Flatwound strings

[dlloyd]

I'd been thinking about getting flatwounds for a while as they seem so popular round these parts, and finally got round to it. I've had La Bella Deep Talking flats on my stingray for the last month.

I love the way the flats feel. I love the way they sound unamplified and amplified. They sound fantastic for some things...

...but they really suck for others. I've taken them off and put EB power slinkies back on.

I'm playing in a David Bowie tribute gig at the weekend and, while the flats sounded good on stuff like Jean Genie and Rebel Rebel, they couldn't cut it for the slap bass on Ashes to Ashes, no matter how much I fiddled with the EQ on the preamp and on the amplifier.

I'll try them again in a different context.

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you need to slap on occasions, D'Addario Chromes might be a good choice of flats for you. They're the brightest flats on the market, and a great all round choice for rock. (Disclaimer: I don't slap)

 

[dlloyd]

If you need to slap on occasions, D'Addario Chromes might be a good choice of flats for you. They're the brightest flats on the market, and a great all round choice for rock.

I might have a look into them at a later date, thanks!

(Disclaimer: I don't slap)

Neither do I through choice... Difficult to get "Ashes to Ashes" to sound convincing without it though

 

[tkarter]

Almost a question as much of it is a statement. How is any flat any brighter than TI Jazz Flats?

tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

Almost a question as much of it is a statement. How is any flat any brighter than TI Jazz Flats?k

D'Addario Chromes are, by virtue of higher tension. And, compared to other flats of similar tension (eg. Dean Markley, Fender) the Chromes are brighter. I would imagine that TIs have nowhere near enough tension for slapping, no matter they are great strings for funk or blues.

 

[Tom F]

I've had the TI's on both a Stingray and a Sterling, and had the Chromes on a Stingray. I love the TI strings (my choice for P's and Jazzes) but the Chromes are the %#!$ for a Ray IMHO. They sound clearer in the top and bottom while having a little less mid "honk". To me, the honk gets overbearing on a Ray.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I've got D'Addario Chromes on my new CS 57 PBass, and they sound great. Are these things going to mellow out at all, or are they like the Rotosound Monel flats in that they are going to sound like this forever?

I like the way they drive the pickups, but i was expecting/hoping they'd mellow a little bit.

They are certainly higher tension than Jazz Flats, but I got the light gauge, so they aren't high tension wires, or anything.

I can definitely get a usable slap tone from them, but they are only 3 days old at this point, too...


I can't say enough good things about the Sadowsky flats, either. On my 5 string fretted Bongo, they are an amazing combo with the two humbuckers, piezos, and 4 band EQ. These won't work well for slap, but they do sound amazing for every other aspect of playing--especially with a pick.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've got D'Addario Chromes on my new CS 57 PBass, and they sound great. Are these things going to mellow out at all, or are they like the Rotosound Monel flats in that they are going to sound like this forever?

They will mellow a little once they settle in, which only takes a few weeks. After that, they don't seem to mellow any further, and keep a consistent tone for a long time. I've got Chromes on some of my basses that are 4 or 5 years old, and they still sound fantastic.

 

[tkarter]

Thanks for explaining Mark. I am not a slapper so I know little of string requirements for that purpose. You have explained it very well so even the old dog can understand.

Thanks

tk

 

[dlloyd]

I'm playing in a David Bowie tribute gig at the weekend and, while the flats sounded good on stuff like Jean Genie and Rebel Rebel, they couldn't cut it for the slap bass on Ashes to Ashes, no matter how much I fiddled with the EQ on the preamp and on the amplifier.

It went really well, for anyone interested. Fantastic audience reaction (first time we've had people breakdancing in front of us... bizarre), some offers of session work, usual hassle of having to turn down groupies. Somebody nicked my favourite jumper though

 

[Doogels]

Good thread...

So, what's the general consensus for flats on an SR5 used 99% for rock? (No slapping at all).

 

[tkarter]

100 percent for TI Jazz flats for us non slappers and rockers. Of course this is my opinion.


tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

Good thread...

So, what's the general consensus for flats on an SR5 used 99% for rock? (No slapping at all).

D'Addario Chromes are my choice of flats for rock. TI flats are great strings, but struggle a little for rock due to their lower tension, in my opinion. I have TI flats on several of my basses, but the fretted Stingray and Bongo both wear Chromes.

 

[dlloyd]

Good thread...

So, what's the general consensus for flats on an SR5 used 99% for rock? (No slapping at all).

The La Bellas I had on my SR4 were nice. I liked the absence of finger noise and general feel of them. For bluesy rock stuff they were pretty good, particularly in a sparse mix, but I needed a little more treble to cut through in "denser" tunes. The onboard eq was capable of handling this though.

For tunes where I needed to be more at the front of the mix I found them to lack definition. Slapping was not good.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Almost a question as much of it is a statement. How is any flat any brighter than TI Jazz Flats?

tk

I have had the TI Jazz Flats and then went to D'Addario Chromes...the Chromes are brighter with more of the R/W zing. Also, while the TI Jazz Flats go a little deeper the Chromes have more punch.

 

[stretch80]

Question for you flatwound players w/ SR5s: Do you still get that great SR5 low-B "growl" with flats?

 

[tkarter]

I do with the TI Jazz flats. Plenty of it.

tk

 

[mobis.fr]

ok, this threat is a little bit dusty, but i stand in front of a "big" decision

which flats should i try?
1) chromes (works for me only on an alder bodys and not on an ash one)
2) fender
3) labella
4) tomasik infield (i heard they are floppy - i don't like that)


i want that nice tone you can hear at "another bites the dust"

i have some chromes on my fretless alder bass and i like it. the problem is, that they are too short for my stringthru stingray (i cut off a bit of the strings). before they were on my fretless i had them on my ash Herr Schwarz from LeFay. They sounded like... well the sound was not what i wanted.

do you have any advice?



mobis

 

[Dead Seven]

The day I got my SR5 I strung it up with some Chromes. Very nice, (I was used to Chromes) but I tune way down, so I was looking for heavier... I got a heavy set of Rotosounds and so far I'm very pleased. I have a set of Group I Ernie Ball Flats on order plus a single .130 to make it a fiver set. I have a feeling I'm going to end up with a 100% EB setup eventually. I hear nothing but good things about the EB Flats.

Now if they would only make a heavier flatwound B to match that Group I set, say a .136? They'd have me sold for life! (HINT HINT HINT)

Anyway, back to your question... From what I understand, the EB flats are more like the Rotosounds than the Chromes, as far as brightness and more of an aggressive sound. Again, just what I hear/read. I've played quite a bit with Chromes and most recently with the Rotos and it sounds like you're probably looking for the brighter, more aggressive?

Go for the Ernie Ball. Only thing I'm not sure of is winding length. I know I had plenty on the Rotosounds.

 

[strummer]

do you have any advice?



mobis

Yes: Get friggin' EB Flats, dammit!