Need advice on flats for hard rock/metal

ampcarfan · #1 07-05-2010, 08:37 AM

Just picked up a "new" Hamer Velocity 2 5er' (strung with SS rounds from the factory) and boy does this bass growl! Plays pretty nice too! Overall I'm happy with it's ability to go from bright/smooth to bright/growl (actually a little too bright on both), but no matter how i set the controls or adjust my technique, it has a wicked amount of left hand finger noise (slides and changes) and could use a touch more punch/hit. Can you guys recommend a string change? (I know this is like asking if I should buy a Silverado, F150 or Tundra..haha). I dont use a pick and was thinking of going with a medium guage nickle plated flatwound or groundwound... I'd appreciate any input.

thrashingbass · #2 07-05-2010, 09:26 AM

Unfortunately, I have tried only Rotosound 77 and D'Addario Chromes. Both excellent and bright while remaining distinctly flats. IME, Chromes have more of the growl you are talking about, and you'll love them for the music you play.

ampcarfan · #3 07-05-2010, 02:33 PM

Thanks Thrash... beyond that advice, looks like I'm on my own to make an overall choice. If I could get a bit more punch, a bit less bright, similar tension and NO finger noise I'd be thrilled... ha

omnimutant · #4 07-05-2010, 04:33 PM

Can you lower your pick ups a little? Maybe that will reduce the string noise and allow you to dig in more for a punchier sound?

plangentmusic · #5 07-05-2010, 04:43 PM

Groundrounds feel like ****. What about Nickel? They're a nice compromise of being snappy without being too "zingy."

Harris uses flatwounds, but changes them for every show. If the bass is set up where you can keep the action low and you have a good rig,(you'll need more treble) I see no reason not to use them for metal if that's what you like.

Floyd Eye · #6 07-05-2010, 05:13 PM

Find out what Steve Harris uses and use those ( I believe he has a signature set).

CBgaragebassist · #7 07-05-2010, 05:15 PM

Steve Harris has a signature set of Roto 77s. They're a higher gauge than the regular sets. His would be a .50-.110 set.

254 stringer · #8 07-05-2010, 05:15 PM

its not the strings you need a different bass for metal do a search for best bass for metal that should help

ampcarfan · #9 07-05-2010, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys, I'm thinking nickle halfwounds and "see".

EdHunter · #10 07-05-2010, 05:39 PM

I'd use Rotosound rounds by choice...

But I think someone mentioned Harris' signature flats, which I imagine would work...

SH77 is the model name.

ampcarfan · #11 07-05-2010, 05:45 PM

Rig is not the problem.. Mesa M6 Carbine driving Mesa Boogie Road ready cabs (from the 90's anvil) "2" 2x10 cabs and "1" 1x15 .. unreal

ampcarfan · #12 07-06-2010, 05:44 AM

Gotcha 254...lol Good reads! Can't seem to find Harris sig flats for a 5er' 34" scale. hmmm, if only strings were $5 a set all this would be sooo much easier

EdHunter · #13 07-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampcarfan

Gotcha 254...lol Good reads! Can't seem to find Harris sig flats for a 5er' 34" scale. hmmm, if only strings were $5 a set all this would be sooo much easier

Harris flats are only for 4 strings on a regular scale...

Nashrakh · #14 07-06-2010, 08:47 AM

If I were you, I'd get a 4er set and throw in a single B, roundwound. Roundwound for added definition of the b-string.

fourfinger · #15 07-06-2010, 10:49 PM

+1 to Chromes
+1 also to lowering your pickups

FunkMetalBass · #16 07-06-2010, 10:55 PM

-1 to flats. They generally do not work well at all for the genre. Harris is an exception and it's because of the sonic range he has available to him.
+ 1 to nickel rounds. They will be bright and punchier without the prevalent finger noise.
+ 1 to EQ. Roll off a bit of that treble on your amp. Anything above 3kHz is just annoying finger noise and pretty worthless.

ampcarfan · #17 07-07-2010, 05:44 AM

I tried that "FunkMetalBass", to no avail. A fellow TBer' posted a coupon code (72211) for 20% off for Elderly music through today. Pretty decent prices to begin with. So I decided to order a set of D'Addraio Nickle Groundwounds. I figure for $23, if I hate them it won't be the end of the world. Thanks guys.

eyecandy · #18 07-07-2010, 07:14 AM

Chromes are way to go... they give the bass a decent high end growl... I changed to GHS flats, it sounds thumpy compared to the distinct tone of the Chromes... seems like I'm beginning to miss my Chromes

FromTheBassMent · #19 07-07-2010, 07:28 AM

Some people don't like the feel of D'Addario halfrounds, but I find the slight "sticky" feeling goes away after a couple of hours of play. They will eliminate the finger noise problem, but still give you plenty of high-mid growl. Ken Smith makes a "slickwound" set that uses the same technology (ground outer windings), and while they are slightly cheaper than the D'As, they don last nearly as long IME.

Another choice would be GHS pressurewound. I use these on my fretless Stingray 5 and they give me plenty of zing without gouging my fingerboard. They're relatively cheap, too, and seem to last a good long while.

With all due respect to lovers of flats, I cannot imagine using them for your genre. I don't play metal and I don't know who Steve Harris is, but my guess is he's an iconoclast in his choice of strings! Especially as a fingerstyle player, you would find that flats give you way too much "thud" and not enough "roar."

eyecandy · #20 07-07-2010, 07:52 AM

flats compared to rounds... you'd be missing a bit of high end to cut through both guitars... i hate it esp when two guitars with mega distortions... aaack..