What flat wound strings?

[DJ '65]

Hi all

I recently got a Sandberg Precision type and have heard that a Precision with flats is the way to go. I'm fairly new to all things bass and have no experience with flats or what gauge to use. The bass currently has EB 105 - 50 round wounds which are OK although there is a little string rattle. Would flats have any more or less rattle.... Or are there any brands that seemingly are less prone to rattle due to higher tension? Any help appreciated.

 

[FourBanger]

The rattle might just be new strings and could happen with any type. A break-in period and a proper setup is what you need more than a change in string design.

 

[ThatGingerMojo]

I bought a very inexpensive set of flatwounds this week. Fender 100 - 55, they sound pretty good. I stretched them out and broke them in for about 6-8 hours. No real rattle to speak of. I am happy with them. I would really like to try the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds but my local music store only sells them in 5 string, and they are double the price of the Fenders.

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

Thomastik-Infeld are very good.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I've put D'Addario Chromes on a few, and people seem to like those a lot.

 

[Gorn]

There's so much variety between flats. All you can do is try some. If it's within your means, buy a few different sets. You can sell them here if you don't like them.

If I was in your position,I'd get a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, Labella flats, and if you've got the dough, TI flats. Maybe Fender flats or daddario chromes too. All very different strings that pretty much cover the tonal spectrum of flats. Pick the ones you like and put the rest up in the classifieds. Used flats sell easily here.

 

[Yahboy]

Suggest start with a great value , good tone , well balance tension and balance output flatwound ~ Fender 9050CL !

 

[michael_t]

I'm fairly new to all things bass and have no experience with flats or what gauge to use.

Suggest start with a great value , good tone , well balance tension and balance output flatwound ~ Fender 9050CL !

Another vote for the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105)!

 

[The_Phoenician]

If you want a brighter sound somewhat akin to rounds, try out d'Addario Chromes. If you want a classic Motown thud, try out LaBellas. Also, try raising the bridge saddles to see if that helps with the rattle.

 

[DJ '65]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. As suggested I'm going to get a set of chromes and and a set of Fender 9050's and use that as a starting point. I just picked up another bass so can leave one with rounds on for a different tone and feel for comparison. Regarding the buzzing, it really isn't bad and I'll be honest and say it's driver error..... My lack of technique. However I'm getting better and enjoying every minute, the bass is real cool and it's hard picking my guitars up when I need to rehearse for the other band I'm in.

 

[Klonk]

Sandbergs are great. Google how to do a setup on a bass guitar, you'll be glad you learned how to do it.

Flatwounds are great, also on a Sandberg, I use Sadowsky SBF45 flats on my Sandberg VS4. Also used TI JF344, Chromes, LaBella 760FM, 760FS, 760FL and Ernie Ball flats on it, they all worked fine, I just like the Sadowsky flats the best on it.

 

[michael_t]

I'm going to get a set of chromes and and a set of Fender 9050's and use that as a starting point.

They're both good choices for a starter. One thing about flats is they do take longer than rounds for the break-in period (2-3 mths), so be patient. Also, never judge a set of flats until you've had a chance to try it in a live band mix, where their magic is.

Regarding the buzzing, it really isn't bad and I'll be honest and say it's driver error.....

You will find flats are less prone to buzzing due to their stiffer nature compared to rounds, ie less excursion when they vibrate. The important thing is to do a proper setup on your bass when you first install them.

 

[michael_t]

I'm going to get a set of chromes and and a set of Fender 9050's and use that as a starting point.

Here's my personal take on D'A Chromes vs. Fender 9050...

• The Chromes are slightly brighter with more of the hi-mid clank, while the Fenders are warmer and mellower (once broken in) with a bit more of the low-mid grind.
• The factory sets for the Chromes, ECB81 & ECB82, are very "unbalanced" in overall tension, with very tight G and D and noticeably looser A and E.
• The Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105), on the other hand, is one of the best-balanced factory sets around both in terms of tension and tone.
• My Fender Jazz wore a set of the Chromes ECB84 (40-60-80-100) for four years. The 40G stayed (almost annoyingly) bright, while the 100E eventually went all thuddy.
• The same Jazz bass wore the Fenders 9050L (45-60-80-100) for about six months and I found them to be better-balanced than the Chromes. The 100E did feel and sound a bit weaker than the rest after a while, and that's the reason why I'll be switching to the CL set with the 105E.

Hope this helps.

 

[javadog]

If you are hammering the strings hard with a pick you can get rattle from strings hitting the top of a pickup. Which strings are rattling and when?
If you are playing with fingers very aggressively you might need to raise your action. Take it to a good repair tech and show him or her what the bass is doing.
BTW, I have had good results from LaBella strings including the low tension flexible flats. You can also e-mail Jason at bassstringsonline.com he is an awesome
resource for help and advice. Ask about becoming a VIP customer you will get a discount as a talkbass member.

 

[BassNamedRosie]

What is the difference in tension between Fender flats & Chromes (100 guage)?

 

[Klonk]

You can get Fender flats and Chromes in different tensions, so it's probably easier to check them out on bassstringsonline.com, for instance. You'll see the various sets there.

 

[ShowKing]

Dunlop flatwounds - My review of the new Dunlop Flatwound strings!

 

[Yahboy]

What is the difference in tension between Fender flats & Chromes (100 guage)?

In past , I have use Fender 9050L and D'addario ECB81 in same bass ~ Squier CV P.

ECB81 45-65-80-100
Totally unbalance
D and G string's tension higher than E and A.
You can feel how stiff both D G string when play with finger style, and how floppy the E string.
It produce metallic-like tone.
After 2 1/2 years, the A and D sound become better, but the E totally dead and muddy , most horrible thing is the G still Zingy-Never-Die.
String tension is higher than Fender 9050L


9050L 45-60-80-100
Better string to string tone and tension balance than ECB81, just the 100E become little loose after break in.
Open sound with thicker lo-mid
It is Zingy when fresh new, but they tame slowly after few weeks
When broke in, tone is different than ECB81 , it more vintage organic BUT not same league like 760FL vibe
I believe tension of 9050L is just slightly more than Fender 7250L round. The stiff feel between 9050L and 7250L is another story.

Hope could help for you.

 

[BassNamedRosie]

Most informative, thanks!

EDIT:
I see there is a 42.04lbs difference in total tension between the Chromes and LaBella low tension flats.

You can get Fender flats and Chromes in different tensions, so it's probably easier to check them out on bassstringsonline.com, for instance. You'll see the various sets there.

 

[michael_t]

What is the difference in tension between Fender flats & Chromes (100 guage)?

You can get Fender flats and Chromes in different tensions, so it's probably easier to check them out on bassstringsonline.com, for instance. You'll see the various sets there.

Based on my experience, I would say the Chromes are slightly higher in tension (ie stiffer), especially the 45G and 65G.

I like the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) the way they're perfectly balanced right from the factory:
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If you want to try the Chromes, I would suggest you get the custom set, 45-60-80-105, from BSO:
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