I took the plunge and got flats today!

[winterburn69]

Well, I've been wanting to for awhile now, and today, since Long & McQuade had no BOSS Phasers, I took the plunge and got a set of flats. Just strung them up, and I must say, they're so smooth! it's like they're made of baby skin, butter and silk! I've been playing RotoSound Swing 66 rounds (all different sorts) for like 5 years and the change is huge!

I went with the RotoSound Jazz 77s (45-105), and put them on my Thunderbird. Idk how many people put flats on Tbirds but the last sentence of my post leads me to believe at least one other person on Earth does.

So for you flats users, I have a few questions: do they go dead? (I've heard they don't) how long does that take? I've heard they sound better with age? how much age exactly? thanks flats TB users!

Being totally honest, the only reason I tried flats is to get more of a Roger Waters/Simon Gallup tone since they both use flats. Idk what brand Gallup uses/used but Waters endorses the RotoSounds. I also don't know if Gallup still uses flats but on the 12:13 Dream bootleg from 2008 it sounds like flats, so I'd assume so.

[JeffBTZ]

How bright would you say the rotos are? I've seen mixed reviews on that aspect (although i'm sure age plays a huge roll, and you'd be unable to weigh in there.)

I'm aiming for an alt rock, Bob Hardy (franz ferdinand) sort of tone. Hardy apparently plays EB rounds, but the sound pretty dark for rounds. I'm also playing in our school jazz band, so I'd like some sort of flat that's versatile. These Rotosounds have a pretty good following.

Flats are so tempting...

Glad you're in enjoying them

[Mirios]

I love the rotosounds on my Lakland Bob Glaub. I tried several flats before settling on those. They are fairly new though so I'm not sure how they will change over time honestly but I have played other basses with aged flats that sounded great.

It's also not my main instrument so I'm sure it will be awhile before they age properly.

[Mirios]

Originally Posted by JeffBTZ

How bright would you say the rotos are?

Not as bright as chromes. I hated the chromes though. I know they have a large following but I would put on a good pair of roundwound nickels like sunbeams before I'd put another pair of those on one of my basses.

Lots of love for chromes around here though.

[JeffBTZ]

Originally Posted by Mirios

Not as bright as chromes. I hated the chromes though. I know they have a large following but I would put on a good pair of roundwound nickels like sunbeams before I'd put another pair of those on one of my basses.

Lots of love for chromes around here though.

Hmm... Maybe I'll have to play it safe this time around and go with the sunbeams or nickel lo riders.

I'm sure flats are going to lure me in sooner or later though.