First time with flats.

[gonzorob]

Im sending the P-bass in for some TLC on Friday and plan on having them string it up with some flats for the first time.

I think I have narrowed down my choices for flats, but I thought I would take one last dip in the well on here and see if anyone had any last minute advice, words of warning, etc. before I take the plunge.

Flat choices so far are:

EB 2804 Flat Group II (.50, .70, .85, .105)

D'Addario ECB82 Medium Chromes (.50, .70, .85, .105)

I am really comfortable with this gauge in roundwounds. Will the feel of the gauge carry over with flats or are they a whole different animal?

The reason I ask is that the research I have done points to LaBellas being an awesome choice but the gauge closest to what I like is (.49, .69, .89, .109)

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[sevenyearsdown]

The feel is totally different (in a good way for me), and make sure they set the bass up. Flats have more tension and generally require a setup when installed on a bass that was using rounds prior.

[gonzorob]

It needs a setup anyway so i am just having them set it up for the flats while they are at it.

You say the feel is different, does this mean that I can go a little smaller/bigger on the gauge and not really notice?

[Mastermold]

Flats feel much different than rounds -- which is why all my basses have flats now except my Rics but I'm thinking TI flats might work great on those too!

They are more stiff, deeper sounding, and have much less fret noise. If blues, jazz or classic rock is your thing they are perfect, but if you play slap/funk or metal/hard rock you should stick with rounds.

[GianGian]

The chromes feel much softer compared to daddario nickel rounds, so you may prefer a heavier gauge.

[sevenyearsdown]

Originally Posted by gonzorob

It needs a setup anyway so i am just having them set it up for the flats while they are at it.

You say the feel is different, does this mean that I can go a little smaller/bigger on the gauge and not really notice?

I think no matter what gauge you chose you will notice a difference. This was my experience. I actually went with the same gauge from rounds to flats...just because. I didn't really think anything of it, and I like 'em - so that's what I use now.

The tension is higher, so if you are a finger picker you are more likely to notice the change with your pick hand. I found that it was much easier to fret the flats. In fact, I credit the flats with improving my playing, or at least making it easier for me to play. Compared to rounds, everything is smooth...both in actual feel and tone. Lighter gauge flats might help if the tension bothers you. I prefer finger picking on flats as vs rounds, but it also suits the type of music I'm playing right now.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by GianGian

The chromes feel much softer compared to daddario nickel rounds, so you may prefer a heavier gauge.

I liked the Chromes when playing solo but found they lacked the punch needed to cut through the mix when playing with my band. I was very disappointed because for a short time I thought I may have found what I wanted.

[GianGian]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

I liked the Chromes when playing solo but found they lacked the punch needed to cut through the mix when playing with my band. I was very disappointed because for a short time I thought I may have found what I wanted.

I have had them for a month now...not really my kind of sound, but I liked them. I feel like Paul Mccartney when I play them. I liked them also because they kind of stay the same and are said to last more, so I always take the bass with flats to rehearsals. While not as much as rounds, they cut through the mix on my heavy metal/hard rock band, on rehearsals.

[gonzorob]

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

I think no matter what gauge you chose you will notice a difference. This was my experience. I actually went with the same gauge from rounds to flats...just because. I didn't really think anything of it, and I like 'em - so that's what I use now.

The tension is higher, so if you are a finger picker you are more likely to notice the change with your pick hand. I found that it was much easier to fret the flats. In fact, I credit the flats with improving my playing, or at least making it easier for me to play. Compared to rounds, everything is smooth...both in actual feel and tone. Lighter gauge flats might help if the tension bothers you. I prefer finger picking on flats as vs rounds, but it also suits the type of music I'm playing right now.

I was thinking that it made sense to stick to a similar gauge that I am used to for my first set. I might do the LaBellas just for giggles.

I've been playing for about a year and a half and it with my finger style and the type of music I play it seems like I keep gravitating towards flats more and more.

When I first started playing I thought I was gonna be Flea, but my playing has been more heavily influenced by great flat players.

Im thinking that the rounds might eventually come off of my Jazz if these flats work out.

[Pilgrim]

For your first set of flats, it won't hurt to install moderate-priced strings. The Labella Deep Talkin' flats are my faves, and they're not cheap but not ridiculous.

However - you might want to keep rounds on the Jazz to leave yourself two different sound options. That's what I do - flats on P and most other basses, rounds on Jazz.

[gonzorob]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

For your first set of flats, it won't hurt to install moderate-priced strings. The Labella Deep Talkin' flats are my faves, and they're not cheap but not ridiculous.

However - you might want to keep rounds on the Jazz to leave yourself two different sound options. That's what I do - flats on P and most other basses, rounds on Jazz.

The LaBellas are about as expensive as I want to go first time around. I may get them even though the gauge is a bit different as I have heard nothing but good things about them. Plus they are rumored to last forever.

You are probably right about the leaving rounds on the jazz.

I suppose I could get that P-Special I have always wanted and put some flats on it just to see what a J-flat combo is like.

Thanks for the advice Pilgrim.