Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

[toowrongfoo]

So recently I put EB flatwounds on my P-bass and I think this deserves a separate thread.

My first use of flatwounds was roto's and they were awful. So super stiff, and felt like wire-hangars. Sounded awful.

These EB's are not that way. Slinky, responsive, and surprisingly vibrant.

So, my thought was what your experience with flatwounds? Have you tried the EB's? What do you think (do think they are as oddly cool as I do?)

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

Haven't tried the Balls but what you say is promising, I've had Dadarrio chromes and hated them. Think flatwounds have much more purpose on a bass vs. guitar though.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I dunno. I'm just surprised at how flexible and different they are. Expensive as hell though, 35 usd average for 4 string is pricey.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I have Pyramids on my Hofner. Sounds like a lot of famous records.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I've used GHS Precision Flats on my Jazz bass. I don't like them for everyday playing but they record really well for certain kinds of music.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I'm about to restring a bass with flat wounds.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I've come to think that if you play bass you need a P with flats, a Jazz with rounds and a 5 with steel.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

i always liked roto flat wounds on fenders but pyramids are lovely strings. havent tried the eb

 

[Mincer]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

The EBs are the favorites of the ones I have tried. I think they have a 'looser' thing going on, I can't describe it. It makes me want to play my bass, though.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

That's the thing. I was shocked at how .... slinky they are.

Plus of course no real slide noise, a bonus for recording.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

i always liked roto flat wounds on fenders

You didn't find them too stiff? It's all new territory for me.

 

[BRHGM]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I like DR Flats or Daddario Chromes for flatwounds. They don't sound muddy and don't tear up your hands. I switched to flats on most of my basses.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I like Roto flats, but I get what you mean. They're monel, so they end up having a much higher tension than other flats of the same gauges, and they have a unique brightness that isn't the same as the brightness stainless steel strings have. Out of the pack they sound kind of half way in between most flats and a few days old set of rounds. It's a certain sound that you have to want to like, so I get it. I've really been tempted to try La Bella Deep Talkin flats next time, but they're expensive and I hate buying new bass strings. I boil them a few times before I get a new set.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I'll report back with my review of the Dunlop flats.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

What I didn't mention, because I didn't really know better, is that these are cobalt EB flats. I guess they make something else but I have no idea what they are like.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I've really been tempted to try La Bella Deep Talkin flats next time, but they're expensive and I hate buying new bass strings. I boil them a few times before I get a new set.

I have a set of the LaBellas on my fretless. They are really nice strings. But get the light gauge set. I think it's a .043 G string (760FL set). They aren't too stiff, and they have a nice bright top end, but not like round wounds. But you can slap on them.

I had a set on Rickenbacker back on in the 80s for about 4 years. Then I broke one. So they last forever and the tone stays pretty much the same.

Round wounds on the other hand I change every month or so. I hate when they sound dead


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[Davii]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I've a set of D'Addario Chromes, for an old budget Ibanez, and the only gripe I can think of is the occassional clunking sound. I assumed that was due to the large flat ribbon string style, but not being a bass player, and only using a bass to lay down song ideas, chances are that could be my lack of ability!

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

I've a set of D'Addario Chromes, for an old budget Ibanez, and the only gripe I can think of is the occassional clunking sound. I assumed that was due to the large flat ribbon string style, but not being a bass player, and only using a bass to lay down song ideas, chances are that could be my lack of ability!

Watch how you pluck the string. Otherwise you get that sound by smacking the string down into the frets. But if you listen to old Black Sabbath recordings, that's exactly the tone he got. I'm sure those were probably Rotosounds.

My complaint about Chromes is they are too stiff and the D string always feels and sounds different from the rest of the set.


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[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

Haven't tried the Balls but what you say is promising, I've had Dadarrio chromes and hated them. Think flatwounds have much more purpose on a bass vs. guitar though.

Yes to use D'Addario, I haven't tried EB, but may have to give them a try. I love the warm tone I get with flats

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Flatwounds, a thread with all the talk/hype/etc.

Still not sure what to think other than they are comfy. They seem to record really well.