Flats for SCSD

[glocke]

Been awhile since I put new strings on this, and Im also thinking of taking it for a setup.  Its been so long since I put some on here that I don't even remember what I used, may have been pyramid gold flats, but I think they have green at the ends.  Anyone have any idea what those are?  Or alternatively what would be the best sound flats for this?


thanks

[edwardofhuncote]

Okay Greg, first in...


I like flats in the following order:


1. Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats; super-soft, awesome tone and clarity... they are the absolute best in my opinion, but expensive as dad-gummit. On the other hand, I have yet to wear out a set.


2. D'Addario Chromes; I have these on both of my fretless Alembics right now. Stiffer and brighter than TI's, very articulate and a bit unforgiving. The longer I play them, the better I like them though. No complaints, I just prefer TI's for fretless.


3. Pyramid Golds; if you like the old-school sound, look no further. I had them on my fretted Distillate for a while and really bonded with that sound, but then I tried them on my Custom fretless 5-string and did not like them at all. 


4. LaBella 760FHBB; honorable mention for this set of short-scale flats made for the Hofner Beatle Bass. I got them by chance on a DeArmond Starfire bass, and love them. They seem to be the perfect combination of the features I like most about both TI's and DA's. I have not tried them on an Alembic yet, but the Starfire is in the process of being fitted with some Alembic activator circuitry.


Hope that saves you some experimentation, which unfortunately is really the only way to know what works for you. The nice thing (well, one of the many nice things) about Alembics is, you can swap strings out in minutes.


Happy Hunting. 

[hammer]

I'm going to wholeheartedly agree with Greg here .  TI-flats are at the top of my list and despite the hefty price if you stay on the lookout you can often get them on sale for significantly less than what they typically command.  The only complaints I've heard from other bassists is that some just don't like the lower tension of the TIs.


In that case it's the Pyramid Golds that would be my second choice.  I've tried the D'Addario Chromes on my series basses and while I like the way they feel and play with my rig they just come across as too bright on these basses and I find myself having to dial the bridge PU way back when I've used them.

[StephenR]

I am in the camp that finds the TI strings to have way lower tension than I can tolerate which is a shame because I agree that they are excellent sounding. Considering the high price of the TI strings it is best to buy only if you are aware of the low-tension and okay with that.

Been thinking about trying a set of flats on my Series bass. I was tempted to try the Chromes first since they are the cheapest but the Pyramid Golds may be a better choice. I get confused when looking at the gauges for flats. A lot of the sets have fairly heavy low strings and I have been moving toward lighter ones. Do flats generally have a lower core tension that wound strings?

[hammer]

That's been my personal experience but none of the others I've tried (only 3 others mind you) have anywhere near as low tension as the TI flats. Took some getting used to but glad I stuck it out years ago. Now everything else seems to be on the high tension side of things.

[hieronymous]

This is going on a short scale Stanley Clarke bass, correct? I believe the tension is going to be lower compared to the same long scale strings in the same gauge. So TI Flats that are already low tension on a long scale bass are going to be even lower tension on a short scale.

Chromes are on the high tension end of flats - could balance out nicely on a short scale, but I've never tried, only on a 34" Fender. They are bright strings as far as flats go so if you are looking for high frequencies they could be a good place to start.

I've been using LaBella flats on my short scales - Les Paul Triumph Bass & fretless Guild M-85 - I'm really not looking for high frequencies though, I want them to sound like flatwounds! lol They might sound dead to some people but that's kind of what I'm looking for. (You can hear the Les Paul Bass with LaBellas played with a pick through a tube compressor here: https://soundcloud.com/stanleylighthead/high-water)

I have TIs on the (long-scale) fretless neck on the doubleneck and they actually have a nice deep even sound when played with a soft touch. Maybe that's part of my problem - I tend to pluck pretty hard so maybe that's why I prefer higher tension.

And watch out for the LaBella "Original 1954" strings - they used to market these as the James Jamerson set but the Jamerson estate wasn't being paid anything and successfully stopped them from using the name - anyway, they are crazy gauges (.052, .073, .095, .110) and SUPER HIGH TENSION - these were the only strings that would force my baseball-bat-sawn-in-half 1972 Tele Bass neck to forward bow! They wouldn't fit through the holes of a Badass Bass II bridge so I had to put an old classic style bridge on the bass. But the regular gauge LaBellas aren't that bad, especially on a shorty.

Though you might need medium or even long scale strings for a Stanley Clarke - I use long scale LaBella rounds on my Stanley 5 string and medium scale on my Guild because of the increased distance from the ball-end to the actual saddle.

[mica]

If you go with my beloved Chromes (my Essence is currently wearing them), you will need their medium scale for your short scale bass.

Changing your strings changes your tone so much - you're going to have fun experimenting.

[tbrannon]

Another Chromes fan here. They do tend to be a little on the bright side (for flats) straight out of the box. Give them a week to 10 days of playing to start to mellow out and then you'll get a feel for where they'll sit in the mix.

[edwin]

DR Flats are worth checking out, too. Kind of in between the TI's and the Chromes.

[sonicus]

I like the Snap that I feel with Chromes . Their tension and finish seems to be conducive to my desired control , I also like Pyramid Gold Flats . I actually have Pyramid Gold Flats on my Series II Long Scale Standard Point. I have Chromes on a long scale Fenderish custom fretless that has a substantially thick neck that I had put into use as my Double Bass substitute about 20 years or so ago. I have been liking Dean Markley XL 2670 Blue Steel strings as my round wounds.
___________________________________________________________

  ****Perhaps I shall try Chromes on an Essence ****  

[glocke]

thanks for all the replies...at one time i did have TI flats on one of my instruments, but i simply don't remember what my thoughts were of them. If they are  low tension chances are I won't like them on this bass as I like to dig in and like to feel some resistance.


I think the flats i have on here now are Pyramid gold, green silk on the ends for those is that right? 


if i order them again do i get long scale : https://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Flatwound-Guitar-Strings-40-105/dp/B004OAKVDI


or short scale: https://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-Flatwound-Guitar-Strings-40-100/dp/B004OAKVEW/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_267_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5NGPYQ8G3STSH39J2NG3