Flats and playability.

[jmceachern36]

I've got a question for some of you that use flatwounds. I absolutely love the sound you get from flats but I find them a little difficult to play. At some point during a gig my fingers start to stick to the strings. Does anyone else have this problem? I feel like my fingers just can't move as fast with flats. I actually used them exclusively for 2 years but stopped because I sold a couple of basses and after a couple of months of using rounds I can't seem to get used to them. Any thoughts?

[fretlessguy]

I love the sound and feel of flats, but found them hard to play after a little while playing. I returned to playing rounds. Later, I discovered a set of light gauge GHS Precision flats and decided to give them a try. The lighter gauge (.45-.95) allowed me to play longer without the stress on my fingers. I also started using TI Flats which are less tensioned as well. Both String sets sit on over half of my bass fleet and I once again love playing flats.

[dvh]

I play flats and don't have that problem but our keys player uses a little mineral oil on his fingers for jams and gigs and I've tried it a couple of times. Keeps the fingertips slick and slippery.

[stratovani]

I did have that problem on occasion, especially when the humidity is high and/or my hands are sweaty. A little Fast Fret on the strings takes care of that problem for me. Otherwise, it's rarely a problem for me when the strings are good and broken in.

[odin70]

Steve Harris use talcum powder.

[JumboJack]

Have some fast-fret handy.Works great...Or eat some fried chicken before playing.

[Bassamatic]

Yeah - I have the sticking problem also - I guess it depends on the temperature and humidity. I got a spray can of Finger-Ease string lube and a quick spray takes care of the evening.

[TN WOODMAN]

I can get around faster and smoother in all situations with flats than I can with rounds.( I have 5 basses. Two with flats, two with rounds, and one with tapewound rounds-prefer flats but I'm not a rounds basher)

[jmceachern36]

I wonder if it's a mental thing. It doesn't sound like anyone has a serious problem with sticky strings. And no one seems to think they slow you down.

[travep]

I TOTALLY get this. I have the same problem. It works pretty good for my 4-5 song worship set but if I play for much longer or in conditions where my fingers get a little moist, I stick to the strings. However, up till that point, I feel like I move pretty quickly...once it sets in, though, I find that I'm late a lot b/c my fingers get a little sticky.

[Lo-E]

I had this problem for a while when I first switched from rounds to flats (I switch between the two pretty regularly), and still do when it's humid.

I concur with another poster here who suggested going with a lighter guage flat than you use with rounds.

I also found that I needed to make a conscious effort to turn the amp up a little louder and play a little more softly with my right hand. When I dig in too hard, that's when I tend to stick.

[CPplaysBASS]

Another vote for Fast-Fret ...

Playing flats is part of my style since I often like sliding up to notes instead of jumping to different string, and you can't do that with rounds without getting the scratchy noise obviously. Many times in the past, my fingers have stopped a fret short when sliding up the neck because of stickiness, and /or I'd feel a slight burn on my fingers. Fast-Fret works for me.

[BassmanSBK]

Until you get completely used to flats, they are going to feel "sticky" compared to rounds--because a larger suface area of skin is making conct with the string. (With rounds, you are really only touching the "ridges" of the wind, not the "valleys" between ridges.) I play only flats now, and I am so used to them they feel normal. But rounds feel odd, as if there are "burrs" sticking up and catching my finger. (Plus, I hate the tone. I like old school thump.)

[PSPookie]

I've experienced the same thing. Washing my hands before sets usually helps quite a bit.

[mongo2]

I've never notice a sticking problem with steel flats but I have noticed that nylon tapes feel slicker than steels.

[Luckydog]

Yeah they can seem stickier when its humid. You can either keep your hands very dry or use some form of lube. For years my solution has been a little baby lotion, oil or any other lube. Trying to keep my hands dry on a hot stage is a losing battle.

[jasper383]

Tommy Cogbill, reportedly, always had a jar of Vaseline that he dipped his fingers in.

[cultrvultr]

A little gross, but just swipe your fingers on the outside of your nose. Even works mid-song when you don't have time to get some fast fret out of your gigbag.

[jmceachern36]

You know come to think of it, it took me a long time to get used to flats before and I used mineral oil for a while until I found I didn't need it anymore.

[subject42]

I actually started having an easier time when I moved from rounds to flats. I think part of that might have to do with the fact that I have extremely dry hands and a pretty thick combination of callouses and scar tissue on my fingertips.

Go do some rock climbing, it'll reduce the amount of sweat that gets through your fingertips due to the callouses.