though I wouldn't say that its a quest I've obsessed over like I have tapewounds, vintage flats, and pure nickel rounds
I've tried Chromes, and liked the 40-95 set the best but found the surface a bit grippy and tonally a bit "plinky" in the highs. I liked Fender 9050L (45-100), but they didn't blow me away...
I have always been curious about "modern" flats, though I wouldn't say that its a quest I've obsessed over like I have tapewounds, vintage flats, and pure nickel rounds
I've tried Chromes, and liked the 40-95 set the best but found the surface a bit grippy and tonally a bit "plinky" in the highs. I liked Fender 9050L (45-100), but they didn't blow me away...
A better pic.
Very good. Thanks Michael. Given they don't seem to be a "Guitar Center Special," I will take the time to try them on something. Likely not the bass they were with, but who knows. I just don't have anything that I'm not happy with right now. Kind of. Maybe. There's always room to sound better....!I really like the EB Group IV (40-95), which I've used (and probably will again) on my P bass. They're fairly neutral in tonal character, which I would consider "semi-modern". Smooth and mellow with a nice midrange character for clarity and definition. Not overly thumpy or thuddy like some traditional flats, and not overly bright and roundwound-like. A nice middle-of-the-road flat overall.
I picked up some EB Group III Flats (45-100) quite awhile back, and while they were nice strings they just didn't appeal to me at the time. On that bass, for the sound I was trying to achieve, they sounded kind of "generic" IMO.
I have always been curious about "modern" flats, though I wouldn't say that its a quest I've obsessed over like I have tapewounds, vintage flats, and pure nickel rounds
I've tried Chromes, and liked the 40-95 set the best but found the surface a bit grippy and tonally a bit "plinky" in the highs. I liked Fender 9050L (45-100), but they didn't blow me away...
I concur with that description. Group IV are among my favorite flats. Right down the middle in terms of both tone and tension, decent flexibility and very smooth. I currently have them on two P-basses and I plan to put them on a ’51 P reissue as well.I really like the EB Group IV (40-95), which I've used (and probably will again) on my P bass. They're fairly neutral in tonal character, which I would consider "semi-modern". Smooth and mellow with a nice midrange character for clarity and definition. Not overly thumpy or thuddy like some traditional flats, and not overly bright and roundwound-like. A nice middle-of-the-road flat overall.
I picked up some EB Group III Flats (45-100) quite awhile back, and while they were nice strings they just didn't appeal to me at the time. On that bass, for the sound I was trying to achieve, they sounded kind of "generic" IMO.
I have always been curious about "modern" flats, though I wouldn't say that its a quest I've obsessed over like I have tapewounds, vintage flats, and pure nickel rounds
I've tried Chromes, and liked the 40-95 set the best but found the surface a bit grippy and tonally a bit "plinky" in the highs. I liked Fender 9050L (45-100), but they didn't blow me away...
Yes, they certainly do look like the Ernie Ball in that better pic.
I like the Group IV (or 4), 40-95, because they're light and flexible enough to be comfortable to play on but still firm enough not to feel too loose or floppy at all.
I remember someone (@logdrum maybe) saying something similar about the Magmas being more akin to half rounds than flats
Long scale? That's the only missing piece of info.
[If they were short-scale they couldn't possibly be Ernie Ball "Group" flats (silk on their SS is gold), but baby-blue silked shorties could be pre-2015 short-scale Rotosound RS77S.]
I assume they're long-scales all right, since you haven't mentioned scale.
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There were on a '66 Non-Reverse Thunderbird, so definitely long scale.
