Warm And Smooth Sounding Flats

[Quazlpa]

The OP is kind of confusing, because it says that the Chromes are too low tension and the DR Legends are too bright. It's possible this refers to a very light set of Chromes but most people say that if anything, they're too stiff. And the Legends are about the least bright flats in captivity, especially after having been broken in for 3-4 months. So ... something stiffer than Chromes and not as bright as Legends is a tough order. The LaBella FM or FS is possible, as I expect the E isn't as problematic as the OP fears (though the higher gauge may be worse in that regard). But heavy gauge GHS P-flats may also work, although IME they're brighter than Legends, especially in the higher strings. I hope the P-flats work out, though, and I hope the OP reports back with his/her findings.

The chromes were a 105 set so definitely not lite I just like really stiff strings. And the bottom two strings on the legends are very mellow ( the E string to the point that it has almost no definition) the top two strings are still very bright and unbalanced comparatively. But if the precisions are a brighter on the high strings that’s fine as long as they aren’t as bright as chromes and are a bit more balanced sounding then the legends

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I think the LTF4A sound warm and smooth....

The LaBells low tension flats are one of VERY few types of flatwounds I haven't tested. After hearing these clips I'm sold. They sound AMAZING! (Low tension is probably not what the OP is looking for though).

Thanks for making me buy a new bass... ('cause I'm not making any string changes to the ones I've already got!).

 

[Quazlpa]

The LaBells low tension flats are one of VERY few types of flatwounds I haven't tested. After hearing these clips I'm sold. They sound AMAZING! (Low tension is probably not what the OP is looking for though).

Thanks for making me buy a new bass... ('cause I'm not making any string changes to the ones I've already got!).

The labella low tensions sound great but I’m just not sure I’d be able to get used to the feel of them which kinda sucks

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The labella low tensions sound great but I’m just not sure I’d be able to get used to the feel of them which kinda sucks

Thanks for the warning! I generally don't like light tension strings except with some flats, like TIs. But even then it's a bit of a compromise because I love the tone so much. I guess I'll just have to give the LaBellas a try and see for myself.

 

[havnjero]

Adding to this to form a relevant question, from strings of this sort I believe I want a deeper, darker, thicker, meatier sound, particularly concerning the high side D and G strings. In other words, less twang, more warm sing from the high strings.

This is part of what lead me toward the path to flats to begin with; going from stainless rounds to nickel rounds to trying a hybrid mix of 65 and 45 stainless flats with 105 and 85 nickel rounds, then just stainless flats.

In general, I've always desired less twang and more stiffness from D and G strings of any kind. I feel I want more resistance or push back from the strings than 65 and 45 gauge stings bring.

Additional, for my preference, I feel I overpower these strings too much with my left and right hands (fingers or pick) especially when I cross over from the low side of the neck. I'd like to have the efficiency of staying more in the money zone down the neck but with more of the tone I get from playing the same notes up the neck on the E and A strings.

I also find I lowering the high string side of my pickups considerable more than the typical/factory stand starting point to tame the output. (if the singers voice isn't so great, lower their mic and volume in the mix)

THE QUESTION: Beyond standard 45-105 strings, does it make much sense for me to try heavier gauge, stiffer Labella DT and GHS P flats for these reasons?

absolutely. try a set of labella 1954 originals (0760M). they are everything I see you asking for.
or maybe dunlop flats are in the same ballpark for you, with a little more midrange clarity (I hear).

 

[insomehonkytonk]

The labella low tensions sound great but I’m just not sure I’d be able to get used to the feel of them which kinda sucks

When I first played the LTF4A on a Jazz Bass I thought they played sloppy, like spaghetti, weak tone, and this was after mostly playing GHS regular gauge on a P Bass. I restrung a P Bass with my set and they felt and sounded much better and I was very pleased. A slight adjustment of technique and a wider nut seemed to help the feel, now I really like em especially for longer sets.

 

[TomB]

absolutely. try a set of labella 1954 originals (0760M). they are everything I see you asking for.
or maybe dunlop flats are in the same ballpark for you, with a little more midrange clarity (I hear).

The D760M’s are pretty massive - stiffness, tension & sound. Trying to decipher your likes, I’d steer you towards the FS within the Labella lineup.
The Dunlops are indeed warm and smooth, but much less stiff than any of those particular Labella sets.

 

[Grinderman]

absolutely. try a set of labella 1954 originals (0760M). they are everything I see you asking for.
or maybe dunlop flats are in the same ballpark for you, with a little more midrange clarity (I hear).

52, 73, 95, 110... going all the way in heavy... perhaps. I've thought about also moving up from 45-105 to 50-110 Dunlop flats on my other P, the '58 type with the hefty 1-pc maple neck.

 

[Stewie]

A foam mute at the bridge will calm down the D and G strings but pretty much leave the fat boys alone. You lose some sustain but really bring out the thump.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Thanks for the warning! I generally don't like light tension strings except with some flats, like TIs. But even then it's a bit of a compromise because I love the tone so much. I guess I'll just have to give the LaBellas a try and see for myself.

