EMG's and Flatwounds

Thomas K · #1 05-02-2007, 11:14 AM

I played with Flatwounds on a P-Bass for the first time and the tone was awesome for the type of music I was playing. I'm thinking of putting flatwounds on my hopped-up Jazz bass....it has EMG pick ups and a bad-ass bridge. Seems like flat-wounds would defeat this Hi-Fi set up.....but yet they sounded great on the P bass. Any body have any experience with Flat wounds and EMG's?

jmceachern36 · #2 05-02-2007, 11:24 AM

I have a P/J with active EMG's and flatwounds sound great on it. You could take the E string off your P and put it on your J to try it out and see how it sounds.

JanusZarate · #3 05-02-2007, 11:35 AM

I've used flatwounds with EMG-HZ, EMG-P, and EMG-DC pickups. Not only will you get much of the natural thickness and warmth of flatwounds, but you'll also get some extra clarity and brightness because of the active EMGs. It won't be old-school, but it won't really be "modern", either.

I don't see it being a problem at all. It's definitely different than flats and passives!

SGT. Pepper · #4 05-02-2007, 12:19 PM

It will be unique sounding.

spade2you · #5 05-02-2007, 07:18 PM

There are no rules to what you can or can't use, but I'd think flats would take away from the "in your face" nature of EMGs. Although, if you want to make the EMGs sound much more subtle, this would indeed be the answer.

JimmyM · #6 05-02-2007, 08:16 PM

There is nothing not "in your face" about flats. I don't use them on every bass I own, but my parts P with flats is most definitely in your face. And my 76 Precision with EMG P/J's was equally awesome with flats.

Thomas K · #7 05-03-2007, 02:21 PM

Hey thanks guys. Sounds like just what I needed to get at least somewhat of an "old school" sound. I have a Warwick 5 string to take care of the modern stuff.
I ordered up a set of D'Addario Chrome flat wounds from Musician's Friend.
thanks again for your input!

bareass · #8 05-05-2007, 01:39 AM

i'm running half flats on on a p bass that has dual P style EMG pups and loving it.. but then again half flats are kinda... well.... half and half!
i do get an old school sound though. and with the tone down i can get a really warm jazzy sound

jmceachern36 · #9 05-05-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas K

I ordered up a set of D'Addario Chrome flat wounds from Musician's Friend.
thanks again for your input!

Just a friendly reminder in case you are not aware. Your chromes are gonna sound like round wounds for a little bit until they break in. They also get smoother under your fingers as well as you play them.

Thomas K · #10 05-07-2007, 10:27 AM

ooh...thanks for pointing that out (break -in). That should alleviate some initial disappointment, cuz I hadn't known that.