Flats that *don't* have a lot of sustain and highs

[ric426]

I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that most people are looking for in flats. I don't necessarily want them to sound really dead, just more like the attack and smoothness you'd get with an upright bass. Kind of a subdued sustain.
So far I've tried LaBella nylon tape wounds, TI Jazz Flats, Sadowsky flats and GHS nylon tape wounds (my favorite so far), but they all seem to have the normal bass guitar attack/sustain envelope. Granted, it's a semi-acoustic chambered solid body, so I probably won't be able to get too far away from that, but I'd like to try for the faster decay of an upright bass and less bass guitar twang.
Any suggestions?

[RCCollins]

Are people really looking for sustain and high end from flats? Wow, they must be frustrated!

It sounds to me like you need to try the regular old La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats in a medium to heavy gauge.

If those dont work for you, you might try adding a mute!

[JimmyM]

LaBella or Fender flats are what you're looking for. They're very zingy out of the box, but it doesn't take long for them to go dead. And then the fun begins!

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

LaBella or Fender flats are what you're looking for. They're very zingy out of the box, but it doesn't take long for them to go dead. And then the fun begins!

Yup, it looks like you're after the sound of old flats. LaBella flats are my favorite. And if it's not enough, you can still add a mute near the bridge. Good luck!

[lmfreeman9]

+1 on the LaBella DTF's. The FM's (medium) are the next heaviest down from the Jamersons and they're pretty heavy.

[ric426]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

Are people really looking for sustain and high end from flats? Wow, they must be frustrated!

Good point, that does sound a little stupid, doesn't it? Let me rephrase that:
I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that some of the string companies seem to promote for their flats lately. I'm not looking for flat wounds that retain the round wound tone or "brilliance".
I'll give the LaBellas and/or Fenders a try next.

I've messed around with various muting materials, but wasn't that pleased with the results so far. It may be a matter of finding the right stuff. I've tried various kinds of foam rubber. Any other serious (or ridiculous) suggestions? What are the weirdest muting techniques or materials you've heard of (that worked). I seem to remember hearing about a well known studio player using a (fresh) sanitary pad under his strings on a well known track. Tony Levin maybe?

[frankie5string]

They're not really flats, but have you tried Roto Tapewounds?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by ric426

Good point, that does sound a little stupid, doesn't it? Let me rephrase that:
I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that some of the string companies seem to promote for their flats lately. I'm not looking for flat wounds that retain the round wound tone or "brilliance".
I'll give the LaBellas and/or Fenders a try next.

I've messed around with various muting materials, but wasn't that pleased with the results so far. It may be a matter of finding the right stuff. I've tried various kinds of foam rubber. Any other serious (or ridiculous) suggestions? What are the weirdest muting techniques or materials you've heard of (that worked). I seem to remember hearing about a well known studio player using a (fresh) sanitary pad under his strings on a well known track. Tony Levin maybe?

Yep, but it was a disposable diaper.

[seanm]

+1 On LaBella's. My favorite are the FLs. I normally like heavier strings but the FLs have a better tone IMHO.

And yes, people do look for more brightness and sustain in flats..... compared to other flats. The brightest of flats are going to be duller than rounds (not counting completely dead rounds).

For example, I sometimes prefer Chromes for rock just to get a bit more brightness and a bit more tension than the LaBella FLs.

[ric426]

Originally Posted by frankie5string

They're not really flats, but have you tried Roto Tapewounds?

No, haven't tried those yet.

After looking at the prices for the Fender flats and LaBella flats, I'll be trying the Fenders first. Plus, it's for a Precision A/E bass with an acoustic style saddle that only strings through the body and the regular LaBella flats aren't suitable for through body stringing according to their catalog. I'd have to find their "Flexicore" flats.

[frankie5string]

Originally Posted by ric426

No, haven't tried those yet.

After looking at the prices for the Fender flats and LaBella flats, I'll be trying the Fenders first. Plus, it's for a Precision A/E bass with an acoustic style saddle that only strings through the body and the regular LaBella flats aren't suitable for through body stringing according to their catalog. I'd have to find their "Flexicore" flats.

