Flats on a Geddy Lee Jazz?

TC.65 · #1 07-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Does anyone use flats on a Geddy Lee Jazz. If so what brand do you use, and why?

fenwickbacker · #2 07-10-2009, 10:01 PM

I tried Roto Jazz 66's, but didn't like the Geddy w/ flats. That was a year ago, and I'm tempted to try again. IMO they cut the brightness that makes the GL's bridge p'up sing.

I'm tempted to try again, as I've really enjoyed flats on my P-bass.

J. Crawford · #3 07-10-2009, 10:05 PM

Im getting halfwounds on my Geddy as we speak. I didnt want to take the full plunge, so halfwounds should tell me if theyre my thing or not.

Im excited.

Kevinmach · #4 07-11-2009, 08:11 AM

I just recently bought those same Roto 66 Jazz's too and haven't put them on- I didn't realize they were flats until I got home a opened them like a month after I bought them at GC. Unfortunately, they are really spotty at the location near me about stocking strings, and sometimes you have to take what you can get. I figured knew they were Rotos I had never tried, I just didn't know they were flats

Hamrhed · #5 07-11-2009, 09:54 AM

I have a set of TI flats on my Ged and it sounds great. I use the Jazz at Church mostly, and I switch between rounds and flats... Thomastik makes the best flats (imho) as far as sound and tension go- and it goes really well with the Geddy!

I<34080 · #6 07-11-2009, 10:00 AM

They make 66 flats? I thought they were 77s

Spinal Tapper · #7 07-11-2009, 10:12 AM

The 77's are flatwounds. The 66's are quite the opposite of flats - I believe they're stainless (the set I have) and are very bright and tingy, but actually the best tone for the Geddy bass IMO and I currently have them strung on her.

As for the Roto 77's, they're kicka$$ sounding flats when I first put them on. Be ready for really really dark tone. Very awesome vintage style.

The bad part is they started to bow my neck, even a few months after a setup when I had them strung for the first time. I read they're rated as higher-tension strings.

If I decide to put flats on again, I'll try the D'Addario Chromes, I've heard great things about them.

TC.65 · #8 07-11-2009, 11:15 AM

I went ahead and put a set of D'Addario Chromes on. I think i'm going to like them. Smoothed out the tone alot, but still has some edge to it. Finger noise is completely gone also. I'll see how they sound once they are broken in.

tplyons · #9 07-11-2009, 11:20 AM

Chromes are great. I try to keep a set on a Jazz bass somewhere.

fenwickbacker · #10 07-12-2009, 03:47 PM

To paraphrase Michael Keaton in "Mr. Mom" - "66, 77 - whatever it takes" . . . you get the point, the roto flats.