Flatwounds for rock?

[SUNNyday r.]

Steve Harris does use flats. He just talked about it in Bass Player magazine. Punch can be dialed in with EQ as well. If I were going to try flats for rock I would go with the Chromes. They are brighter than other flats IMO and and you can get bends and vibrato out of them. I use the lightest set. The TI jazz flats are awesome but are not as versatile IMO. Maybe you should think about a halfwound/groundwound set? A bit of both of round and flats. The Daddario halfs are good but I would like to order a custom set to even out the high tension. GHS brite flats? Ken Smith Slick Rounds? So many choices, I know. But what would you rather spend cash on? I am a string addict as of late!!

[Luckydog]

"JPJ didnt use flats, he used to use "dead" rounds"

Human Bass, puleeze. I'm old enough to know what he used, and it was a whole range of strings including Roto Flats. Yes in later years he used rounds, but during his (IMO) best years, it was all Roto Flats.

[The Craw]

Originally Posted by Luckydog

"JPJ didnt use flats, he used to use "dead" rounds"

Human Bass, puleeze. I'm old enough to know what he used, and it was a whole range of strings including Roto Flats. Yes in later years he used rounds, but during his (IMO) best years, it was all Roto Flats.

According to this 2003 BP interview, he says he used rounds in Zep.

Were you using flatwounds?
No, Rotosound roundwounds. I stopped using flatwounds during my session days; they were a bit too thumpy. The Rotosounds gave me better clarity, and I also needed the sustain—if Robert stopped singing, there were only two of us minding the shop, as it were. I’d change the strings every week maybe; I’m not sure.

[SUNNyday r.]

I love the string forum. I think it gets people the most fired up about any of the aspects of playing bass next to tubes vs. SS! I don't want to "own" anyone on a posting they have made just trying to give some helpful info The Roto flats seem to be a pretty integral to the Steve Harris sound and he even says that when he tried them he felt like he arrived. JPJ and Entwhistle probably used so many different things thru their god like music careers that they would not even remember what they used at certain points. I love the JPJ sound and looking at Entwhistle photos inspired me to buy my favorite amps. If you are inspired to use the strings they used then go for it. You can't buy the fingers they had though! I love trying all types of strings and only wish it didn't cost so much! Never played a string that I couldn't find one thing to like about it.

[SUNNyday r.]

I realize that " the Ox " has passed away and meant that if he he were still with us that his memory would probably be a little cloudy. From what I have read about him he seemed like a lifelong GAS sufferer and his constant quest for tone and gear led to some neat gear innovation.

[Delberthot]

i believe that he and Pete are responsible for the Marshall stack. There was the development of roundwound strings and lots of other things that i can't remember just now.

Anyway - I've heard that the Steve Harris strings are different to the standard monel flats. I have used the standard strings and hated them.

I find personally that flats sound better on active basses but obviously, everyone is going to get different results.

I also tried Fender tapewounds and hated them.

I use my Ibanez 6 string for rock as well as pop, heavy metal, jazz, big band, scottish country dance, swing and so on. The TI flats sound fantastic for everything.

[69nites]

wait for the TI flats

I ended up waiting a month buying mine from musician's friend but when I got them they were oh so silky smooth (both sounding and feeling)

tons of mids with them (which would be what makes you cut through your band)

[Stupid Jerk]

Three questions:

1. Do flats come in 5-string packs?

2. Since they're so tense, are they good for detuning, or for low-stringing a 4-stringer (B-E-A-D)?

3. Did Lemmy (Motorhead) use flats? I'm not sure.

[NOISE!]

1. yes
2. yes, but just like RW only to a point
2. nope

[Delberthot]

I forgot to mention that I had to wait 4 months for mine but it was well worth it in the end.

[canopener]

Originally Posted by The Craw

According to this 2003 BP interview, he says he used rounds in Zep.

Were you using flatwounds?
No, Rotosound roundwounds. I stopped using flatwounds during my session days; they were a bit too thumpy. The Rotosounds gave me better clarity, and I also needed the sustain—if Robert stopped singing, there were only two of us minding the shop, as it were. I’d change the strings every week maybe; I’m not sure.

Check out the Zep dvd. There are plenty of closeups on JPJ and his bass in the earlier years and he's got flats. You can almost tell the difference in tone when he switched to rounds.

[SUNNyday r.]

TI flats are awesome strings. I play with a pick alot though and find the Chromes are more pick friendly IMO. JPJ's tone is fantastic! At what point did you notice his tone change? Is it strings or going straight into the board or the use of the classic Acoustic 360(oh how I wish I had one!) or his fingers? All of the above! Sorry, a whole 'nother post!

[The Craw]

Originally Posted by canopener

Check out the Zep dvd. There are plenty of closeups on JPJ and his bass in the earlier years and he's got flats. You can almost tell the difference in tone when he switched to rounds.

I have no desire to get the DVD and I'm not arguing the point. I'm just reporting what the man said.

[epoxo57]

Haven't played them yet in a band setting, but my newly installed Chromes seem punchy and promising on my Warwick Corvette w/ EMG's. Nice and smoov

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by The Craw

I have no desire to get the DVD and I'm not arguing the point. I'm just reporting what the man said.

You should get the DVD. It is one of the best rock DVDs ever.