Do Older Bassists Gravitate Towards Flats?

mrjim123 · #1 12-21-2008, 07:44 AM

I have a theory that, as a bassist ages and becomes more experienced, he/she is more likely to switch from round wounds to flats than from flats to rounds. So, as one mellows with age, his/her tonal preference mellows also. That is what happened to me.

So, I created this poll to test that theory. Please, do not vote unless you have been playing for at least 10 years.

DanGouge · #2 12-21-2008, 07:47 AM

I can't see the poll. I have TI Jazz Flats on my fretless only. I've been in the game for 13 years FWIW.

BloozBass · #3 12-21-2008, 07:49 AM

I hadn't thought of it that way, but your premise may be correct. I've been playing for 44 years - started on flats because that was pretty much all there was, then switched to rounds to keep up with the musical styles I was playing. Recently, my string of choice has been flats again, except when the type of gig requires the brightness of rounds. I never thought to associate it with age/experience.

Blooz

david fitch · #4 12-21-2008, 08:00 AM

As I grow older so does my musical taste. I am playing more Blues and Roots music and the Flats just seem like a better fit for the styles I have been playing. I still do keep a couple of Basses strung up with Rounds in case I ever catch my second wind.

**KJung** · #5 12-21-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjim123

I have a theory that, as a bassist ages and becomes more experienced, he/she is more likely to switch from round wounds to flats than from flats to rounds. So, as one mellows with age, his/her tonal preference mellows also. That is what happened to me.

So, I created this poll to test that theory. Please, do not vote unless you have been playing for at least 10 years.

At age 51 at the moment (and about 35 years of playing bass), you will have to pry my stainless steel roundwounds from my cold, dead hands.

JustDavid · #6 12-21-2008, 08:13 AM

I'd have to rank 'the tone in your head' as the first reason, then musical genre. Age might impact those 2 factors, but polling strings by age seems to be putting the cart before the horse.

fretlessguy · #7 12-21-2008, 08:20 AM

When i was in my thirties I played a lot of flat strings. Then I switched back to rounds. Now that I am 49 play mainly flats.

I think it really has more to do with what I am curremtly playing stylewise than my age. the only sure thing is that since I am older, my fingers have started doing the arthritis thing and I gravitate towards less tensioned strings.

bobba66 · #8 12-21-2008, 08:23 AM

Recently tried flats for the first time since 1979 or so. If I can find some with less tension than Chromes I'll be a happy baby.

Nidan · #9 12-21-2008, 08:23 AM

I play coated rounds Elixir and DR ..and I'm 53 , I've been playing bass for 30+ years

bggeezer · #10 12-21-2008, 08:24 AM

Nope...not me.

Always played rounds...always will; I'm a rock bassist. I should change the strings more however.

Fealach · #11 12-21-2008, 08:26 AM

When I started playing in the 80s I used rounds. I tried flats once for about half an hour, and hated everything about them. Sounded like dead strings with the tone knob all the way down.

Until a year or so ago, I used rounds on everything except fretless; on that I used compressors, hal rounds, or similar in-between string to save wear on the bass.

A year or so ago, I tried flats for about half an hour, and hated everything about them. Sounded like dead strings with the tone knob all the way down.

I have, however, changed from nickel to stainless steel. I think I may put SS rounds on the fretless when it needs new strings.

Muckaluck · #12 12-21-2008, 08:31 AM

Started on rounds exclusively around 12 years ago. About two years ago I switched to flats and now use only flats (DR Flats and Tomastik).

Kenny Allyn · #13 12-21-2008, 08:33 AM

Well uh

see if I can think back that far ...

1st I should say mellow is not how people generally describe my playing. If anything it's gotten more aggressive

String wise, back in the day most of my basses were strung with GHS "Pressurewounds" they have an oval wind and sound and play kinda like a more growly flat or less bright round (take your pick). These days it varies I only use the GHS on one bass. I have D Addario XL Chrome flats on one bass only my 68 Precision. All but one other bass get nickel wrapped steel either, D Addario, DR, or Fender 7250s any of these more bright and aggressive than the GHS Pressurewounds.

Fender 7150s, their original pure nickel rounds are on one bass, and that is my main player bass, a 1973 LPB Jazz, they have a midrange growl that just make that bass sound right to me.

... I'm 54 now ... Guess I gotta work on this mellow vs aggresion thing huh?

keb · #14 12-21-2008, 08:46 AM

Been playing almost 20 years... I've experimented with one set of flatwounds during that time. Nothing wrong with them at all and it did sound very nice, but I'm really more of a rounds guy in the end.

bassksun · #15 12-21-2008, 08:52 AM

I'm 51 and that has nothing to do with it. It depends on what I'm playing. What kind of sound I need.

peace

jmacfee · #16 12-21-2008, 09:05 AM

I'm not sure what I'm playing. At 55, I'm starting to forget things. After forty odd years of playing, I just walk into the music store, they hand me stuff and I give them money.

Actually, I use rounds. No particular brand. I keep trying new ones searching for the perfect sound. Never really cared for flats. Just a personal thing. I remember back in the day using Gretsch flats on a guitar and they felt nice but had no bite. Nowadays, probably DR's, mostly.
John

awakefie · #17 12-21-2008, 09:54 AM

I played flats when I was in my teens. They sounded really thuddy on my Gibson G3. Actually, the older I get the more I appreciate the bright tone of rounds.

Currently playing Elixir, Ernie Balls, and DRs (on separate basses of course).

SteveD · #18 12-21-2008, 01:51 PM

Been playing for 35 years. Played rounds for country and rock for about 27, went to flats while playing in a folky original music band with acoustic guitarists, now playing classic rock and using quarter rounds. I have always played old Jazz basses live except I did use my 2001 MIM fretless Jazz some on the folk gig. On the fretless I use D'Addario Chromes or those new DR strings made for fretless. The Chromes sound great in the studio on both basses.

MarkusBass · #19 12-21-2008, 01:56 PM

I think it really is linked to the music you play...IE..like. Older dudes tend to get mellow over the years. Look at Metallica.

stingray56funk · #20 12-21-2008, 02:00 PM

It truly is about the sound that I am going for. I have two basses with rounds, both Yamaha BB's w/ rotosound 66's or D'Addario XL nickels, and one Fender Duck Dunn P Bass w/ TI flats. It completely depends on the song and genre and the sound I'm trying to create.