Flatwound strings (help!!!)

biothreatbass · #1 12-23-2009, 11:15 PM

Im lookin at getting flats for my p bass to try and get a steve harris tone but i wasnt sure about a few things.

i've been told my bass would have to be re-setup and they are rough on fingers too, im also a metal player so i dont want them to make my tone sound too much like classic mo-town....could someone please give me some advice?

moles · #2 12-23-2009, 11:22 PM

I used to get a good Steve Harris-like tone with Fender flats. I hear D'Addario Chromes are fairly bright for a flat wound string as well. The only other flat wound string I've played on electric bass has been GHS - I'd describe them as a darker, more "Motown" sort of sound - exactly what you're not looking for.

b4nny · #3 12-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Flats will not be any rougher on your fingers than rounds. In fact they should be smoother, but they might be a little bit "grabbier" during slides because they have more surface area contacting your fingers at any point.

You shouldn't need much of a setup, but for that Steve Harris clank you will need to lower the strings to the fretboard and replace the flats every 5 minutes - ok maybe every 2 hours. Well, maybe every couple of weeks.

Mazatleco17 · #4 12-23-2009, 11:25 PM

You could get rotosound SH signature strings.

biothreatbass · #5 12-23-2009, 11:28 PM

haha, thanks...i was looking at the chromes but wasnt sure about them, but I plan on getting the steve harris rotosounds while i get a whole bass "tune-up" this holiday...i also was wondering about what famous bassists use flats...if anyone knows...

**DougD** · #6 12-23-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biothreatbass

haha, thanks...i was looking at the chromes but wasnt sure about them, but I plan on getting the steve harris rotosounds while i get a whole bass "tune-up" this holiday...i also was wondering about what famous bassists use flats...if anyone knows...

I just put a set of chromes on my Ibanez, They are great

They are almost as bright as rounds when I crank the treble, but they can get the classic flat wound thud when I want

eyecandy · #7 12-24-2009, 04:02 AM

+1 on the chromes... they can be bright, not as bright as roundwounds but similar and can give you that dark thud too