Flatwounds and Effects: How do you cope?

[jmattbassplaya]

Hey guys,

So I've recently made the switch to flatwound strings and have been loving every minute of it. That said, my effects haven't been sharing the love the same way I have.

I've found that the only way my effects actually kick in and start affecting my signal is if I turn my tone knob (I play a P bass) all the way up. This isn't necessarily a horrible inconvenience, but it is an inconvenience.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to get around this issue, or if I'm simply going to have to deal with this and just adjust my effects so they sound good with tone knob set to wide open.

I wonder if there's an effect pedal out there that's similar to a volume pedal, but instead of changing volume it changes the tone of your bass (like the tone knob on a P bass). I wouldn't have an issue using something like that if it actually existed.

Thanks!

[Elrend]

An eq (MAXXXXXXXXXED out of course) or boost pedal at the very front should increase the response of your effects.

[Achtane]

You could use a booster to drive the effects because your bass isn't doing it with the flats.

[Darkglass]

Hey! I'm guessing you're losing some of the natural attack that round wounds have?
I happen to love how flat wounds feel on my fingers, but for sound reasons, I'd rather take the extra pain and stick with round wounds (I use DR Lo riders).
Specially for distortion and overdrive, where I want all the attack available!
A good way to bring some attack or presence back would be with an EQ, or Exciter... I'd try to slightly boost any frequency from 2.5kHz to 3.2kHz. I'm sure a boost between 3dB to 6dB should do, but like any nice ingredient, feel free to add to taste .
The best way would be to get (or even borrow just to experiment) a graphic EQ... a cool trick I use sometimes is to boost the hell out (10dB to 12dB) of the frequency ranges I mentioned earlier, and then roll of the higher ones (in a graphic EQ 4kHz or higher) This can add a lot of presence and attack, without getting to harsh or sharp. Not sure if everyone would like this, but sure is worth the try!

Best Regards! -Doug.

[DavidMP]

EHX Steel Leather

[JimmyM]

Increase the amount of effect tenfold.



John Davis uses flats. It can be done. I'd say all good suggestions so far...hotter gain, a little EQ, boost effect levels...

[GeneralElectric]

Try a pick too.

[alexa.]

I was in the same situation, and ended up with half-wounds.

[IansBass]

I started using Rotosound Solo Bass to avoid wear on my fretless .
These are "ground wound" - round wound rolled fat - and play more like flats but with more of the top end you get with rounds.

[rr5025]

I've been considering this lately as my deep impact is still a little disagreeable with me occasionally (though that could be because my jag is unshielded). I am interested to hear what comes up in this thread.

[MK1]

Fender makes a volume/tone pedal. If you rock the pedal forward and back it's volume and if you move the foot pedal side to side it adjusts the tone.

[CamiloDíaz]

active bass w/flats here.. no problem with effects.

[madmatt]

Go back to rounds and a BAII bridge.

[Jumbotron]

I had similar issues. Dug the flats but they just didn't sound great with effects. I switched to GHS pressurewound strings, and I'm liking them plenty now.

[casio]

I've used my EBMM with flats on effects and it was just fine.
On my passive P on the other hand, the pedals do react differently, but I'm mostly a roundwound player, so I tend to keep the flats thing as a different sound.
I believe adding some form of booster before the pedals on a passive bass would work for geting something more similar to the roundwound response, but I also doubt you can get the same thing

[rr5025]

So from what I'm getting from the last few posts; I can just put my jag on active, boost the treble and cut the bass that should negate any loss I might hear?

[casio]

more or less.
The simple fact is that the frequency response of rounds and flats is different. EQ can help get somewhere that you may percieve as better, but it won't get that exact tone.
I think it just needs some tweakage, maybe some more output coming from the bass, and then twiddling around until you find what you like!

[The Mouse]

I have had no problems with flats n effects, just upped the gain a little.. All good..

[dan.africano]

I happen to really like the sound of my tone knob all the way up on my p. Once the strings break in (the right strings, I use la bella, never been a fan of chromes), you get the buttery flat wound sound with the right amount of finger noise coming through. The low frequencies will always be there, and be prominent if you eq right.

I only use an overdrive and a fuzz, but never have a problem hearing them engaged. I also have a tone hammer after the effects to boost the right mids to cut through a little more.

[iamdenialNJ]

Flats on a pbass and jbass and no problems here.