Olympia Flats cheap on eBay.

[Maude]

I just thought I'd mention here that Olympia flatwounds are on ebay for £12.99, but I just made an offer of £10, just to see, and it was automatically accepted, I don't really need them but they'll get used. 

So if you want to try flats on the cheap then see how low an offer you can get away with, or just offer a tenner and they're yours. 😎

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F332486029353

[Oomworthy]

 I gambled with an offer of £9 - I didn’t need another set but they’ll get used.

[Ricky 4000]

I have them on a couple of basses.

One set is around 10 years old I reckon, the other set I bought offa fleabay last Xmas-time for a tenner (plus a couple of quid postage IIRC).

They don't seem as 'bright' as the Fender flats, but they're not rubbish IMHO. 👌

After saying that, I'm far to 'cheap' to have compared them to proper expensive flats. 😬

[Groove Harder]

How is the tension on these flats? 

[Maude]

7 minutes ago, Groove Harder said:

How is the tension on these flats? 

It's was quite high when I made him an offer, but as soon as he accepted it I relaxed again. 

 

I haven't actually tried any yet. 🙂

[Low End Bee]

I put a set on my P Bass. They seamed pretty good quality. On a par with the Elites and Fender sets I tried.  I'm probably not the best judge though as every time I put a set on they're off within a week. I realise now I just don't get on with flats.

[Cat Burrito]

I tried these a few years ago and they were really good for the money. May have to pick up another set, not that I ever change flats  

[hooky_lowdown]

I've had a couple sets, they are medium-high tension. I found the silks are really long especially at the ball end, so they over hang the saddles which dulls the sound and sustain somewhat.

Sound wise they are ok, fender flats, chrome's, EB Colbalt's, Labella's, TI's which are all more expensive do sound far superior and feel much, much smoother.

[TheGreek]

I have a set of these lying around for ages - bought on ebay in a similar situation - IIRC I offered £10 which was accepted.

No other info available - still in the box.

[soulboy]

I have Picato flats on my P bass because I have an endorsement deal with them. They seem really smooth with possibly medium tension. I just want the bass to sound old like Jamerson/Pino. They work for me and stay on the bass until they break. I think my current set have been on there for 5 years, so relatively not that long. Previous to the Picatos I had Rotosounds so that's all I can compare them to. 

[hooky_lowdown]

14 hours ago, soulboy said:

I have Picato flats on my P bass because I have an endorsement deal with them. They seem really smooth with possibly medium tension. I just want the bass to sound old like Jamerson/Pino. They work for me and stay on the bass until they break. I think my current set have been on there for 5 years, so relatively not that long. Previous to the Picatos I had Rotosounds so that's all I can compare them to. 

IMHO Roto flats are the worst, super high tension and characterless.

[Soledad]

1 hour ago, hooky_lowdown said:

MHO Roto flats are the worst, super high tension and characterless.

A shame isn't it - they're UK and just round the corner from me, but I don't really like any of the Rotos I've tried - I find the E on the rounds really disappointing, like it came from a different set. Always seem to end up using the U.S. makers... just doing my bit to make them great again 

[soulboy]

6 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

IMHO Roto flats are the worst, super high tension and characterless

Yes don't remember them being amazing but they were my introduction to flats so I had nothing else to compare them to. 

[franzbassist]

20 hours ago, soulboy said:

I have Picato flats on my P bass because I have an endorsement deal with them. They seem really smooth with possibly medium tension.

I don't think they're making flats since the buyout are they?

[soulboy]

4 minutes ago, franzbassist said:

I don't think they're making flats since the buyout are they?

Oh I don't know. I haven't made a string order for a couple of years. 

[Chienmortbb]

On 26/10/2019 at 22:39, soulboy said:

I have Picato flats on my P bass because I have an endorsement deal with them. They seem really smooth with possibly medium tension. I just want the bass to sound old like Jamerson/Pino. They work for me and stay on the bass until they break. I think my current set have been on there for 5 years, so relatively not that long. Previous to the Picatos I had Rotosounds so that's all I can compare them to. 

Their halfrounds were excellent too.

[b7l4s]

I've used Picato strings on and off for ages, since being put onto them by another Basschatter - good value strings and seemingly consistent quality. I have found availability to be a bit hit and miss though - if they were more widely available more of the time they might have a better market share... just my 2p. Definitely worth a try though if you haven't used them before.

[Chienmortbb]

3 minutes ago, b7l4s said:

I've used Picato strings on and off for ages, since being put onto them by another Basschatter - good value strings and seemingly consistent quality. I have found availability to be a bit hit and miss though - if they were more widely available more of the time they might have a better market share... just my 2p. Definitely worth a try though if you haven't used them before.

Agreed my local store stocks them but not in the gauges I use  45-105. Hardly a rare size.

[b7l4s]

I tend to get mine here - https://www.guitarstringsandthings.co.uk/search?search_query=picato+bass

Free postage too

[Chienmortbb]

18 minutes ago, b7l4s said:

I tend to get mine here - https://www.guitarstringsandthings.co.uk/search?search_query=picato+bass

Free postage too

Great thanks.

[LewisK1975]

I bought a set of the Olympia Flatwounds from Amazon, £15.

G was very bright, E & D 'normal' sounding for flats, A was completely dead.

Took them straight back off and put them in the bin.

Tension was OK though, I'd call them medium tension.

[Bassfinger]

One nice thing about Olympia strings - break one while fitting and they'll replace it for free.

The sound great on my JB, only OK on my other bass, although that's still a mile better than the strings it came with.

Edited December 24, 2019 by Bassfinger

[Pow_22]

got a set of these last week and as mentioned I found out that they replace strings.  My E snapped on installation right at the tuning key.  Quick email and new E string was with me next day.  Id say these are low tension (in comparison to my usual Elites) and have an even tone with no dead E.  WIll be interested to see how they mellow.  Nice feel though not glassy smooth.  Feel slightly textured on my plucking hand but for £10 they are pretty good!

[TheGreek]

The early bird catches the worm...

Checked on ebay - they've gone up to £15 (outrageous for strings that will inevitably live longer than most of us will own the bass they're on)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332486029353?ul_noapp=true

Edited August 13, 2020 by TheGreek

[Chienmortbb]

Not so cheap now but all the  competition seem to start at £28 so clos to half price. Are they worth a punt?