Body strung? The Roto Tapes may give you trouble... a lot of people have problems getting them to intonate... I've got them on a Jazz bass and they're doing fine - but they are an acquired taste...

[Stumbo]

Help! I need to get rid of that new string sound!

Suggestions to deaden strings from the above thread:

1)Rub the strings with butter, aloe baby wipes, bbq sauce, gun oil, lemon oil, machine oil, crisco, vasoline, maybe try furniture oil. (IMO, I'd stay away from the food products.)
2)Leave them outside for a week.
3) put in the shower room and let the heat/steam do the job.
3) Tune them up higher and leave overnight to stretch them out. Not too much, though. The neck relief may change.
4) After tuning up, give a good pull on the string(s) and retune, repeat as often as needed. If the string can't rebound, it's dead, isn't it?
5) Make a paste out of baby powder (talc) and baby oil or mineral oil. Get a bit on your thumb and index finger, and slide them along one string.
6) use a bit of chapstick...apply with a paper towel, and it works great.

Or maybe combing a few of the ideas: temp. change (outside or shower), the oil, pulling, and overnight stretching.

[Pilgrim]

Getting the sound you want is a two-step process:

1) Install LaBella Deep Talkin' flats.

2) Play them for at least six months, preferably a year.

The longer you leave them on, the better they sound. Most of mine are 3+ years old. One set of flats I have is at least 35 years old.

I have an extra set of tuners and a bridge, and I'm thinking of mounting them on a 1x4 and stringing it so I can leave the strings at tension for a couple of years before I need to use them. Kind of pre-aging.

Most important: STOP changing strings. You won't get the sound you want until they have been on the instrument for a LONG time - probably multiple years. But you can find threads about coating them with BBQ sauce, chicken grease and other deadening substances to accelerate the process.

[frankie5string]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Help! I need to get rid of that new string sound!

Suggestions to deaden strings from the above thread:

1)Rub the strings with butter, aloe baby wipes, bbq sauce, gun oil, lemon oil, machine oil, crisco, vasoline, maybe try furniture oil. (IMO, I'd stay away from the food products.)
2)Leave them outside for a week.
3) put in the shower room and let the heat/steam do the job.
3) Tune them up higher and leave overnight to stretch them out. Not too much, though. The neck relief may change.
4) After tuning up, give a good pull on the string(s) and retune, repeat as often as needed. If the string can't rebound, it's dead, isn't it?
5) Make a paste out of baby powder (talc) and baby oil or mineral oil. Get a bit on your thumb and index finger, and slide them along one string.
6) use a bit of chapstick...apply with a paper towel, and it works great.

Or maybe combing a few of the ideas: temp. change (outside or shower), the oil, pulling, and overnight stretching.

Stretching actually damages the string and creates deadspots and odd harmonics when you bring them back down to pitch...
As far as that putting crap on the strings... I'm not a fan of that either... But hey, if you live near a waffle-house, most have a gigantic tub of lard or tallow in the corner of the flat-top ready for use on your favourite sobering-up food... I'm sure they could spare a cup or two for your strings...

[therex]

raise your action and add bit of relief if you really want that upright like sound

[Figjam]

I like fender flats myself. Play the hell out of them and they will sound very upright like soon.

[Buogon]

I just strung my fender precison with DR Hi-Beams Flats today, so far they sound good.
I have not played flats in a while but, i have that Jamerson vibe for sure.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by frankie5string

Stretching actually damages the string and creates deadspots ....

The OP is looking to get the "dead string" sound. Don't think he'll be worrying about "deadspots".

[::::BASSIST::::]

If you want a dead sounding flatwound out of the box try Pyramids. They are expensive but very dead sounding.

My favourite are the Labella FLs after about 3 to 6 months of playing.

Dont care for the Fender flats too much... too sticky and not pleasing tonally.

[frankie5string]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

The OP is looking to get the "dead string" sound. Don't think he'll be worrying about "deadspots".

I would think though that even with "dead" strings you'd still like to hear the correct fundamental at any given position, no?