fretmeister Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I've just got a Ray 5 that came with ancient strings on it and they need changing I also have a selection of flats in my Trunk of Things. I have Chromes, TI Flats, La Bella White Nylons, D'Addario Black Nylons. So I'll give them all a try over the next few weeks Quote
Martin E Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I have had a set of TI flats for the last few months on my Sterling SB14. First time I have used flats and am so far delighted with the results. Plenty of solid bass thump and yet am able to dial in sufficient treble on the preamp if need be so the best of both worlds. Coming from using light gauge roundwounds they are fine for me but they are low tension.which may not suite everyone. I have to say the bass sounds absolutely dead played acoustically but they make sense once plugged in! Quote
Prime_BASS Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Don't know if they've been mentioned but I highly rate d'addario nickel flatwound(I think they are nickel) sound ace!! Quote
alyctes Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1420312376' post='2647997'] Status Hotwire flats 40s - 100s on my Ray (though it is a fretless). Plenty of zing and low - medium tension. [/quote] No Ray here, but I do like Status Hotwire flats. Quote
DarkHeart Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 ive got Fender flats on about 6 of my basses, couldnt get on with the status ones as they were too dull, a bit like picato. Quote
cybertect Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 [quote name='Martin E' timestamp='1420383351' post='2648587'] I have had a set of TI flats for the last few months on my Sterling SB14. First time I have used flats and am so far delighted with the results. Plenty of solid bass thump and yet am able to dial in sufficient treble on the preamp if need be so the best of both worlds. Coming from using light gauge roundwounds they are fine for me but they are low tension.which may not suite everyone.[/quote] After enjoying using Chromes on my fretless VM Jazz and hearing great things about TI flats, I've been eyeing TIs for a possible tryout on my Sabre As I'm often/usually playing tuned a semitone flat, the tension thing I've heard about them makes me wonder if I'd be better off sticking with Chromes, though. Are they really a [i]lot[/i] looser? Quote
EssentialTension Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 [quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1420407734' post='2649117'] After enjoying using Chromes on my fretless VM Jazz and hearing great things about TI flats, I've been eyeing TIs for a possible tryout on my Sabre As I'm often/usually playing tuned a semitone flat, the tension thing I've heard about them makes me wonder if I'd be better off sticking with Chromes, though. Are they really a [i]lot[/i] looser? [/quote] No telling for you without trying them, but if I was tuning down then I wouldn't buy TI Flats. Quote
fretmeister Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 Annoyingly I was all set to put an old set of Chromes on my Ray5 when I discovered that the D wasn't long enough anymore - it had been on something else and I'd cut it short. But I have now got La Bella White Nylons on it and it is sound fab! really full and plummy. I might end up keeping them on it. Quote
Cairobill Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 Thomastiks! Love love love thomastiks... Quote
philw Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1420546251' post='2650429'] Annoyingly I was all set to put an old set of Chromes on my Ray5 when I discovered that the D wasn't long enough anymore - it had been on something else and I'd cut it short. But I have now got La Bella White Nylons on it and it is sound fab! really full and plummy. I might end up keeping them on it. [/quote] I was going to suggest LaBella White Nylons too - fabulous and unusual tone, especially on a fretless. They are pretty low tension though. P Quote
fretmeister Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 I had the White Nylons on a fretless first and lived them so much I got some more. Quote
GrammeFriday Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 I put some Labellas on my Ray5 a few months ago, just out of curiosity. Meh! Took them off the same day and put the EB slinkys back on. What on earth was I thinking?! Quote
ColinB Posted January 7, 2015 Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) Another vote for Chromes in 40-60-80-100 (ECB84) on a SUB Ray4. Edited January 7, 2015 by ColinB Quote
sammybee Posted January 8, 2015 Author Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks for all the varied opinions. Decided to try the EB Flats (50-80-85-105) Group II - WIll report more when I've fitted them. Quote
sammybee Posted January 29, 2015 Author Posted January 29, 2015 Well after a couple of weeks wearing flats, quickly came to the conclusion that the 'Ray is better with rounds. Anybody fancy a set of EB flats cut to fit a 'Ray? going v cheap.. Quote
Highfox Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='sammybee' timestamp='1422569343' post='2674289'] Well after a couple of weeks wearing flats, quickly came to the conclusion that the 'Ray is better with rounds. Anybody fancy a set of EB flats cut to fit a 'Ray? going v cheap.. [/quote] Told you so But never say never. Quote
Pinball Posted January 30, 2015 Posted January 30, 2015 [quote name='sammybee' timestamp='1422569343' post='2674289'] Well after a couple of weeks wearing flats, quickly came to the conclusion that the 'Ray is better with rounds. Anybody fancy a set of EB flats cut to fit a 'Ray? going v cheap.. [/quote] I bought a set of those and found them "too flat", even the colour was dull. Quote
fretmeister Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I've recently put some TI on my Ray5. I'm loving the sound in the house, but the real test will be tomorrow when I have orchestra rehearsal. The boss likes the bass to sound as much like an upright as possible so hopefully it will work! Quote
malcolm.mcintyre Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I've used Rotosound flats on my pre-Ernie (i.e. String through body) Stingray for 30 years. And the truss rod still hasn't needed touching from new, which can't be said for any of my other basses. Quote
3below Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 TI flats pricey to start with. Currently have a set 8+ yrs old on my G&L and they are going strong. Long term vfm seems excellent. Quote
fretmeister Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 TI are dirt cheap at Thomann at the mo. Even with shipping. Quote
drTStingray Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1425049052' post='2703413'] TI are dirt cheap at Thomann at the mo. Even with shipping. [/quote] Yeah I noticed that - don't know how they manage it! I've had a set of TI flats on my Classic Ray for a couple of years now - the sound is excellent and it's fine for slap also - I used it for a gig a couple of weeks back and was reminded just how good the sound is and the string tension is almost the same as regular round wounds. I have EB Group 3 flats on a fretless Stingray and would recommend these as well - again the tension is on a par with round wounds but you get great tone, and with the fretless plenty of mwah - and easy on your fretboard. Quote
fretmeister Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Rehearsal went very well. Sat in the mix just right. Very happy. Quote
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