Flatwounds on Series ! or 2

[Mlazarus]

I'm curious about the Flat wound sound on my Alembic Series 1 bass. I read different things about the sound quality using them. Some say the Alembic series
models were designed for Flats. Will Flats bring out the true sound of the Series 1s and 2 basses. Especially the 70s and 80s models?

[adriaan]

There are no rules  and so there is only one way to find out ...

[mavnet]

I don't think there is a "true" sound of the instrument - I've had just about every kind/wrap of string on my 77 series 2ish customs and it just sounds like an amazing bass with different strings. My choice usually depends on my mood, what I'm hoping to accomplish, and if I stumble on a set of strings that I bought 5 years ago and forgot that I had. Give it a shot, see what works for you. And don't be afraid of switching.

[jazzyvee]

I would think that due to flats being more popular for bass strings back in the days when those basses were made, it’s understandable to come to that view. The thing is these basses were designed so that the player can find their own sound and choice of strings is a factor in that quest.

[Songdog]

I don't have a Series bass (it's a custom, with Rogue electronics) but I've been experimenting with strings, both roundwound and flatwound.

For me, my bass seems to get everything out of the strings they can possibly give - but not all strings can get everything out of the bass that it can give. The most recent flats I tried (Pyramid Gold 650/A .045-.105) sounded really good, but I was missing a certain amount of "zing" from them. Still, I might give Pyramid another try.

The very best sounding flats I've tried were Ernie Ball Cobalt (.045-.100). I thought I'd ended my search until the D string snapped at the tuning post for no apparent reason. Discussion on another forum where people talk about bass  suggests that's kind of a thing with those.

[hammer]

Pyramid flats on my short, medium, and long scale Series I instruments have all had an excellent tone but if you can afford them, I most like the tone of TI flats which last forever. I also like them because they sound just as good when playing with a pick/plectrum as one’s fingers and I don’t need to bring two basses with me for sponges we play where I use a pick. But then, I’d consider myself a traditional bassist (no snap, crackle, pop here other than in my breakfast cereal) and think most rounds on Series basses have teoo much treble. Some players though are going to tell you the tone of TI flats is too dull for their tastes. Beware that, TI flats have quite low tension that some people don’t like/ can’t get used to. I have also not been able to get a pair that work well with a five string non Alembic semi hollow body bass I have because even long scale TI strings don’t fit it. The extra long TIs were like spaghetti noodles - the cooked version that is.

[keith_h]

I stay with round wound on my Series bass and other fretted basses. I've stuck with D'Addario Chrome flats on my fretless as I like the extra brightness they have compared to the other brands I've tried. One note is they are pretty high tension so might not be for everyone.

[Mlazarus]

I was recommended La Bella flats. The La Bella is supposed to have the dullest thumpy sound, which is more ideal for a Fender Precision bass. The 50s, 60s and  early 70s sound.

[adriaan]

If you palm mute TI Jazz Flats, you can get a mighty thump. Plus you can avoid the thump.

[StillLurkinAbout]

I use Ernie Ball Slinky(cobalt) flats on my series 2 Exploiter. Silky smooth and they ring like a bell. They do what Half Rounds were supposed to do without being dead out of the package.