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What kind of Flatwounds?

#5
#7
I used and liked the Lakland Joe Osborne flats which are made by GHS for Lakland basses both four and five string. The five string sets are 35 scale. They're available on the Lakland website.
 
#8
I usually use La Bellas. My two most played electric basses are short scale and have La Bellas on them. I have also used Pyramids, T-I, and the Fender branded flats, and Chromes. I hate Chromes with a passion, will never use those again.

The ones I would recommend for a price/performance ratio are La Bellas and then T-I. I need to get some new T-I sets to compare side by side, as I've only had one set of their flats (I use their rounds on my 5 string Ric and love them), but the La Bellas have been totally satisfying and they haven't worn out yet, so it may be a while before I can do that comparison.
 
#10
meatwad said:
I recently put some D'Addario Chromes on my Precision, and really like them. I don't have much experience with flats, other than some being unpleasantly stiff with tension through the roof. With Chromes, at least the ECB80 XL set, I found these are quite easy on the neck, fingers, and wallet. Great tone, too.
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What sets did you find had higher tension? I use Chromes, and they have higher tension than their round wound equivalent IME. Personally I love the feel of tighter strings, so if there's something with higher tension at the same gauge I'd be very interested.

Sorry, I don't mean to high-jack this thread.
 
#12
Eric Scholz said:
What sets did you find had higher tension? I use Chromes, and they have higher tension than their round wound equivalent IME. Personally I love the feel of tighter strings, so if there's something with higher tension at the same gauge I'd be very interested.

Sorry, I don't mean to high-jack this thread.
Click to expand...

Most likely they were old school GHS or Fender medium gauge flats. They always made any bass they were on a serious chore to play, and gave a tone I was in no way interested in at the time. I have avoided them entirely until recently, making the Chromes the first set of flats I've ever bought. I'm sure there may be something out there I might like better, but these are a major improvement over those old neck-benders.
 
#14
I just ordered the(Brand new [custom light]) Fender 9050Cl's on the advice from iiipope. I have the old 9050's and they are too stiff! They have a good sound though. The new 9050's(all gauges) have been reformulated(Core and outer wrap) to be more flexable and balanced. He says that the new 9050Cl's are more flexable like the D'Addario chromes, BUT with better tone(less hollow), articulation, growl and a balanced feel. Also, they are cheap in price.
 
#15
I'm digging my Fender MLs after getting used to the tension. When I put them on, I was able to lower my action a fair amount, but my truss rod needed about a quarter turn the next day. It's a skinny necked Ibanez, so I expected that. I love the sound they make though, so clear yet so growly.
 
#17
Whenever I change to a different brand, gauge, or type of string I always do a setup. Many things can change the tension different strings put on the neck (although sometimes so minor you can't notice) so it's always a good idea to have the setup done.
 

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