Flatwound on a Fretted? Why not?

Stanley Lyndon · #1 03-03-2007, 04:06 PM

I just bought a LaBella FLATWOUND Deep Talking Bass Strings online by mistake. Living in India, I can't easily send it back to the US.

I have a fretted 4-string. Warwick Streamer LX. I am currently using DR Sunbeams.

I have always heard people using flatwounds on fretless. Now, I am wondering what the reason behind it could be. I opened the strings and it felt really smooth. I really want to try it out but the sunbeams on my streamer are just two weeks old and if the flatwounds do not sound good, I do not have a backup string, and I cannot order one online and get it here immediately. (stores here do not carry good strings).

Should I put the flatwounds on the Streamer? If not, why? If yes, what kind of sound difference can I expect?

I hardly play any slap. It is mostly deep, smooth (almost jazzy) bass.

Thanks.
Stan.

christobass 416 · #2 03-03-2007, 04:11 PM

People usually use flatwounds on a fretless to try to achieve that old, stand up bass sound. Flatwounds have a mellower, deeper sound.

Stanley Lyndon · #3 03-03-2007, 04:14 PM

So, can I use it on my fretted?

If so, what all would I lose, and what all would I gain?

Stan.

iamoldschool · #4 03-03-2007, 04:18 PM

I have two fretted 4 stringers with Flatwounds. I simply like the warmth of the tone and the non-existent finger noise they provide. You can expect to pick up some warmth and lose a little brightness; just what you need for Jazz, IMO.

NOISE! · #5 03-03-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Lyndon

It is mostly deep, smooth bass.

This is pretty much the definition of Flatwounds

Tbirdbassist · #6 03-03-2007, 04:49 PM

Flatwounds were used on basses primarily by most bassist from it's invention to maybe the mid 70's. And fretless basses weren't common until the 70's or so if my knowledge serves correct. So ofcourse you can use them on a fretted bass.

I HATE flats on basses for the most part. I sometimes have an urge to try some when I listen to some tracks on Deloused in the Comatorium by the Mars Volta, but I usually stop myself...

Stanley Lyndon · #7 03-03-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

I HATE flats on basses for the most part. I sometimes have an urge to try some when I listen to some tracks on Deloused in the Comatorium by the Mars Volta, but I usually stop myself...

Why exactly is that? I just want to know because I have the real urge to try it on now, but if it goes wrong, I would not be able to get a good new string by the time the next stage show would be on. In that event, I would be playing among other smooth songs two rock songs: Amy Lee/Seether's Broken and Deep Purple's Black Night. I do not want it to sound like the actual bass in the song, but will it atleast help sustain the bass presence atleast, or will flatwounds make it extremely mellow that it might actually spoil it completely?

Thanks.

saxnbass · #8 03-03-2007, 05:03 PM

You can use flatwounds on the fretted. Take the Sunbeams off without cutting them, put the LaBellas on. If you don't like them, take them off and put the Sunbeams back on. No problems with that at all. I switch strings around on my basses sometimes.

Tbirdbassist · #9 03-03-2007, 05:04 PM

Mainly because of the music I play and the the tone I have. I like aggressive and bright. Flatwounds are the complete opposite.

Although I am not very familiar with those songs, so I can't really comment. However knowing Seethers music, I don't think flatwounds would hurt...

Stanley Lyndon · #10 03-03-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

You can use flatwounds on the fretted. Take the Sunbeams off without cutting them, put the LaBellas on. If you don't like them, take them off and put the Sunbeams back on. No problems with that at all. I switch strings around on my basses sometimes.

Cool! But, how do you straighten the ends so you can wind them again? Or, is that not necessary?

saxnbass · #11 03-03-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley Lyndon

Cool! But, how do you straighten the ends so you can wind them again? Or, is that not necessary?

You don't have to straighten the ends completely. Just enough to get it out/off of the tuner and out/off/through the bridge. Just use your hands and bend as straight as needed.

Stanley Lyndon · #12 03-03-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

Mainly because of the music I play and the the tone I have. I like aggressive and bright. Flatwounds are the complete opposite.

Oh okay. By the way, just for a better understanding. What type of music do you generally play? Which bands, etc.

Stan.

IanStephenson · #13 03-03-2007, 05:20 PM

I have groundwounds (half way to flats) on my main gigging fretted basses.

I started out with them on my frettless, but grew to love the feel, and sound. They're not right for everyone, but I loved being able to slide around without finger noise (and finger wear!). For my regular gig I need a good solid tone - not boomey, but I don't need zingy, so when it came time to restring my fretted, ground's went on, and I've never looked back. I'm playing classic heavy rock (including Black Night) and to my ear roundswounds aren't really what's needed (though it's taken my a long time to figure that).

I still have round's on my five strings, as I want them to be more cutting, but I may change my mind on that.

You'll probably HATE flats for the first few days, so they're not ideal as a backup set - try them well before the gig, but once you get past the wierdness you'll probably enjoy them.

Ian

Marley's Ghost · #14 03-03-2007, 05:26 PM

I dont know where the idea that Flats are just for fretless came from.

They were used almost exclusively on fretted bassed from the 50's thru the early 70's. I have the Labellas on my G&L SB2 and they are awesome. Plenty of punch and sustain!

Stanley Lyndon · #15 03-03-2007, 05:27 PM

Thanks saxnbass. I think I will do that. Thanks again.

And, Ian, thanks to you too. I have heard about groundwounds but never actually found it online (eBay) so settled with the same old roundwounds (which came as a flatwound, my bad). Anyway, if I like the flatwounds sound & feel and if I feel I might do with a little more 'cutting' sound, I will search around and somehow find an online retailer who can ship a groundwound to India.

Thanks Marley's Ghost for that! I am going to try it out pretty soon.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

Happy Gigging!

Stan.