Strings

[pauldo]

There have been several threads on strings and there are sooo many options.  I have tried many different brands but have always stuck with round wounds and always came back to GHS Boomers as they had attributes that made me believe them to be the "best yet".  Recently I found myself liking my strings as they aged and lost some of their zing. My last set of Boomers were over 4 years old and started to show intonation and dead spot issues - which is a testament to why I like those, they hold up well for a long time.


Within the above mentioned threads there were several bassists here that use flat wounds, I have always been intrigued by the thought, but also afraid of them.  An unfounded fear for sure but none the less the idea of flats made me feel like I was going to a foreign land and so I kept putting it off.  If memory serves me, John (member 811952) had flat wounds on his bass at the Chicago Gathering (consider that statement to be a subliminal message for a reunion  [size=78%]).[/size][/size] I played his bass and it was great, as were all the basses and people there.[size=78%]


Anyhow, I got a set of D'Addario XL Chromes and put them on my Distillate tonight - I am smiling.  Funny thing is that I run with flat/ tape wound strings on my fretless but knowing Stanley and the Ox used rounds on their Alembic I felt it was the right thing for me.  Now I know better.

[edwardofhuncote]

Welcome to the warm, smooth world of flat-wounds, Paul. 

[growlypants]

...and, don't forget QUIET!!  (I switched to the Chromes on my Sig. Deluxe 5- er a few years ago, and just love them.  All the highs are still there, just dial 'em up when needed!)

[gearhed289]

Flats are fantastic for certain things (for me anyway. For some they're fantastic for ALL things). I use them on occasion if I feel the song calls for it. A Rickenbacker with flats is a beautiful thing. Haven't tried them on my Alembic yet.

[5a quilt top]

IMO - flat wounds are good match with an Alembic because of the clarity inherent in the electronics and the design. I remember reading somewhere that the original electronics that became the Series electronics were developed using flat wound strings as a reference.


I have Chromes on my custom 4-string and Thomastik Jazz Flats on my SII fretless 5-string. The Thomastik strings are expensive, but, IMO, you get what you pay for.


I use either round wounds or Alembic strings on all my other Alembic basses.


Alembic strings are sort of a round / flat hybrid and are very nice, I just wish I could get them as easily as the other brands.

[xlrogue6]

I just put a set of the Dunlop flats on my mongrel double P Jazz neck bass (alas, they don't make an extra long scale 6 string set, so none on my Alembics) and I highly recommend them. The tension of the 45-105 set is perfect and these have a nice, yet not overbearing brightness (a bit brighter than Chromes, for reference). My new fave flats!

[Glynn]

After years of Stainless Elites at 40 - 100 (good) and then Stainless Skjold at the same 40 - 100 (better), I now use Skjold 40 - 100 Hybrid NICKEL (great)!!! I had avoided Nickel thinking my skin allergy would suffer but no problems and sound is good.  Nice strings. I have 5 sets from him.  £20 a go. Opened up my world to Nickel. 
My dip into Maxima Gold was an expensive mistake - they seemed very "sticky", but only bought one set and took them off.
Also, Dunlop Super Light were too trebly for for my basic, non-slap (can't do), finger playing.
Started with Rotosound in the '60s, as we all did, but ditched them because of finger and fret damage.
I use Fender Phosphor Bronze strings for my two Electro- Acoustic Basses and they are great.
Never tried flats so no input here.
Glynn
   

[growlypants]

My first set of Chromes was sticky.  (But they sounded so good, I persevered.) I took them off, wiped them down with alcohol, put them back on, and problem solved.  My last set of Chromes did not have that stickiness problem.  I don't know what causes it - age?  Some variable in the mfg.?  (i.e.  raw materials)  In any case, whatever was causing the stickiness, was no longer present.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I use Chrome Flats on my jazz box; it just gives it that proper jazz box warmth, you know?  If I ever change strings on the bass again (hey, I'm a guitarist - it doesn't get a lot of playing time), I think I'll try the Chromes on it (it currently wears EXL220 nickel round-wounds).

Peter

[pauldo]

Thanks for all the affirmations!

No issues with any stickiness with the Chromes I have.

I also bought into the Maxima Gold's sales pitch and shared the same disappointment. 

[paulman]

Nice work on the subliminal Chicago Gathering inception!  As a guitar player I've never user flat wounds, but I'm rethinking that that I've read this thread.  I'm ready for a change. 

[dtothec]

I use TI flats on my Buckeye Burl Rogue 5 and they produce a thump that rounds just can't do!

[pauldo]

Nice work on the subliminal Chicago Gathering inception! 

my fingers are always crossed - it truly was a great experience.