who uses TI flats for rock or heavy music?

raul · #1 08-19-2011, 02:05 PM

i do! and for most everything else...on my Squier CV 60's PBass...awesome tones! sounds great with fuzz, distortion etc...

for heavy rock etc...anyone else? i mean, they're great for rnb, blues, etc...but they just feel soooooo good under the fingers and sound huge when playing music with a bit more grit and grunt...

BobaFret · #2 08-19-2011, 02:12 PM

They aren't the best for metal but they are great for everything else ( if you like them ).

dmusic148 · #3 08-19-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobaFret

They aren't the best for metal but they are great for everything else ( if you like them ).

So.......what ARE the best strings for metal........?

FunkMetalBass · #4 08-19-2011, 02:53 PM

I guess it depends on how your band EQ's and what kind of sonic spectrum you're trying to fill. There are very few instances where heavier rock or metal works with flats. People often say Steve Harris, but he's an outlier because of the EQing of the rest of the band and his insanely low click-inducing action - which are the only reasons he cuts through at all. There was also a (presumably 3-piece) instrumental band that I heard recently (links somewhere in this subforum) with the bassist using flats and OD/distortion, and that was good too. Other than those bands I've posted, I've never heard of another good example of a useable heavy rock/metal flats tone. It's just too easy to get lost in the mix with flats in those genres.

Ric5 · #5 08-19-2011, 02:55 PM

who uses TI flats for rock or heavy music?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul McCartney - Helter Skelter - YouTube

CapnSev · #6 08-19-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I guess it depends on how your band EQ's and what kind of sonic spectrum you're trying to fill. There are very few instances where heavier rock or metal works with flats. People often say Steve Harris, but he's an outlier because of the EQing of the rest of the band and his insanely low click-inducing action - which are the only reasons he cuts through at all. There was also a (presumably 3-piece) instrumental band that I heard recently (links somewhere in this subforum) with the bassist using flats and OD/distortion, and that was good too. Other than those bands I've posted, I've never heard of another good example of a useable heavy rock/metal flats tone. It's just too easy to get lost in the mix with flats in those genres.

I don't know. Phil Lynott did it pretty well with Thin Lizzy.

TC2112 · #7 08-19-2011, 03:03 PM

My current cover band plays a huge variety from Audioslave to ZZ top and I use my P bass with TIs across the board

mazdah · #8 08-19-2011, 03:04 PM

Here is my old band where I used TI Flats for my P-bass. Was easier because of only one guitard. EQ set flat both on my Ampeg B200R and mixing board. Recorded with cam's mic:
American Horse The Removal Machine (The Cult Tribute Band Poland) - YouTube

and some other songs with polish lyrics:
Zap City The Removal Machine (The Cult Tribute Band Poland) - YouTube
Ma
deszcz (rain) The Removal Machine (The Cult Tribute Band Poland) - YouTube

raul · #9 08-19-2011, 04:46 PM

geez, forgot about the might John Deacon with Queen! rockin' stuff for sure, mostly flats with a P bass, yes?

and Queens Of The Stone Age...flats again, i think? am i correct in the QOTSA and flats department?

BobaFret · #10 08-19-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

So.......what ARE the best strings for metal........?

Blue Steels

swspiers · #11 08-19-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I guess it depends on how your band EQ's and what kind of sonic spectrum you're trying to fill. There are very few instances where heavier rock or metal works with flats. People often say Steve Harris, but he's an outlier because of the EQing of the rest of the band and his insanely low click-inducing action - which are the only reasons he cuts through at all. There was also a (presumably 3-piece) instrumental band that I heard recently (links somewhere in this subforum) with the bassist using flats and OD/distortion, and that was good too. Other than those bands I've posted, I've never heard of another good example of a useable heavy rock/metal flats tone. It's just too easy to get lost in the mix with flats in those genres.

I dunno, man. Pretty sure the first few Sabbath albums were with flats. Gary Thain with Uriah Heep was all flats and a P bass. Quite a lot of Doom out there with flats. I'm confident that early Kyuss was recorded with flats, etc etc

'Metal' is just too broad a genre for a sweeping generalization like that.

No disrespect intended.

-s

StyleOverShow · #12 08-19-2011, 05:20 PM

I like TI flats, and I can play around the clock, day after day on them without too much wear on the fingers. The La Bella Deep Talking Flats higher tension is closer to the rotos I use on the other bass (with frets).

I finding frets to be more noise than they are worth. So I am trying to go fretless all the time, but covering the more harder metal-like sounds are difficult with the flats. Have tried some D'Arrio Chromes...not bad, but the sound envelope moves to the treble side.

So I still travel with two axes....

warnergt · #13 08-19-2011, 05:58 PM

I use TI flats for rock.

bassboysam · #14 08-19-2011, 07:27 PM

For the majority of our album I recorded with flats, see my sig for a link. Flats worked well for me as long as i did not use a lot of fuzz and distortion. i keep going back and forth between flats and rounds depending on my mood.

FrankenIbanez70 · #15 08-19-2011, 07:38 PM

I recently put fender flats on a Thunderbird, plays like butter and growls too much for my currant amp to handle. definitely great for rock and metal IMO.

**SVE** · #16 08-20-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

For the majority of our album I recorded with flats, see my sig for a link. Flats worked well for me as long as i did not use a lot of fuzz and distortion. i keep going back and forth between flats and rounds depending on my mood.

Just cause I want to try TI Flats... Why do they not go well with distortion?

bassboysam · #17 08-21-2011, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVE

Just cause I want to try TI Flats... Why do they not go well with distortion?

Not necessarily TIs, I was talking flats in general. I had a hard time finding a fuzz/distortion that did not turn into mud with flats. A little OD works great for me though.

**SVE** · #18 08-21-2011, 11:26 AM

I've heard Rotosound flats with dirt and they didn't sound bad... Guess il try those. Thanks for the help!

mowburger · #19 08-21-2011, 12:25 PM

I used TI's in this band
EARLY THOMAS BAND "NEW RELIGION TCS. Records 2011 - YouTube

I hooked up with a 2nd band that does alot of more Punk Rock type stuff so I felt I had to throw rounds back on my P, I went with DR sunbeams. Sometimes I miss the flats but a lil EQ tweak and it's almost the same. Different feel tho.