I really WANTED to like Flats

rydin4lifebass · #1 07-06-2011, 08:21 PM

After putting a set of Fender Tapewounds on my Ibanez SRX300 and loving them I thought I'd try Fender flats on my P Bass. I tried the 9050ML and 9050M's and just didn't like the feel or sound from them. I was going for more "thump", but after playing both, I feel like I get more the sound I was looking for out of my EB slinky's that have broken in. My fingers tend to sweat a lot and that kind of got "stuck" on the flat surface of the string if that makes sense...

jasper383 · #2 07-06-2011, 08:26 PM

How long did you leave them on? Flats get thumpier the longer they are on the bass.

The friction thing bugs a lot of people.

The thump you are looking for might come from muting the strings with a sponge/felt/etc. That's what is on a lot of recordings.

dvh · #3 07-06-2011, 08:30 PM

Everything deserves a fair chance but then, flats aren't for everyone....

rydin4lifebass · #4 07-06-2011, 08:32 PM

didn't have em on long..do you think I'd be ok leaving em on for a week or so without a proper set up just to try em? I'm going to have a set up done after the "trial" period with my old strings or new ones anyway but don't want to pay for one with flats and then again if I change back

iiipopes · #5 07-06-2011, 08:35 PM

If you're really, really into the thump, I can see why you did not like the Fender 9050's. They're wound for more growl. A good thump string is the D'addario chrome flat set. but as you say, where some like the smoothness of the polished chrome, to me I tended to "stick" to them as well. I wanted a little more growl, and the surface of the Fenders had just enough tackiness that it felt good.

GHS Pressurewounds retain a little bit of the round feel, and believe me, even though they do have some brightness to them, they definitely go thumpy after awhile. You might give them a try. When you first put them on and stretch them out to get them to stabilize tuning, for the first few gigs roll your tone knob down to @ 7/10, and they should be fine until they settle in and start giving some good thump.

rydin4lifebass · #6 07-06-2011, 09:02 PM

I also thought I'd like the flats for the "easier" sliding since they're smoother but I actually "stick" to the string so that might not be the case. I'm giong to give them a little while longer and see what happens, but I like the tapewounds on the ibanez but I'm still leaning to rounds on the pbass..don't know until you try though!

fourfinger · #7 07-06-2011, 09:11 PM

To me, new flats feel sticky at first. Try playing them for a while.

There are a lot of different brands, and you can try a lot of different kinds for not a lot of money, if you buy them used in the TB classifieds. You can decide which ones to keep, then sell the others.

If you go this route, you can save yourself some time by looking up one of the many brand comparison threads.

JimmyM · #8 07-06-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

How long did you leave them on? Flats get thumpier the longer they are on the bass.

The friction thing bugs a lot of people.

The thump you are looking for might come from muting the strings with a sponge/felt/etc. That's what is on a lot of recordings.

Tru all dat. You can get used to the friction, but new flats sound about as bright as any other string until they go dead.

VanillaThundah · #9 07-06-2011, 09:52 PM

I would try letting your rounds REALLY die and using a foam mute on your bridge (either under the strings, or between the bridge cover and top of strings like did). Lowering your string height, or raising your pickups, will help you get more thump as well. I did so on my Jazz bass to make it play easier, but the difference it made in the sound of my bass was phenomenal....waaaay more punch and clarity, but it's hot as well since they are Dimarzio Model J's in series wiring. I'd try lowering the strings closer to the pickup on your P and see how that goes. Also, the foam mute will work wonders as well!

cataract · #10 07-06-2011, 09:52 PM

Chromes pretty much changed my life for the better.
If the friction is bothering you.. you're not playing often enough!

JSK5String · #11 07-06-2011, 09:58 PM

Yep, this is the classic "to each his own" debate that's been debated to death on many threads here. That said, I'm with cataract. I put Chromes on my P and haven't looked back. My band just sounds bigger, period. But, that's just me, your experience may (and probably will) vary.

fourstringdrums · #12 07-06-2011, 10:04 PM

Just like rounds, the flats will break in in time. Also try some different kinds. It's expensive yes, but worth it if you find the right string in the end.

rydin4lifebass · #13 07-08-2011, 08:43 AM

I think the problem I have with them might be the material itself. I've tried other stainless steel strings (round wounds too) and not really liked the feel and sound of them. The other flats I have are the nylon tapes and I really like the feel and sound of those, so its not necessarily the "flat" texture but maybe the material itself.

OriginalSnub · #14 07-08-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iiipopes

If you're really, really into the thump, I can see why you did not like the Fender 9050's. They're wound for more growl. A good thump string is the D'addario chrome flat set.

I have tried chromes several times and imo they are not very thumpy for flats.

Jack-Jack · #15 07-08-2011, 08:57 AM

LaBellas Then! The most thumpy sound from Flats you can get.

tdub0199 · #16 07-08-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cataract

Chromes pretty much changed my life for the better.
If the friction is bothering you.. you're not playing often enough!

I 2nd this statement... I love Chromes!!!!

Neon Scribe · #17 07-08-2011, 09:06 AM

The "friction thing" is pretty easy to solve. You just need something slippery on your strings and/or your fingertips. Fast-Fret and Finger Ease are two products that many people seem to like their strings. You can try almost anything on your fingertips. If you have even slightly oily skin you can probably just touch your nose right before you play. Eating greasy fried chicken is sort of traditional, but you could go with a little bit of hand lotion. "Personal" lubricants (you know the kind) might work a little too well!

elshunko · #18 07-08-2011, 09:08 AM

Sorry to hear you didn't get the sound / feel you wanted. May I suggest two things. One is stop expecting sounds (This helped me). Every bass (And combination of amps etc.) is different in personality like people right. If you string up your bass without expecting this or that you will just evaluate whether you like what you are hearing / playing or not.

The other is the strings. I have like very few sets a much as La Bella DTB 760FL. I love these strings. They are my favorite.

Good Luck and don't stop trying the to find what you like. It is out there. It may take time.

**ExaltBass** · #19 07-08-2011, 09:12 AM

^^ Agree with lubricants on new strings. I use Finger Ease at first, or if my fingers are especially dry. Also, wiping down your strings after playing is key to getting the smoother - slick feel. I wipe them down hard after sets (over and under the strings). In a few weeks/months... much different, depending on how much you play. The strings on my fretless are 6 months old, light playing - lots of rubbing - getting nice and smooth and the tone is AWESOME! BTW I'm using Sadowsky Flats (.045-.105) on all my Basses (except my Warrior and ABG)

ttasselm · #20 07-08-2011, 09:16 AM

In my experience, it takes a few months to start truly reaping the rewards from flatwounds. After all that use they will settle into their true character and feel. Stick with it and pummel those strings with practice! It's like working out - there aren't any 2-week miracle diets to skip right to the good stuff. You've got to be patient and work them hard.

I've had the same Fender flats on my re-issue Mustang bass for well over a year now, and I can't ever imagine going back to roundwound strings. Always punchy, never muddy. Fingers or pick, wet or dry effects, I love these strings more and more every time I play.