Gibson Flatwound Strings on Jazz Bass - Surprising good and cheap!

[PBassAcidJazz]

Hi all,

Just bought some Gibson Flats for my Japanese Fender Jazz bass. I wanted to replace my La Bella LTFs, because they didn't quite suit the Jazz. They are the cheapest flats I could find. They seem to be well balanced - similar to my Fender 9050ML strings, but less harsh and warmer straight out of the packet. The medium gauge work well regarding tension on the slim C Jazz neck. I wanted to share this because there seems to be very little info about these strings online. I'm looking forward to breaking them in!

 

[michael_t]

They are the cheapest flats I could find...

Cheapest as in how much?

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

Cheapest as in how much?

Here in NZ $79NZD. For reference Fender 9050s cost $100NZD.

 

[JKos]

$79NZD

~$49 USD

$100NZD

~$62 USD

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

~$49 USD

~$62 USD

They will be cheaper in the US.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

Thanks for the info. Didn’t know they had Gibson branded bass strings. Now it makes me wonder who actually manufactures them. Think I’ll check out a set.

 

[michael_t]

Here in NZ $79NZD. For reference Fender 9050s cost $100NZD.

Thanks for the info. Your avatar doesn't indicate where you're based, so I was just curious... If they're 21% less than the Fender 9050 where you are, then I would call it "cheap" for flats.

 

[Neo1]

Sweetwater sells them for $39.99 in the US (and someone can probably find them for even less). According to the guy I bought my 1976 Ripper from, he bought it as NOS, and the flats on it were the originals (at least that was his story). I find the strings are holding up just fine.

 

[socknroll1]

Beautiful bass! Is that trans orange?

 

[markjazzbassist]

Thanks for the info. Didn’t know they had Gibson branded bass strings. Now it makes me wonder who actually manufactures them. Think I’ll check out a set.

i would also be interested to see who makes them because i know it's not Gibson. Likely D'addario or GHS I would guess. Maybe EB or Labella or Dunlop, outside of that i'm not sure the other makers do OEM stuff.

 

[Aussie Player]

I have some Gibson strings I liked on new Gibsons so never chaged them out, but I have never seen or known of Gibson strings for sale.

 

[michael_t]

Likely D'addario or GHS I would guess. Maybe EB or Labella or Dunlop, outside of that i'm not sure the other makers do OEM stuff.

I've read in another thread that D'Addario made Gibson-brand guitar strings. Not sure about the bass strings, though.

 

[JJR58]

i would also be interested to see who makes them because i know it's not Gibson. Likely D'addario or GHS I would guess. Maybe EB or Labella or Dunlop, outside of that i'm not sure the other makers do OEM stuff.

I’m using these Dunlops on one of my J’s.
And I absolutely love them.
A friend of mine turned me onto the Gibson strings recently.
Definitely will be trying the light gauge set.

 

[_Tay_]

Thanks for the info. Didn’t know they had Gibson branded bass strings. Now it makes me wonder who actually manufactures them. Think I’ll check out a set.

I believe it is D'addario. I really like the Gibson Super Brites roundwound strings. Sound great and much cheaper than other great sounding strings. Would like to try the flats for sure.

 

[thunesBARROW]

I like Gibson rounds too, but they don’t come in a light enough gauge for me. Maybe I’ll give the flats a try one day.

 

[Nerve]

I like Gibson rounds too, but they don’t come in a light enough gauge for me. Maybe I’ll give the flats a try one day.

I'm a fan of the Gibson strings. I just checked their website and see that they offer a roundwound they call "ultra-light". I don't remember seeing that before. Doesn't seem particularly "ultra-light", but here it is:

• Ultra-Light Gauge: .045 .065 .080 .100
  
  
• Light Gauge: .045 .065 .085 .105
  
  
• Medium Gauge: .050 .070 .085 .105

 

[rutabaga bob]

Have always liked the Gibson-branded flats. Used them on my EB-0 and AccuBass, both of which I sold a while back. Have them on my Mikro right now.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

Thanks for the info. Your avatar doesn't indicate where you're based, so I was just curious... If they're 21% less than the Fender 9050 where you are, then I would call it "cheap" for flats.

Yes, they are the cheapest on the market here in NZ, or at least cheaper than the other US brands.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

Beautiful bass! Is that trans orange?

It's "translucent fiesta red" Looks very vintage, but more "fresh.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

i would also be interested to see who makes them because i know it's not Gibson. Likely D'addario or GHS I would guess. Maybe EB or Labella or Dunlop, outside of that i'm not sure the other makers do OEM stuff.

On the back of the packet It says "Developed and approved by Gibson Master Luthiers", which certainly implies they are not made by Gibson. They have a warm mellow tone compared to others I've tried. Though not as thumpy sounding at La Bellas.