Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: Clarky on September 29, 2018, 10:08:17 AM
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Hi all, I have been swapping between Alembic CX strings and Dr Sunbeams on my recently acquired 1979 Series 1 shortie. However I do like a flatwound string (most of my playing career I have used TI, La Bella or Pyramid flats). So my question is ... if you were playing in a 70s style funk band (fingerstyle, some popping but no slapping - think Bernard Edwards rather than Mark King) which strings would you recommend?
I have read back old Alembic Club threads about flats but have not seen a specific discussion about this. People seem to love Pyramids, TIs and Chromes but the conversations are not generally in the context of funk playing?
PS if its TIs, I presume the JF324 are the ones for a 30.75" scale length?
Cheers Clarky (and no my bridge pickup electronics are not fixed yet!!!)
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Personally, I just love Chromes.
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+1 on the Chromes.
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No help on the particular genre' Clarky, but I'm just guessing that we occupy a lot of the same sonic space. I tend to avoid the higher end frequencies with my gigs playing newgrass, bluegrass, and oldtyme music... my filters are usually rolled off about a good 30-50%, sometimes more. Many times I'm going for an upright-ish vibe. Pillow-y bottom end, and some midrange growl. The snap or sizzle is still there in reserve if I need it.
All that said... I just finished the Great Flatwound String Odyssey of 2017-18, D'Addario Chromes, Pyramid Golds, even tried some Dunlop flats. Ended up back where I started - TI Jazz Flats. There just ain't nuthin' else like 'em... ;)
*Honorable mention for the Pyramids. Especially on my old Distillate. If I ever put anything else on my Alembics again, that's what it'll be.
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I keep rounds on my short scale Stanley, but floundered around with various things on my old Stingray and never liked the sound until I put TI flats on it after reading many posts in the club about them. I think they’re great strings.
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Sorry, that was almost a hijack. I forgot to say that I play a goodly amount of fingerstyle funk and endorse them heartily for that.
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I use an Alembic Series I bass with Pyramid flats for my band that plays funk (some pops, no slapping) and jazz. I play finger style and Pyramids sound good to me for both styles of music. Every now and then I try other strings, flat and round, but I always go back to Pyramids, they just work best for me. :)
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Thank you guys! So far its 2 votes each for Chromes and TI flats and 1 for Pyramid Golds ... not that I am doing a poll, I just want to hear your reasoning before I take the plunge.
I appreciate the insight and experience
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I put Chromes on my medium scale Series five-string recently. I like the sound of the strings but the B-string in particular doesn't fit properly on my bass, it is way too long and there was no way to avoid the wound section wrapping around the tuner shaft. I believe Chromes only come in long or extra long scale lengths. The long scale may work fine on your short scale bass, the tuner for the B-string on my bass is very close to the nut.
I was hoping for some comments from others regarding flats that fit well on shorter scale basses. Will be interested in your observations once you make your choice.
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TI flats are my favorites especially on the Series I Shorty and Standard Point basses. To me, Series basses already sound like pianos rather than a typical bass with incredible tone that includes plenty of mids and highs. The TIs give me the bottom I want. You will need to get used the tension though. I don't think they've changed that in years so you probably are aware of that point. The only complaints that I hear from others about TIs are that they feel they're too floppy though I have no problems with them with the style I play.
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Thanks to all. In part due to some of the comments above and also due to their historical association with Alembics, I have decided to order some short-scale 45-100 Pyramid Flats. I also recall liking Pyramid flats on a (now-sold) 30.5" scale Gibson SG bass I played a few years back in a blues band.
I already have some old long-scale TI flats in my string drawer (albeit the E is lighter gauge than in the JF324 short-scale set, so may be a bit loose on my bass). I will try these out if the Pyramids don't work for me.
My bass is currently at the technicians, having the faulty bridge pickup electronics looked over, so I should be able to send feedback in a week or two.
Cheers!
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I play with rounds on my fretted basses but for my fretless I use Chromes.
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Another Chromes user here!
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Recently put Chromes on my Spoiler....and I really like it! Alembic and Flats seem to go very well together. Warm sound but still with lots of definition and clarity depending on how you set your filter and q. I also like a P-Bass with flats for that motown/jamerson sound, but more for recording... Playing live I find it hard to make it work and not sound too boomy and muddy. The Alembic gives you a lot more flexibility and definition.
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Thanks guys. I knew there would be a Chromes fan club (as well as diehard advocates of TIs and Pyramids). All good as thats 3 options for me and 2 alternatives if the Pyramids don't suit). ;-)
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Make sure the winding length of the short scale set is suitable for a bass with separate bridge and tailpiece before you order!
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I would like to acknowledge Gregory’s Great Flatwound String Odyssey- from 2017-2018 (indicating that it wasn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last...).
I have been down that path several times with rounds. Just dipped my toe into flats and find the Chromes (first choice) to be rather awesome. But I digress... the best way to find what works for you is to journey on your own string Odyssey- it is always subjective, time consuming and dings the pocket book a bit. But to know what is best you have to try the rest. It is more than what the sound is from the string, the tension, the feel, the friction of fingertip on steel....
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...the tension, the feel, the friction of fingertip on steel....
From the novel "50 shades of string"? Lol!!!
But in seriousness, I hear you. Thanks for your thoughts
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I have played some fingerstyle funk on my Pyramid strung Starfire. It works well. Slapping works great!
I would also suggest trying out the DR flats, as I think they are bit closer to the other strings mentioned, but aren't quite as bright/high tension as Chromes or other classic flats.