Flats on a Mark Hoppus?

Foamy · #1 04-28-2009, 09:20 PM

I bought a fretted MIM Rosewood neck from a fellow TBer and should have it late this week. That'll complete my rebuild of a Mark Hoppus "Jazz". Now, I am wondering about flats.
What do you guys think?
The MH is a "Jazz" with a Jazz neck, but a SD Basslines Quarter-Pounder Split-P Pickup. Kind of a weird mix.
Anyhow, would flats compliment this, or detract from it?

MagicMan_841 · #2 04-28-2009, 09:24 PM

I think the idea behind a Mark Hoppus is to have a simple bass that you don't need to fiddle around with to get a rock sound. Putting flats on it is just a matter of preference.

My advice : Try it! you can always go back.

htharp · #3 04-29-2009, 08:15 AM

I had one that I put a Jazz neck on and tried Chromes and DR flats on it. It was OK, not my favorite thumper. I preferred nickel rounds on it. For comparison, my favorite for flats is a Single Coil P bass with DR Flats.

Phalex · #4 04-29-2009, 08:44 AM

I have GHS Brite Flats on mine, and IMHO they are the strings that this bass was built for. Rounds are super clanky and bright on this bass and without a tone control, I found them to be annoying. The ground rounds temper the annoying high end, have a butt load of low end, and still get some decent bite when I dig in.

The bridge is string through body, so I'm not sure if true flats are an option. (I've heard that combination is a no no.)

A bass player from the bar across the street this past Saturday said my tone KILLED! So, yes, flats, or something resembling them are a very very good thing on that bass.

Foamy · #5 04-29-2009, 10:59 AM

Thanks.
Hmm...OK, I need to poke around about the flats with string-through. I did upgrade to the new Fender HMV bridge which is still string-through, and I plan to run the strings through the body as well.

Off to do some searching.

Thanks for the detailed thoughts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I have GHS Brite Flats on mine, and IMHO they are the strings that this bass was built for. Rounds are super clanky and bright on this bass and without a tone control, I found them to be annoying. The ground rounds temper the annoying high end, have a butt load of low end, and still get some decent bite when I dig in.

The bridge is string through body, so I'm not sure if true flats are an option. (I've heard that combination is a no no.)

A bass player from the bar across the street this past Saturday said my tone KILLED! So, yes, flats, or something resembling them are a very very good thing on that bass.

htharp · #6 04-29-2009, 02:09 PM

I used the Brite flats on one of my P basses and really liked them too. They are available in several guages too. Can't remember why I don't have them any more...

NorCal Dog · #7 04-30-2009, 06:12 AM

love flats on a Hoppus, currently running TI's on mine, may change them out for Pyramids tho

i've replaced the SPB-3 in favor of the SPB-1 for obvious reasons, ( the fact that the tone of the SPB-3 sucks imo

)

add a tone circuit, does wonders for your tone, a no-brainer

the thru-body & flats no-no thing is a myth guys that you pass amongst yourselves & believe as fact or truth

Phalex · #8 04-30-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

the thru-body & flats no-no thing is a myth guys that you pass amongst yourselves & believe as fact or truth

Truth be told, I did hear about this right here on TB. I read it on the internet. It must be true, right?

NorCal Dog · #9 04-30-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Truth be told, I did hear about this right here on TB. I read it on the internet. It must be true, right?

i've run TI flats, Chromes, 760FL's, & Pyramid Golds thru body & have never had an issue

so ya, must be true