my flats experience...

pasta4lnch · #1 09-18-2009, 08:38 AM

I wanted to start a new tread so not to hijack an older one...

I had put EB flats on my J V a while back, stupidly, on the day of a big show. Sounded GREAT but my right hand was sticking to the strings so much it was hindering my playing. ripped them off immediately.

It's been bugging me that I didn't give them a fair chance so I got a set of roto sound 77's for my mia p/j. they were playable, and of course sounded amazing. Been practicing on them all week. I thought it must have been the EB's or something.

Did a gig last night and it was horrible. both hands were sticking to the point of pain (like rug burn-esque...I do a lot of octave slides) my index and middle finger on both hands are killing me today, I think a blister is even forming on my right index. (note: this is pop/rock/acoustic covers and originals - not metal or anything!)

The gig was supposed to be 3 one hour sets but due to a booking mistake we only played an hour and a half - can't imagine having to go through a whole gig like that!

Maybe I'm missing something. But imho they sound good, but not THAT good to deal w/ the side effects...(I'd like to note my hands don't sweat that much and I'm pretty nazi about keeping them clean when I'm playing)

...back to rounds

Billnc · #2 09-18-2009, 08:58 AM

Here's my secret, cornstarch baby powder on the hands, and Fingerease on the strings. I only use it for high humidity outdoor gigs. I wear all black so's it can get unsightly but I can play well. Clean the strings when you're done. I have the biggest problem with right hand fingers and them getting really sticky so the cornstarch baby powder is key.

lmfreeman9 · #3 09-18-2009, 09:20 AM

I use fast fret and wipe the strings alot. This is only a problem with flats for the first 10 hours or so. But it can get everywhere.

pasta4lnch · #4 09-18-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billnc

Here's my secret, cornstarch baby powder on the hands, and Fingerease on the strings. I only use it for high humidity outdoor gigs. I wear all black so's it can get unsightly but I can play well. Clean the strings when you're done. I have the biggest problem with right hand fingers and them getting really sticky so the cornstarch baby powder is key.

ya know I actually keep a small bottle of talc in my gig bag for humid outdoor shows...should've used it, although we played straight through - no break, so when it started to get bad I would've had to suck it up anyway even if I remembered

sevenyearsdown · #5 09-18-2009, 09:27 AM

Hmmmmm...rounds always ate up my fingers. I've done 4 hour gigs with flats.

stflbn · #6 09-18-2009, 09:30 AM

Flats slick up over time. Kind of an initial investment you have to make in them.

pasta4lnch · #7 09-18-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Hmmmmm...rounds always ate up my fingers. I've done 4 hour gigs with flats.

that was one of the things that initially drew me to flats... my fingers hurt more today after an hour and a half then after a few back to back 3 hour shows...go figure

Goodlawdy · #8 09-18-2009, 09:35 AM

Weird. That seems like it would be an atypical flats experience.

You might try tapewounds and sell your flats in classifieds.

The first time I ever tried them was when I broke a string at a hot & sweaty gig and a buddy happened to have a bass with flats on it.

Prespiration made the strings slick and difficult to grab with the fingers on my right hand.

Jefenator · #9 09-18-2009, 09:47 AM

I'm really scratching my head on this one. FWIW I've never had any kind of a sticking problem with flats (various brands, various axes, lots of gigs...)

Be cool if you could find a simple cure. What about that "fast fret" stuff?

azureblue · #10 09-18-2009, 09:51 AM

I used to play with a guitar player who had a problem with excessive hand sweat. He solved it by spraying his hands with antiperspirant before a gig. I have used this on my right hand when I was doing outdoor gigs down south- works great...

Jazzdogg · #11 09-18-2009, 09:52 AM

The only string-related problems I've had were with rounds - mostly because they irritate my plucking fingers. Although some rounds have been acceptable, others made it sound as though I were using a chorus effect; and in all cases, I find string noise and fret clatter far more pronounced with rounds.

No problems with flats at all, whether tape wounds, Chromes, or my current choice: TI JazzFlats. They stay cleaner, generate fewer extraneous noises, are easier on my plucking fingers, and I usually like the tone better.

dannybuoy · #12 09-18-2009, 10:10 AM

Get some Pyramid gold flats - the smoothest there is. Compared to the Chromes I had on there previously, it's like they are coated in oil!

Billnc · #13 09-18-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

I used to play with a guitar player who had a problem with excessive hand sweat. He solved it by spraying his hands with antiperspirant before a gig. I have used this on my right hand when I was doing outdoor gigs down south- works great...

I see we suffer the same weather!

pasta4lnch · #14 09-18-2009, 12:56 PM

well I'm gonna stick it out a little while longer (literally

)...we'll see how it goes.

K2000 · #15 09-18-2009, 01:00 PM

Fast Fret is like 3 or 4 dollars at Guitar Center or your local shop, usually near the cash register.

I like it. Maybe you should try it? Great for slides!

jmceachern36 · #16 09-18-2009, 02:15 PM

I've had the same problem in the past. They will feel smoother after some use. There is more surface area to stick to your fingers. I've also learned to not dig in as hard on flatwound strings. That helps. If you like the sound and keep playing them you will get used to them. It took me a while to get used to them but I really dig the sound of them.

lucas vigor · #17 09-18-2009, 03:21 PM

I have seriously never experienced what you are talking about. All flats I have ever used have been very smooth. That's why I use them a lot.
Also, my opinion is you should never use fast fret or anti-perspirant. Your hands will become "addicted" to it, and you won't be able to play without it.

Billnc · #18 09-18-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucas vigor

I have seriously never experienced what you are talking about. All flats I have ever used have been very smooth. That's why I use them a lot.
Also, my opinion is you should never use fast fret or anti-perspirant. Your hands will become "addicted" to it, and you won't be able to play without it.

Here (South East) the humidity and heat are so high it is a serious issue regardless of string type, even fingers stick together. I'm not much on the anti perspirant, but sometimes the others have their use, lots of us gripe about it! You're lucky!

Bobster · #19 09-18-2009, 05:34 PM

Try TI's they are smooth, smooth, smooth....

CPplaysBASS · #20 09-18-2009, 07:51 PM

Just adding (as support) to what many others are saying ... I have new flats on my P-Bass and a couple of nights ago they got very sticky after the first two hours. I have the same flats on my Jazz though (Fender 9050MLs) which are worked in and they are they are very slippery. Not sure what makes the new ones sticky, but that's my experience!