Switching from Rounds to Flats Advice

[allboutbass]

Hi,
I have an American Elite Precision bass which I play with D'adario EXL160 50-105. I like em enough but wanted to try some flats, I have a lot of other instruments and can't really afford having a second bass I could have flats on.

On this bass I have a Pure Vintage 63 precision pickup and the stock Jazz bridge. I play mostly finger style and the occasional pick or slap.

I like players like Bernard Edwards, Roger Waters, John Paul Johns, Sting... well the list is long... so it is kind of varied.

So any suggestions on flats or even tapewounds would be very helpful.

 

[Element Zero]

Well I’ve only used 2 sets of flats. D’Addario Chromes and Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. The Chromes are fairly inexpensive while the Jazz Flats are rather pricey. I like em both. I’ll say the Chromes are kinda boring sounding and are less flexible but sure are smooth. The Jazz Flats sound very distinct with a rich midrange character and are loosey goosey.

 

[droberts444]

I’d recommend GHS Precision Flats because they don’t require the long break-in period of most other flats. You’ll get a sense of whether or not flats will work for you rather quickly. Plus they sound like chocolate (or butter) with a Fender bass!

I like the long scale custom medium gauge set, but you might want the long scale regular medium gauge based on your current string choice.

I also really like Pyramid flats but not to start your foray into flats. A lot of players are turned off by the initial tonal imbalance and take them off before the magic happens.

I am a big Bernard Edwards fan! The other guys are great too, of course.

 

[michael_t]

I have an American Elite Precision bass which I play with D'adario EXL160 50-105. I like em enough but wanted to try some flats...

If you want to try a set of flats that feel similar to the D'A EXL160 (50-105) in terms of tension/stiffness, D'A Chromes ECB81 (45-100) would be a good place to start.

Or, one of my favorites, Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100), as a less expensive alternative.

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I like players like Bernard Edwards, Roger Waters, John Paul Johns, Sting... well the list is long... so it is kind of varied.

I think most of those guys played Rotosound Jazz Flats 77 at one time or another. If you want to try them, I would suggest the 40-100 set as they're known for being stiff.

 

[GrapeBass]

I was lucky enough to acquire a bass already wrapped with worn in D'Addario Chromes. My advice would be to be patient, break in time could be months... also you'll need a good set up and a follow up set up. Once flats are broken in, they become magical. Good luck!

 

[allboutbass]

If you want to try a set of flats that feel similar to the D'A EXL160 (50-105) in terms of tension/stiffness, D'A Chromes ECB81 (45-100) would be a good place to start.

Or, one of my favorites, Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100), as a less expensive alternative.

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I think most of those guys played Rotosound Jazz Flats 77 at one time or another. If you want to try them, I would suggest the 40-100 set as they're known for being stiff.

So ... a 50-105 Flats set would be a much greater tension compared to rounds? I just wanna keep a similar tension so I can keep the truss rod from moving it too much.

Thanks for your suggestion !

 

[GrapeBass]

So ... a 50-105 Flats set would be a much greater tension compared to rounds? I just wanna keep a similar tension so I can keep the truss rod from moving it too much.

Thanks for your suggestion !

The flats I've played always had higher tension.

I use 9050Ls in my J-Bass (Chromes on my P), they seem to have less tension than the Chromes but they do have different tonal characteristics. I prefer Chromes on a P and 9050Ls on a J.

 

[allboutbass]

The flats I've played always had higher tension.

I use 9050Ls in my J-Bass (Chromes on my P), they seem to have less tension than the Chromes but they do have different tonal characteristics. I prefer Chromes on a P and 9050Ls on a J.

Ok ... one little question ... when you talk about tension .. are you referring to them being stiffer or actually a higher tension in pounds or kg ...
Thanks !

 

[michael_t]

So ... a 50-105 Flats set would be a much greater tension compared to rounds? I just wanna keep a similar tension so I can keep the truss rod from moving it too much.

XL Nickel Rounds (50-105) and Chromes Flats (45-100) would have similar tension and stiffness.

When I went from rounds to flats for the first time, I went from EXL165 (45-65-85-105) to Chromes ECB84 (40-60-80-100) and it worked out well.

 

[michael_t]

So ... a 50-105 Flats set would be a much greater tension compared to rounds? I just wanna keep a similar tension so I can keep the truss rod from moving it too much.

Here are the actual tension figures...

XL Nickel Rounds EXL160 (50-105) = 189.33 lbs. in total tension.

