Flats on a 5 string Active bass?

[Aussie Player]

Would, or have any any of you put flats on an Active 5 string bass?

I usually put flats or semi-flats on passive basses and round wound on active basses but I wondered if that nice thick sound would work on an active 5?

[Flatwound]

Originally Posted by Aussie Player

Would, or have any any of you put flats on an Active 5 string bass?

I usually put flats or semi-flats on passive basses and round wound on active basses but I wondered if that nice thick sound would work on an active 5?

Most assuredly. I have used TI flats on an MTD Beast, and am currently using flats on a Douglas active sixer. I really like how they work with actives. I also tried GHS Precision flats on a (four-string) Stingray a few years back, and thought they sounded great.

[WalterBush]

I played a fretless F-bass strung with tapewounds at NAMM last January, it sounded fantastic. Without comparing it to a roundwound strung instrument I can't tell if it's an improvement or not, but it sounded good enough to me that I'll probably string my own active fretless with flats next time I get new strings.

I'd love to hear soundclips of other people's active basses with flats, if possible. Most of my basses are active, and I've been curious about flats for a while now.

[davidgoldman]

I use TI Jazz Flats on my Cirrrus five and love the sound and feel. Widens the range of available tones.

[CamiloDíaz]

well, I have a Schecter Custom 4 (active pre) with LaBella FS760... THUNDER!

[RedElefant]

just put my first set of flats on a 4 string MIA P Deluxe and they sing!

[fourfinger]

I have flats on my active USA Hamer 2TEK 5-String (Duncan Basslines pups and Duncan active EQ). I don't have any soundclips, but it is full and powerful. I love TI Flats, but the Chromes I have on it now seem just perfect for it. It even sounds good acoustically with the Chromes.

[lbanks]

I've TI Jazz flats on a Conklin GT-5, sound sweet at home, a little tricky in my band. But, then again, in my band, only the SX sound right.

[5StringFool]

I have a Schecter Omen active 5 string and I just switched to DR flats and they gave me the sound I was looking for. I love 'em.

The biggest adjustment for me was the increased tension on the flatwound string, but all in all I really like the way they feel and the thick fundamental tone is great.

I might go with some D'Addario Chromes next time just to try something different, but I'm not going back to roundwounds. For me flat is where it's at.

[Jazzdogg]

I currently have TI flats on several different active fivers, some fretted, some fretless. Color me satisfied.

[Joe Smithberger]

YouTube - ‪Music Man Classic Stingrays‬‏

The 4 string is strung with new flats.

[Santraginus]

+1.... I got TI flats on my Sadowsky J 5. Love the tone.

[lowgroove677]

D'addario chromes on my ibanez SR505, the increase fundamental and active eq I get a good amount of usable tones. I play contemporary Christian worship style music, that's a pretty broad spectrum of music. From fast rock type stuff to slow ballads. I can get the tone that I feel fits very easily. I never would have thought this would be a good combo but it works great for me.

[fretlessguy]

I have a Carvin Bolt 5 fretless I have used GHS Precision flats on in the past. The sound was wonderful. I also have used them on the fretted version of the same model I own. Great sound and tone on both.

[Darkstrike]

I often put flats on my (active)Roscoe 5ers, fretted and fretless, great sound.

Usually use Chromes, fwiw.

[Aussie Player]

You fellas are a great source of information and inspiration.

Bass players mentoring bass players. What a great concept.

Thank you.