Pretty sure flats can cure everything.....

suddenlysane · #1 09-29-2011, 10:40 PM

I just had a new Fender Std Pbass delivered today (Arctic White). I had ordered a Road Worn and changed the order an hour later to this one (couldn't really decide between the Road Worn and Roger Waters....quit laughing...).

I tuned it and played it. Nice, but not as fun as the one I built from parts. Yes, it needed to be set up a bit but still just didn't feel right. I figured it was the way it looked and I probably needed to remove the neck and refinish it in amber......seriously.

THEN, I went to GC and bought some D'Addario Chromes just like I have on the FrankenFender. BOOM! No need to refinish the neck. It wasn't the look. It was the feel and the sound. I haven't completely set it up properly but I just love these strings.

While I was at GC I bought a set of La Bella 760 FLs for my Ibanez SRT900DX. I can't wait to try that bass out with flats too! I think I'll leave the Geddy alone for now but.........I like flats....a lot. They make me feel good. Flats and beer.

New Fender Standard Upgrade Precision Bass on left. FrankenFender build (Mighty Might neck/2001 Fender MIM Pbass body) on right.

Ibanez SRT900DX waiting for the La Bellas

Any opinions on what the Ibby will sound like with flats on it?

JimmyM · #2 09-29-2011, 10:58 PM

It'll sound like an Ibby with flats on it.

suddenlysane · #3 09-29-2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

It'll sound like an Ibby with flats on it.

Is that your final answer?? Because from you, JimmyM, I'm cool with that.

atomicdog · #4 09-29-2011, 11:07 PM

I have an Ibby sr750 and am considering hybrids. Want to hear the result of your experiment.

suddenlysane · #5 09-29-2011, 11:07 PM

Soooooo........it'll sound good, right? right? huh? right?

I'll know in a few. Assuming I don't drop the bass, spill my beer, or something like that...

suddenlysane · #6 09-29-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicdog

I have an Ibby sr750 and am considering hybrids. Want to hear the result of your experiment.

I will post my thoughts as soon as I am done. Be that tonight or tomorrow. Hell, it is tomorrow.......

seanm · #7 09-30-2011, 12:07 AM

I can't really answer your question since IMHO ALL basses should have flats

But your Fender is just crying out for white pick guard covers! Then you could say "How much more white could this be?" and the answer is: "None, none... more white!"

suddenlysane · #8 09-30-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

I can't really answer your question since IMHO ALL basses should have flats

But your Fender is just crying out for white pick guard covers! Then you could say "How much more white could this be?" and the answer is: "None, none... more white!"

You mean to tell me that ARCTIC WHITE is not as white as WHITE? I seriously hadn't noticed. Another dilemma......

On another note.......the jury is still out on the La Bella flats on the Ibanez SRT900DX. Still needs to be set up better and played through something other than my Hartke B300 which I was having to use(in the office) since my LH500 2x10/1x15 is approximately 10 feet from my wife's side of the bed and sleep would not be denied her last night. I'm gonna shoot for later today on that one.

seanm · #9 09-30-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suddenlysane

You mean to tell me that ARCTIC WHITE is not as white as WHITE? I seriously hadn't noticed. Another dilemma......

DOH! Not pick guard covers.... I meant to type pickup covers!!!! You really need white pickup covers.

**Old Joe** · #10 09-30-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suddenlysane

Any opinions on what the Ibby will sound like with flats on it?

I like 'em round but, an Ibby with flats is something I'd like to hear. A clip would be appreciated.

Decoyx7 · #11 09-30-2011, 10:10 AM

Is that a Geddy Lee sigature?
Geddy doesn't use flats at all I think.
I was thinking of getting flats, or groundwounds on my Ibanez SR305 because I honestly don't want to replace worn out strings all the time. But I'm a bit torn because I really like the 'Geddy' sound I can get from the roundwounds.
I think you should get groundwounds if you at least want to try to keep that sound you get.
And also, I have no idea what flats will sound like on my bass either, but whatever.
My assumtion is that you can get halfwounds and crank up the treble.
That'll work...right? Besides, halfwounds have the same feel as flats, so I'm guessing. I've never played halfwounds, but I do like the feel of flats.

suddenlysane · #12 09-30-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm

DOH! Not pick guard covers.... I meant to type pickup covers!!!! You really need white pickup covers.

Hey, that might look pretty sexy. I've never even been a fan of white but I like the looks of this bass. I gotta go find some pics of white basses with white pickup covers............

@Old Joe - I am going to try and find the time to set it up today and I'll try to post a sound clip in the next day or two assuming it's even worth doing (i may end up not liking them at all).

@Decoyx7 - Yes, it is a 2004 Geddy Lee Sig. And I almost feel like it's a sin to have anything but roundwounds on that bass, lol. I can't say that I won't try flats on it just for curiosity's sake but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like them on there. But who knows. I'm on a flats binge and anything is possible.

Tunaman · #13 09-30-2011, 11:15 AM

I have a 08 MIA P standard & was just debating Flats or Rounds
I have 2 packs ready to go

Ernie Ball Group III Flats (Pretty much chromes)
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Rounds

I think I gotta try em on it. I notice the P is warm round & full from low mids on but E, F, G notes on the E string are more hairy, less warm. Flats change that for you?

dmusic148 · #14 09-30-2011, 11:22 AM

I'm thinking you might not like the flats on the Ibby. As dumb as this may sound, basses such as that one are sort of designed with rounds in mind. Whereas the P bass is a different story.....
But who knows? Try it. Maybe it will produce the Über-Mega-Holy-Grail tone before which we must all bow.

suddenlysane · #15 09-30-2011, 01:47 PM

@Tunaman - IMHO, yes, with the flats I notice the warmth in that range without the hairyness. Things just feel and sound warmer, more well rounded, but still have the Pbass kick. I would definitely try out the flats, you may really like it.

@dmusic148 - I think you are right. I cannot even bring myself to finish setting it up. I guess the Ovangkol body and Jatoba/Bubinga neck NEED rounds with a bit brighter sound. To me, with the La Bellas, it just sounds too dark. All the things that made that Ibby what it is kind of melted away with flats. It never sounded anything like the Jbass or Pbasses that I have, it has a unique bite to it. But now it seems like it's trying to sound like them. That's not good.

DISCLAIMER: This is all opinion based on very limited testing (if you can call it that) and my own personal taste. Some may find the opposite is true for them.

That being said, those La Bellas are now too short to use on any of my Fenders (i think) and so I'm going to put them on my SR300. It's my first bass ever and it will be happy to have them I'm sure.

Any suggestions on new rounds for the Ibby???

seanm · #16 09-30-2011, 01:52 PM

If the La Bella's are too dark, how about a brighter round like the Chromes?

But it could just be that the Ibby wants rounds.

suddenlysane · #17 09-30-2011, 02:02 PM

Maybe Half Rounds just for the heck of it.

Decoyx7 · #18 09-30-2011, 02:07 PM

Half rounds on the Ibby?
It's worth a try I guess. xD
Let me know how it turns out, I can't decide on flats or not for my Ibanez.

**WoodyG3** · #19 09-30-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suddenlysane

Maybe Half Rounds just for the heck of it.

I'm betting if you didn't like flats on the Ibby you won't like half rounds, either. I'll add, for perspective, that I don't personally like half rounds anyway since they lack the zing of rounds and don't have the rich, round sound of flats to me. Naturally, others may disagree.

dmusic148 · #20 09-30-2011, 02:52 PM

Half rounds suck, they feel awful. I'd throw a set of HiBeams on that bass in a heartbeat.