Switching from flats back to rounds...thoughts?

double_stop2584 · #1 08-21-2008, 05:29 PM

I'm switching from flats back to rounds on my J-Bass. It's not that I don't like flats, I LOVE them...but with my band, I think the sound of rounds is what's needed. And I only have one bass at the moment - once I get a little farther out of debt I'm gonna start expanding the family and have a dedicated bass with some flats.

Anyway, I just wondered what your random thoughts were on it. Things to look out for, like the change in tension and all that? I'm a pretty aggressive finger-style player, so I'm gonna try and use this as an attempt to work on digging in a little less.

Just throwing this out there to see if there's any other advice/anecdotes you can give me.

Mastermold · #2 08-21-2008, 05:43 PM

What flats did/do you have now? So long as string tension isn't that much less you should be fine. I just recently took some Fender flats off one of my P-basses and put on some DR Hi-Beams and didn't need to adjust anything.

jw19x62 · #3 08-21-2008, 05:52 PM

God forbid I reply to this post out of fear from those Bassman 150 Combo hacks. New flats sound just as good as new rounds. Depending on your style of playing, flats may be best. Rounds are naturally brighter and there is no argument to that. Flats, on the other hand, do not have that annoying fretting hand screech when moving up and down along the neck. If you own two or more basses then you might keep different strings on each one to cover all avenues. Keep your favorite strings on your favorite bass and you will never go wrong.

double_stop2584 · #4 08-21-2008, 05:54 PM

I've got on D'Addario Chromes. When I put them on, it took some adjustments to get them where I liked, so I'm just expecting to have to reverse the adjustments.

I'm going from D'Addario Chromes to Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky's, just to add that info.

Mastermold · #5 08-21-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by double_stop2584

I've got on D'Addario Chromes. When I put them on, it took some adjustments to get them where I liked, so I'm just expecting to have to reverse the adjustments.

I'm going from D'Addario Chromes to Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky's, just to add that info.

You may have to adjust your truss rod -- put them on and wait a few days to see how the neck responds.

double_stop2584 · #6 08-21-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw19x62

God forbid I reply to this post out of fear from those Bassman 150 Combo hacks. New flats sound just as good as new rounds. Depending on your style of playing, flats may be best. Rounds are naturally brighter and there is no argument to that. Flats, on the other hand, do not have that annoying fretting hand screech when moving up and down along the neck. If you own two or more basses then you might keep different strings on each one to cover all avenues. Keep your favorite strings on your favorite bass and you will never go wrong.

I agree with all you're saying. I put the flats on in April, and I've given them this long. And as much as I like the sound of flats, I find myself playing with the tone and EQ, trying to get back the sound of the rounds - and I find myself missing the feel of rounds. So I'm making the switch due to my personal preference.

jw19x62 · #7 08-21-2008, 05:58 PM

My newest set of strings was D'Addario long scale flats. I always use flats on my j-bass and round or semi-round on the p-bass. I am very happy with the D'Addario flats.

jw19x62 · #8 08-21-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by double_stop2584

I agree with all you're saying. I put the flats on in April, and I've given them this long. And as much as I like the sound of flats, I find myself playing with the tone and EQ, trying to get back the sound of the rounds - and I find myself missing the feel of rounds. So I'm making the switch due to my personal preference.

Go for it. There is nothing wrong with rounds. I find they also have their place when the gig demands it.

::::BASSIST:::: · #9 08-21-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw19x62

God forbid I reply to this post out of fear from those Bassman 150 Combo hacks. New flats sound just as good as new rounds. Depending on your style of playing, flats may be best. Rounds are naturally brighter and there is no argument to that. Flats, on the other hand, do not have that annoying fretting hand screech when moving up and down along the neck. If you own two or more basses then you might keep different strings on each one to cover all avenues. Keep your favorite strings on your favorite bass and you will never go wrong.

Fret screech is the same problem I have with rounds. I chalk it up to bad technique... right?

Never have that problem with Flats.

jw19x62 · #10 08-21-2008, 06:18 PM

But for those who own only one bass, I have to recommend semis. With a little tweaking from your amp and guitar you can get a relative flat or round sound. But do this tweaking long before the show, and make notes of your settings to refer to during the show! Am I wrong Bassman 150 followers?

jw19x62 · #11 08-21-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Fret screech is the same problem I have with rounds. I chalk it up to bad technique... right?

Never have that problem with Flats.

Yea. You can train your fretting hand to compensate for the screech. Problem is timing. Timing does not always allow you the luxury of silent movement, especially when the movement is suppose to be undetectable. Strings and playing styles are always a trade off. I really don't think there is a right and wrong in regards to strings.

BillyRay · #12 08-21-2008, 06:33 PM

Yeah, nothing wrong with rounds. Since I switched to flats on my main bass I've kept a backup with rounds for songs that DO need it. Straight 8th notes pop-punk, for example, needs that twangy, bright p strung with rounds to sound right (not that I particularly like playign that...). They are two different sounds that punch in the mix admirably well but in different ways.

jw19x62 · #13 08-21-2008, 06:38 PM

An example of my last statement is thus: Let's say a song has been a heavy bass driven tune. Now all of a sudden the tune quiets down. This tranquil movement lasts for a few bars. Then is shattered by a heavy bass re-intro. This kind of bass continuation has no surprise if round screeches prelude it.

jw19x62 · #14 08-21-2008, 06:41 PM

BillyRay. I agree.

jw19x62 · #15 08-21-2008, 06:55 PM

Ever notice just how hard flats are to find now? Somehow rounds became the new kid on the block these days. 30+ years ago you might have had to sell your soul for rounds.

JLW · #16 08-21-2008, 07:58 PM

Be prepared for a very different string tension.

I went from heavy gauge flats (105 E string) to regular gauge rounds (100 E string) and wow it felt like I was free again. While flats definitely have their strong points, they definitely can be hard on the plucking hand, and they aren't as easy to play fast.

This was probably magnified by the fact that I also used a heavier gauge flat.

double_stop2584 · #17 08-21-2008, 09:02 PM

Just changed them, and was actually surprised at the lack of big adjustments I had to do. I did have to add a little more relief to the neck since the tension dropped, but most of it was pretty close to what it already was.

I missed the feel of my rounds...I'm happy now.

Mr_Sore_Fingerz · #18 08-21-2008, 09:05 PM

since flats are a lot smoother, try starting off with some nickel plated steel ones and then go on to stainless steels when you feel your fingers are ready for the torment lol

And when you are ready, get some DR Hi-Beams of Fat Beams...I LOVE them with a passion and they have such long life.

Winemule · #19 08-21-2008, 09:12 PM

I used flats for decades, switched to roundwounds (DR Lowbeams) and now am switching back...they're just too noisy...

double_stop2584 · #20 08-21-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Sore_Fingerz

since flats are a lot smoother, try starting off with some nickel plated steel ones and then go on to stainless steels when you feel your fingers are ready for the torment lol

And when you are ready, get some DR Hi-Beams of Fat Beams...I LOVE them with a passion and they have such long life.

I think I'm giving people the impression that I'm new to rounds...but I'm switching from my flats BACK to rounds...I only used flats for about five months.

I'm an Ernie Ball Super Slinky man...that's my flavor.