Switching to flatwounds

I've only used the ones i have on n ow, D'Addario XL Chromes...but I love them. My Dean never had much of a voice before i switched, and the rounds chewed up my fingers. Now I no longer have to turn the amp up higher than whomever had it before me and my bass has its own unique sound. It used to be just kinda muddy but now you can really hear it in the mix.

 

They're all pretty durable, but can vary quite a bit in tone. My pref's are T.I's and Chromes

 

I've only tried Chromes, but I like 'em a lot. I still feel obligated to try LaBellas though.

 

Try Chromes...you'll love'em.

They are WAY different from rounds, so be patient with them and give them a chance to grow on you.

 

Thomastik Infelds...Very pricey though. And I've read that they are loose feeling, but a LOT of folks like 'em. Can't imagine the loose feeling. I like the tightness of the chromes.

 

Thomastik Infelds...very nice strings.

 

Put up another for the TI. Loose? I don't think so.

Sir Paul uses the Pryamid Golds and they're even more money and many have complained about the durabilty.

 

Can recommend LaBella's for a very noticeable tonal difference. When I think of what flatwounds should sound like, I think LaBella.

 

+1 for TI

 

You should check out Curt Mangan strings. They don't get enough love from the Flat wound community here on TB.

Curt Mangan Strings

Send Curt an e-mail and fill out his endorsing artist page and you might get sponsored. He is super nice to work with and the prices are great too. I use his flat wound SS strings exclusively (when using flat wound strings) and couldn't be happier. They now carry 5 string Flat wound strings which I'm getting ready to put on a OLP/MM bass with Nordy MM5.2 and vintage pre-EBMM pre-amp. Should be a cool mix.

Either way, you can't go wrong with what everyone else has recommended.

Good luck and welcome to the club.

 

GHS precision flats. Probably the smoothest strings out there.

 

Labella Deep Talkin' flats are excellent for durability.

I have a nice sounding 40-year-old set of flatwound strings on my '63 Precision that I think are Pyramid Golds.

 

+1 I used quite a few sets of Chromes (ECB81). For me they are dead after some 100 hours of playing. At the moment I'm using a set of GHS precision flats. They definitely feel smoother. Right from the start they sound sort of broken in and stay there for a long time. How long I don't know, as my first set is still on. They certainly last longer than the Chromes.

 

Really? I found LaBellas to be polished better.

My order of preference is: Labella, GHS, Chromes.

 

I like the GHS flats; they're my fave. Honourable mention goes to Labella 0760M "Jamerson" flats.

The GHS are very smooth, mellow and warm. If you want a brighter tone - D'Addario Chromes.

 

+1

I had Ben Lindsey make a Fretless Jazz bass and put these on. I can't believe the sound!

As far as being looser, it's not like you're playing on cooked spaghetti. I had no adjustment period at all.