My band asks me to use rounds

[Shoewreck]

My bass sounds so good with rounds, everyone instantly notices that. One of guitarists finally agreed that rounds push rest of the band out of the mix, but others just don't see the point. Should I get a thumpier set of flats?

[mmbongo]

If your bass sounds so good with rounds, stick with rounds.

[prd004]

Many a die hard flat user used to think their bass sounded better with rounds. Have you tried flats?

[rodl2005]

Lash out & get a set of T.I. 344 flats, they're brite enough to get some zing but will last for yrs. Pricey but SO GOOD

[baileyboy]

Originally Posted by Shoewreck

My bass sounds so good with rounds, everyone instantly notices that. One of guitarists finally agreed that rounds push rest of the band out of the mix, but others just don't see the point. Should I get a thumpier set of flats?

Use whatever you think is best, not what other band members think you should use. I would never think of telling the drummer to use Zildjian cymbals instead of Paiste.

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

Use whatever you think is best, not what other band members think you should use.

I'm going to respectfully offer the other side of this coin. Yes, it's true that the choice of strings and sound is yours to make, but don't discount the input from the rest of the band. Even if you don't change as a result of their opinion and input, I think it's important to have a discussion about why they have that preference and have thought to ask you about it. As you can tell, this has nothing to do with the rounds/flats decision--it's about communication.

I haven't been a serious band for many years, but back in college when I was playing out regularly I blew off a number of similar requests from members of my band. They wanted me to play a different bass on a particular song, or they wanted me to go for a different feel or sound on a certain passage, etc. At the time, I didn't even consider changing. "I'm the bass player," I thought... "I get to make these decisions." That's my job. Well, after years of reflection, I wish I would have been more receptive to the input from the other guys in the band. Very rarely in life do you get honest and constructive feedback about how you might change things for the better, and it's important to get out of your own head and understand what others might want from you. If you stick to your guns and don't change, they are still going to have that preference, even if you wear them down and they shut up about it.

So I say, even if you don't change your strings, have a discussion with the band about what sound they are looking for from you that they aren't getting. Here's an analogy: you know what you sound like through the stage mix, but you know that feeling you get when you listen to a recording or go to the back of the house while the band is playing to hear what you really sound like out in the room? Rarely do we get that different perspective on how we sound. Here's an opportunity to do something similar.

That's just the other way to think about it.

--Steve

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Stev187

I'm going to respectfully offer the other side of this coin.
...
That's just the other way to think about it.

Great post.

[zachbass02]

Originally Posted by baileyboy

Use whatever you think is best, not what other band members think you should use. I would never think of telling the drummer to use Zildjian cymbals instead of Paiste.

well different brands is something completely different. If you're using D'addario rounds and they tell you to use SIT rounds, that's just silly. Their ears aren't that good. However, a change in string type for a DIFFERENT sound/feel is a horse of another color. Also, if you want to be a working bass player, sometimes you have to take constructive criticism, pick your battles and know when to say "sure, I can do that." If you always have the attitude of "it's my choice. I'm the bass player, and I'll do whatever I like"....you won't be working/playing much. If you develope a stigma around your circle of players as being unflexable and difficult to work with, they aren't going ask you to play anymore. 70-80% of a gig is being a good hang.

I've had several drummers that I've hired for a gig and I've point blank told them, "in all seriousness, if you hit that China Crash cymbal one more time, you're fired." I've also told many drummers, try a new snare for this song, that one's not working....or switch your hats out or ride cymbal for this song (in the studio of course). Flexibility is key.

I would try a set of flats or something else just to see if it worked better. If it doesn't switch back, but at least you tried it for them.

[Shoewreck]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Lash out & get a set of T.I. 344 flats, they're brite enough to get some zing but will last for yrs. Pricey but SO GOOD

That's exactly what I'm using. Can't even compare 'em to rounds. Well, lower midrange and sustain are similar, but everything else is different.

Originally Posted by Stev187

So I say, even if you don't change your strings, have a discussion with the band about what sound they are looking for from you that they aren't getting.

That's what I'm going to do. My bass allows quick restringing, so I can demonstrate others the difference and discuss it.

Does anyone have some good points to protect flats against bandmates?

[baileyboy]

Originally Posted by Stev187

I'm going to respectfully offer the other side of this coin. Yes, it's true that the choice of strings and sound is yours to make, but don't discount the input from the rest of the band. Even if you don't change as a result of their opinion and input, I think it's important to have a discussion about why they have that preference and have thought to ask you about it. As you can tell, this has nothing to do with the rounds/flats decision--it's about communication.

