This is the bass. It's a very nice parts bass. I actually posted a thread involving this bass a while back. That was before I caught it being properly represented. Long story short it was posted as a custom built bass by a well known builder. In actually it's a custom built bass by some guy. The wood used is nice. The electronics nice as well. Sorry for getting derailed. All this to ask. What flats would you string this up with and why?
I bought them after reading all the positive remarks on the "Strings" page. Couldn't resist the price. Liked them so much they're on my G&L L-2000 and SB-2
Go with the best: LaBellas. They are the smoothest to the touch. They have a lovely vintage thump. They actually improve with age.
TI Flats are one of the best sounding of all the flats. But damn!........they are so expensive! They are also on the floppy side with with their low tension. Weak necks with near maxed out truss rods love low tension strings and most flat have a strong "yank". So, TIs are a string to consider. I like the Sadowsky flats a lot. Lakland sells a decent set of flats. The LaBella 760 FL set is excellent. GHS flats are nice but have very high tension!
+1 Since you're asking the way that you're asking, I shall assume that you've never tried flats. If this is the case, it's always safe to start with Chromes. They sound great and are relatively inexpensive if you decide that they are not for you.
I have used TI's a few years ago, Fender flats, and Chromes. My preference, at least for now, is the Fender's. A little bit less bright than the chrome's, although neither sound bad at all. TI's seemed less versatile to me, but that was years ago, so my memory could be off. They FEEL amazing however.
My only experience with flats are the ones that came on my jazz bass and I really like those. They are Ernie ball regular slinky flats. Is there anything that is directly comparable to those. I'm not opposed to getting some more slinkys also.
Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds - my new favorite flats. They start out sounding almost as bright as rounds, and mellow slowly with each use. They are supple feeling (for flats), and I experienced none of the "stickiness" normally associated with new flats. The set on my Classic 50's P are about a year old now, and are sounding phenomenal. If you want smooth & round, its right here. I keep the volume knob on the bass at 9, & roll the tone back to around 4, and it sounds like P-Bass Heaven.
I've never tried EB flats. Someone else will probably chime in shortly. Maybe edit your OP to include that you've tried them and are looking for something kinda similar?
I've had GHS Precision Flats on my SB-2 for a week and so far I love them! My usual companions are TI FLats and/or Fender Flats - different but both excellent.
I really want to know what you the reader would use on this bass and why. I think it's interesting to hear the different reasons.
My preference is LaBella 760FL. They are smooth, have a balanced and lighter tension and seem to get better with time.