Fender stainless steel flats review

john-boro · #1 08-17-2009, 02:54 PM

I recently picked up a Warwick Corvette $$. Despite the two huge humbuckers (in combination with the black finish it looks pretty f**kin metal

) I'm actually more of a funk/motown/modern jazz player. I stuck on some TI jazz flats like I usually do, but was pretty underwhelmed. The sound seemed to have very little character - all the pickup configurations sounded pretty much the same, it just wasn't exciting. The stainless steel Warwicks that came with it are really awful IMO, so in the absence of anything else I tried some fender stainless flats I had lying around.

I tried these on a fretless before and they really didn't work - too clacky, not very organic sounding at all. But on a fretted bass like this, they're great. I get all the benefits of flats, but the stainless steel and high tension gives a much more modern and exciting sound. That steely high end zing and slap tone is there, but moderated by the fact that they're flats, so it's always tasteful. I've found them to be really versatile: even in music where you'd always think to use roundwounds first, they can do a really good job while retaining all the characteristics that make me prefer flats. Highly recommended, and cheap

john

awall · #2 08-18-2009, 05:15 AM

I agree with that. I have a set of Fender flats on a Jazz Bass and it sings. Every note is really articulate and fat. I mainly play that bass in a blues band, but lately it's been used for everything I do. I even take it to church. They are Probably the cheapest flats out there too.
Al

Jefenator · #3 08-18-2009, 04:48 PM

I'm running 2 sets now - on a J-bass and a '51 RI. Not sure I'm feeling the love just yet, especially on the '51. This is my first excursion after 10 years on TIs, though, so I've got some adjusting to do.

I will say I am loving the "thump" afforded by the higher tension. When I pulled out a P-bass with TIs for a set, it was almost embarrassing how much less impact I was feeling through the amp. And the $20 price point is definitely a beautiful thing.

I'll keep using these Fender flats for a while. I'd say until they go dead but I'd kind of like to not wait 35 years before trying something different.

**lowendfriend** · #4 08-18-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john-boro

I recently picked up a Warwick Corvette $$. Despite the two huge humbuckers (in combination with the black finish it looks pretty f**kin metal

) I'm actually more of a funk/motown/modern jazz player. I stuck on some TI jazz flats like I usually do, but was pretty underwhelmed. The sound seemed to have very little character - all the pickup configurations sounded pretty much the same, it just wasn't exciting. The stainless steel Warwicks that came with it are really awful IMO, so in the absence of anything else I tried some fender stainless flats I had lying around.

I tried these on a fretless before and they really didn't work - too clacky, not very organic sounding at all. But on a fretted bass like this, they're great. I get all the benefits of flats, but the stainless steel and high tension gives a much more modern and exciting sound. That steely high end zing and slap tone is there, but moderated by the fact that they're flats, so it's always tasteful. I've found them to be really versatile: even in music where you'd always think to use roundwounds first, they can do a really good job while retaining all the characteristics that make me prefer flats. Highly recommended, and cheap

john

I have a 5-string 'Vette $$ and I went with Sadowsky Flats, which are also stainless....very happy with them.

With 6 toggle positions, continuous blend of neck and bridge pickup and independent eq for bass and treble, you pretty much dial in any sound ya need.

Stainless flats have a little more zing than the nickels and Sadowsky also has a tapered lowB for the $$ bridge.

For a nice motown sound, I go with both toggles toward the strings (up?) mid range on the pickup blend mid range the bass eq and turn down the treble a little below mid....and then pizzicato around fret 24. Bomp-o-rama, Mustang Sally!

john-boro · #5 08-19-2009, 02:42 PM

Agree with all. They aren't the most tactile or refined string, particularly compared to TI, but they do what they do very well and as the above said, are versatile. My favourite old-skool sound is the neck pickup solo'd with the switch up. For a nice bit of power and to bring out the extra zing, I've found myself using the pickup coils in series more and more too..