Len_derby Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I have recently joined a band whose music has prompted me to move over to playing 5 string. I've bought a MIM Fender Jazz 5er from a basschatter. It's strung with rounds, but I'd like to swop over to flats as that's what I like on my 4 strings. Any thoughts or advice please regarding this please? For example, do flats work well on the B string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I have Chromes ECB81-5 on my BB425 which is my backup bass and I can't really tell the difference in tension between those and the EXL165-5s on my BB1025 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I was A/Bing my Lull P5 with Happy Jack's Lull P5 and his sounded better. I couldn't work out why and after a lot of emails to various people I put some Lakland flats on. That was the difference. I didn't realise what an improvement those strings could make. Flats on my Lull P5 sound fantastic and the B string is still very playable and sounds clear and well defined right down to B. I don't know your bass, but you have to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I've used flats extensively on 5-string basses and, in the main, they are absolutely fine. My favourite flats are LaBella FLs and they work with 34" basses though the B-string can be on the short side. I now play exclusively 35" scale, and the FLs are simply not long enough. I use what I think of as Lakland Jo Osborne flats, but Lakland now call them something else and Gareth (Walbassist) assures me that they are anyway just re-badged GHS strings. With 34" scale on a 5-string there is definitely the risk of some flobbadob going on, so you also need to take into account your own playing style. I like a high-ish action and I tend to dig in pretty hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Less-than-top-end basses and rigs will probably need the mids turned up a bit if you use the low B a lot. Also, with 34" scale and low-tension flats such as Chromes, you will need to adjust the action so that the low B doesn't buzz. Having an adjustable nut helps a lot in this case, as you can intervene on the low B and leave the other strings alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I've used both D'Addario Chromes and Sadowsky Black Label flatwound B-strings and liked them (I've stuck with the Sadowskys). Both are tight and pleasant sounding in the lower range, and I would say it's actually higher up the neck that the sound becomes a bit of an acquired taste. From about the 9th fret upwards the sound gets a lot of thump to it and is a bit less clear in a way that reminds me of how a flatwound E sounds on certain short-scale basses. Depending on your tastes this could actually be a useful extra tonal option on those notes. The only B-string I could not live with at all was on D'Addario black nylon tapewounds, and I ended up using a roundwound DR Black Beauty B-string with those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I somehow could only get Ernie Ball flats for my five string fretless many years ago and have stuck with them since. First set lasted six years. I genuinely believe that investment in good strings is a massive part of your sound, and can really alter the sound. I would recommend the Ernie Balls especially if you need a lot of length to reach the tuners, but also because of the durability. Tonally one man's treasure, etc. But I find these great for the bass I tie them on, a bit of grit in the sound and a space in the notes with a solid tone works for me. Also no finger blisters when really digging in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1439377187' post='2842234'] With 34" scale on a 5-string there is definitely the risk of some flobbadob going on [/quote] No-one likes flobbadob... terrible condition... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I routinely by singles so I can pick the gauges to get even tension. IIRC the B string on my fretless 5er is 130 (maybe 132). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I have Chromes ECB81-5 on my Squier P5 and they are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Thanks for all the advice friends. I shall definitely be wary of the flobberdobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 I use chromes on a 35in scale 5 string fretless Spector and find them a little tight but I think that is the difference of scales. I have a 34in Fender Jazz 5 string which I think the B is a little slack on, but I have only ever tried wire wounds on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjas Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 +1 for Ernie Ball Flats. Just put a set on my 5 string fretless and love them. Jas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 I have Chromes on my G&L L1505. They sound superb, everything from in-your face rock to sweet round Motown. I reached a bit of a compromise when setting the action, in that the B frets out when held at above the 15th fret, but tbh I never use the B above the 10th anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 My new band heard my fretkess with Ernie Balls this week and said it sounds "dirty" I said yeh there's a little bit of grit in the sound and they simultaneously went "no, sexually dirty". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share Posted August 15, 2015 Ordered me some Ernie Ball flats from Strings Direct. They arrived, with free postage, less than 24 hours later. Thanks again for all the advice and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Pedal Geek Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 I used flats on a Lakland 55-02 (fretless) for a while. Worked out just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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