Flatwounds on a 51 reissue p bass

[the blue mule]

Any body have flatwounds on their 51 p? I just ordered one and would like to know about your experiences. also what scale length should I get?
I have fender nylon tape wrapped on my 62 p reissue and love them. but want something really "old school" the 51?
i like "d'addario chromes" on my jazz box guitars. how about the chromes? TI's? LaBellas? others? thanx

[Tim Armstrong]

I have a Frankenstein bass (Tokai '57 body, Warmoth Tele Bass neck, Voodoo pickups) with a set of TI Jazz Flats, scale length 34 inches (.043 - .100). Same as your '51, I believe. I love 'em!

Cheers, Tim

[the blue mule]

Is your Franken-bass a string thru-body?

[Dave W]

They all come in long scale, what you need to do make sure the winding length is long enough to accomodate the string-through.

I have used TI flats on two different string through Fenders I used to own, and they were just long enough for the silks to clear the nut. Excellent tone but not old school thump.

LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass flatwounds and GHS Precision Flatwounds are both great old school flats, but I don't think the LaBellas will fit in the standard winding length. They can be ordered in extra long, though. The GHS Precision Flatwounds will definitely fit, they come standard in what GHS calls Long Scale Plus (38" winding length).

LaBella also makes Deep Talkin' Bass tapewounds, much smoother and deeper than the Fenders. Carvin uses these on their acoustic basses so they stock them in extra long (38" WL) instead of the standard 36-36.5". If you find these at a retailer, they will probably just be standards, so order from Carvin.

I've never used Chromes, a lot of players do like them. Again, the standard length will probably not make it, they're available in an extra long but you usually don't see these except at online retailers.

[the blue mule]

I haven' t owned a string thru bass in many years, but i remember coming up short a time or two. will check out on line string sellers.................
i really like the Chromes on my guitars.....smooth.
TI are a brite string then I guess.??
Have been using Fender Tapewounds for years and love the way they feel and last..............I will take a look at the LaBellas, maybe for my '62 P.
thanx for the tips.

[the blue mule]

My 51 reissue just arrived and I really like the way it plays but I hate the "crispy-critter" strings that came with it.................. too dam brite.............
now I can start the great string search of '04.

[4mal]

If you are looking for 'woody' and 'detailed', then Chromes or TI Jazz Flats are great. If you are looking for thump, the Fender Flatwound does a nice job once they are a bit dead. The Fenders suck when new (my Opinion anyway). They sound better and better as time goes on. Don't have any idea about the string through as I'm in top loaders all around. Nor about the 51's pup.

[the blue mule]

I went ahead and put the Fender 9050s on it. adjusted the neck, Lowered the action, set the intonation..........
and man oh man, it is really sweet now..........
thru my hartke 3500 and 410 cab.............man oh man..........i like it.....
This is now one really nice bass..............a little heavier than I might have liked.........heavier than my MIJ 62 p reissue...........but i can live with it.
I was told that CIJs were heavier on a whole than the older MIJs..............oh well....still nice.
thanx to all for the tips!!