They may be low-tension but they are stiff enough .. much stiffer than TI and just a tad less stiff than the standard DTF 760FL, which, amongst other, sound a tad more vintage, with slightly more focus on lows and low-mids!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

The D760M’s are pretty massive - stiffness, tension & sound. Trying to decipher your likes, I’d steer you towards the FS within the Labella lineup.
The Dunlops are indeed warm and smooth, but much less stiff than any of those particular Labella sets.

Mh.. not actually .. Dunlop 45-105 are amongst the stiffest sets I’ve played and they sound nothing like Motown, at least without waiting a couple of months.
Better buying something immediately usable IMO, there are a lot of other brands and models to chose from ..

 

[sunbeast]

Another vote for the GHS Precision flats- they were pretty much exactly what the OP describes, which is why I didn't bond with them (I prefer more punch, cut, growl, etc). I did find them very balanced string-to-string

 

[TomB]

Mh.. not actually .. Dunlop 45-105 are amongst the stiffest sets I’ve played and they sound nothing like Motown, at least without waiting a couple of months.
Better buying something immediately usable IMO, there are a lot of other brands and models to chose from ..

Everyone has different opinions. I find Dunlops quite flexible, at least in short scale. I’m generally satisfied with Labella for long scale. I can’t comment on P-Flats as it’s been too many years since I tried them. I guess OP will need to find his own way through the flatwound jungle!

 

[Terry McGill]

I've been playing flats for a year or so but I haven't been able to get the sound I want out of the ones I've used. I've tried Chromes and DR Legends and I dislike them both for different reasons. Chromes are way to bright, I had the same set on for about 8 months and they were still to bright.

The DR set is a bit less bright but still not quite there but I've only had them on for 3-4 months so they might break in more eventually. But they're way to loose and low tension for me and that gives them a bit to much clank. The chromes are also a bit low tension but not as bad. The DR's also have a very undefined E string which I really don't like.

So what strings should I try. I know labella's are popular but from what I herd they have a somewhat undefined E string and a fast decay which is why I haven't tried them yet. other than that any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Terry McGill]

I've been playing flats for a year or so but I haven't been able to get the sound I want out of the ones I've used. I've tried Chromes and DR Legends and I dislike them both for different reasons. Chromes are way to bright, I had the same set on for about 8 months and they were still to bright.

The DR set is a bit less bright but still not quite there but I've only had them on for 3-4 months so they might break in more eventually. But they're way to loose and low tension for me and that gives them a bit to much clank. The chromes are also a bit low tension but not as bad. The DR's also have a very undefined E string which I really don't like.

So what strings should I try. I know labella's are popular but from what I herd they have a somewhat undefined E string and a fast decay which is why I haven't tried them yet. other than that any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thunder E... I have 4 P,s and Jazz they all have a Huge E sound
Labella 760F (a109 E)

 

[Altitude]

The negative: they sound AWFUL when they go dead. I mean, the tonal balance is fine, but if they ever clank against the frets it's bad. Like, an awful upper-mid peaky clank (2k-ish) that makes any speaker sound cheap. This harmonic even sounds bad if I just dig in hard fingerstyle and it's mediocre with a pick.

They do have visible space along the flat winding, which is not usual for a flatwound string. I suppose that space creates opportunity for organic material to accumulate and creates the effect you describe. These may be the only flats that benefit from an occasional soak in denatured alcohol.

 

[Phaidrus]

I want a deeper, darker, thicker, meatier sound, particularly concerning the high side D and G strings.

THE QUESTION: Beyond standard 45-105 strings, does it make much sense for me to try heavier gauge, stiffer Labella DT and GHS P flats for these reasons?

I want the same and have the same question!

Have LaBella 760FS on a Pbass and D and G sound way too thin and trebly compared to the marvelously fat sounding E and A.

I'm considering:

1) Replacing the 45 G and 65 D with the 49 and 69 from a 760FM set. This could perhaps improve things to a point but means buying a whole expensive set just for two strings.

2) Trying the Fender 9050M (55-70-90-105) set. But I'm scared of the massive tension.

 

[Phaidrus]

My PB-57 is strung with GHS 3050s which are 55-105. My Vintera P Bass has La Bella LTF4A and my 54 style bass has the La Bella 0760M 1954 “Jamerson set” which are 52-110.

I’ve played Curt Mangan flatwound bass strings and found them to be very good and rich in tone.

GHS3050 55-105 have 229lbs of tension. Isn't that massive? Does your Pbass cope well with it?

 

[michael_t]

GHS3050 55-105 have 229lbs of tension. Isn't that massive? Does your Pbass cope well with it?

D'A Chromes "medium gauge" set (50-70-85-105) has 224 lbs. of total tension, while the Roto 77 Steve Harris set (50-110) is over 250 lbs.

As long as your fingers can handle their stiffness, your bass should be okay.

 

[Phaidrus]

D'A Chromes "medium gauge" set (50-70-85-105) has 224 lbs. of total tension, while the Roto 77 Steve Harris set (50-110) is over 250 lbs.

As long as your fingers can handle their stiffness, your bass should be okay.

I'm quite athletic so I can handle the heavy tension no probs.

Do you think it's a good idea to replace the 45 G and 65 D of the 760FS set on my bass with the 49 and 69 from a 760FM set?