I haven't been a serious band for many years, but back in college when I was playing out regularly I blew off a number of similar requests from members of my band. They wanted me to play a different bass on a particular song, or they wanted me to go for a different feel or sound on a certain passage, etc. At the time, I didn't even consider changing. "I'm the bass player," I thought... "I get to make these decisions." That's my job. Well, after years of reflection, I wish I would have been more receptive to the input from the other guys in the band. Very rarely in life do you get honest and constructive feedback about how you might change things for the better, and it's important to get out of your own head and understand what others might want from you. If you stick to your guns and don't change, they are still going to have that preference, even if you wear them down and they shut up about it.

So I say, even if you don't change your strings, have a discussion with the band about what sound they are looking for from you that they aren't getting. Here's an analogy: you know what you sound like through the stage mix, but you know that feeling you get when you listen to a recording or go to the back of the house while the band is playing to hear what you really sound like out in the room? Rarely do we get that different perspective on how we sound. Here's an opportunity to do something similar.

That's just the other way to think about it.

--Steve

Some very good points here, experience is a great teacher...

[FunkMetalBass]

I'd just change your EQing so that you sound good with the band and don't drown them out. Truthfully, the rest of the band probably need an EQ change as well.

[azureblue]

they want the piano like sustain and reduced attack that rounds have. You should ask them for examples of what sound they hear, before you do anything - you could go through several sets of strings before you arrive at the sound they want.

But maybe try the D'addario Half wounds I have them on my on my JJ bass, and they work great for both round and flat sounds, especially with a foam mute. I can get a very old school J bass sound that way...

[packhowitzer]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I'd just change your EQing so that you sound good with the band and don't drown them out. Truthfully, the rest of the band probably need an EQ change as well.

+1 There is probably more to it than just strings if you are way out in front of the rest of the band. I think there is room for everyone to be heard in most rock bands, but everyone has to be flexible about finding their own sonic niche. Sometimes guitarists have to give up some lows or bass players have to dial back the boom. You'll all be happier when there is a harmonious balance than when it's a volume and frequency war.
I would look to the eq first (yours AND theirs), and then move on from there. If your sound truly is too bright from the RWs the maybe try the flats.

[guroove]

I seem to be the only person in the world who notices or cares that I have flats on my P bass. Even in a heavy rock band, there's plenty of mid range growl with standard gauge LaBellas. Honestly, the main reasons for me sticking with the strings I have are that they sound consistent no matter how old they are, and the flats are way easier on my fingers than rounds.

I think there are other things you might want to do before you change your strings. Strings are a very personal thing, as your fingers make contact with them the whole time you are playing. I would be very pissed if someone asked me to change my strings. It's like someone asking you to wear a certain type of underwear. Luckily, my sound gives my bandmates everything they want to hear.

[JTE]

Originally Posted by Shoewreck

My bass sounds so good with rounds, everyone instantly notices that. One of guitarists finally agreed that rounds push rest of the band out of the mix, but others just don't see the point. Should I get a thumpier set of flats?

My question is, does it sound so good solo or in the band context? My thirty years of gigging experience is that what sounds good by myself has never worked in a band, and the sound that works great in a band sounds just awful by itself.

Playing in a band requires that EVERYONE work to have a sound that fits together rather than highlights any one instrument.

John

[guroove]

Originally Posted by Shoewreck

Should I get a thumpier set of flats?

I don't understand something. Your band asks you to use rounds, and you are asking if you should use thumpier flats? Something doesn't make sense here.

[darkstorm]

No of course not. As you and band easilly notice, the bass sounds better with roundwounds. Use roundwounds. If your having problem with ound in the mix, fix thatm flats are not the answer, better eq or perhaps a bit more overdrive for the in mix sound, frequently fixes that.

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by guroove

I don't understand something. Your band asks you to use rounds, and you are asking if you should use thumpier flats? Something doesn't make sense here.

Agreed. This thread is at least somewhat surreal.

[lamarjones]

Originally Posted by guroove

I don't understand something. Your band asks you to use rounds, and you are asking if you should use thumpier flats? Something doesn't make sense here.

+1

ARE they asking you to use rounds? You guitarist said it pushes everyone else out of the mix, is that good? Why? What kind of music? I'm with the two that have no idea what you mean.

You'll never get the zing or growl from flats that you get with rounds. Ever, eqing doesnt matter. If that is what they are looking for then gonna be a tough sell.

[Doctor Dirt]

String application will vary depending on the type of music your playing. Now if your in a pop rock band then 2 basses would be perfect to cover the basic bases. A Round set up and a Flat set up I'd think might be the norm. Good luck, Doc