Out of curiosity: where did you get the Hellborg flatwounds? I only see info about (and ability to order) the roundwounds on Dogal's site, no mention of flatwounds there at all.
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I don't see the Hellborg flats listed there (only the roundwounds). By the way, I live in Italy (where Dogal is based, so ordering from the US will be very expensive) and I have all of their other flatwound strings: traditional and Jaco (my favorite string). Not really interested in the roundwound, but would LOVE to try the flatwound, I just can't see it listed/advertised anywhere.
Oh sorry, I thought you mentioned that you also had and were testing the Hellbog flatwounds as well, my bad.
By the way, Hellborg flatwounds are listed (and tested) in the Bass Magazine article:
Review: Dogal Hellborg Signature Strings
By the way, Hellborg flatwounds are listed (and tested) in the Bass Magazine article:
Review: Dogal Hellborg Signature Strings
Oh, I didn't know. Thank you for the information.
Those also have a stranded core.
Unlike the Hellborg roundwounds (which have only one winding over the core), those flats - according to that article - have more than one.
Strings by Mail might be able to order them; when I told Strings by Mail about the measurement of the E string I had, the ad on Strings by Mail and also on the Dogal website were corrected quickly, so I guess his communications with them are good.
Thanks, and thanks for the detailed review. Dogals are special strings so it's great to see them get some love here on TB. Fingers crossed the Hellborg flatwounds will be available soon. Something about the feel (and tone) of the Jaco strings just makes me never want to take them off my bass (even though I've tried over a dozen other strings). Can't wait to try these new flatwounds.
Mine are the Carbon Steel Jaco Flats. Best. Strings. Ever.
Strings By Mail is the only US dealer as far as I know. I tried to get Jason from Fret Nation to connect with Dogal, but it didn’t work out.
If more people knew just how good they are, they would be more popular. They are a well kept secret that only people like us who are willing to experiment with everything out there will discover.
I'm in complete agreement with the previous posters regarding the Dogal Carbon Steel 'Jaco' Flats: they verge on being different in kind, not just degree, with other flat wound strings. Yes, they're expensive but in my opinion they're well worth the cost. They settle in quickly, are stable in tuning, have plenty of bottom but remain clear in tone, and are incredibly supple in feel. As noted previously these strings really are a "best-kept secret" among flat wounds. Props to Strings by Mail for carrying them.
Must be the stranded core again.
Could say that they're different in kind.
Seems like a bigger difference than hex vs round core. Does anyone agree?
Could say that they're different in kind.
Seems like a bigger difference than hex vs round core. Does anyone agree?
The Jaco flats don't have a stranded core: that's a characteristic of the new/upcoming Hellborg flats.
The Jaco flats are a round core. The best way I can describe them is as follows:
-Soft tension / flexible like DR round core roundwounds or Labella LTFFs.
-Really easy to play, less left hand pressure is required.
-Less tension on the neck.
-Compared to most other brands of flats, these will be far easier to fret with another brand at the same gauge.
-Smoother finish than Thomastik Jazz flats, more similar to the way Labella polished flats are in terms of tactile feel. Thomastiks have ridges on the low E and B, but the Dogals are perfectly smooth.
-Less dampened than other brands. If you play upright bass, you might know what I mean. Arco orchestra strings have more dampening material, but jazz strings have less. The Jaco flats ring more than other flats, more like roundwounds. However, they are still capable of interacting with a P pickup the way that classic flatwound strings can. However, they are far more versatile in terms of the tone.
-Bright, but never too bright sounding. They still have a nice warmth and fatness to the tone. They do not sound like roundwounds, but they can get a great slap sound if you want. You can two handed tap on them like you can with some roundwounds!
-Slighty scooped mids, but not too much. You can still dial in nice mids on them.
Bottom line is this—they feel great, are easy to play but still have some girth (unlike the really thin strings that are competing) and the sound is something you can shape, which makes them very versatile. I’ve compared them with LaBella 760FL, LTFFs, Dunlops, GHS P-Flats, DR Legends, D’Addario Chromes, and Thomastiks. The Dogal Jaco flats beat all of them, for what I want. I play a Kinal MK5B with Nordstrand PJ pickups and a John East preamp. I want to be able to shape the EQ, and play many styles. I dig in pretty hard on my right hand, but I don’t have to, and I really like soft action and feel for my left hand. It’s very hard to find strings that fit my criteria. The Dogals check all the boxes.
I’ve ordered a couple sets of these for the Ric 4003. I’ll follow up with some recordings once they’re on and settled.
Thoughts: They sound different, react differently, and feel completely different.
- Tonally, they're marvellous - they bloom beautifully, and have very rich overtones.
- In terms of feel, they have none of the spring that a solid core string does. It's hard to put into words, but the best word I can think of is "neutral". It'll take some getting used to.
- They also have much lower tension, but don't sound like low tension strings.
Here's a quick clip I just recorded. It's a Rickenbacker 4003 straight into a Traynor YBA-100. Lots of chords here, as the marketing spiel is all about how these strings improve the string's harmonic response. Let's put it to the test:
- Tonally, they're marvellous - they bloom beautifully, and have very rich overtones.
- In terms of feel, they have none of the spring that a solid core string does. It's hard to put into words, but the best word I can think of is "neutral". It'll take some getting used to.
- They also have much lower tension, but don't sound like low tension strings.
Here's a quick clip I just recorded. It's a Rickenbacker 4003 straight into a Traynor YBA-100. Lots of chords here, as the marketing spiel is all about how these strings improve the string's harmonic response. Let's put it to the test:
They sound like they are up my alley, but I don’t suffer from the things discussed in that review. I think I am quite in tune as it is. So sticking with my trusty Dunlop strings. That said, bring the price down to $20 and I may change my mind
I just emailed Dogal asking if Hellborg flats are really coming. The rounds are amazing but the string noise is just too much on my ABG. When they get back to me I’ll post their answer.