Flatwound strings.. what make/model recomnended?

[Chrisbassboy5]

 hi folks I'm after some flat wound strings for my tanglewood 5K bass what do you recommend?

[Skinnyman]

I love d’addario chromes. They feel just right, have a good tension and sound just like a good flat wound should.

But all of the above is a very subjective opinion....

[chris_b]

I've got a set of TI flats on my P bass. I know they are an expensive initial outlay, but you won't need another set in 20 years, so they get cheaper over time.

[Grangur]

I think it would help here if @Chrisbassboy5 actually said what he's looking for. What sound are you after, Chris?

Flats can give a "normal" bass note, but without any rasp/grit sound, or a smooth deep tone, or a double bass sound and more. What is it?

I use Chromes. They give a ringing "normal" note with no rasp. Yet that also varies depending on the bass it's on. So, really you need to try strings out for yourself to know for sure.

[spongebob]

Only flats I've ever really loved are the Fender 9050's. I've used the light ones loads of times.

Great thump, and enough brightness to cut through. Highly recommended.

[SH73]

I use Steve Harris signature flats on Steve Harris signature model p bass. I've tried these on other basses but there was too much tension in the neck.

I am very impressed with Fender flats 9050s. Quality sound playability and price.

[Reggaebass]

+1 for the fender 9050’s nice deep lows and a clean sound.   ive got 5 different types of flats  and various tapewounds on 8 basses, and one with a set of worn in half rounds that I really like,    what sound are you looking for Chris 🙂

[ianrendall]

Another vote for TI’s. Some people say they are floppy, but I’ve not noticed any difference in tension from the D’addario rounds I had on before. I had no need to adjust the truss rod either but YMMV. 

[PawelG]

TI’s and Labella 760FL are my favourites for a P bass. TI’s for jazz bass too. Chromes are also great, but I didn’t like the 50-110 version.

So yeah, Thomastik 🙂

[Steve_M]

After trying Pyramids, LaBellas, Thomastiks & Chromes I finally settled for D'Addario Nylon Tapes on my P Bass! I think they sound awesome, they thud like flats but they have a real clear fundamental that still cuts through the mix. I say give 'em a try! 🙂

[Reggaebass]

4 minutes ago, Steve_M said:

I finally settled for D'Addario Nylon Tapes on my P Bass! 

For reggae you Can’t beat them, my favourite string 🙂

[machinehead]

A great review here and general information here:

https://www.bassplayer.com/gear/flat-world-a-roundup-of-flatwound-strings

Frank.

[Soledad]

11 hours ago, Grangur said:

I use Chromes. They give a ringing "normal" note with no rasp.

Absolutely, start with the sound and work back - I have the same question but it may be chromes is my answer. I have just put half-rounds on my fretless (D'Addario nickel 45-100) and I'm not really getting the point so far. I mean they aren't smooth rounds (sonically). I'd like the mid and some top, won't get the rasp on fretless anyway. I suppose what I want is max brightness out of flats. Would that be chromes then?
 

[xgsjx]

I had TI jazz on my bass for 3 years & then the D string popped at the bridge. I was gutted, as you can’t buy single strings & they were just starting to wear in nicely. 

After a similar thread to this one, I opted for Chromes & considering they’re @ £20 cheaper than TIs, they sound fantastic.  They’re brighter, but if that’s an issue, the tone knob resolves it. 

[Chrisbassboy5]

16 hours ago, Grangur said:

I think it would help here if @Chrisbassboy5 actually said what he's looking for. What sound are you after, Chris?

Flats can give a "normal" bass note, but without any rasp/grit sound, or a smooth deep tone, or a double bass sound and more. What is it?

I use Chromes. They give a ringing "normal" note with no rasp. Yet that also varies depending on the bass it's on. So, really you need to try strings out for yourself to know for sure.

Am after a string bass sound for my bass guitar..

There are also stories on here about strings unwinding with flats..  how do you properly string them. Ta

[Chrisbassboy5]

15 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

+1 for the fender 9050’s nice deep lows and a clean sound.   ive got 5 different types of flats  and various tapewounds on 8 basses, and one with a set of worn in half rounds that I really like,    what sound are you looking for Chris 🙂

Smooth rich string bass sound. Mostly play in a wind band...

[Sibob]

La Bella 760FS for me, all day every day.

Si

[Soledad]

7 hours ago, Chrisbassboy5 said:

Smooth rich string bass sound. Mostly play in a wind band...

Not tried them myself yet, but been told several times that the nylon wraps will do just what you have in mind. Anyone using? nylon wraps I mean

 

[Skinnyman]

2 hours ago, Soledad said:

Not tried them myself yet, but been told several times that the nylon wraps will do just what you have in mind. Anyone using? nylon wraps I mean

 

+1 to this. Not tried them myself but I've heard someone playing them and it did sound very string bass-like.

All the flats I've tried (la Bella, TI and chrome's) reduce finger noise and are pretty deep and full. Some are maybe a bit brighter than others but there's a 'family' sound to them all - which, to me, sounds like deeper, richer flats. Tape wounds sounded even more so - more like an upright.

But that could have also been the player, the guitar, the amp and eq and the general vibe (light jazz). How much part the strings actually played i don't know - but it was clearly a sound the guy was aiming for and he'd chosen nylon tapewounds to help him get it

Edited March 3, 2019 by Skinnyman

[Reggaebass]

I got quite ocd about my strings at one stage, trawling the marketplace and eBay buying all different types , looking for the ones that had the right sound and feel and tension that I wanted with minimal finger noise. D’addario black nylon tapes did exactly this  , I’ve had them on for about 3 years on a us jazz I play every day, and they still have a clean warm deep tone .   Imo it’s worth experimenting with different ones and if you don’t like them just sell them on 🙂

[Woodinblack]

I just put some rotosounds on my G&L. Never used rotosounds before but I needed a set of 5s and the chromes (that I have on my freless) are expensive.

First impressions quite good. Not a huge amount different from other strings so far.

[MartinB]

I absolutely adore my GHS Precision Flats, but they are the only flatwounds I've tried.

[Dan Dare]

I like La Bella on my P bass and Chromes on my Jazz. Tomastik flats are lovely sounding with one caveat. The A string is too thin (.070). It was too slack and I ran out of adjustment on the bridge saddle to get the intonation right. I changed it to a Chrome .075 and it was much better.

Edited March 3, 2019 by Dan Dare

[TheGreek]

I have Status Black Tapewounds on my Silk Bass (built by Andyjr1515). I believe there's a video (courtesy of our own Bluejay) of Nick Smith playing the Bass at one of the Herts Bashes...I'll have a look.

[TheGreek]

 

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