String-thru with flats?

[oldnoob]

Hey all!
New to TalkBass here, searched the forums and could not find this topic previously discussed so....can I use flatwound strings with a string through bass? I have been told that due to the sharp angle at which the strings bend flatwounds will come apart/break. Is this true? Thanks in advance people.

-Tim

 

[netbot]

yes, sure you can. i used flats on my MIA p-bass with string through too and the first bass developed by fender - the 51 p-bass - was a string through bass. so, no worries!

cheers
netbot

 

[kevinmoore73]

A lot of string manufacturers recommend against string-through. That said, I am doing it with a set of D'Addario Chromes on my 5-string, and so far (4-5 months) so good. I did have to help the B string make the bend by pushing down on it.

 

[Darkstrike]

Never had a problem with it yet.

 

[Gintaras]

I have DR stainless flats strung through my Carvin AC40. Had not issues whatever..

 

[unclekebm]

been using fender 9050ML's on my AM deluxe P for three years...no problems

 

[62bass]

Thomastic flats on a string through for about 4 years on the same set. No problems.

 

[oldnoob]

Thanks for all the posts gents! Using James Jamerson Signature Series flats now and don't want to part with them.

 

[glwanabe]

Thanks for all the posts gents! Using James Jamerson Signature Series flats now and don't want to part with them.

LaBella is the one manufacturer that specifically says to not do this. According to them there strings are only designed to top load. The issue being the break over angle at the barrell.

Some have gone ahead and done it. Some report getting away with it, while others have had the string break within a short time. The time frame being several weeks to a few months.

 

[Tom Howland]

Thomastic flats on a string through for about 4 years on the same set. No problems.

+1
Have had a set on my bass for 3 years.

Tight tension flats, do not work well, string-thru.

 

[glwanabe]

Is your bass fretless?

If it's not, why use flats? To me, flats just sound like someone put a towel over the strings.

Thats not the flats, it's the muting foam.

Flats without the foam and a bit of overdive sound great.

 

[62bass]

Thats not the flats, it's the muting foam.

Flats without the foam and a bit of overdive sound great.

I use TI flats with a bit of muting foam under the strings and no overdrive. They do not sound like they have a towel over them. They sound very good through all my amps and record beautifully..

 

[whitespike]

I like flats with mutes.

 

[NorCal Dog]

LaBella is the one manufacturer that specifically says to not do this. According to them there strings are only designed to top load. The issue being the break over angle at the barrell.

Some have gone ahead and done it. Some report getting away with it, while others have had the string break within a short time. The time frame being several weeks to a few months.

i use LaBella 760FL's in a string thru... no problem,, had em on for over 2 years

even tho they don't recommend it-- i do it anyway

 

[CharlesHartman]

All I'm saying is, why does the OP want flats? Sound? Comfort? Fretless?

I certainly understand that some people like flats but you guys gotta admit they're not as bright and open sounding as standard roundwounds.

For some bright and open sounding isn't the goal.

Then there's the others...

 

[62bass]

All I'm saying is, why does the OP want flats? Sound? Comfort? Fretless?

Actually, what you said was that flats sounded like someone put a towel over the strings and you asked if his bass was fretless.

You're right about one thing-flatwounds, even the Thomastics, aren't as bright sounding as standard roundwounds although I wouldn't say they're not as open sounding, unless you mean that open sounding requires a very bright treble. Of course, a lot depends on which flatwound is used-I've tried most and there are some that sound dull and not at all open to me.

I use them mainly because they sound so good. Then the comfort and playability is a bonus. Of course, my idea of good and yours differs in regards to flatwounds.

As far as the OP asking if they could be used on a string through bridge, the general consensus seems to be yes, with LaBella appearing to be the only manufacturer saying not to do it with their strings..

 

[glwanabe]

I use TI flats with a bit of muting foam under the strings and no overdrive. They do not sound like they have a towel over them. They sound very good through all my amps and record beautifully..

Don't get me wrong. I've used mutes several times, and still do from time to time. I have a set of individual foam mutes that replicate the original Fender sound quite nicely.

I wanted to clarify that it is not the flats themselves that have that subdued tone, but rather the muting material that is used. Muting can, like you mentioned run from light to heavy.

Flats that I don't like to use mutes with are Fender 9050's. To me, these flats sound pretty darn close to how other flats sound when muted. They are very mid biased. I don't like them when they are new. They need a few months to break in.

La'Bella's have THE classic muted tone, but I like them to ring out a bit, and develop their tone.

Chromes sound prettty growly with some muting. The top end is just tamed enough to enhance the mids and get a snarly sound.

ROTO'S!! These are an angry, aggressive string with just some light muting. They have a really great low mid presence to them. These strings and the Fenders are my go to flats.

I like a little more drive with the Roto's for hard rock, but the Fenders hold their own as well.


It always makes me laugh when people rave about a bass tone, so deep, so punchy, so ballsy. Then they find out it was Bass "X" with flats. Don't fear the flatwound, embrace it. If your to weak to play them, maybe you should exercise a little. The tone is worth it. IMO.

 

[TomB]

In reply to OP's question: String-through works great w/Fender flatwounds.

 

[EricF]

I certainly understand that some people like flats but you guys gotta admit they're not as bright and open sounding as standard roundwounds.

You're right they're not, which is exactly why they may be perfect for certain situations. Sometimes bright and open just doesn't work while dark and thuddy does.

I have 4 basses - P w/ flats, P w/ rounds, J w/ rounds, hollowbody w/ flats. I can usually find the sound I'm looking for.