Flatwounds?

sammyp · #1 12-09-2011, 10:01 PM

Why aren't flatwounds more popular? just put my first set on my p bass ....think they sound great and feel even better. haven't tried them thru an amp or gigging yet ...just headphone set up. They seem so much cleaner rattle and buzz wise.

jallenbass · #2 12-09-2011, 11:12 PM

Good question. I don't know why.

ugly_bassplayer · #3 12-09-2011, 11:17 PM

shhh, it's supposed to be a secret.

M0ses · #4 12-09-2011, 11:18 PM

They sound TOO good. People can't handle that.

zoid_99 · #5 12-09-2011, 11:21 PM

I just put flats on my jazz and came here to post about how much I like them. I picked up a cheap set of Fender 9050MLs and they feel and sound great.

lowfreq33 · #6 12-09-2011, 11:24 PM

You must be new to talkbass. Flats are crazy popular around here.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 12-09-2011, 11:25 PM

It's funny. I brought in 5 different basses to record with recently, and on every track I'd give a run through with each bass to find the best tone for the particular song. The consensus between all my bandmates was that the P with flats sounded the best on every track but one (which the StingRay won because we needed a HiFi bass tone). Flatwounds just work. They put the bass right where it's often needed in a mix, they add warmth to the track, and they fill the mix just right.

mambo4 · #8 12-10-2011, 12:31 AM

I think the lack of popularity may be related to the difference between 'bedroom tone' and actual road-tested gig tone.

JSK5String · #9 12-10-2011, 12:45 AM

Thanks to Sundogue's "Confessions of a Flatwound Convert" thread way back when, I switched to flats on my P and haven't looked back. My band just sounds bigger and I don't fight for sonic space with the guitarists.

And they lived happily ever after...

Leakim · #10 12-10-2011, 02:17 AM

I use Status Graphite half-wound strings, a string with a tone somewhere between a round-wound and flat-wound string, best strings I´ve used, shall order their flat-wound' next time and try them out.

electracoyote · #11 12-10-2011, 02:28 AM

I will never be without at least one bass strung up with flats.

I learned long ago that there is only one way to get that tone. Seventy-five percent of my collection has round wounds on it, but I always have one or two strung up with flats.

You play long enough, in enough situations, you learn.

funkybass · #12 12-10-2011, 06:42 AM

I'm going to buy a mexi p or j and put flats on it. I just put D'Addario half rounds on my carvin sb and like them a lot.

Russell L · #13 12-10-2011, 11:08 AM

Flats on my J Special and American Jazz. Can't believe I waited so long.

tjh · #14 12-10-2011, 11:47 AM

If you are old enough, you remember the opposite .. flats were on everything ... and then a few, then more and more started using rounds ... I can almost imagine a group of musicians hanging around a malt shop asking "why dont more people use roundwounds?"

sammyp · #15 12-11-2011, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

You must be new to talkbass. Flats are crazy popular around here.

not new here....i mean "popularity" in the global sense IE you walk into a music store and every available bass is strung with roundwounds......

sqrat51 · #16 12-11-2011, 12:56 AM

Recently acquired 2003 Fender Mustang Bass. Removed ORIGINAL rounds and replaced them with GHS Precision Flats. Much better and solid thump!

Russell L · #17 12-11-2011, 10:21 AM

Aw heck, I used to even play my Gretsch Tennessean guitar with heavy flats. Talk about a cool tone.

Chief2112 · #18 12-11-2011, 04:41 PM

I've always been under the impression that flats were better suited for jazz playing. Is that true? I play mainly alt and classic rock.

Billnc · #19 12-11-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

I've always been under the impression that flats were better suited for jazz playing. Is that true? I play mainly alt and classic rock.

I play few classic rock gigs. But those I've done no one has ever asked me to change strings. In fact no one has ever asked me what strings I use or to alter my tone.

Chris K · #20 12-13-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief2112

I've always been under the impression that flats were better suited for jazz playing. Is that true? I play mainly alt and classic rock.

I like the idea of just taking my own tone everywhere, no matter what the venue. If they don't like the way I sound, well, that's just too bad.

A few months ago I got my 5 string custom jazz bass, put steel rounds on it. Then changed them for TI Jazz Flats. Not intending to go back. Cleaner, warmer, deeper, easier.