Do Flats take the Bass out of the equation?

LaklandBass · #1 10-04-2010, 10:25 AM

So Ive got about 10 basses right now with flats on half of them and Ive started wondering something.
I know this isnt totally true but doesnt it seem like flats take most of the basses natural tone out of the equation?
I guess the best way to explain this is that Ive played/owned a Fender P, Fender J, Musicman Ray HH, and Warwick Thumb.
When each of these had rounds the differences were night and day.... each had their own sound and it was clear to any non-musician.
But when I had flats on them the differences seemed not so clear. You could still hear a different tone in each bass but you really had to listen for it.

So what is my point? I have a friend that plays bass and really wants to get into some flats for the tone so he's planning on buying a new bass and keeping it strung with flats.
Basically looking between a Squire J, Mex J, American J.

What do you guys think? Should he not bother spending extra cash on a better bass? Or does it still make the same difference?

Spinal Tapper · #2 10-04-2010, 10:42 AM

I sort of agree on this...

I love DiAddario regular roundwound strings on my basses. Every vintage instrument I've played and own has these strings. To me, this is the string that brings the natural tone out of the instrument. To me.

I've found myself stringing my "cheapo" basses with whatever flats I have laying around so that they're still usable instruments. It certainly gives them a character; low thumpy, plumpy, dlumpy, but its only because of the strings. If I put my DiAddario rounds on my crappy basses, I get crappy tone.

IMO, my $.02, YMMV, etc.

rpsands · #3 10-04-2010, 10:44 AM

It's very often been my experience that even different brands of roundwounds can make more difference than anything on the bass except preamp (and sometimes pickups).

Sideshow Aj · #4 10-04-2010, 10:50 AM

Flats have masked the tone of any bass I've put them on. But I'm heavily biased against them anyway, so take it with a pinch of salt. I just think they sound horrible.

pbass2 · #5 10-04-2010, 10:52 AM

Hmmmm-----I think I see what you mean. I do think flats are a more "distinctive" sounding string from the get-go, with more obvious "character" than rounds (for lack of better terms of course). Maybe then you could say rounds are more . . ."transparent"?
So the inherent character of the string jumps out at ya more I guess regardless of bass with flats. That said, my 'Ray with flats sure sounded nothing like my P or Longhorn! I've also noticed my Glaub sounds quite different with Labella flats on it than it did with Chromes. Considerably more different than say, my jazz with LoRiders vs. Roto rounds.

pointbass · #6 10-04-2010, 10:58 AM

There are many who would argue that round wounds take the "natural" tone out of the bass, especially the more modern strings that exhibit a lot of attack and brightness.

Every bass, IMO, exhibits different characteristics based on the strings used. It's all a matter of personal preference ... no right or wrong ....

azzyrazzy · #7 10-04-2010, 10:59 AM

I'd say buy the Squier then.

Surly · #8 10-04-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

There are many who would argue that round wounds take the "natural" tone out of the bass, especially the more modern strings that exhibit a lot of attack and brightness.

Every bass, IMO, exhibits different characteristics based on the strings used. It's all a matter of personal preference ... no right or wrong ....

Personal preference.

Pilgrim · #9 10-04-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

There are many who would argue that round wounds take the "natural" tone out of the bass, especially the more modern strings that exhibit a lot of attack and brightness.

Exactly!

To me, new rounds sound zingy and bright to the point where I think the instrument doesn't sound like a bass. I much prefer flats, and I think THEY bring out the real sound of a bass.

I do have rounds on two basses, but one set is 10 years old and the other probably 3-4 years old. They no longer sound objectionably bright.

Different strokes.

mongo2 · #10 10-04-2010, 12:21 PM

I use flats on many basses and each one of them sounds very different.

They sound like the bass with flats.

When I used rounds the basses sound like those basses with rounds.

nealw · #11 10-04-2010, 12:29 PM

My Stingrays with flats still sound unmistakably like Stingrays-just without the string noise and "zingyness.".

DaveDeVille · #12 10-04-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

There are many who would argue that round wounds take the "natural" tone out of the bass,
especially the more modern strings that exhibit a lot of attack and brightness.

Every bass, IMO, exhibits different characteristics based on the strings used.
It's all a matter of personal preference ... no right or wrong ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Exactly!

To me, new rounds sound zingy and bright to the point where I think the instrument doesn't sound like a bass.
I much prefer flats, and I think THEY bring out the real sound of a bass.

I do have rounds on two basses, but one set is 10 years old and the other probably 3-4 years old.
They no longer sound objectionably bright.

Different strokes.

... agreed .

MNAirHead · #13 10-04-2010, 12:58 PM

from a dude that owns WAY too many basses.

Yes.. flats do neutralize the bass... many of your band mates will enjoy a more solid foundation with less overtones.

Flats do kind of destroy the sound of some expensive basses.. they neutralize it down to a passiveish sound.

...

That being said -- I prefere tapes or stainless rounds

bassist4dalord · #14 10-04-2010, 01:02 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkJoMosdTqE

I don't know about you, but I hear a lot of that signature Warwick growl in this vid. One of my favorite YouTube finds.

dvh · #15 10-04-2010, 01:10 PM

Since each of those basses will have its own tone regardless of flats or rounds I’d tell him to pick the one that feels best to him. Besides, he might want to put rounds on it someday…

Metal Mitch · #16 10-04-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkJoMosdTqE

I don't know about you, but I hear a lot of that signature Warwick growl in this vid. One of my favorite YouTube finds.

Wow, a Warwick with flats. Actually sounds decent. Too bad he can't play in time

yamark · #17 10-04-2010, 02:21 PM

I have a g&l usa with an alder body along with a g&l tribute with a basswood body. They sound identical with d'addario nickels. They sound entirely different with flats.

Stanley Pugh · #18 10-04-2010, 02:25 PM

I worry how they sit in the mix more than anything, all flats are not created equal.

trtzbass · #19 10-04-2010, 02:30 PM

You raise an interesting question...
I sort of agree with you: sounds like flats don't bring up the inherent qualities of the bass you're playing.
On another hand, us modern players are more accustomed to the sound of roundwounds, so our ear is way more aware about that kind of sound. We are sensitive to a broader range of micro variations in tone when it comes to that kind of string.
It's also true that the lack of overtones of flatwounds makes them sound...well...flat

Jim Nazium · #20 10-04-2010, 02:34 PM

To me, it's funny to talk about strings bringing out or masking the 'natural' tone of the instrument. It would make more sense to me to talk about the instrument bringing out or masking the natural tone of the string, which, after all, is where the sound starts. I still think the instrument makes a difference, flats or rounds.