String recommendation needed

[Pep]

Just to set the stage, most of my basses are a P-Bass configuration and I use D’Addario EXL170 roundwounds and really love them. I slap a bit and need some of that snappy tone. Lately the band has been doing some material that’s a bit more laid back and I’m becoming annoyed at the noise that can be heard when my fingers slide across the strings.
The strings I’m using are light gauge (.100 - .045) and I’d really like to stay close to that gauge.
I’ve tried half-rounds but they just didn’t sound great.

I know that I’m probably not going to get the same tones I get from rounds but is there a set of flats out there that might be a good compromise?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pingvuiini]

Try D'Addario black tapes. Absolutely no finger noise. With just enough zing that you can still get a decent slap sound.

 

[ahbass2500]

I have a set of the Slinky Cobalt flats, but have not tried them yet. They claim feel of a flat with sound of a round in the advertising.

Slinky Cobalt Flatwound 4&5 Electric Bass Strings

Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Flatwound Bass Strings combine the smooth feel of traditional flats and the power of Cobalt. Featuring a SuperBright Cobalt ribbon wrap, Cobalt underwraps and optimal hex-core to wrap ratio, the new Flatwound Bass strings are the first flat that actually feels like a...

www.ernieball.com

 

[HaphAsSard]

Just to set the stage, most of my basses are a P-Bass configuration and I use D’Addario EXL170 roundwounds and really love them. I slap a bit and need some of that snappy tone. Lately the band has been doing some material that’s a bit more laid back and I’m becoming annoyed at the noise that can be heard when my fingers slide across the strings.
The strings I’m using are light gauge (.100 - .045) and I’d really like to stay close to that gauge.
I’ve tried half-rounds but they just didn’t sound great.

I know that I’m probably not going to get the same tones I get from rounds but is there a set of flats out there that might be a good compromise?

Thanks in advance!

1) Magma BE150SUF
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or

2) Ernie Ball 2814
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[michael_t]

Just to set the stage, most of my basses are a P-Bass configuration and I use D’Addario EXL170 roundwounds and really love them. I slap a bit and need some of that snappy tone. Lately the band has been doing some material that’s a bit more laid back and I’m becoming annoyed at the noise that can be heard when my fingers slide across the strings.
The strings I’m using are light gauge (.100 - .045) and I’d really like to stay close to that gauge.

If you like the sound of nickel rounds but not the finger noise, I would suggest you try the DR Nickel Lo-Riders, which have a much smoother surface texture due to the thinner wires used for the outer wrap.

I once tried DR Sunbeams, DR Nickel Lo-Riders and D'A XL Nickles back-to-back-to-back on my Jazz and the XL Nickels felt like a cheese grater compared to the other two by DR. I find the NLR particularly a good match for a P bass to bring out the low-mid punch and warmth without sacrificing clarity and articulation.

 

[Pep]

Thanks guys. I’m headed to Sweetwater on Monday and will pickup a set of Cobalt Flats and a set of DR Nickel Low Riders.

 

[Dan_reeves]

You could also consider Elixir 45-100 nickel. They are the same gauge (and might even be XL's!) but then coated with nanoweb coating. In essence they will last longer, have a slicker feel, with a similar tone. I find the coating dulls the sound just a bit - think XL's that have been played for a few weeks. But that tone lasts a really long time.

Downside: they can be pretty pricey for rounds.

Caveat: If your bass is strung through body, you'll probably need the extra long version that only comes in 45-105. If regular top load, the normal length should work fine.