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Which flat wounds ?

P

Polaris

Oct 2, 2005
4
0
#1
Hello,

My name is Dave. I am a guitarist-recently-turned-bassist. I am looking for some insight into getting a vintage bass tone similar to what Jack Bruce had in the Cream era. I so far have been able to get a similar bass to the Gibson EB-3 (mine is a 1970's Japanese copy), a '68 Marshall Plexi head going through 12" speakers in closed back cabs. The sound is close but somehow it is missing that round thumpy quality.

I was thinking the strings I am using might be wrong, and was wondering if anyone knows what types of strings I might try? The bass I have came with roundwound strings which are the only ones I've even used, but from what I understand, flat wound strings were more the norm in the early/mid 1960's. Can someone recommend specific brands and/or diameters that would go well with this type of bass (30 inch scale) to get me that kind of sound? I went to juststrings.com and saw several brands that come in flats, but the string sets seem to vary a lot in terms of diameters and price.

Any insight most appreciated..

thanks,

Dave
 
#2
Try the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. IMO, the best flat wound strings on the planet.

Others like the LaBella's (the "Deep Talkin'" set, I think), but I haven't had success getting them to fit on a short scale bass. They seem to break easily if the bare string (without the silk wrapping) wraps around the tuner post. I should know-- I broke two (count 'em-- 2-- :scowl: )-- La Bella E strings this way!
 
#3
For that tone, I'd probably try some Fender flats. My personal favorites are the TI flats, but those are more middy, and Daddario Chromes, which have that deep low end, but are quite bright on the top end for flats .
 
#7
TI's are far from a traditional sound, although its a nice sound. More traditional sounding flatwounds are- Labella (my fave), Fender, GHS. Rotosound are also considered a traditional flatwound, although, to me, they have less lows, more mids. Daddario Chromes are also more middy than the 3 I listed above. Don't know what strings Jack used back then, but his Gibson accounted for a lot of the tone. I think if you got some traditional sounding flats, you'd be the rest of the way there to getting a "Bruceish" tone. Just be aware that recording techniques, playing style, and a zillion other things also contribute to tone.
 
#8
Hi all,

Thanks for the input. There seem to be a lot of choices out there, when you once go shopping - all the details are a little overwhelming. I ordered a set of GHS Electric Bass 30" - 31" Scale, .045 - .095, Precision Flatwound , #3020. Hopefully I won't be too disappointed, and they should at least serve as some kind of point of reference.

thanks again,

Dave
 
#11
I tried a set of "old" Fender flats on a '72 Jazz..........Talk about ultimate vintage tone! Plus a variety of tones when plucked form the bridge p/up to the neck, from full round to percussive thud. These flats are about the smoothest I have ever felt in a flat, and yes they are somewhat tight in tension, but when set up properly (you can set these up really low to the board) they require very little effort to play.
I'm taking the TI JF's off my P bass and putting the Fender 9050ML's on! :hyper:
 
#12
not to confuse you further, but jack also played a fender bass VI, and a danelectro long horn ..he recorded with both of these, as well as felix's gibson..i have owned all of these at one time or another..night and day difference in tones across the board. so when you say you want jack in the Cream ..which jack?

as far as flats..The Thoms are not what you want at all..LaBella flats are it, followed by fender flats. if you want a compromise, iow, you aren't going to use your shiny eb3 copy for mimicking jack bruce in 1968 on a daily basis..you could also try a 1/2 or "ground" wound flat, which will give you a bit more articulation, especially when using a plectrum. (as jack would say). though most internet geniuses disavow them, i have used D'aDarrio's with great success..especially once they are worn in, about a year or two.
 
#17
phat5 said:
I tried a set of "old" Fender flats on a '72 Jazz..........Talk about ultimate vintage tone! Plus a variety of tones when plucked form the bridge p/up to the neck, from full round to percussive thud. These flats are about the smoothest I have ever felt in a flat, and yes they are somewhat tight in tension, but when set up properly (you can set these up really low to the board) they require very little effort to play.
I'm taking the TI JF's off my P bass and putting the Fender 9050ML's on! :hyper:
Click to expand...

Sold you on them, huh :)

I was playing that bass with those strings when I read your post...plunk-plunk-plunk!
 

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