Flatwounds on Acoustic Bass?

[StingRayBoy42]

Which flatwounds do you use on your ABG?

I like La Bella DTFs on my electrics, just wondering what you're using on your acoustics.

It's a Tacoma Thunderchief, mainly played unplugged.

All and any answers welcome!

[Paul S]

la Bella white nylon tapewounds.  Not as brittle as metal, not as thuddy as black tapes.  Eye wateringly expensive, mind.

[MungoBass]

I have not used La Bella whites on an acoustic bass but have a set on a Precision. Definitely brighter than other tapes - I’d imagine they would sound good on an abg.

[PaulThePlug]

I've a Harley Benton Acoustic HBO 850 with cheap Adagio Flats and it sounds sweet to me... way way better than the squeaky phosphor bronze it came with.

 

I've got Adagio Flats on my P Bitsa and J Bitsa and Olympia Flats on a Modder and on my Epi LP 6 string.

Edited January 25, 2023 by PaulThePlug

[Maude]

Fender tapewounds. 

Strangely very bright for tapes so keep a decent level of clarity without any finger noise. 

 

Are most tapewounds a tape wrap over a flatwound string, as the Fenders are tape over a roundwound string? You can feel the round wire ridges but they're not grabby at all, almost slippery. 

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I enjoyed using TI flats when I had an ABG

[StingRayBoy42]

Thanks for all the input folks.

Just a thought - my ABG has bridge pins - will flats cope with the sharp corner without snapping?
 

[franzbassist]

Another vote for the La Bella white nylons, but won't be that loud.  Roundwounds are a much better bet than any flat if you need unplugged volume.

Edited February 7, 2023 by franzbassist

[PaulThePlug]

Bridge Pins... Not sure my HBO has a wooden block tail, with saddle blade.

[Nebadon2000]

I use GHS Pressurewounds lessens Finger noise and squeaks to a minimum, great feel, proper tension and doesn't decrease Acoustic Volume

 

Pressurewound 'Bronze'

Edited February 24, 2023 by Nebadon2000
added info

[3below]

Roto TruBass, Labella 760Ns and TI flats on various basses.  The Roto TruBass on my (now 42 yr old) EKO BA/4 lasted about 40 years and were still very good in my view.  Replaced with some more through BC . Woody, thumpy and a pleasure to play.

[JPJ]

I’m a bit late on this one but I’ve got La Bella low tension flats on both my acoustic basses and the sound sweet to my ears. Mellower sounding than the Fender flats I used to use. 

[Mottlefeeder]

D'Addario Chromes on my 5-string ABG. Sounds good to me

David

[Frank Blank]

On 23/01/2023 at 08:40, Paul S said:

la Bella white nylon tapewounds.  Not as brittle as metal, not as thuddy as black tapes.  Eye wateringly expensive, mind.

 

I use La Bella black tapewounds and my two basses, fretted and fretless. Like Paus says, expensive but entirely possible a set will last you decades.

[jazzyvee]

I think i have labella black nylon tape wounds. I can't say am enthused with the sound but they are better than the clattery bronze ones that were on the bass when i bought it. 

[snorkie635]

Well put - "clattery bronze ones". Going to have a go with LaBella whites now.

[StingRayBoy42]

On 23/01/2023 at 08:40, Paul S said:

la Bella white nylon tapewounds.  Not as brittle as metal, not as thuddy as black tapes.  Eye wateringly expensive, mind.

I finally got a set of these (used from BC) and they're on the ABG.

They're fine with the bridge pins, and so far they play and sond great.

Thanks for all the input, folks!

[EssentialTension]

I have used ...

 

TI Jazz Flats

La Bella 760N

La Bella 760S

La Bella 760L

Rotosound Trubass

 

... they all worked.