Author Topic: Flatwounds! (Read 1400 times)

sonicus · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:17:09 AM »

I liked Guild Flat wounds when they were still available in the 70's
Some people mixed Guild and Pyramid sets.

rusty_the_scoob · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:58:21 AM »

Phil's strings as I understand it were:

Early: Pyramid Gold Flats
Mentioned in 1977 interview: D'Addario Half Rounds
Sometime around the Modulus era he switched to: Ken Smith Slick Rounds
Currently: Ritter strings, probably the only ones that are long enough to fit that crazy new bass of his.

The middle two string sets are hybrid designs - much brighter than regular flats but with the same flatwound feel. I recently switched from D'addario Chromes to the Half Rounds and didn't notice a big change at home or on stage but on the live recordings the change is quite noticeable, especially fingerstyle. I normally brighten up my tone quite a bit for the few fingerstyle songs that we do, trying to get that JGB bite (John Kahn on P-bass through a Fender head), but really overdid it with the new strings.

sonicus · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2010, 12:25:29 PM »

@rusty the scoob. I believe John Kahn liked old dead La bella flats on his P- Bass from what I have been told, seen and have heard . I used to see him play quite often here locally with JGB and other acts. He played through a Fender dual Showman with a preamp out to a Mcintosh 2300 to 2 large Fender Cabinets with dual 15' speakers when I saw him with JGB .

How is your Gibson EB/ Darkstar pickup project going?
have you solved the bridge issue ?

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2010, 12:30:41 PM »

I like different types of strings on different basses, but if I had to choose one type of string it would be half-rounds or ground wounds or pressure wounds or whatever the correct name is. I have been enjoying GHS Brite Flats, for example.

lembic76450 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2010, 02:59:25 PM »

Sonicus,
I have Chromes on an Epic that I have and use for that Fender on Steroids sound, but, I find the string tension causing a bit of left hand fatigue in a long set. How are the Pyrimids for tension?

sonicus · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2010, 03:38:41 PM »

Hi lembic76450,
I also have used the Chromes on a fretless P-Bass
that I used for Latin, Salsa & etc. about 10 years ago and found that they did have high tension . In that application it was good to get a Double Bass -like snap. The Pyramid Gold flat wounds have less tension then the Chromes; check out my link to the tension chat that I posted per a link in my posting #745 at the top of this thread. I hope that helps .

hieronymous · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2010, 04:17:46 PM »

How do the Pyramids compare to TI Jazz Flats? The TIs are REALLY LOW tension - too low for me in most applications...

sonicus · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2010, 04:54:39 PM »

heironymous , look at the link that I posted in my posting #745 in this thread at the top for the specs _ they are there .

hieronymous · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2010, 06:11:22 PM »

Oh yeah - I looked at it yesterday but forgot! So basically a little heavier except for the G string - for long scale at least - they don't give short scale specs for the TIs...

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:31:38 AM »

OK - I just have to have that sound: the one involving a short-scale bass, Pyramid Gold Flats, Hagstrom or Hammon pickups. I don't have any of that gear yet... So I ordered a set of Pyramid Gold (long scale, because that is the only type of basses I have) and will see how far that takes me. Anybody got any suggestions on which type of bass I should try those strings on first? I have a P-bass, and Alembic Epic, an Epiphone Jack Casady, a Modulus Q4, an EB MM Sterling.

sonicus · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2010, 12:23:56 PM »

What ever Bass that you have that has Alembic Pick ups will be able to extract the timbral aspects of the Pyramid Gold Flats the best in my opinion. Any other bass with active pickups next and also perhaps it would be interesting on the Epiphone Jack Casady .
Be careful with the G string in regards to breakage .
Sonic Regards.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #26 on:** February 23, 2010, 02:08:31 PM »

Thanks, Sonicus. I was gonna go with the P-bass, since I already use flats on that, but I see your point about putting the Golds on a bass with hi-def p/u's.
Looks like the Epic will get the nod for this experiment.

sonicus · « **Reply #27 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:13:46 PM »

I am interested how you will like the results. I think you might get some nice Flat Wound sounds . I find experiments like this to be fun .

hieronymous · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2010, 05:58:36 PM »

Used my SC with the Chromes, and it sounds great! Got the neck pickup with the filtered turned down pretty low, with the bridge pickup added in with the filter emphasizing highs. I like it! I can get a nice thick sound with definition with my fingers, but it bites with a pick! Plus I'm using the new Moog Taurus III bass pedals on some stuff. I'll try and post a soundclip or two next week...

Oh, the only problem with the Chromes is that the G string is a little bit too big for the nut - might have to switch to a lighter string for that one. The tension is pretty high, but I tend to play pretty hard so it works for me!

Fly-by-night · « **Reply #29 on:** February 27, 2010, 07:24:55 PM »

OK, I'm playing a vintage 1977 Series I shortscale, using Alembic's CX-3 short scale strings. I like the sound on all but the low E, which has more 'thump' and less articulation than I'd like. As I jam, I play through whatever amp is in the room, but consistently hear what I'm complaining about (though nobody else has expressed anything but admiration for the instrument's sound).

So what strings might give the sharper edge to the bottom that I think I want? TIs (which are on my mandolin)?