davebass66

Niiiiiice!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1460192958' post='3023369'] But, never mind the sound, all those strings feel different under the fingers. For example, the DRs are slightly rough to the touch while La Bella 760M are very smooth. Tension and compliance vary a lot so, even having heard the sound, I think you can only finally decide after playing them. By the way, GHS don't, as far as I can see, do a 50-105 set. Should it be 45-105 or 55-105? [/quote] This was my point in the OP that yes, of course this is not a be all and end all type test, I just noticed that what is often missing from the discussion on strings is (consistent) audio samples, unfortunately there is no way to accurately tell people what the strings really 'feel' like to play because, as we all know, that type of thing is completely subjective. For example, so many strings are inconsistent, the set of strings that DR sent me had a slightly rough G but the rest were as smooth as glass, or just look at our different views on the GHS flats etc etc... Equally, the DR's, to my ears, sounded much nicer straight into the focusrite than they did amplified through my Aguilar rig, where they became al little 'honky' and undefined. My aim is just to give people a bit of an idea of the sound of the strings I guess.... re the GHS, yes you are totally right, sorry! The gauge was 55-105, will edit the op. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1460198166' post='3023440'] Great work, very interesting. I've tried a fair number of flats but keep gravitating back to La Bellas, which are my favourite. As said, it's all about the fundamental and for me the compliance and feel are second to none. They're not cheap to buy but they last forever and just continue to improve over time, so are in fact something of a bargain. [/quote] Completely agree with this, I also keep coming back to the La Bellas (FS), they just work with an old P bass and especially the Aguilar gear I use. Thanks for the comments on this guys, always interesting to get other peoples thoughts and opinions! 4 Strings I'll PM you about those Trubass strings if thats still ok? Gonna try and get audio up for EB Cobalt flats at some point this week too.

Try the Ernie Ball cobalt flats, they feel like flats but are fairly close to a round wound sound....tend to be a little sticky feeling out the pack, but stay with them and they wear in nicely Dave

Added La Bella 760FM to the test....

So the kind people at D'addario generously offered to send me a set of chromes to add to the test, I have edited the OP with a bit of info on feel/tension and added the audio to Soundcloud. I must admit, the Chromes are nicer than I expected and I think they would wear in really nicely one the initial new string 'zing' wears off a little. Similar to the EB flats but better IMO. Dave

Guys, apologies I've just realised the last clip on the labellas has messed up automation! Will fix and change! Sorry!

I have a few audio samples just uploaded if you want to hear a few? http://basschat.co.uk/topic/282133-flatwound-strings-mini-shootout/page__view__getnewpost

I'd also describe the DR's as relatively bright, do you not think so from the audio sample Pow 22?

Great point Si, I meant to include that in the post! will amend now....You can't beat an old P with Flats!

So let me start by saying I am a big fan of flatwound strings!....That being said I spend a lot of time (and money) trying to find the right strings (not just flatwound but thats another thread)! What I have noticed from searching online when trying to find out about strings is that it is mostly peoples opinion on them; meaning very little to really go on. This was highlighted to me when researching DR Legends, which have some of the most ridiculously contradictory reviews from users! Anyway, I decided to do some recording... Now, before I get into it, I'll just say that when I had this idea I thought I had a few more sets lying around than it turned out (must have moved them on for some reason). Also, I wanted to to include TI Flats in this test but realised that at some (possibly drunk) point I cut them specifically to fit a 2/2 headstock and therefore could not string them on the test bass. (I felt it important to use the same bass for each string). I may well add to this playlist in the near future. What that left me with is these sets: [b]La Bella 760FS 45-105[/b] - What I call standard tension for flats, obviously stiffer than rounds but still very playable. Very balanced across the strings, these are all about the fundamental and that is what you get from each string IMO. [b]GHS Precision Flats 55-105[/b] - These are super stiff! You really have to work to get a sound out, but it is worth it when you get there! A-G very even, the E string stands out a little to my ears. Definitely wouldn't be an easy intro into flats [b]DR Legends 45-105[/b] - A lower tension flat, but still enough resistance to dig in, nowhere near that of the TI's. Well balanced, although the E does not quite have the same harmonic content relative to the other 3. [b]Ernie Ball Group III flats 45-100[/b] - These are the most like roundwounds in tension IMO. Very even across the strings too. I can see why people say these are like Chromes. [b]D'addario Chromes 50-105[/b] - These are quite a high tension string, bowed the neck noticeably when strung up. I stand by the similarity between these and EB flats! nice smooth strings, look very well made, quite bright out of the box but I get the feeling the would mellow. You need to be willing to work to get the optimum tone out of these strings [b]La Bella 760FM 49-109[/b] - These are 1 step below the Jamerson set (full gauge is 49-69-89-109) and therefore are quite stiff. Interestingly, I don't feel like they have as much tension as you might expect, that tension is also nicely even across the strings. Very smooth and the E - even though they are well used) is not too dead compared to the others. Real nice vintage feeling string. This is not meant to be scientifically airtight, I am well aware that the differing gauges alter the sound, there is also the fact that some strings were fresher than others (although all had at least 12 hours playing prior to the recordings). It is simply meant to help players get an idea of the, in my opinion, very varied sounding strings available. Each string was recorded with a 1975 Rosewood board Fender P bass, through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24DSP interface, into Logic X with no plugins or effects - Forgive the playing - was trying to get it all done in one sitting! Each track contains the following samples: Slap groove tone full. Slap groove tone 3/4 Motown Groove tone at 2/3 Harmonics sample tone full Pick groove tone full. Pick groove tone at 2/3 The parts played were done so to make sure all strings were covered in each. As I say, I'm sorry this is just a small sample, but I will add to it over time. Have a listen and let the discussion begin - I think this particular sample really shows you how different flats can be! Dave [url="https://soundcloud.com/dave-evans-9/sets/flatwound-strings-test"]https://soundcloud.c...nd-strings-test[/url]

Beautiful! What pickups does he use?