Flatwound converts: I take back everything I said

[FromTheBassMent]

I've been a bit vocal in threads here about why flats don't work for me. I'm still very skeptical about flats on a fretted bass. But a recent experience has really opened my eyes and ears.

My band is working on some recording, and we do this one song that I wrote that's kind of a Tex-Mex raveup. I was working on putting down the bass line with my fretless Stingray 5 HP, strung as usual with DR Sunbeams. And the guys in the band were like, "That's just not the right sound for this song. Can't you make that thing sound like an upright?" I told them that the only way I might get anywhere near that sound would be to switch to flats.

Now, I dreaded even thinking about doing that... spending $50 to get a sound for one song. I had tried flats on the 'Ray before and was utterly disappointed in the sound ("flat" described it perfectly). But I figured I would do this for the sake of the recording, since we have one shot to get it right. I went to Guitar Denter, and dropped half a c-note on a set of D'Addario Chromes.

All I can say is... wow. I don't know what I did wrong last time. Did I get a bad set? Was the setup wrong last time, and did I nail it this time? Hard to imagine that's the case, as I have been setting up my own basses for 30 years. But dang, it sounds really sweet. My only objection thusfar is that it's so ridiculously easy to execute glissandos and parallel vibrato that I'm probably doing it too much, and I sometimes slide right past the note I'm shooting for. But all of the mwah I crave in the upper register on the D and G strings is there for "sensitive bass guy" solos, and the low end is huge without being muddy. I'm still practicing my hand muting technique to try to get a more upright sound, but even if I don't manage to master it, the sound I am getting is simply killer. I can't wait until the gig next weekend to see how this all sounds in a live mix.

I really can't imagine what changed between my last set of flats and this current set. But I am very impressed with the sound and really enjoying the comfort.

Geez, what's next? Nickels on my Sterling?!?!?

[BigOldHarry]

perhaps if more folks switch to flats, it will cause the price of rounds to go down!

One can only hope!

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

perhaps if more folks switch to flats, it will cause the price of rounds to go down!

One can only hope!

Well, I don't think I'll ever switch from stainless rounds on my Sterling. I like that bass to bark like a rabid Rottweiler, and there's only one way to make that happen!

[dogbluedrummer]

Do you get ANY sustain on the D and G strings. All mine do is go "plunk and plip. "
My E and A are great!

[prd004]

It's FSS (Flatwound string syndrome). It sounds wrong the first time you try it. After years of roundwound sound, your ears have become conditioned to that sound, you can't stand the flat sound at first but the second time you play them.........................

[Blah114]

franklu.. DAddario Chromes sound like rounds, to me.. you can pop them when you want to.. but they "thump" like flats.. I can't hear a difference between flats and worn-in rounds.. ever. That's just me.. LaBella flats also FEEL like rounds, to me.. their texture.. when push comes to shove.. for live playing.. I feel flats give more bottom.. Chromes especially.

[FretlessMainly]

Glad you like them, but you have to stop buying strings from GC. D'A Chromes are less than $25 from juststrings.com. No affiliation; it's just that they keep well-stocked, have good customer service and have decent prices, so I'd rather see them thrive.

[Pilgrim]

Another vote for Juststrings.com...very wide selection, too.

I have gotten even better prices from Imperal Guitars, http://www.imperialguitar.com/. They carry fewer strings in stock but have even better prices than Juststrings, and they've ordered strings for me. Example: they have the Labella 760FL strings at $28.55, which is ten bucks less than Juststrings.

[pathdoc2]

I went through a similiar flat conversion about 6 years ago when I opened my home studio. Now all my basses have flats. I used mostly D'adderio Chromes.

[superfunk47]

Toldja...

Seriously though. Welcome to the dark side! Our strings last longer over here.

[RCCollins]

Well here's the deal - chromes are for guys like you who find traditional flats lacking. I'm not a fan of them myself (I like my flats dull and thumpy, like my women) - but at least they're flats!

[thesilence]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Glad you like them, but you have to stop buying strings from GC. D'A Chromes are less than $25 from juststrings.com. No affiliation; it's just that they keep well-stocked, have good customer service and have decent prices, so I'd rather see them thrive.

they are great to deal with and throw in free goodies with your purchase and they have reasonable prices

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by dogbluedrummer

Do you get ANY sustain on the D and G strings. All mine do is go "plunk and plip. "
My E and A are great!

Yup, the sustain seems fine. But I run an EBS MultiComp 24/7, so that helps. Plus, I have the action on the fretless ridiculously low, with no relief in the neck... so the strings kinda sustain themselves, if you know what I'm getting at.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

Glad you like them, but you have to stop buying strings from GC. D'A Chromes are less than $25 from juststrings.com. No affiliation; it's just that they keep well-stocked, have good customer service and have decent prices, so I'd rather see them thrive.

I am a long-time customer of JustStrings. I think they are the best online retailer of any kind I've ever purchased from. But I was in a hurry, so I gave my money this time to the evil empire....

[wshines1892]

Originally Posted by superfunk47

Toldja...

Seriously though. Welcome to the dark side! Our strings last longer over here.

I bought my first set of Chromes over two years ago, and I'm still using those things!

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by FromTheBassMent

Well, I don't think I'll ever switch from stainless rounds on my Sterling. I like that bass to bark like a rabid Rottweiler, and there's only one way to make that happen!

yup...

I had flats on a single bass for a while - an old sunburst P-bass I bought specifically to put flats on and use as motown/blues bass. I ended up selling it to some kid who spraypainted it white, put skatboard stickers all over it and played punk with is. Sigh.

[Basshappi]

Been playing for over 30 years, played my first gig with flats last night, won't be my last!

[S. Katz]

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by prd004

It's FSS (Flatwound string syndrome). It sounds wrong the first time you try it. After years of roundwound sound, your ears have become conditioned to that sound, you can't stand the flat sound at first but the second time you play them.........................

This is exactly what I did.

I had used rounds since i started playing. I tried flats on my jazz bass (chromes - 100-45) i thought they sounded alright but promptly switched back to rounds. I put the chrome on a different bass just for kicks. Then after a few days of playing the rounds again I couldn't stand the feel or sound of the rounds (which were pretty dead). I got another set of the chromes and that is all I can use now. I have tried rounds once more since then but the flats went right back on

Some people say that chromes sound like rounds. I have to agree that fresh they were almost as bright as rounds but after a few weeks of playing the sound quite different. My set is just over 3 months old now and don't sound anything like rounds.

[rodl2005]

I got 5 basses & flats (including 2 with tapewounds) are on 4 of 'em