Members beedlesw Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I want to get a set of flatwounds, I've been playing a lot of old country/bluegrass stuff lately, and I'm really digging the thumpy bass sound, and I'm wondering what's a good brand to go with? I've never used flats before, and I've always used EB rounds. EB makes flats, but from my own research I've kind of deduced that either DR or D'addario would be the way to go, but does anyone have any suggestions or input? D'addario's flats are cheaper, but from what i've read it seems DR are the strings that god would use if he played bass, so which company should get my hard earned $$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sub5ound Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 Don't believe the hype. Try Fender or GHS.I wish I knew what brand I have on my P right now. Thought they were fender, but they have no wraps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rhythm Junky Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I like Thomastik-Infeld but they are pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasper383 Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 If you're really looking for thump, I suggest La Bella 760FL or Fender 9050ML flats. Give them time to break in, a couple months of regular playing at least. D'Addario Chromes are great, but aren't especially thumpy. Neither are TI Jazz Flats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members solderjunkie Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 The DR High Beam flats may not be God-like, but they are a really nice string with a strong tone... a little brighter than other flats, so they sit in the mix really well (normal flats turn to mud and get lost in the mix). The windings are ground after winding, so they feel very slick and they get a mirror finish as you play on them. Yes, they are expensive... but they should last years. Here are mine, right after installation: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunderbroom Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 D'Addario Chromes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Daddy-O Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 D'Addario Chromes Chromes are very popular. I recently decided to give them a shot after using Fender flats for quite awhile. Haven't really had the Chromes on long enough to fully evaluate them yet but my initial opinion is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tolka Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I like Thomastik-Infeld but they are pricey. +1. Yes they are pricey but worth it IMO, as the tone improves with age and they last for years. They have very low tension which does not suit everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasper383 Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 OP wants old country/bluegrass thump. Chromes and TI Jazz Flats (unless they are many years old) won't get him there as much as Fender or La Bella flats will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dDigitalPimp Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 D'Addario Chromes thats what i use as well. those fender flats are super high tension btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members degroove Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have tried Fender flats - Very thumpy on my Pbass fretted. TI Jazz Flats - On my fretless, Moderate thump, tons of Jaco with P/J config. Ernie Ball Flats - Not as Thumpy on Fretted P-BassTI - Jazz Flats - Thumpy with P-bass. DADario Chromes - Moderate thump on Fretted P-Bass What I want to try: Either Labella Flats Deep Talking or Jazz monel from Rotosound for my fretless. Going for dark tone with Fretless to emulate upright bass. I have an ebony fretboard. I have a P-PUP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grumpy_Polecat Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 Personally, I like 'ground-wounds' (marketed as brite flats by GHS). They offer the best of both worlds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rob Martinez Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have La Bellas on my Waterstone and Hofner Icon short scale basses. Excellent. I have TIs on my Fender P bass which I like a LOT, and I also have Ernie Ball flats on my Rickenbacker 4003, they are OK, a bit metalic sounding for me, but they do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 The best thump (and for the buck) comes from Webstrings flats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have the Rotosound monels on my Epi hollowbody, and love them on there. Put them on my Michael Kelly acoustic, and don't like them there nearly as much. Usually use D'Addario ground-wounds on most basses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thumper Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 The best thump (and for the buck) comes from Webstrings flats. Yep. I've had a set on my '62 Jazz reissue for a couple years, and they keep getting better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 Yep. I've had a set on my '62 Jazz reissue for a couple years, and they keep getting better. And you can't argue thump with Thumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members neilster Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have Labella flats on my P-Bass. They seem to be difficult to get here in Ontario though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I want to get a set of flatwounds, I've been playing a lot of old country/bluegrass stuff lately, and I'm really digging the thumpy bass sound, and I'm wondering what's a good brand to go with? I've never used flats before, and I've always used EB rounds. EB makes flats, but from my own research I've kind of deduced that either DR or D'addario would be the way to go, but does anyone have any suggestions or input? D'addario's flats are cheaper, but from what i've read it seems DR are the strings that god would use if he played bass, so which company should get my hard earned $$ I still really like my Fender Tapewound strings for my P Bass. They have a great thump and super feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bluescout Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I've found in my limited experience that the best flatwounds are the flat ones. That's 95% of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cortfan Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have had GHS flats on my Cort jazz for 8+ years with no problems. Yes, the same ones. Fender flats on my Musicmaster since 1973, and I bought some Carvin flats for my ex band's Peavey 5'er last year. They all seem to do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frunobulax Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 if you're just trying flats, get something cheap. i like flats on a P...but not my P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pickinatit Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I like Thomastik-Infeld but they are pricey. Couldn't agree more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willsellout Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 There is no better string for than TI's. I play their rounds and their flats. Everything else falls short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted March 26, 2009 Members Share Posted March 26, 2009 I like Thomastik-Infeld but they are pricey. although i feel they are more a lyrical string and not just intended for thumps they bend and sustain well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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