Strings on Flea '61 Jazz Bass

[eyecandy]

hey guys anyone know the strings on flea's J bass?

[Jared Lash]

I read at one point that they were GHS flats.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I read at one point that they were GHS flats.

That what I heard too. I also heard that he used only the Fender (and not other basses) for recording stadium arcadium. But some of the tracks are obviously rounds (Storm In A Tea Cup for one). So he may have switched strings on it a few times for the recording, or just used a different bass, and the only using a Fender thing wasnt true.

[J. Crawford]

I'd go with different strings. Does Flea still use his signature Boomers when he uses rounds?

[engedi1]

I am pretty sure that he used TI flats on his 61 jazz for much of the album. A couple of tunes such as "snow" were recorded using his 5 string Modulus flea bass with rounds.

[eyecandy]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I read at one point that they were GHS flats.

GHS flats? I saw a youtube video saying he's been using d'addario chromes... then the other says ti..

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by eyecandy

GHS flats? I saw a youtube video saying he's been using d'addario chromes... then the other says ti..

I think part of the problem is that I doubt Flea has any idea (or cares) what strings they were. Not to mention that they are obviously very broken in to where the "bright when new" tone of chromes would make it obvious. I read that they were GHS flats, but I have no idea if that's right.

What I will say is that watching his right hand technique (which was the same very aggressive plucking that he's always had) on Stadium Arcadium, I'd be surprised if they were TI flats. First off, it doesn't have that high mid emphasis that TIJFs give and more importantly, the string tension wouldn't seem to match at all with how he plays. Again, I don't know for sure, but I just don't think they were TIs.

[Meatrus]

Well I remember seeing an advert a while ago for GHS strings, and Flea's quote was " I have always used GHS strings and I always will". So I would think he would be using GHS flats.

[eyecandy]

probably broken in rounds during live eh... it doesnt sound like flats either and it doesnt sound like fresh nickels as well..

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by eyecandy

probably broken in rounds during live eh... it doesnt sound like flats either and it doesnt sound like fresh nickels as well..

As far as I know Flea was using that Jazz bass as is (meaning the same flats he recorded Stadium Arcadium with) for the first part of the tour to support that album. But at some point he decided he wasn't cutting through like he wanted and went back to the Modulus for the rest of the tour.

He was using the Modulus when we saw them in Oakland.

[NickInMesa]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I read at one point that they were GHS flats.

Flats? Are you sure? Flats are not really slapping strings...

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

Flats? Are you sure? Flats are not really slapping strings...

Plenty of early slappers used flats, but I know what you're saying.

Still, check out the slap tone on "Tell Me Baby"

Even more obvious on a song like Charlie.

Again, Flea has never used flats until Stadium Arcadium and even on that album he switched to a bass with rounds for some songs.

[eyecandy]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

As far as I know Flea was using that Jazz bass as is (meaning the same flats he recorded Stadium Arcadium with) for the first part of the tour to support that album. But at some point he decided he wasn't cutting through like he wanted and went back to the Modulus for the rest of the tour.

He was using the Modulus when we saw them in Oakland.

yeah i heard some records in their rock in rio live.... and flea was using his new sunburst siggy bass..