Trouble deciding on flats

finfrocka · #1 08-11-2011, 05:38 PM

Hey guys, I've been getting into jazz lately and walking as well. I really want to replicate the sound of an upright. I would either be putting the flats on a schecter custom series 4 string stilletto with neck thru, or a cheap fretless rogue. I'm a little reluctant to put them on my fretted bass because I play a lot of slap on that. (I don't feel as comfortable slapping on my 6-string.) But that is neither here nor there.

Anyways, what flats would get me close to sounding like an upright, and btw the cheaper the better, I'm on a college student budget.

Thanks for the help.

JeffBTZ · #2 08-11-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfrocka

Hey guys, I've been getting into jazz lately and walking as well. I really want to replicate the sound of an upright. I would either be putting the flats on a schecter custom series 4 string stilletto with neck thru, or a cheap fretless rogue. I'm a little reluctant to put them on my fretted bass because I play a lot of slap on that. (I don't feel as comfortable slapping on my 6-string.) But that is neither here nor there.

Anyways, what flats would get me close to sounding like an upright, and btw the cheaper the better, I'm on a college student budget.

Thanks for the help.

Your Schecter Custom 4 is a neck through? I didn't know they had a neck through model. Mine is a 6 bolt on.

To the point: A lot of people love the TI Flats, but they're pricey. Potentially worth it if you're really serious about that tone. I've never used them though.

finfrocka · #3 08-11-2011, 07:08 PM

Sorry its an elite 4. So then it's hard to get the good tone without spending the money?

BassBob1 · #4 08-11-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfrocka

So then it's hard to get the good tone without spending the money?

Not necessarily true. I have used flats since early last november. The same set this whole time up until recently. (For no real reason at all I have decieded to switch back to rounds on my main bass; guess i just wanted a different sound.) Anyway, D'addario chromes are pretty cheap as far as flats go. Thats what I used. They sound pretty bright for the first week or two depending on how often you play but they get mellow and IMO sound better and better with time. If you've never tried flats before I recommend starting there. I don't like Rotosound flats. To me they don't sound right or feel right. Unfortunately the only way to find the right flats (or any kind of strings) is to try them till you find them. It most definitely gets pricy.

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 08-11-2011, 07:30 PM

Chromes are the best flats to start with, IMHO, because they act as a decent halfway point between rounds and flats as far as tone is concerned.

I don't care for the TI's I have right now at all. Very hollow and weak sounding.

sricks3 · #6 08-11-2011, 07:34 PM

Don't be afraid to spend a little more money on flats than you would on rounds. Chances are, you won't be replacing your flats nearly as often as you do your rounds, so a little extra up front kind of evens out in the long run. I actually know guys who haven't changed their flatwound strings in several years and are still happy with the sound.

The GHS precision flats that I have on both of my p-bass copies right now definitely FEEL a lot like upright strings, and that's coming from a classically trained upright guy. I haven't tried Chromes or the Thomastik Infeld strings yet, but I'm thinking about trying the TIs next time around. They make fantastic orchestral strings.

finfrocka · #7 08-11-2011, 07:38 PM

Ok, what are the tensions like on these bad boys. I have been playing MM Fatbeams for the past couple years and when it comes to rounds I can't imagine i could be happier. So which string will be close the FEEL when it comes to tension and playing and stuff like that.

BassBob1 · #8 08-11-2011, 07:52 PM

Well when i switched from rounds to flats I went from d'addario XL's 45-100 to chromes in the same gauges and felt only a slight increase in tension. Rotosounds 45-105 i thought where very high tension.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #9 08-11-2011, 07:53 PM

Nothing but an acoustic upright will sound like an upright, even an electric upright. We don't drag these gigantic instruments around for the fun of it.

That said, TI Flats are the best I've used. They're strong in the midrange, like a good upright, and they last forever if you take care of them.

bassnat · #10 08-11-2011, 07:55 PM

Chromes are the best strings I have ever played.

finfrocka · #11 08-11-2011, 08:01 PM

OK, well since I don't want to gamble on an expensive set when I may not like flats very much. Especially if i put them on a 100$ bass (my rogue fretless). I'll probably go with the chromes, I just hope they aren't TOO bright.

BassmanSBK · #12 08-11-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfrocka

Anyways, what flats would get me close to sounding like an upright, and btw the cheaper the better, I'm on a college student budget.

None. Flats + electric does NOT = upright.

However, flats sound great, and compliment walking styles well. James Jamerson. Duck Dunn.

Thus endeth the lesson.

finfrocka · #13 08-11-2011, 08:07 PM

I know that i can't completely emulate an upright, I would just like to be able to come close when the time calls for it.

BassBob1 · #14 08-11-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfrocka

OK, well since I don't want to gamble on an expensive set when I may not like flats very much. Especially if i put them on a 100$ bass (my rogue fretless). I'll probably go with the chromes, I just hope they aren't TOO bright.

They won't be too bright. Just remember to give them a week or two depending on how often you play that bass. As they age they sound even better.

finfrocka · #15 08-11-2011, 08:10 PM

I play a lot, especially now that I'm really trying to work on my music reading skills and bass walking. So I imagine things will start to change after a week.

emor · #16 08-11-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I don't care for the TI's I have right now at all. Very hollow and weak sounding.

There are a lot of people who would disagree with this.
What bass do have them on?

jallenbass · #17 08-11-2011, 08:18 PM

Try the LaBella tapewounds. They sound closer to an upright to my ears but they do take a while to break in. I have also heard a clip of the D'addario tapewounds and they sound good as well.

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 08-11-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emor

There are a lot of people who would disagree with this.
What bass do have them on?

Fender Jazz with Nord pups.

gidbass · #19 08-11-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Chromes are the best flats to start with, IMHO, because they act as a decent halfway point between rounds and flats as far as tone is concerned.

I don't care for the TI's I have right now at all. Very hollow and weak sounding.

+1 for the chromes comment.
-1 for the TI's comment about sound weak and hollow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emor

There are a lot of people who would disagree with this.
What bass do have them on?

+1

I use TI's now, and i find them to be anything but weak and hollow.

I love chromes too, but I like the lower tension of the TIs (comparable to rounds IMO) and i find the TIs to be clearer in the lower notes.

Good Luck!

**jmattbassplaya** · #20 08-11-2011, 08:33 PM

Side by side, the TI's have nothing on the Chromes. They are slightly more defined note to note (especially in the low end as someone mentioned), but they are no where near as punchy or as full sounding as the Chromes. I should probably try them on my P and see what happens, but as of now I'm very unimpressed with them considering the reviews they get and the cost of actually buying them.