Confessions of a Flatwound Convert: The Crappy Remake

[Robertodelowend]

So I've been lurking for a while and I feel that some of you might like to hear an interesting chapter in my tone chase.

So I'm primarily a rocker, and I play everything from indie to punk to screamo to metal to classic rock. Well I decided that I really wanted that super punchy 'durng' I hear so many p bass players having, so I ordered an SX P bass. Well they messed up and sent me a J instead . But it grew on me very quickly. I fell in love with the versatility of the added bridge pup, the edgy-yet-classic look, its short scale felt right with my weak pinky, and for an odd reason I actually sort of like the 60 cycle hum.

Now to the topic more relevant to this forum. I think that a j really shines when both volume knobs and the tone knob is maxed out. I was dissatisfied with this as I felt the added treble of the bridge pu didn't sit quite right with some of the music I was playing, and some of my band mates found the hum of a solo-ed neck super obnoxious. I started weighing my options and even considered selling the j. Well I found myself cruising juststrings.com, as none of the local stores carry short-scale bass strings. I noticed that part of me wanted to move away from the typical p bass with rounds 'durng', and sculpt my own more original tone. So with out much thought I ordered a set of chromes.



I sort of expected my tone to be muddy and super bassy, but instead the flats give more emphasize on the fundamental harmonic and thus a HUGE lo-mid spike, and a much-needed slight cut in treble. I now understand what people have said about them sounding much better in a band then playing by yourself. This gets old quickly on its own, but in a band nothing really fills up this space, giving me lots of room to occupy. I also find myself more inclined to play fills and leads, as my hands have to do much less work as there's much less friction than with rounds.

Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Carrots?

Well, I still do want that 'durng', but Christmas isn't far.

[ttasselm]

Cool, man! Glad you like the sound you're getting.

I have a set of GHS Precision Flatwounds on the way for my Fender J, so it's cool to hear another person with a good flats/J experience. I can't wait to try them out. I've always used flats on my Fender Mustang, so I wanted to try them on its 34" scale cousin. I think that the short-scale-with-flats-and-a-pick sound is one of the best tones in the world of bass and I'm hoping the Jazz sounds equally awesome.

I think it's really cool how something as simple as a set of strings can make so much difference in a bass player's tone. So many options and possibilities to try out.

[Robertodelowend]

Originally Posted by ttasselm

Cool, man! Glad you like the sound you're getting.

I have a set of GHS Precision Flatwounds on the way for my Fender J, so it's cool to hear another person with a good flats/J experience. I can't wait to try them out. I've always used flats on my Fender Mustang, so I wanted to try them on its 34" scale cousin. I think that the short-scale-with-flats-and-a-pick sound is one of the best tones in the world of bass and I'm hoping the Jazz sounds equally awesome.

I think it's really cool how something as simple as a set of strings can make so much difference in a bass player's tone. So many options and possibilities to try out.

Hope things work well for you! Now that you mention it the short-scale does play a big part in our bass's tone, but I think you'll fall in love with your flatwound-ified jazz anyway.

[mcm]

flats on a j is the only way. makes both pups sound better, singled out or together

[Robertodelowend]

Originally Posted by mcm

flats on a j is the only way. makes both pups sound better, singled out or together

Thread purpose in a nutshell.

[duff84]

im slowly becoming a flatwound convert too, i listen'd to most my bands recordings when we play live and the best tone i had was either my american deluxe with ti jazz flats or my old sub stingray i had with labella flatwounds. i recently put ti jazz's on my american standard jazz, lowered the action on it and my god its come back to life for me. My precision i used rounds on at first i like the tone but i wanted to go flats, so i put some d'addario chromes on my precision. Im thinking of also putting flats on my stingray, does any have any recommendations for the stingray, i think labella's might do the trick?

[neoman09]

I used Fender stainless steel flats on my Ric 4001 for years, now I have a Fender Jazz 24 (frets, that is) and I use 9050M's on it. However I noticed in the lastyear or so, that the Fenders started getting duller much quicker, and I found out they are made by D'Addario, now.

In short, now I am looking for a new brand of flats. I play everything from Hard Rock to sixties to Blues. Would welcome your suggestions, or else it is going to be a crapshoot at Just Strings.com, or something.

[duff84]

i use ti jazz flatwounds on my jazz bass and it works wonders. another string to consider is labella 760fl if your looking for the more traditional flat tone. ti's cut through the mix nicely and sound very musical. very middy string.

[bassist4dalord]

I just ordered a set of D'Addario Chromes for my 2001 Squier Standard Precision V, which is a 5er with Jazz pickups. I also have Chromes on my Fender BG-31 acoustic and Squier Affinity P-Bass. Lovin' it!!

[mrjer]

I'm a recent convert to chromes also. Here's what I'm wondering: if so many players love flats......why does my local GC carry 99% roundwound??????

[christle]

Originally Posted by mrjer

I'm a recent convert to chromes also. Here's what I'm wondering: if so many players love flats......why does my local GC carry 99% roundwound??????

In reality I suspect most players outside of TB play rounds and don't know that much about flats...it is rare for me to meet many other players in town here that play flats, most are quite surprised that I play flats.

[dwm74]

Originally Posted by christle

In reality I suspect most players outside of TB play rounds and don't know that much about flats...it is rare for me to meet many other players in town here that play flats, most are quite surprised that I play flats.

I agree. Even the bass-tech that I took my P-bass to for an original setup looked at me and asked why I would want flats on it.

Flats on a Precision? Didn't think it was that rare of a combination but evidently to some folks it is.

[dagrev]

As for flats on my Jazz I prefer LaBella's. To me they sound somewhat similar in to TIs in that there is some good mid punch. I do have TI Jazz Rounds on a Geddy Lee and that sounds good. Also have the Jazz Rounds on a Stingray. All my Pbasses have TI flats. Ain't no better way to spank the plank in my book. Full-bodied Precision heaven.

When I started playing flats were still "in" to some extent. Like everyone else I had to go rounds. Coming back to flats it a wonderful thing. However some things do sound good with rounds, but in a live setting flats fill the sound void with a solid bass tone.

[Stilettoprefer]

With my project bass i discovered how awesome flatwounds felt and sounded. Now i am going to try a set out on my schecter soon.

[mccartneyman]

Originally Posted by dwm74

I agree. Even the bass-tech that I took my P-bass to for an original setup looked at me and asked why I would want flats on it.

Flats on a Precision? Didn't think it was that rare of a combination but evidently to some folks it is.

Younger guys think that roundwounds have been used forever -- to the point that some odn't actually believe they can sound good. I have towonder if these guys ever listen to any music recorded before 1966. There's another thread here where this is discussed.

[purpletornado]

Originally Posted by mcm

flats on a j is the only way. makes both pups sound better, singled out or together

No doubt, I had rounds on my J when I first got it but once I switched to flats I never looked back.

[juicenra4ever]

put them on my epi eb3 because i heard they would cure some fret buzz i was getting. absolutely fell in love with them and cant wait to get em on my j. i went with these http://www.rotosound.com/jazz77.html and can't wait to get another set. they feel great on my fingers, much easier to slide, etc etc. cant speak to their longevity because ive only had em for about 2.5 months, though i do practice at least 2 hours a day though my gigging has slowed down.