Stingray with flatwounds query

rojo412 · #1 03-11-2011, 11:00 PM

I have a Stingray coming! Recently, the urge to own one again overcame me and I just had to take a shot.
Why? Well, my band just went on hiatus and I have a studio project that I'm working on. My first "solo" album, if you will. The mission is funk. Just good old greasy funk.
So I asks myself, I ask "Self, what is funk... without a Stingray?"

So I'm pulling the trigger. Bass is on the way. Only thing is, I've always had some issues with overly brittle high end on the preamp. And that got me thinking about some flats for a nice, vintagey, finger-funk extravaganza...

But I really have never heard a 'Ray with flats. At least, I don't know if I have. I know I've never played one (that wasn't fretless).

How much does the flatwound change the tone, in relation to its high end?
Does it still have enough bite for a funky fingerstyle?
Has anyone done what I'm talking about, and if so, how'd it work out for you?

Will Kelly · #2 03-11-2011, 11:07 PM

I love my Stingray's with flats. Here are some video clips. They get a fat, p-bass like tone, but with more clarity. I use Chromes, 40-100.

YouTube - Drew Smith's Lonely Choir- Silver Pictures

YouTube - Drew Smith's Lonely Choir- Be My Friend

steamthief · #3 03-11-2011, 11:10 PM

I tried some on my SR4 but went back to rounds. I liked the playability, but the flats took something away from the character of the MM sound to me, though I can't seem to explain it. Roundwounds just sounded right. Lots of others dig Rays with flats, however, so I'd suggest getting a set and giving them a go.

rojo412 · #4 03-11-2011, 11:45 PM

Yeah... I'm thinking about Chromes, as they seem to be the drug of choice for most. I've never tried them, myself. Or maybe SITs, as a friend can get them cheap.

Had the Rotosounds on a Jazz, then an Ibanez Roadstar II. Great tone, but almost too roundwound! Took a long time to break in and mellow, but very nice.

andrew · #5 03-11-2011, 11:58 PM

If you can find a set, I love Elixir Polywebs on my Stingray. The coating is thicker than on Nanowebs and it tames the top end sizzle of the Stingray's pre in the best way. Beefiest tone from them on a ray too.

I've tried flats on my Stingray too, and much prefer the Polywebs.

I've never tried them, but halfrounds might be worth trying on a stingray too.

rojo412 · #6 03-12-2011, 12:02 AM

Had those on a fretless MM. May be perfect for the fretted, as I found them to lack the bite into the fingerboard that I wanted.

JTE · #7 03-12-2011, 08:34 AM

A. The original StingRay shipped from the factory with GHS Precision Flats (until about 1979 when they started using both Brite-Flats and Boomers).

B. Bernard Edwards of Chic used flats exclusively. And that means you've probably heard a 'Ray with flats on those records, though I'm not sure what tracks he used the StingRay on and which he used his B. C. Rich.

C. "Another One Bites The Dust" is John Deacon playing his StingRay with Rotosound flats.

John

rojo412 · #8 03-12-2011, 08:36 AM

Those are all shining endorsements for trying them out. And if I don't cut them short, I can always save them for something else if I don't like 'em.

bassdude51 · #9 03-12-2011, 08:40 AM

Got LaBella Deep Talkin' Med Light Flats on my SR4 and Lakland Joe Osborn Flats on my SR5. Both "bark" like a 'Ray should and in fact "bark" better than with rounds. Totally happy with flats! (Wanna try some TI Jazz Flats sometime in the future.)

PastorofMuppets · #10 03-12-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

I love my Stingray's with flats. Here are some video clips. They get a fat, p-bass like tone, but with more clarity. I use Chromes, 40-100.

YouTube - Drew Smith's Lonely Choir- Silver Pictures

YouTube - Drew Smith's Lonely Choir- Be My Friend

Those vids have awesome tone. I would have thought P bass flats if you didnt say so. very nice tone.

hdracer · #11 03-12-2011, 08:50 AM

I put Labella 0760M "Jamerson" flats on my active SUB. Run it through my VB-2 & 2 15's, sounds like a P bass with balls so big it needs a wheelbarrow to carry them.

rojo412 · #12 03-12-2011, 09:12 AM

Sorry, couldn't resist...

62Jazzbass · #13 03-12-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

B. Bernard Edwards of Chic used flats exclusively.
C. "Another One Bites The Dust" is John Deacon playing his StingRay with Rotosound flats.

What he said.

And I know that Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith used a Ray at times during the seventies, and his recorded tone at least through Draw the Line certainly sounds like flats to me.

Will Kelly · #14 03-12-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

Those vids have awesome tone. I would have thought P bass flats if you didnt say so. very nice tone.

Thanks man! That's a 2 band 'ray, btw.

jasper383 · #15 03-12-2011, 11:22 AM

YouTube - Musicman Stingray - Rounds vs Flats

This is a good sounding comparison of flats and rounds.

Chromes, imo, are the best flats choice for a Stingray.

rojo412 · #16 03-12-2011, 12:43 PM

That's pretty much exactly the kind of comparison I was looking for. Guess I should search the 'Tube more.