Help!! Flats are infesting the herd!

[Jefenator]

It started with the old P-bass - that seemed like a no-brainer.

Then the fretless. Again, pretty obvious choice. For 8 years, it was contained to these two axes.

Then I got a '51 reissue. Going to keep rounds on that? I don't think so...

While I'm at it (placing a string order), might as well go ahead and flat out the old short-scale Musicmaster.

I just got more flats in a trade, so I threw some on the Jazz bass, too. And I'm loving it - it's exactly what that axe has been needing.

Suddenly I realize all I got left with round wounds is the active 5-string and the backup Steinberger (which I've always kind of wanted to change over). So my question is: is there a way to vaccinate these two against the flatworm? Or should I just cave in and do 'em all?

[lmfreeman9]

Welcome to the club. You have been assimilated! I have all but one 5 string with flats. Once you get used to them they just sound, feel and play better. I don't however, like the sound of a low B flat. I don't like B Strings period, but right now the roundwound is the lesser of 2 evils.

[snaverb]

Got me wanting to try flats on my Stingray 5

[hypercarrots]

me too
on the pbass, on the fretless jazz, even on two of the ibanez

[thobbinghotrod]

You could try the Jonas Hellborg's. I've heard they are mostly fundamental.

[Dave Bassincus]

Originally Posted by EBMM7181

Got me wanting to try flats on my Stingray 5

Do it.
Flats rule IMHO.

[chuck3]

Got La Bella black tape flats on the '51 P reissue and they sound great. Still have rounds on the Jazz but I've thought about switching. What metal flats do people recommend that may have a little brighter sound than the black tape flats?

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by chuck3

Got La Bella black tape flats on the '51 P reissue and they sound great. Still have rounds on the Jazz but I've thought about switching. What metal flats do people recommend that may have a little brighter sound than the black tape flats?

Chromes and DR Hi Beam Flats have great highs.

[madbassplaya]

i love the sound of flats on a passive instrument. on an active it depends...i hated them on my ray 5 i used to have.

[WoodyG3]

I've got flats on one bass right now, but by the end of the day I will have installed some Sadowsky flats on another bass. That will be a score of flats 2, roundwounds 6. But, the bass that I have flatwounds on right now is getting the most playing time by a long shot. I think I have the flatworm disease, too.

BTW, I tried the Jonas Helborg roundwounds that are supposed to produce better fundamentals, and, at least on my Jaguar, I don't think they sound much different than your basic nickel rounds.

[Jefenator]

Actually I think my active 5-string fretted bass is pretty safe with rounds... for now. I still do stuff where roundwound is more suitable and that would be the axe to use them with. (Though come to think of it, I do have a 5-string set of Dean Markley flats that's been sitting around for 8 years, doing nothing... )

If you want to try flats on your 5, I'd recommend TIs. I've had a set on the fretless for 8 years and the low B still growls like a momma mountain lion.

I'd still like to put flats on the Steinberger - especially now as I hear what some guys charge for a refret.

[RustyAxe]

Been playing bass since 1967 or so ... never use anything but flats. Old school? You bet, all the way!

[fretlessguy]

All my four string passives and my ABG have flats. I have opted, however, to keep my five stringers (one fretted and the other fretless Carvins) with rounds for modernish sounding music.

Like you, I am tempted to put TI flats on the both of them, but I still get requests for roundwound active sounds occasionally.

FG

[ProfGumby]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

It started with the old P-bass - that seemed like a no-brainer.

Then the fretless. Again, pretty obvious choice. For 8 years, it was contained to these two axes.

Then I got a '51 reissue. Going to keep rounds on that? I don't think so...

While I'm at it (placing a string order), might as well go ahead and flat out the old short-scale Musicmaster.

I just got more flats in a trade, so I threw some on the Jazz bass, too. And I'm loving it - it's exactly what that axe has been needing.

Suddenly I realize all I got left with round wounds is the active 5-string and the backup Steinberger (which I've always kind of wanted to change over). So my question is: is there a way to vaccinate these two against the flatworm? Or should I just cave in and do 'em all?

Resistance is futile, all will be assimilated....aside from a set of half rounds and the rounds that came on my fiver, all are true flats and will be from here out.....the fiver will be restrung, eventually, with half rounds.

Welcome to the collective!

[GeneralElectric]

Slowly but surely, my herd is becoming flat-wound strung as well, slowly but surely.

Both my fivers are strung with rounds, my one active bass has rounds, plus my Jaco and a pair of P-basses.

Everything else is flatwound all the way. Just took the rounds off my one of my fretted jazz for Rotosound Jazz flats. Sounds killer.

[DogBone]

Two out of my three basses wear flats now. TI flats on my P bass, Chromes on my ABG.

My 30" short scale still has TI jazz rounds...for now.

[darnoc]

Got TI flats on my Carvin IC5. Love them except for this unique harmonic phase on low B. However all fretted notes on B don't have this characteristic. My P-Bass and the TI's are like peanut butter and jelly.

[Mazatleco17]

3 out of my 4 basses have flats, the one that doesn't have them.....is never played

[NickInMesa]

I am totally sold to flats now. I love the lack of squeeshing. It lacks a bit of snap, but that's fine, my sound is more mellow anyway, I don't slap or whatever.

It takes some getting used to, you don't hook as easy at first, but after a while you're back to normal.

[ironrat]

Is there any other type of string besides flats???

Didn't know that!



Flats Rules!