The best flatwounds for my P?

[scottbass]

Just roll off your tone a little for band 1, dime it for band 2

Thanks for the input. I for sure use different EQ for the two different bands. I use a SansAmp RBI into a power amp, so I have a pretty large range of EQ available, IMHO. When adjusted to emulate an SVT I would think the RBI provides plenty of presence to be able to play classic rock with flatwounds.

 

[Aussie Mark]

TI Jazz Flats, no contest, unless you prefer higher tension in whcih case Chromes are the go.

 

[unclekebm]

i wouldn't go with the TI.
they fit in band 1 but not in 2. they don't have enough tesion for rock.

i would go with the fender - they are cheap and have nice low mids. at first they are a little bit stiff but the mellow out after a while.

I play in a "tribute to rock" band
the TI's do a great job! I can get lots of growl when needed
and I can dig in and get plenty of grind,

although I had to set up the action a little higher
and it took a couple weeks to adjust to the tension

the TI's respond to dynamics better than any string I've ever played...

 

[ibnzneksrul]

I use a SansAmp RBI into a power amp, so I have a pretty large range of EQ available, IMHO. When adjusted to emulate an SVT I would think the RBI provides plenty of presence to be able to play classic rock with flatwounds.

Agree 100%, I play in a classic rock band and use the Sansamp BDDI a similar fashion.

 

[kraigo]

They're pretty dead sounding on a split coil P-bass, but with the single coil pickup on the '51 reissue they sound really bright and thumpy with a nice growl.

I've used them on a circa 1969 fretless P-Bass, a 1979 fretless Stingray and a Kyddbass (stick upright with piezo). All I can say is that I didn't like them on any of those basses.

The Kydd came with what I assume were Chromes (that's what he lists on his website). I liked them just fine (the G was missing). They had a nice thumpy upright vibe that I didn't mind at all. A few remarks I've come across makes me concerned about their longevity. The joy of flats is that they are a long term relationship.

Since I'm on the subject of "flats" that I've hated - GHS "Brite Flats", which are a half-round. Ugh! don't bother.

I've tried LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them. They weren't for me, but I didn't think they were no good for anyone. Until this thread I didn't think anyone could love the Fender 9050's (we are talking about the same string: "9050s" Stainless steel flats, right?). This wasn't the case for the LaBellas - not for me, but they have their own funk that I can see people really loving.

Wow! I didn't think I had as much experience with flats as this thread is making me recall. The Lakland Joe Osborn's are still my favorites. Sadowsky and D'Addario Chrome (a friend suggests GHS's flats, which I've never tried either) are on my "must try" list.

Everything else is just wrong.

I kid, I kid!

But I've gone years and years with the Laklands and have felt no urge to replace them. They are the string I keep coming back to. I've never gone with the entire heavier set. The lighter set is too light on the G for me. The Hybrid set (not offered outside a special order) has been great and I have had no urge to try the heavier set.

This thread is making me realize how much I love the flats I use.

As a total derail, I liked the stainless steel lighter set of Lakland's rounds I used on my 55-01. I'm using SIT strings on it right now and I hate them less than I did when I first put them on. It always surprises me how much a standard 45-105 set of GHS Boomers feels like coming home. I haven't intentionally strung up with them in years, but every time I come across a set, I feel comfortable. It's what I started with and they still just seem right to me.

KO

 

[Mastermold]

I've used them on a circa 1969 fretless P-Bass, a 1979 fretless Stingray and a Kyddbass (stick upright with piezo). All I can say is that I didn't like them on any of those basses.

The Kydd came with what I assume were Chromes (that's what he lists on his website). I liked them just fine (the G was missing). They had a nice thumpy upright vibe that I didn't mind at all. A few remarks I've come across makes me concerned about their longevity. The joy of flats is that they are a long term relationship.

Since I'm on the subject of "flats" that I've hated - GHS "Brite Flats", which are a half-round. Ugh! don't bother.

