Flats on an active bass

[chanson]

I was thinking about putting some flatwounds on my Musicman Sterling bass. I was mulling this over and realized generally the only times I have seen or heard of others using flats is in passive basses, especially old Fenders and the like.

How many of you bassists out there put flats on an active bass? Pros? Cons if any?

[derelicte]

i have a set of TI Jazz flats on my active Zon. with my setup, i think it sounds really smooth. i can dial in to pretty much any sound i want (except for that clanky metal business which I do not like and is the reason i use flats in the first place). it suits me well, it has the punchiness and darkness i am looking for, while still having spectacular mids and high mids.

[Toastfuzz]

Dependant on the genre. If you like flats on a passive, you'd probably like them on an active as well.

[SRT80]

I really like flatwound strings. I prefer the GHS Brite Flats. I had those on a PBass and really liked them. My American P has the Fender flatwounds. I'm fixin' to change them out with the GHS. I'm in the market for a active bass and was thinkin' of tryin' flats just because they are more comfortable to me.

I might give the TI Jazz flats a try...

Steve

[nortonrider]

I got Chromes on my MIM active Jazz - I'm pretty happy and don't plan on changing any time soon.

Comfort is my main reason for flats although I am a finger slider and I really can't stand that zing I get from rounds.
If I do start experimenting, I would try something brighter than the chrome .050 - .105's that I have now.

[Gyoon]

I use flats on my Stingray to mitigate some of the brightness from the sound. I should probably just get a new instrument.

Glenn

[drnknmstr]

Originally Posted by SRT80

I really like flatwound strings. I prefer the GHS Brite Flats. I had those on a PBass and really liked them. My American P has the Fender flatwounds. I'm fixin' to change them out with the GHS. I'm in the market for a active bass and was thinkin' of tryin' flats just because they are more comfortable to me.

I might give the TI Jazz flats a try...

Steve

Technically GHS Brite Flats are half-rounds or groundwounds. I had some Ken Smith Slick Rounds on my Modulus, a la Mike Gordon and they do have a unique sound.

One person I know who used or uses flats on a Modulus (which I assume is active) is Steve Lawson. I saw it at NAMM a few years ago. He said "now I can get that George Benson sound!"

It sounded really cool, which I never would've thought on an active bass graphite bass,

[SRT80]

my bad...it's not the brites I had, it was the GHS Stainless Steel Precision Flatwound Electric Bass Strings Light Gauge. Just found my package. I was actually wantin' to try the brites.

I even had a SX jazz once (not active) but I had D'Addaro chromes on it.

Steve

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by Gyoon

I use flats on my Stingray to mitigate some of the brightness from the sound. I should probably just get a new instrument.

Glenn

I do the same with my G&L L2000E because I want less of that grinding Stingray sound. If I wanted to preserve the grind, I'd use DR Hi-Beam flats. They are stainless and don't deaden the highs.

[Bassorama57]

Originally Posted by chanson

I was thinking about putting some flatwounds on my Musicman Sterling bass. I was mulling this over and realized generally the only times I have seen or heard of others using flats is in passive basses, especially old Fenders and the like.

How many of you bassists out there put flats on an active bass? Pros? Cons if any?

EB Group III flatwounds on my Bongo. The Bongo is pretty hot as it is (18v), and the flats temper it a bit. The comfort isn't an issue, but I like the tones. Speaking of Sterlings, I'm still not sure what I like on it; currently has Sunbeams (not flats) but I find the tension is a bit too low. Interested to see what you wind up liking on yours.

[eedo]

Check "Jealousy" and "Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen. John Deacon played a Stingray with flats on these songs.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

I got Chromes on my MIM active Jazz - I'm pretty happy and don't plan on changing any time soon.

Comfort is my main reason for flats although I am a finger slider and I really can't stand that zing I get from rounds.
If I do start experimenting, I would try something brighter than the chrome .050 - .105's that I have now.

I have the identical strings on my MIM active J and I love it.

[Bassorama57]

Originally Posted by eedo

Check "Jealousy" and "Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen. John Deacon played a Stingray with flats on these songs.

True fact.

[ironrat]

webstrings flats. I love them.

[IanStephenson]

I've got ground wounds on a couple of my Kubicki's. Loads of punch without the annoying zing and twang.

[standupright]

DR flats on my active schecter. buttery smooooooooth.

[AlembicPlayer]

TI flats on my alembic series bass
haven't found anything that sounds and feels better.

[stflbn]

I love the sound and edge of D'addario Chromes, but seeing as how I have 35" Scale basses I've no option but their Super Long flats which have a .135 B String... feels gigantic compared to my .125 Light B String SIT Power Steels on my other basses. I'm flipping back and forth on this bass between SIT Silencers and the Chromes but the 135 B String just feels cumbersome to me after playing the lighter strings.

ANy other flats that are 35" scale, bright and lowmid oriented without being so large diameter?



.

[freshbass]

I use TI JF344 flats on my Victor Bailey Jazz bass. Sounds great, but be aware that you'll lose the whole grindy in your face MM slapfest active thang. btw; not a fan of active, bought it to cut thru a terrible GB band gig w/ a leader who couldn't tune his LOUD guitar, and I got paid stupid money. Ain't that always the way?

[P-BASSLOVER]

This may sound stupid but to me flats on an active bass kind
of defeats the purpose. I love flats on passive basses but on actives
which you buy for more tone options and more projection, I like
rounds on. I don't know, maybe it's just me?