Chromes ECB81 (45-100) = 199.75 lbs. in total tension.
Chromes ECB82 (50-105) = 224.01 lbs. in total tension.

 

[allboutbass]

Here are the actual tension figures...

XL Nickel Rounds EXL160 (50-105) = 189.33 lbs. in total tension.

Chromes ECB81 (45-100) = 199.75 lbs. in total tension.
Chromes ECB82 (50-105) = 224.01 lbs. in total tension.

ok thanks ... I was just checking the D'adario String calculator and I think is giving me an error as it shows the EXL160s to be just 88,11 lbs i standard tuning ...where did you get this figures?
...thanks for your time !

 

[michael_t]

...where did you get this figures?

Find the specific set on D'Addario website and click on the "Learn More" tab to see the tension info.

 

[Vodyanoi]

I've been recently converted to flats (less than 2 years / been using rounds for ~2 decades, DR Sunbeams have been my favourite) and since then i've been using Chromes. They were very bright (although not harsh bright) at first and somewhat mid-scooped, but they slowly seem to change over time with an ever so slightly more pronounced midrange voice which i hope it'll become even more pronounced later.

 

[drumvsbass]

Put it this way, you should try everything except the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats, just so you can have that 'where have you been all my life' feeling when you finally do. Some people will slug it out with Chromes (and many prefer them), because they're cheap, and sound and feel really good, if not great. But to me, the TI flats feel a thousand times better under the fingers, and considering their legendary longevity, the price thing isn't a real issue. I like the more mid forward note definition, rather than the Chromes meatier (also muddier) bottom.

 

[allboutbass]

Put it this way, you should try everything except the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats, just so you can have that 'where have you been all my life' feeling when you finally do. Some people will slug it out with Chromes (and many prefer them), because they're cheap, and sound and feel really good, if not great. But to me, the TI flats feel a thousand times better under the fingers, and considering their legendary longevity, the price thing isn't a real issue. I like the more mid forward note definition, rather than the Chromes meatier (also muddier) bottom.

Thanks ... yes longevity is in fact a thing to consider ... and sound definitely

 

[G On Bass]

You might investigate LaBella and Sadowsky flats, Sadowskys are, IME, essentially brighter versions of the LaBellas. LaBellas are great for their classic-sounding P thump (regardless of bass brand) but Sadowskys were more versaile and my favorite 4string set of flats. I have multiple brands of flats in rotation on my 5'ers, but primarily TI's and Chromes. I play with a lighter touch, sometimes with a pick, and never, ever, ever slap. Each set is many years old and still going strong.

 

[Ggaa]

La Bella LTFs, but I used them on a 2 soapbar pickup Wick, good mids in this setup.

 

[75Ric]

I use LaBella 760FL strings on my p bass and love them. Here is an article from a bass mag that lists their top 10 flat wound strings and some guidance on choosing a string. Pretty good list:

The best flatwound bass strings 2020: how to choose the right flatwounds for you | Guitar World

 

[Dirk Diggler]

You might have to give up some of your slap work, flats just don't do slap well.

Good luck,
Dirk

 

[75Ric]

Put it this way, you should try everything except the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats, just so you can have that 'where have you been all my life' feeling when you finally do. Some people will slug it out with Chromes (and many prefer them), because they're cheap, and sound and feel really good, if not great. But to me, the TI flats feel a thousand times better under the fingers, and considering their legendary longevity, the price thing isn't a real issue. I like the more mid forward note definition, rather than the Chromes meatier (also muddier) bottom.

I didn't really bond with the TI Flats. The tone was excellent, though definitely on the bright side. Compared with LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats (which is my reference), these are quite bright and a little outside of my tone pallet. More importantly, my fingers slipped under the strings while playing. The low tension is a little lower than I'm used to. This is a skill that can be developed, though. After playing with the TIs for a month or so, it got better, but I'd still slip underneath the strings from time to time. For me, the strings weren't what I was looking for. That being said, I think they are excellent strings. In fact, I still have the set - so, I haven't given up on them. I just need to find the right bass for them

 

[aproud1]

Whatever you end up with keep in mind you will need to give most strings time to break in. You will also benefit from a setup. Even though flats can be higher tension than rounds, that same thing can make them easier to setup for super low action.

Everyone has the flats the like or don't. Me personally on a P Bass, I like Pyramid flats or Labella 760FL.