Finally Considering Flats

[atomic_punk]

I'm finally considering putting some flats on my 5-string, but I like a high tension string, floppy, loose strings are no good to me. Any suggestions? I might even consider a half-round, I am looking for BASS. Serious low end.

[ilan]

I am looking for BASS. Serious low end.

In my experience flats don't add bass, they just cut some high overtones.

My favorite flats are Rotosound TruBass black nylon wrap strings. Instant 60's tone with an acoustic quality. But they are not high tension. Have you tried Pyramids?

[1965]

Pyramids are high tension, but don't come for 5'ers. If it was me, I'd give these babies a try: http://www.juststrings.com/toi-jf345.html. TI flats and my favorite, for bass & guitar. D'addario chromes look to be higher tension though, so maybe they're more fit for you. See: http://www.juststrings.com/dad-ecb81-5.html. Nice price too.

[antipodean]

G'day Steve,

I don't play a 5 string, so I can't advise as to the tension of the "B", but I have been very happy with GHS Brite Flats (ground wounds) and their D'addario counterparts, XL ENR71, on my P-bass and J-bass respectively. The XLs come in a 5-string set, but I'm not sure about the Brite Flats.

On pure flats, I've used D'addario Chromes, which are higher tension than TIs, on a Jerry Jones bass, and found them to be much brighter than I had expected, but that could be the masonite/lipstick pickup combination coming through.

[ken_j]

Steve I still have that set of GHS Brite Flats you wanted back when you were playing a 4 string. I am using the GHS Stainless Steel Precision Flatwounds.

[jwr2]

I'm finally considering putting some flats on my 5-string, but I like a high tension string, floppy, loose strings are no good to me. Any suggestions? I might even consider a half-round, I am looking for BASS. Serious low end.

Going over to the Dark Side heh?


Flats have no more bass than rounds ...

[incubus2432]

Steve, on my (ex)Wal 5-er and my BEAD Rics I've found the D'Addario Chromes have a nice, tight feel and offer great fundamental tone with enough brightness that I don't miss rounds at all. Some other flats that I tried sounded dead and muddy......you will probably have to try a few different brands before you find one right for your Music Man, amp, ears and fingers.

[jwr2]

Try letting your rounds age somewhat ... the sound becomes similar to flats ... Also try a set with a .130 B and a .105 E

Also with the MM5 try to roll back your mid and treble controls to about halfway then turn the bass and volume knobs to what sounds good.

[sloop_john_b]

On a passive bass, I would say that the flats do add bass. A certain "thumpiness" comes out, especially as the strings age. On a bass like a Musicman, you've got all the bass you could ask for, but in my experience the highs have been somewhat hard to tame. Flats would be great on a MM.

[rickenbrother]

In my experience flats don't add bass, they just cut some high overtones.

+1

Same goes for old roundwound strings. There isn't more low end, just much less high end.
To my ears, new strings have better low end than old strings, doesn't matter if they are roundwound or flatwound.

[maplered]

Fender flats have a higher tension. They may be too much for a Rick though.

[berth]

I'm finally considering putting some flats on my 5-string,

This youtube movie (which I saw here on rrf first time I think) made me decide to put flats on my '73.



But I must admit I have several basses and most of them are roundwounded. And its not "more bass" which makes me like them. It's more "ploink" and less sustain which makes me like this different (more sixties and more upright bass like) sound.

[teb]

Well, I guess it's a lot cheaper than hiring a horn section.......

[sloop_john_b]

Well, I guess it's a lot cheaper than hiring a horn section.......

[1965]

It's more "ploink" and less sustain which makes me like this different (more sixties and more upright bass like) sound.

That's why I like flats, and Hofners for that matter.