Switching to flatwounds

[cyclomatic]

I have become a pretty big fan of the new Fender flats.

Really? I've heard their strings are bad.

Care to elaborate?

I've just been told their strings are poor quality as in the alloy is a bad mix and they fail to meet their owner's expectations. I have personally never tried them, I would've thought that fender would produce good strings. Any other opinions?

I'm aware of the fact fender manufactures Fender strings, but I've never tried them and from what other bassists I know have told me that they are not the highest quality strings. I have yet to try them and I will as soon as I change strings.

I'm curious about why you want to try the Fenders if you've heard so much bad info about them?
Are you currently using any other flats that you do like?
I've also been curious about them, but hadn't heard anything negative, so I ask.

Flats for 5-string 35" scale - I notice not all are made for it. Manufatures have funny marketing for scale lengths so "long scale" on one means 34" while others 35". They don't always spell it out clearly.

 

[Lo-E]

Am I wrong on that?

Just looking at the guages available, it appears that Roto and LaBella tapewounds are pretty darned fat - fat enough that you might need to widen the nut slots.

D'Addario and GHS tapewounds look like they'd be narrow enough to use without any changes to your bass.

 

[Lo-E]

...Fenders...
I've also been curious about them, but hadn't heard anything negative, so I ask.

Fender changed their flats at some point and many of the die-hard Fender flats fans here on TB are less than thrilled with the newer version.
I'm sure someone here could fill in with more detail on the switch.

 

[ThudThudThud]

After reading countless threads here on TB, I dropped $20 or so on a set of Chromes as an experiment (I didn't want to buy TI and then hate them)...
I've been a roundwound user for years (more than 30), and was very skeptical.
So I threw them on my CV Precision and...

Damn.

That's the sound that was in my head. How did y'all know?

 

[cyclomatic]

Thanks E!

 

[iiipopes]

Any explanation as to why flatwounds have more tension?

I didn't read all the pages of the thread, so this may have been answered. Since flats are ribbon wound, there is relatively no space between the windings as compared to a conventional round wound, which has a lot of space between the curves of the wrap between the wrap and the core. This means for the given diameter of string, there is more metal, or more mass. More mass means more tension to the same pitch.

 

[iiipopes]

Fender changed their flats at some point and many of the die-hard Fender flats fans here on TB are less than thrilled with the newer version.
I'm sure someone here could fill in with more detail on the switch.

The new flats are grey steel wrap, not chrome. Another forum member did a spectral analysis between Chromes and Fender flats, and the Chromes had a peak @ 200 Hz and the Fenders @ 600 Hz. This means, and is also my experience, that the new Fenders are more growly, in a good way, with less top end ping. But this sits really well in the mix.

The "balanced" 9050CL set changed me from a round wound guy of over 35 years playing bass when I put them on my custom P/J half-fanned fret bass a couple of years ago. Absolutely consistent tone string-to-string and up the neck. Feels great. Not mirror-smooth like Chromes, but really good and positive. I have yet to have to change my first set after two years of gigging. The price is right. My experience is different from above: the quality of my set is top rate.

 

[nicopiano]

Chromes are perfect for first flat because they sound bright, are cheap, easy to find and got a good reputation.

If you like medium round, take medium-lite Chromes (and so on).

 

[radioface]

I know these strings are not flat wounds but, I prefer GHS Brite Flats. I will only try another brand or type of string, if Brite Flats aren't available.

 

[dagrev]

I am a flat lover because of the full sound that only flats can give as opposed to rounds. (I know it's a matter of opinion.) But it all depends on what sound you want, what they will go on and what kind of amp and cab you have. All that has to be factored in, in addition to how you EQ.

For example, I have several Pbasses (55, 58, 64, 99 Hotrod, 06), all with TI's. I love them. The mids are great on most Pbasses. But I the on the '64 I hate them on it and it is very mid heavy already. I use LaBella Deep Talkin flats on that (with a little foam) and it sounds great. I loved Chromes on a G&L L2K, but nothing else. Just deep and kind of hollow to me.

Look for some used flats here and you won't be out much and sell them if you don't like them. Half or more of my TI's are used from people here who didn't like them.

As has been said, TIs are pricey but last for years and years and years. (Take that rounds!) As for the tension TI's don't seem to be for everyone. I don't play bass like I'm choppin' wood and have to beat the strings to scare the sound out of them so it's not a problem for me. If you try them and like them you will love them and not need to by any strings for that bass for a very long time (countless sets of rounds).

In the end, it's all a big experiment and journey. Enjoy the trip.

 

[experimental bassist]

I got at least seven years out my first set of Thomastik Infeld Jazz flats.

The only reason I took them off my Precision is because I switched back to rounds last year when I joined my newest band.

I still have the set and would put them back on without hesitation should I want or need flatwounds again.

Folks say they are pricey, but when you can get seven years or more of hard, steady playing, practicing, and gigging, they're really a bargain.

Having to swap roundwounds every 6 to 8 weeks, now that adds up. $$$

Oh, I also like D'Addario Chromes, run them on my ABG and they sound great. I think I prefer the Chrome tension over TI's because Chromes are closer to "normal" bass string tension. Had that set on for four or fives years now I think, can't remember exactly.