Flatwounds improve pitch tracking?

kevteop · #1 10-30-2009, 07:45 PM

OK... I've got a stock Squier Jazz here with LaBella flats on it, which I usually use with my ska/rocksteady band. That band has begun to demonstrate a bit of a hip-hop / big-beat influence too, so I'm taking a bunch of effects to rehearsals tomorrow, anyway...

I thought I'd better try the Jazz with my Octavius Squeezer to see if it worked OK first, so I just plugged it in and, bloody hell, practically rock-solid couple of seconds (at least) of tracking the low E. Considerably more reliable performance than my active Thumb with Ernie Ball rounds on it!

So is this a result of the flats having a plainer tone than rounds (I usually roll the treble off my Thumb when I'm using FX anyway), or do el cheapo Squiers have magic pickups or something?

Either way I'm stoked.

RCCollins · #2 10-30-2009, 07:51 PM

it's probably the difference between the output of the pickups. i actually find that flats don't track as well

but remember that the octavius squeezer has a tracking setting to adjust to the input level - so while it might be good to set it high with your jazz, you'll wanna lower it for use with the active thumb.

kevteop · #3 10-30-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

it's probably the difference between the output of the pickups. i actually find that flats don't track as well

Strange. The basses are equally loud with the front pup soloed. Of course one's active and the other isn't, and so on, but it's weird to find the Jazz performing better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

but remember that the octavius squeezer has a tracking setting to adjust to the input level - so while it might be good to set it high with your jazz, you'll wanna lower it for use with the active thumb.

I actually set it for optimum performance with the Thumb, it just so happens that it works better with the Jazz.

warwick.hoy · #4 10-30-2009, 09:53 PM

Using my Thumb with rounds,...I have found that my OC-2 tracks best when I solo the neck pup and roll the highs off on the preamp. Perhaps there is some correlation there, but it seems like when the OC-2 has less of the tonal spectrum to deal with the better it tracks.

That said I have a (MIJ) JV Squier Jazz bass (rounds) and I like to run that with the neck pickup at about 80% volume and the bridge PUP and tone at 100% and the OC-2 tracks that a lot better than my Thumb. I've been considering a move to flats on the Squier.

Gashaponcito · #5 10-31-2009, 02:31 AM

I use mainly a P-Bass (w flats) with my Octavius and it tracks better when I have the tone set to the 0

dannybuoy · #6 10-31-2009, 04:21 AM

It tracks better with the flats because flats emphasize the fundamental frequency and have fewer upper harmonics going on than rounds, making it easier to figure out which note is being played. This is the basic explanation for why flats RULE.

gillento · #7 10-31-2009, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

It tracks better with the flats because flats emphasize the fundamental frequency and have fewer upper harmonics going on than rounds, making it easier to figure out which note is being played. This is the basic explanation for why flats RULE.

+1

phatbass · #8 10-31-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillento

+1

+ another 1

judas jedermann · #9 10-31-2009, 06:51 AM

Flats rule.

Gashaponcito · #10 10-31-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judas jedermann

Flats rule.

+tan(90°)

gnasher1993 · #11 10-31-2009, 01:34 PM

I noticed that this morning. My Octron tracked better with my jazz bass which has flats on it

.

Yeah, flat's rule

kevteop · #12 10-31-2009, 03:21 PM

Stuff it, I'm selling my '91 Thumb and buying a bunch of Squiers!

Mudfuzz · #13 10-31-2009, 03:35 PM

My best tracking bass is a Epi rivoli with a 60's EB-0 pickup in it and 12 year old TI jazz flats.

Gashaponcito · #14 10-31-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

My best tracking bass is a Epi rivoli with a 60's EB-0 pickup in it and 12 year old TI jazz flats.

Jealous!! Amazing Bass

Mudfuzz · #15 10-31-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gashaponcito

Jealous!! Amazing Bass

I traded a classical guitar for it.

Gashaponcito · #16 10-31-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfuzz

I traded a classical guitar for it.

I should start hating you but you got a pretty nice Avatar xD

Mudfuzz · #17 10-31-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gashaponcito

I should start hating you but you got a pretty nice Avatar xD

if it helps in the long run that guitar will be worth more then the bass ever will... But I liked the bass and never played the guitar.