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Strings that sounds like a flat and have good slap tone

Stephen

Stephen

Apr 12, 2005
2,402
851
Seattle
#1
Probably been discussed already so my apologies if this is the case…

Previous favorite strings were Labella black nylon wound but cannot use them on my jazz bass due to grounding. I very much lean toward a bass/warm/fat sound and do not like the thin/treble/ bright sound. I tend to use mostly the neck pup with some bridge blended in.

My goal is to have a string that does have the bass/warm/fat sound as a fundamental but would also like to be able to slap and get a semblance of a real slap tone without it sounding like a precision bass flat attempting to be round wound. I know, maybe too much to ask and hope for.

Anyway, currently have La Bella deep talking flats which if I had to live with I would be OK.
Coming tomorrow are the Ernie ball cobalt flats and I'm hoping I can stop there.
In the queue: GHS pressure wounds and also was wondering about the IMA Super polished.

Many thanks if you have any insights to offer!
 
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#6
I would suggest Dunlop Flats if you like LaBella Deep talking bass but need a tad more modern sound. I tried them after watching an interview with the bassplayer from Snarky Puppy, really happy with these strings. Respond to slap well in my opinion. I have personally not tried the Cobalt flats.
 
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#7
Ernie Ball Slinky Flats. AKA Cobalt Flats. The package does not say 'Cobalt Flat wound' so, keep that in mind. I also use S.I.T. Flts, they're virtually identical in timbre' to the EB Slinky set. Great slap tone. Punch like a flat, too. Surprisingly, the Fender 9050 series are pretty 'zingy' when they're new, as are D'Addario Chromes. I have played gigs where other bassists ask me what strings I'm using, and when I tell them they're flats, they are quite surprised. I also use Rotosound RS77 flats- standard- not high tension, and LaBella 1954, and LaBella Gold Flats (See photo- beautiful strings!) The last two, are decidedly what you do not want. They're great strings, though.
 

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#10
The IMA polished are going to be the closest to the normal round tone. The Pressurewound will be kind of its own thing but somewhere in between. The Cobalt flats will do the flat thing pretty well with the treble cut, and offer a lot of snap with the highs up, but don't quite have the "stringy" mids like a true round wound. In a dense mix, though, you might not be able to tell.
 
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#19
logdrum said:
Magma Ultraflat and they sound better than Cobalts
Click to expand...
I will try those. Cobalt flats have solved a lot of issues with certain basses, like a Reverend Dub King, simply too bright for rounds but cobalts bring out the top wood tone like it's meant to be. I've been trying black tapes on one fretless and that's been just right, another one has cobalt flats and that one sounds better with the brighter strings.
 
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