taking the plunge on flatwounds?

[tremor100]

hey guys ive been debating for a long time whether to follow the seemingly hip trend of putting some flatwounds on my lakland skyline JO4. I love the feel of them on fretless basses but what are the negatives before i spend money on them and slap them on. My main consideration now is because ive been having a really hard time getting a nice bassy growl out of the bass, im wondering if this would help me. BUT im also afraid its just gonna make me sound like my tone knob is at zero at all times which would be odd. Does it give a good balanced tone? I play like pop rock, and faster music.

[RedSubway]

I think you should give them a shot. If you're worried about the tone, don't; flatwounds are very different than rounds in many ways but they aren't just for thumpy blues or jazz, you can get a nice punch out of them, or growl in your case.
One of the things I like the most about them is that they are tamer than roundwounds, but not at the expense of tone. They also tend to sound very clean and clear, it would probably be a good fit with your music.
Take the plunge, man!

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by tremor100

hey guys ive been debating for a long time whether to follow the seemingly hip trend of putting some flatwounds on my lakland skyline JO4.

I would n't consider this a valid reason to change. However, once you realise you are not going to get a roundwound tone then go for it.

I agree with everything RedSubway said. Also as flats last a long time they are cheaper in the long run. My own personal favourites are TI ( Thomastik/Infeld) jazz flats.

[tremor100]

Originally Posted by fearceol

I would n't consider this a valid reason to change. However, once you realise you are not going to get a roundwound tone then go for it.

I agree with everything RedSubway said. Also as flats last a long time they are cheaper in the long run. My own personal favourites are TI ( Thomastik/Infeld) jazz flats.

Note how thats the first thing i said, followed by a large paragraph of why i actually want to try them with more valid reasons lol. thanks though guys i think im gonna try them

[ZonGuy]

If you have more than one bass, you should definitely try a set of flatwounds. You may love it.

Flatwounds are very long-lived. I have one set that has been on the same bass for 4 years, and I have another set that I move from bass to bass as the whim moves me.

Oddly, for fretless, I thing roundwounds sound better (and I am an upright player).

[One Drop]

For bassy growl on a JO I would try Dr Lo-Riders in rounds or Sadowsky .105 flats. Just my favorites but I find both perfectly voiced for passive Jazz, and both will give you a lot of low mids where the growl resides.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by tremor100

Note how thats the first thing i said, followed by a large paragraph of why i actually want to try them with more valid reasons lol.

Sorry. Did n't mean to offend.

[tremor100]

lol no offence at all dude just trying to point out that its not really the reason i want them :P.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by tremor100

lol no offence at all dude just trying to point out that its not really the reason i want them :P.

Let us know which ones you decide on. One thing about the TI's I forgot to mention is they have very low tension which does not suit every one.

[DaneB]

For me, the tension on the TIs is perfect, though I have been playing on them every day for like a 1.5 years now :P I played an OLP with rounds in a shop the other day, and I just couldn't get over how sloppy and clacky and loose it all felt. I just wanted to be home with my flats :P

[CrimsonGhost]

try a set of rotosound flats. on my p-basses they are very versatile,
I can get a nice growl out of them,. nice aggressive rock tone with a pick that has a added dimension that rounds dont, its called BASS!,

too many players just want the tone of the 4 string guitar....