Need a flatwound sound by Saturday!

SMILEYSIXX · #1 02-09-2011, 08:31 PM

Alright, so in the school percussion ensemble I'm doing this song, and I HAVE to do it on my five string. Problem is I have rounds on it that don't sit very well with the rest of the band and flats would be better BUT I can't find anyone who stocks flats in five string sets, not for a reasonable price at least. So my goal is to get a low, thumping flatwound sound by Saturday. I'm trying my hardest to kill these strings, but dammit, they're not dying fast enough. Short of soaking them in fried chicken grease, how can I kill these strings and get me at least a dead roundwound sound?

honeyiscool · #2 02-09-2011, 08:49 PM

Spin the tone knob to the left?

jgroh · #3 02-09-2011, 08:55 PM

Or maybe mute them with some foam rubber? Just an idea.

TC2112 · #4 02-09-2011, 09:14 PM

shove a sponge under the strings back by the bridge and roll the tone off

ljazz · #5 02-10-2011, 02:58 AM

Agreed, foam or a sponge, rolled off tone....... and play the livin' heck out of them between now an Saturday. And roll some highs off of your amp.

michaeln · #6 02-10-2011, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

Alright, so in the school percussion ensemble I'm doing this song, and I HAVE to do it on my five string. Problem is I have rounds on it that don't sit very well with the rest of the band and flats would be better BUT I can't find anyone who stocks flats in five string sets, not for a reasonable price at least. So my goal is to get a low, thumping flatwound sound by Saturday. I'm trying my hardest to kill these strings, but dammit, they're not dying fast enough. Short of soaking them in fried chicken grease, how can I kill these strings and get me at least a dead roundwound sound?

http://webstrings.com/flatwound_bass_strings.html ... $22.99 for the five string set. I just put a set on a Jazz 4 string last week and really like them. I put in the order on Saturday and they arrived Monday.

SMILEYSIXX · #7 02-10-2011, 10:12 AM

My bass doesn't have tone, but a 3band EQ. What would I emphasize EQ-wise to make it work?

natw42 · #8 02-10-2011, 10:17 AM

Bump the Low mids. Cut some high mids/lower treble range.

It'll get you close, but not quite the same IMO.

Good luck!

Jim11895 · #9 02-10-2011, 10:25 AM

I've actually used a 4-string set of flatwounds and kept my low B roundwound string as is. It actually is not a bad way to go because you get more clarity on the low B plus the warmth of roundwounds on the E-A-D-G strings. If you MUST have a flatwound tone, this might be worth considering.

bThumper38 · #10 02-10-2011, 10:27 AM

Foam is the best for that

turbo chicken · #11 02-10-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim11895

I've actually used a 4-string set of flatwounds and kept my low B roundwound string as is. It actually is not a bad way to go because you get more clarity on the low B plus the warmth of roundwounds on the E-A-D-G strings. If you MUST have a flatwound tone, this might be worth considering.

what he said... get a set for a 4 string vs killing your rounds is a much better solution

Marty Forrer · #12 02-10-2011, 02:21 PM

Palm muting is another option, but may not be suitable for what you have to play. Lay the edge of your palm onthe bridge so it sits on the strings, and pluck with your thumb. I use this a fair bit, but it restricts how fast you can play. As others said, a block of foam wedged under the strings right up against the bridge will do the trick.

FunkMetalBass · #13 02-10-2011, 04:08 PM

Solo the neck pickup, turn down the treble. If your mid control is centered above ~600Hz, keep it flat. Boost the bass a bit.

elgecko · #14 02-10-2011, 04:15 PM

You don't have the old set from your last string change?

If you don't, keep them next time.

J-Building · #15 02-11-2011, 01:23 AM

Play closer to the neck too. Maybe even try anchoring your thumb on the fretboard and playing at the end of your fingerboard.

Caca de Kick · #16 02-11-2011, 01:47 AM

As mentioned by a few people above: Go to the hardware store and buy a chunk of weatherstrip style foam.

Pilgrim · #17 02-11-2011, 12:33 PM

Foam. Roll off tone. No problem.

SMILEYSIXX · #18 02-11-2011, 03:04 PM

I'm using foam but all it's doing is killing my sustain, the tone isn't effected much. I'm pretty much out of options short of the old Jaco method of eating fried chicken then getting the grease all over my strings. I'll experiment with my amp before the show tomorrow to see what I can do, but it looks like I'm playing with what I got.

If nothing else comes out of this, at least it's a testament to how long Rotosounds keep their brightness, these strings have been on this bass for almost a year.

TheSuzie · #19 02-11-2011, 05:57 PM

Try tuning them WAY DOWN like maybe two steps. You will have to shift your fingering of course and also use a light touch on your right hand to avoid overplaying the string. Still, this should leave you with a lot less edgy sound.

Good Luck,
S

spigmu · #20 02-11-2011, 06:17 PM

I'm not sure about the chicken grease, but Steve Stills used barbecue sauce on the strings of his basses during the early CS&N years.