Anybody Slapping Flats?

CapnSev · #1 03-08-2010, 10:40 AM

So I have this band that does old (60s-70s) R&B, Funk, and Jazz covers, and there's a couple times during the show that the and leader wants me to bust out a slap solo. That's fine with me, but the rest of the show, I really don't slap much, with the exception of maybe 2 songs. I want to switch over to flats on my P5, for some serious thump for most of the songs. I was wondering if anyone out there is slapping on flats (especially on a P bass) and it cuts through nicely, or creates a pretty sweet slap sound.

FYI - I'm using a Fender Am P5 strung up with KS Compressors, which I love to death, but want to go even more old school. I may try KS Slickrounds, but I hate their grabby feel. I really want to hear from those that slap pure flats especially.

jasper383 · #2 03-08-2010, 10:57 AM

I've heard lots of brands of flats slapped. They all sounded fine to me.

Chromes and TIs, because they have the most highs, will probably be the best for the traditional slap sound.

Here's a guy slapping on Chromes and Galli flats (n/a in the US I think):
http://www.youtube.com/user/XBaBoonX#p/u/9/DUB4N3HpwB8

southpaw420 · #3 03-08-2010, 07:03 PM

I slap flats all the time and while it gets a much duller sound than with rounds, it still sounds great and is very useful. The only flats I can really recommend slapping on are chromes and GHS precisions. Other flats Ive tried have felt too stiff to do it comortably.

guitardefector · #4 03-08-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

So I have this band that does old (60s-70s) R&B, Funk, and Jazz covers, and there's a couple times during the show that the and leader wants me to bust out a slap solo. That's fine with me, but the rest of the show, I really don't slap much, with the exception of maybe 2 songs. I want to switch over to flats on my P5, for some serious thump for most of the songs. I was wondering if anyone out there is slapping on flats (especially on a P bass) and it cuts through nicely, or creates a pretty sweet slap sound.

FYI - I'm using a Fender Am P5 strung up with KS Compressors, which I love to death, but want to go even more old school. I may try KS Slickrounds, but I hate their grabby feel. I really want to hear from those that slap pure flats especially.

Oh yeah!! Try D'Addario Chrome flats. They slap like a dream, though not as great as rounds. I have them on my Peavey Fury and they're amazing!!

Andrew Jones · #5 03-08-2010, 07:32 PM

GHS flats or Lakland,,,,

More thumpy than D'Addario which are great! just a option

Jefenator · #6 03-08-2010, 07:33 PM

+1 on all that - I like the Chromes for slapping on my J bass. Might switch back to light rounds if I ever do a 80s/90s tribute project but there's nothing in the works at the moment.

simonsaysred · #7 03-08-2010, 07:40 PM

I was really surprised when I strung my Ray with Chromes that it sounded so good slapped. Your volume peaks aren't as strong either so you don't need as much compression.

CapnSev · #8 03-08-2010, 09:11 PM

Thanks for all the feedback!

I should have mentioned that I'm not a huge Chromes fan, because of the low B. I think the Chromes' B is one of the worst I've ever heard honestly.

Right now I'm leaning towards the KS Slickrounds (groundwound with nice tone, but horribly grippy), the Ernie Ball flats (have them on a 4-string P, and they're great, but again worried about the B), or Sadowsky flats (never tried, but the tapered B and lower tension are drawing me in).

travisivart · #9 03-09-2010, 07:46 AM

Be sure to post feedback on what brand you choose, I'm curious myself what flats would be best for a deep slap tone.

Jerry Ziarko · #10 03-09-2010, 05:45 PM

I've never tried them, but I have heard the Sadowsky flats, have a nice "B".

CapnSev · #11 03-10-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Ziarko

I've never tried them, but I have heard the Sadowsky flats, have a nice "B".

Hopefully they do, because I just placed the order for some. I'll let know guys know what I think, and try to post some caomparison soundclips between the Sads, and the Compressors that I'm using now.

jasper383 · #12 03-10-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I should have mentioned that I'm not a huge Chromes fan, because of the low B. I think the Chromes' B is one of the worst I've ever heard honestly.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Ernie Ball flats (have them on a 4-string P, and they're great, but again worried about the B),

I think you'll find the EB flats very much like the Chromes. If you know what I mean.

John Wentzien · #13 03-10-2010, 01:09 PM

I have heavy Fender SS flats on my P and they have a very interesting tone when slapped.
I always have rounds on my Jazz...But there's something "old-school" in the flats being slapped!

kasbrey · #14 03-11-2010, 02:09 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TWM7WRrp2g

CapnSev · #15 03-12-2010, 11:06 PM

Well, I installed the Sadowskys today, and overall, I'm pretty impressed. It's been a really long time since I tried flats, and I thought they would be a lot more "dead and thumpy" sounding. Turns out they are really articulate and clear. Yes, they do have a strong fundamental, and a fat tone, but not as much as I thought- in fact, they are livelier than the Compressors I had on before (the Compressors were about 6 months old though).

Yes, they DO slap well. The actually sound better than the Compressors slapped (probably due to the Compressors being dead), and I see absolutely no issues with slapping on these strings. They have a very authoritative slap sound that has a lot of punch. I think the flats add a little evenness and compression to the sound. I'm really looking forward to gigging these, and seeing how the slap sits in the mix- I expect that it will sound just fine.

The low B is absolutely superb. It is clear as a bell, and matches up with the other strings better than any other B I have ever played. I really like the clarity and feel of the strings a lot, I am pretty happy with them.

I have two gripes however. One is that the G string is a lot darker in color than the others, and a lot deader sounding. I think it's just a bum string, and I will call Sadowsky in the morning to order a replacement. The other is that towards the ball end on the D is rough feeling. it's not really near where I play, but it kind of bugs me nonetheless. I'm going to take a scotch-brite pad to it and see if I can't smooth it out.

travisivart · #16 03-13-2010, 01:21 AM

this thread is making me wanna try flats on my g&l... i cannot stand that bass's bridge humbucker, not nearly enough low end and the tone itself isn't even that great. maybe flats will tone it down a bit...

Jefenator · #17 03-13-2010, 01:40 AM

I just about took someone's head off, the other night, popping w/ Chromes.

My old Mesa tube amp has exceptionally strong dynamics. For that playing style, it's almost too much. People were reaching to cover their ears and I had to soften my attack quite a bit.

And that's with flats that are 6 months old. I certainly don't need anything brighter - at least not with that amp.