flatwounds for acoustic electric basses

[jedibass607]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a brand of flatwounds that will work on a dreadnaught style acoustic/electric bass? Right now I have Dean Markley Earthwoods. They are a the phosphor bronze strings. A little to bright for my taste.

 

[fjadams]

I use GHS Brite Flats on one and the can't be found Guild Tapes on the Guild ABG.

 

[ThudThudThud]

I went through a similar quest recently, and one of the wonderful people on TB basically said, "Put some D'Addario Tape Wounds on there, and stop worrying."
Amazing sound. Great feel. Everything that was missing. YMMV.
Putting a foam mute under the bridge does some great things too.
If you go flats remember to find either the lower tension sets, or lighter gauge sets. Some flats have scary tension.

 

[lz4005]

I have D'Addario Chromes on two acoustics right now. They sound good.
Just be careful setting the witness point at the bridge. It can be a little trickier than using them on an electric where the bend isn't as sharp.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Put some D'addario Tapewounds on there and stop worrying! No seriously! I have them on my Fender Tbucket and they sound great. Other tapes will work but some of them may require you to file the nut slots a bit wider.

 

[Chicory Blue]

I played an acoustic in a store that had D'addario Chromes on it. Really dug it.

And by "I played..." I mean I came back and visited that gorgeous thing like once a week for months until someone finally bought it, and was slightly heartbroken to see it go.

So I'm thinking the above posters are probably right.

--^@

 

[iiipopes]

I wanted more "bloom" than sustain, so I have Rotosound Tru-Bass 88 tapewounds on an AEB. They do what I require out of this bass.

 

[azfatboy]

Why flats?

Like many others have already said--I would suggest looking at tapewounds. I put the "light" La Bella DTB Black Nylon Tapewounds (750N) on my Ibanez ABG, they fit without any nut adjustment, and I love them. I was going for more of a woody, bloomy upright sound, and I think they were just the ticket!

 

[jedibass607]

Tapewounds it is! Had a chance to watch some youtube vids of people using them. Nice sound.
Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[Gorn]

Flats sound fantastic on an acoustic. The lighter the better. Brand doesn't really matter IMO IME.

 

[fjadams]

Tapewounds it is! Had a chance to watch some youtube vids of people using them. Nice sound.
Thanks for all the feedback.

If you're looking at the La Bella tapes you might look at the White Nylon Tapes: La Bella Strings
Instead of the Black Nylon Tapes: La Bella Strings

As it'll take a little of the boominess out of it played thru an amp. Not sure how the White Copper or the White Gold would work as the Copper has more mids & highs than the Whites and the Gold more than the Copper.

 

[BAG]

If you go flats remember to find either the lower tension sets, or lighter gauge sets. Some flats have scary tension.

I'd be concerned about the (generally) higher tension of flats on an AEB.

 

[fjadams]

I did put a set of these on one of my basses and liked them at first feel.
Unfortunately with my moving and the wrist problems I haven't played anything much at all for the last few months.

Introducing "Low Tension Flexible Flats" Bass Strings! | La Bella Strings

 

[iiipopes]

Another popular option is the La Bella gold tapes, which have a tone more like the phosphor bronze AEB strings folks are more used to, with just a little less top end from the damping of the nylon. And like all La Bella tapewound strings, they come in both light and regular gauge. The regular gauge has a tension that is similar to a conventional set of 40-100 rounds, and the light is more like as set of conventional 35-90 rounds.