I've tried LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them. They weren't for me, but I didn't think they were no good for anyone. Until this thread I didn't think anyone could love the Fender 9050's (we are talking about the same string: "9050s" Stainless steel flats, right?). This wasn't the case for the LaBellas - not for me, but they have their own funk that I can see people really loving.

Wow! I didn't think I had as much experience with flats as this thread is making me recall. The Lakland Joe Osborn's are still my favorites. Sadowsky and D'Addario Chrome (a friend suggests GHS's flats, which I've never tried either) are on my "must try" list.

Everything else is just wrong.

I kid, I kid!

But I've gone years and years with the Laklands and have felt no urge to replace them. They are the string I keep coming back to. I've never gone with the entire heavier set. The lighter set is too light on the G for me. The Hybrid set (not offered outside a special order) has been great and I have had no urge to try the heavier set.

This thread is making me realize how much I love the flats I use.

As a total derail, I liked the stainless steel lighter set of Lakland's rounds I used on my 55-01. I'm using SIT strings on it right now and I hate them less than I did when I first put them on. It always surprises me how much a standard 45-105 set of GHS Boomers feels like coming home. I haven't intentionally strung up with them in years, but every time I come across a set, I feel comfortable. It's what I started with and they still just seem right to me.

KO

Yeah the Fender 9050ML set (.050, .065, .085, .100) is what I used and they worked on that 51 reissue I mentioned and my Rogue viola bass, but I didn't care as much for them on other basses. I may need to try those Lakland JOs -- havent' yet but heard good things.

 

[9mmMike]

Yeah the Fender 9050ML set (.050, .065, .085, .100) is what I used and they worked on that 51 reissue I mentioned and my Rogue viola bass, but I didn't care as much for them on other basses. I may need to try those Lakland JOs -- havent' yet but heard good things.

9050's - That is what I have on my VM TB as well. I like 'em!

 

[60bass]

did you catch this part?

Important note: La Bella flatwound strings are not suitable for use on instruments that require through-body stringing.

just wanted to make sure

Correct.

The OP mentioned he wanted to go string through on his 08 P. The stock bridge does both through or top load on the 08 so he should be OK with flats.

Assuming he's using the stock bridge.

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

I am going to Try Labella's - either FS or Jamerson.

 

[ishouldbeking]

What guage of La Bellas? FL, FS, FM or Jamerson?

I was using the FL's (light), though they're not that much lighter than the FS (standard)... something like .104 vs .105 and .043 vs .045. I normally like medium guage roundwounds (.105-.045), but the tension of the FL's felt pretty good in this gauge. I'd assume the sound is pretty much the same though, gauge would probably be up to personal preference... i.e. "how heavy can you handle?"

 

[X Wolf]

I was using the FL's (light), though they're not that much lighter than the FS (standard)... something like .104 vs .105 and .043 vs .045. I normally like medium guage roundwounds (.105-.045), but the tension of the FL's felt pretty good in this gauge. I'd assume the sound is pretty much the same though, gauge would probably be up to personal preference... i.e. "how heavy can you handle?"

When I switched from FL's to FS's I definitely noticed a bit more bottom and thump with the FS's, even though they are pretty close in gauge.

George

 

[ibnzneksrul]

When I switched from FL's to FS's I definitely noticed a bit more bottom and thump with the FS's, even though they are pretty close in gauge.

George

I would agree and take it a step further and say even though the gauge is only slightly heavier, that the same basic tone the FL's give you in moderation, the FS's hit you with right in the chest. A little more tension as well, but after a week with the FS set I don't notice it anymore. I think the FS set is much better all around.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I put GHS Precision flats on my 08 fenders.

 

[kirkm24]

Thanks, etoncrow. The specific Jamerson set is .052 - .110. Those are a little too heavy for my preference. But LaBella does make the same "Deep Talkin'" strings in .044 - .096 as well as .043 - .100, so either of those would probably suit me!

