What is your favorite flatwound?

[Jon McBass]

Will do. How do they compare to LaBella Deep Talking? Or have you tried those?

I haven't tried those.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Fender 9050 L's.. Got them installed on just about every bass I own.. They work great on all on them.(Which is many!)

Thanks for the recommendation. Just got a set and put them on my Lakland Skyline 44-51 and I love them. They have a nice mid-range tone that I hadn't heard before on this bass. And even with the treble knob all the way up I hear very minimal fret clacking and absolutely no finger noise either. These strings are so quiet it's amazing. The tension feels just right. Medium to low I would say.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Fender 9050L for me so far. Best feeling flat I've tried. Perfect stiffness for me. They went through a couple tonally questionable phases through the break-in period, but I love how they sound on a P now that they're almost two years old. They have a presence in the mids that I was missing from LaBella 760FL.

Had .045-.100 (I think) Chromes on an '85 4003. Those strings were great on that bass. Sounded like an earthquake.

I had TIs on a '80 4001 for a while but I had to pull the plug. Best tone, but too loose for me. Only flat I've tried that sounds great right out of the box. If I had them on my #1 bass then I could get used to them. Having them on a backup didn't work for me. That said, I can definitely understand why people love these strings so much.

That 4001 is being setup now with Optima Red Box flats. Nickle wrap and round core like TI. Reading about them a little around here has me hoping they're similarly stiff as Fender 9050L. Excited to try them out.

Just installed a set of 4050L's on my Lakland Skyline 44-51 and they sound great. You're right about the midrange tone. They definitely have a nice middy tone I hadn't heard before on this bass. They are also extremely quiet. Very minimal fret clack even with the tone knob all the way up. Nice tension too. Not sure what tension they are but they feel low to mid. Got 'em for $25 bucks on Amazon. Good price. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Fender 9050L.

I couldn't resist these for the price. Love the sound. Nice mids and very quiet. No fret clack at all. Thanks!

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

View attachment 3627382
++ My Fender American Professional with Fender Pure Vintage '63s and a 920D wiring harness with CTS pots and a 47 Sprague orange drop cap loves the 9050s and so do I. I play through a Markbass 102 Little Marcus and can get plenty bright, and dirty if need be.

I just installed a set of 4050l's on my Lakland Skyline 44-51 and love 'em! Nice middy tone and hardly any fret clack even with the tone knob all the way up. I plan on trying them on my P-Bass next and possibly even my Fender Jazz. Can't beat the price. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Hypercaffium]

They sound great on J basses too. Nice definition and plenty of treble when they're fresh.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

There really is no substitute for trying a few. Gotta have something to fill up those drawers with.

But in all seriousness, what works well with one person and their bass may not work as well, or not at all with your particular bass, rig, playing style and body chemistry. That's why there are ten thousand choices.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

There really is no substitute for trying a few. Gotta have something to fill up those drawers with.

But in all seriousness, what works well with one person and their bass may not work as well, or not at all with your particular bass, rig, playing style and body chemistry. That's why there are ten thousand choices.

Agreed. My Lakland has a big, bassy sound. I had GHS Stainless on it before but way too dead and thumpy. I'm thinking maybe trying something a little zingier on it like Rotosound 77's in the future.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

They sound great on J basses too. Nice definition and plenty of treble when they're fresh.

Yes! I think they are just what my Jazz bass needs. I also have a P-Bass that seems to have a bit of a scooped tone. But it's got relatively new D-Addarios now so I guess I will wait a while and give them a chance to break in.

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

I haven't tried those.

I prefer medium lights but the only Dunlops I could find with a 100 gauge E are the short scale.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Thank you! I’m happy to share!

Did you compose that piece? It is really cute and catchy. I actually downloaded it to my phone. ☺ Are you playing the high melody part at the same as the low chords?

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Did you compose that piece? It is really cute and catchy. I actually downloaded it to my phone. ☺ Are you playing the high melody part at the same as the low chords?

"same time".

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

None! Hate them
Just being honest

What rounds do you like?

 

[Smoothmove]

What rounds do you like?

Hybrid Slinky‘s, there Great on my Roscoe!!
I only play 4 string. They’re reasonably priced. Paying over 30 bucks for bass strings is just ridiculous. These are just under $20

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

Hybrid Slinky‘s, there Great on my Roscoe!!
I only play 4 string. They’re reasonably priced. Paying over 30 bucks for bass strings is just ridiculous. These are just under $20

Thanks. I have a set of DR Low Riders on my Jazz bass. They also are nickel plated steel with a hex core. Yep, the Slinky strings always seem to be the best priced. Thanks.

 

[SiliconElle]

Did you compose that piece? It is really cute and catchy. I actually downloaded it to my phone. ☺ Are you playing the high melody part at the same as the low chords?

Thank you! I did compose it. It’s a work in progress. I tracked the melody, harmonics and bassline separately, but all are on the fretless Corvette. The the only thing not played on on the Corvette is the clavinet-ish broken chords which is an old Roland JX-10 synthesizer. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Dirk Rockbottom]

View attachment 3627382
++ My Fender American Professional with Fender Pure Vintage '63s and a 920D wiring harness with CTS pots and a 47 Sprague orange drop cap loves the 9050s and so do I. I play through a Markbass 102 Little Marcus and can get plenty bright, and dirty if need be.

I took the plunge. Nice tone all around. Rich bass, mids and not too harsh on the high range. Quiet too. Hardly any fret clank. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[WillyW]

Pyramid Golds

Ernie Ball cobalts are 3/4 as good for half the price, but the Pyramids are just worth the extra expense.

 

[foal30]

D'Addario Chrome's- Question is how long do we leave them on? My P bass has the same set from 5yrs ago. Remembering when I changed them the "new brighter" sound didn't last very long maybe 3 months. They still sound good. I can't imagine swamping out $40 flats for flats very often.

In 2007 I put Chromes on my Fretless Fender Jazz.
In 2003 I put Chromes on my Fender Precision
In 2009 I put Chromes on my MTD

All still there...