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Switching to flatwounds

#41
fivestringgecko said:
What kind of a sound do those Legends have? Have you tried any other flats for comparison?

I started with Chromes on my Pbass V and dug them quite a bit, but put rounds backs on for a while for the sound. I'll be going back to flats pretty soon (when the current pit gig is over) and am debating putting the Chromes back on or switching to a set of GHS Precision or DR Legend flats. I like the sound of the Chromes, but I've been slowly switching to lighter gauge strings on my other basses and the D'Addario flats kinda felt like I was playing steel bridge cables. Lol I also feel like I should try a different set simply to get the comparison of a different sound, you know?

5sg.
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They're not quite as springy as my D'Addario nylon-wrapped strings, but they don't thud like the GHS flats I last had, which weren't terrible, just bland to my ear. The DR Legend flats give me attack and sustain with no harshness. FWIW, I use them on an MIM P Bass with a maple/maple neck. I like them enough to keep buying them.
 
#42
Edward G. said:
They're not quite as springy as my D'Addario nylon-wrapped strings, but they don't thud like the GHS flats I last had, which weren't terrible, just bland to my ear. The DR Legend flats give me attack and sustain with no harshness. FWIW, I use them on an MIM P Bass with a maple/maple neck. I like them enough to keep buying them.
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You know, I've seen the word "thud" used by other people to describe GHS flats as well... Can you elaborate in that a little? Some people use it as a positive (to describe a "vintage" sound), but you seem to not like it?

Thanks for the info!!

5sg.
 
#43
fivestringgecko said:
You know, I've seen the word "thud" used by other people to describe GHS flats as well... Can you elaborate in that a little? Some people use it as a positive (to describe a "vintage" sound), but you seem to not like it?

Thanks for the info!!

5sg.
Click to expand...

I view 'thud' as a fundamentally correct tone, but one-dimensional, not having much texture. Perhaps 'thud' is too fundamental, so ponderous that it's hard to hear at any volume.

Of course, YMMV.
 
#46
I would heartily recommend (TI) Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. I have had a set of TIs on a 4-string Fender P for about 4 years and they sound absolutely beautiful. Deep thump, but very lively; full, sweet and strong.

I also have a bass strung with LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass. To my ears, the LaBella's are just dull and dead sounding compared to the TIs.

I see some people saying the LaBellas have the "expected" tone of a flatwound. That may be true, but IMO the TIs simply sound much better.

The LaBellas are also rougher to the feel, and a dull, dingy gray color. The TIs are slick-smooth, and bright silver in color. Prettier. Because of the roughness, I hear more string noise with the LaBellas than the TIs. Which isn't much, but the TIs literally have zero string noise. None.

TIs too loose? I don't know why people always say that TIs are loose. I wish mine were looser than they are.

The TIs cost a lot more, maybe that's why some people prefer the LaBellas, thay are cheaper. In fact that's why I have a set: I knew I wanted TIs for my fiver, but cheaped out and was very disappointed. $85 vs $40. But I will be selling my LaBellas and getting a 5-string set of TIs. There's no sense in saving a little money, but not getting the sound I want, especially seeing the difference side by side in real life. Plus they last forever, so it's a one-time purchase to get the tone I really want. Now I have to take a loss on the LaBellas to upgrade to the strings I knew I should have bought the first time.

The TI 5 set goes for around $100, but I found them for $85.
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If you can afford them, avoid future regret and get the TIs the first time!
 
#48
Edward G. said:
I view 'thud' as a fundamentally correct tone, but one-dimensional, not having much texture. Perhaps 'thud' is too fundamental, so ponderous that it's hard to hear at any volume.

Of course, YMMV.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Thanks for the input! Thant makes me want to lean to the DR's. Ed Friedland had a pretty good review of several different varieties of DR strings, including the Legends. Off to the interwebs for more research! :)

5sg.
 
#50
+1 for Chromes

I've recently switched to flats for a band I joined, and I am really glad I did. The other night, I noticed they seemed to finally have broken in a bit, and now, they sound super warm and smooth, yet still give me a ton of growl, especially on slides. It almost gives the illusion of playing through tubes... that's how warm they are now.
 
#52
I love TIs, I've used them on 3-4 basses over the years, but I have to admit the looseness makes them less then perfect for me. When I'm really digging in (think Flirting With Disaster or The Boys are Back In Town), I can actually miss a string because they have moved so far. For Country they are fantastic. For that reason alone I'm going to try GHS Precisions, or Chromes if those don't work out. Even Sunbeams occasionally feel loose to me when I'm really getting after it. BTW, I play fingerstyle, I haven't used a pick since the mid-80s.
 

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