They also make an ultra light set that is .39 - .94 and you can string those through the bridge. I had a set on mine and they aren't quite thumpy enough for my tastes but they're pretty good. I ordered a set of Thomastik's so I am anxiously looking froward to trying those out.

 

[kirkm24]

I had been planning to buy a Precision V since they came out and knew I was going to put on a set of Chromes if it didn't already have flats on it.

I finally just bought one and the previous owner had just put TI's on it before he sold it to me. They're floppier than I'm used to, but I'm loving the tone and feel. I'm going to give them a good long trial before I make any decision but if I get used to the low tension they're going to stay on for quite a while.

Not that I don't love the Chromes I have on my fretless Jazzes. That hasn't changed, and right now they'd still be my first choice because i like the feel of the higher tension. However, I still voted TI based on how much I love the sound of this Precision with them.

For what it's worth, the previous owner strung the TIs through the body. I never heard about stringing flats only through the top, but guess I'll find out soon enough if any problems are going to occur.

Because of their low tension, they can be strung through the body without any problems. I think that is one of their biggest selling points for a lot of people.

 

[scottbass]

Wow - 104 votes! Thanks very much, folks!!!

It looks like I will try the T-I's first. If I don't like them, I have to decide whether I'll try LaBella's next or whether I'll score a set of Lakland Joe Osborne's (one of the two brands you mentioned that I had not initially considered).

Thanks again to the wonderful TB community for your input!!

Scott

(I'm expecting that I'll be just fine with the T-I's. I play DR Sunbeams on my StingRay, and I really like their lower tension compared to EB Slinky's.)

 

[ljazz]

Wow - 104 votes! Thanks very much, folks!!!

It looks like I will try the T-I's first. If I don't like them, I have to decide whether I'll try LaBella's next or whether I'll score a set of Lakland Joe Osborne's (one of the two brands you mentioned that I had not initially considered).

Thanks again to the wonderful TB community for your input!!

Scott

(I'm expecting that I'll be just fine with the T-I's. I play DR Sunbeams on my StingRay, and I really like their lower tension compared to EB Slinky's.)

Good Luck with the TIJF's!

A few hints for the transition:
1. Raise your action a touch (I have my TIJF strung basses set about 1/64" higher when measured at the 12th fret).
2. Don't worry about the sticky rosin like stuff on them. It wears off in a few weeks.
3. A bit of foam will help them to thump if you need it.
4. Give them at least a month of playing to break in. You'll find they stiffen up a bit and as the coating (I still think it's rosin) wears off, they start to settle right in.

I still have a hard thinking of them as a pure flatwound. The mids sing like no other string!

Ljazz

 

[timsouthouse@ho]

The Ernie Ball Nickel Flats are my favorite. Scott Nelson of Fergus Falls, MN (KWS Band/Doyle Bramhall Sr.) also uses them as does Ronnie James (formerly Fabulous Thunderbirds). That said, I just got a fine 51 Precision reissue with some D'Ad chromes and they're very similar, but a little more lively, which is a nice touch if you usually roll your tone off.

 

[unclekebm]

Good Luck with the TIJF's!

A few hints for the transition:
1. Raise your action a touch (I have my TIJF strung basses set about 1/64" higher when measured at the 12th fret).
2. Don't worry about the sticky rosin like stuff on them. It wears off in a few weeks.
3. A bit of foam will help them to thump if you need it.
4. Give them at least a month of playing to break in. You'll find they stiffen up a bit and as the coating (I still think it's rosin) wears off, they start to settle right in.

I still have a hard thinking of them as a pure flatwound. The mids sing like no other string!

Ljazz

+1

 

[kraigo]

I went to a local shop to pick up a set of D'Addario Chromes for my Godin A4 fretless. While I was there I found an Ibanez Artcore semi-hollowbody that also had Chromes on it. I accidentally bought that, too. Now I have two basses with Chromes on them. I'll get back to you all to let you know if I end up loving them, but so far I don't hate them.

KO