Flatwound Attack, Decay, and Sustain

[PianoOfDoom]

So I've been posting bits of related questions in other threads in the quest to achieve a certain sound, so I though it wise to make a more coherent request. I've got an MIM P bass currently, and just got an Ovation Magnum I as well. I put TI Jazz Flats on the P yesterday, and am already in love with the feel and the sort of on/off quality of the notes. There is not much thuddy attack or quick decay and the sustain is fantastic. I can make the G string sound like a nicely defined "boop" sound.

My other strings are mostly LaBellas - FS, FM, and M/Jamerson. They are the epitome of thud/quick decay, especially on the Ovation (the P actually gets pretty good sustain with them). I tend to play fingerstyle with the tone rolled off. Almost dubby kind of tone, but I like to get a little melodic as well.

So here is what I am looking to do. I'm leaving the TIs on the P bass to play the crap out of them until they sound like actual flats. I am looking for a new set for the Ovation, as the LaBellas percussiveness is exaggerated on this bass. Are there any other strings that lack the percussiveness of the LaBellas, but retain their insane, thunderous low end? I could just get another set of TIs (in the Ovation's longer scale), but I was hoping for something that combines the best of both. Can someone lay out the attack/decay/sustain characteristics of available flats? Are the lighter LaBellas less percussive?

Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

I'm leaving the TIs on the P bass to play the crap out of them until they sound like actual flats.

Good luck with that. Based on what I've been reading about the TI's, they will never "sound like actual flats".

Are there any other strings that lack the percussiveness of the LaBellas, but retain their insane, thunderous low end? I could just get another set of TIs (in the Ovation's longer scale), but I was hoping for something that combines the best of both.

Sadowsky Black Label Flats Lite (40-100).

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Sadowsky Black Label Flats Lite (40-100).

I emailed Sadowsky about the longer scale length, so if they make them, it's worth a try. The Ovation needs a little more length for the E string's silk to clear the nut.

 

[michael_t]

The Ovation needs a little more length for the E string's silk to clear the nut.

What's the physical distance on the Ovation between where the ball end sits and where the E string just clears the nut?

 

[PianoOfDoom]

What's the physical distance on the Ovation between where the ball end sits and where the E string just clears the nut?

I think 37.5". There was a post somewhere with exact measurements. I have my LaBella standard long scale FS set on there now and the E silk is on the nut. Doesn't sound bad at all, but might as well get it right.

 

[michael_t]

I think 37.5". There was a post somewhere with exact measurements. I have my LaBella standard long scale FS set on there now and the E silk is on the nut.

Here's an interesting comparison for you...
According to the specs on paper, both the La Bella and the Sadowsky (also by La Bella) are supposed to have a winding length (ball end to silk) of 37", and yet there is a big difference in the way they fit on my bass.

Here's how the La Bella 760FL E-string sits on my 2014 Am Std P // and here's the way the E-string from the Sadowsky Lite set sits on the same bass.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Here's an interesting comparison for you...
According to the specs on paper, both the La Bella and the Sadowsky (also by La Bella) are supposed to have a winding length (ball end to silk) of 37", and yet there is a big difference in the way they fit on my bass.

Here's how the La Bella 760FL E-string sits on my 2014 Am Std P // and here's the way the E-string from the Sadowsky Lite set sits on the same bass.

I saw this in another thread when I was confusing myself searching for answers. I wonder if they are all like that, or if you just got a weird one?

 

[michael_t]

I saw this in another thread when I was confusing myself searching for answers. I wonder if they are all like that, or if you just got a weird one?

Just sent you a PM...

 

[cdef]

Pyramid Gold flats are just the ticket for an old-school, pillowy-thumpy sound, IMO. They're still made like they were in the '50s, hand-wound on a round core. Not quite as low-tension as the Thomastik JFs, but still pretty supple, especially in comparison with La Bellas.

In general, if the winding length falls a little short so the silk extends through the nut slot it does no apparent harm to shave off the excess with a razor blade.

 

[PianoOfDoom]

Pyramid Gold flats are just the ticket for an old-school, pillowy-thumpy sound, IMO. They're still made like they were in the '50s, hand-wound on a round core. Not quite as low-tension as the Thomastik JFs, but still pretty supple, especially in comparison with La Bellas.

In general, if the winding length falls a little short so the silk extends through the nut slot it does no apparent harm to shave off the excess with a razor blade.

Yeah, the winding length isn't worrying me too much. My LaBellas are on there now, and the E sounds fine. My concern with Pyramids is that I've read about the E string being too thumpy. I'm looking more for sustained tone than percussiveness/thump.