Flatwounds on a Fretted?

KeithBMI · #1 08-31-2005, 11:46 AM

Here is a simple question, is it a bad habit to put flatwound strings on a fretted bass? Whenever I go into a music store looking to get some flatwounds, the salesperson always has to argue with me. Is there a problem with the salesperson, or is it a sin to put flatwounds on a fretted?

Richard Lindsey · #2 08-31-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

Here is a simple question, is it a bad habit to put flatwound strings on a fretted bass? Whenever I go into a music store looking to get some flatwounds, the salesperson always has to argue with me. Is there a problem with the salesperson, or is it a sin to put flatwounds on a fretted?

Ask the salesdood what kinds of strings he thinks were on the original Fenders when they were made. (Hint: *not* roundwounds.)

The salesperson is wrong. There's nothing inherently wrong with flats on a fretted if that's the sound and feel you want.

DaveB · #3 08-31-2005, 12:32 PM

Not only do I have flats on a fretted, I have them on a Modulus Q5 fretted. I think that is sacriledge to many Modulus/Zon owners. I really like what flats do for my Q5.

fourstringdrums · #4 08-31-2005, 12:40 PM

I use flats on my p-bass, but then that's nothing out of the ordinary.

Tbirdbassist · #5 08-31-2005, 12:58 PM

That sales guy is an idiot...

If my memory is correct(Im young so Im going by what people have told me, And what ive heard) Damn near all basses came strung with flatwound to about the mid 70's. Fenders, Rickenbackers, Gibsons, And all the other little companies, Used flatwounds on their basses, Im not sure when Roundwound started to show up, But Im sure it was sometime in the 70's when roundwounds started to become popular. Hell, Some 70's Rickenbackers only like flatwounds, Some Ricks, Dont do well when switched to rounds after being used with flats, But ive only heard this with Rickenbackers, They are "iffy" basses.

bassmonkeee · #6 08-31-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithBMI

Here is a simple question, is it a bad habit to put flatwound strings on a fretted bass? Whenever I go into a music store looking to get some flatwounds, the salesperson always has to argue with me. Is there a problem with the salesperson, or is it a sin to put flatwounds on a fretted?

Your salesmonkey is an idiot.

Dave Siff · #7 08-31-2005, 01:36 PM

Put flatwounds on your fretted bass now! I just tried it after years of resistance and I really dig 'em. Got 'em on a fretted J and a fretted P. Your sales guy doesn't know what he's talking about.

Kelly Coyle · #8 08-31-2005, 01:38 PM

Flats play nicer, too. Smooth and slidey.

Juniorkimbrough · #9 08-31-2005, 01:46 PM

I play with flats on my fretted Jazz and it plays like buttah.....what are you waiting for?

Squidfinger · #10 08-31-2005, 02:03 PM

Flats on fretted basses are all I play.

**cheezewiz** · #11 08-31-2005, 02:24 PM

Sales guy is a moron. Tell him to shut up and get the strings you asked for, or you'll get them someplace else.

KeithBMI · #12 08-31-2005, 03:57 PM

Alright! Time to try out some flatwounds!

Sippy · #13 08-31-2005, 08:27 PM

I'm happy I found this thread

May I ask why many people say flats on fretted are bad? I was thinking of buying my first set of flats tomorrow for my Fender, but saw how many people don't agree with that setup, and i'm curious why that is?

JimmyM · #14 08-31-2005, 08:35 PM

Because they don't like them. I would tell any salesman who refused to sell me anything to shut the hell up or I will never shop there again.

vashts80 · #15 08-31-2005, 08:40 PM

I personally like flats better for picking. Roundwounds don't give me that sound I want, not to mention it's annoying hearing a "clickity-clack-clack" type noise from picking on roundwounds. They're excellent for plucking as well, and much easier on your fingers imo.

Rounds tore my fingers apart, then a day or two later I put my older flats on and my fingers didn't hurt at all anymore when I played.

Sippy · #16 08-31-2005, 08:51 PM

awesome

what do you guys suggest for a nice warm fat tone? Fenders? they're going on my 70's p-bass and they probably need to be a well known brand and type because the only music store around here is fairly small

Crash Course · #17 08-31-2005, 08:51 PM

If anything, the opposite is true about flats on fretted. Flatwounds are smooth and rounds are course (but you all knew that). the Courseness of a round wound will eventually grind your frets and fretboard. I have been playing flats on all my basses for years. Love the sound they give.

JimmyM · #18 08-31-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AerospaceGuy

awesome

what do you guys suggest for a nice warm fat tone? Fenders? they're going on my 70's p-bass and they probably need to be a well known brand and type because the only music store around here is fairly small

Fenders or LaBellas. They're pretty much the same. You can get nickel or stainless steel, but after about a month or two they sound pretty similar so I don't think that matters a whole lot.

lefty · #19 08-31-2005, 09:44 PM

love `em. just put some on my warmoth bass. (fretted)

Aaron Saunders · #20 08-31-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AerospaceGuy

awesome

what do you guys suggest for a nice warm fat tone? Fenders? they're going on my 70's p-bass and they probably need to be a well known brand and type because the only music store around here is fairly small

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. If you haven't heard the name of the company, don't worry -- they're very well known as makers of violin/cello/double bass strings in addition to their (excellent quality) electric guitar and bass strings.

Warm like butta.

EDIT:
Thomastik-Infeld Rounds...who play them?
TI Jazz Flats on a StingRay 5

Believe me, if you search, you'll find more topics about these things than you can even hope to read. Those two were just a couple pages back here in the Strings forum.