Do flats and distortion mix well together?

[ninthwondernj]

do they???? because im thinking about putting flats on my new Geddy this friday

[fenderx55]

conventional thinking dictates that flats give you more thump ipso facto more mud with distortion. However, if you play by the bridge (just like GEddy Lee!) or with a pick, it should be all cool and the gang. if you go to my band's website there's a song in the Audio section where i switch back and forth on my mim fretless. (disclaimer: i'm kinda new to fretless, my intonation was WAY off.)

[JimmyM]

I personally prefer rounds for distorted tones. But Larry Graham sure sounded good with distortion on his flats on Sly and the Family Stone albums.

[Futurebass]

I've noticed that regardless of which strings, distortion pops out more when you're using single coil pickups rather than humbuckers or active electronics in general. So it should sound good on your J.