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Flats that *don't* have a lot of sustain and highs

ric426

ric426

In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Supporting Member
Mar 27, 2002
1,503
1,832
Southeast Michigan
#1
I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that most people are looking for in flats. I don't necessarily want them to sound really dead, just more like the attack and smoothness you'd get with an upright bass. Kind of a subdued sustain.
So far I've tried LaBella nylon tape wounds, TI Jazz Flats, Sadowsky flats and GHS nylon tape wounds (my favorite so far), but they all seem to have the normal bass guitar attack/sustain envelope. Granted, it's a semi-acoustic chambered solid body, so I probably won't be able to get too far away from that, but I'd like to try for the faster decay of an upright bass and less bass guitar twang.
Any suggestions?
 
#4
JimmyM said:
LaBella or Fender flats are what you're looking for. They're very zingy out of the box, but it doesn't take long for them to go dead. And then the fun begins!
Click to expand...

Yup, it looks like you're after the sound of old flats. LaBella flats are my favorite. And if it's not enough, you can still add a mute near the bridge. Good luck!
 
#6
RCCollins said:
Are people really looking for sustain and high end from flats? Wow, they must be frustrated!
Click to expand...

Good point, that does sound a little stupid, doesn't it? Let me rephrase that:
I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that some of the string companies seem to promote for their flats lately. I'm not looking for flat wounds that retain the round wound tone or "brilliance".
I'll give the LaBellas and/or Fenders a try next.

I've messed around with various muting materials, but wasn't that pleased with the results so far. It may be a matter of finding the right stuff. I've tried various kinds of foam rubber. Any other serious (or ridiculous) suggestions? What are the weirdest muting techniques or materials you've heard of (that worked). I seem to remember hearing about a well known studio player using a (fresh) sanitary pad under his strings on a well known track. Tony Levin maybe?
 
#8
ric426 said:
Good point, that does sound a little stupid, doesn't it? Let me rephrase that:
I'm looking for some flats that don't have the sustain and high end that some of the string companies seem to promote for their flats lately. I'm not looking for flat wounds that retain the round wound tone or "brilliance".
I'll give the LaBellas and/or Fenders a try next.

I've messed around with various muting materials, but wasn't that pleased with the results so far. It may be a matter of finding the right stuff. I've tried various kinds of foam rubber. Any other serious (or ridiculous) suggestions? What are the weirdest muting techniques or materials you've heard of (that worked). I seem to remember hearing about a well known studio player using a (fresh) sanitary pad under his strings on a well known track. Tony Levin maybe?
Click to expand...
Yep, but it was a disposable diaper.
 
#9
+1 On LaBella's. My favorite are the FLs. I normally like heavier strings but the FLs have a better tone IMHO.

And yes, people do look for more brightness and sustain in flats..... compared to other flats. The brightest of flats are going to be duller than rounds (not counting completely dead rounds).

For example, I sometimes prefer Chromes for rock just to get a bit more brightness and a bit more tension than the LaBella FLs.
 
#10
frankie5string said:
They're not really flats, but have you tried Roto Tapewounds?
Click to expand...

No, haven't tried those yet.

After looking at the prices for the Fender flats and LaBella flats, I'll be trying the Fenders first. Plus, it's for a Precision A/E bass with an acoustic style saddle that only strings through the body and the regular LaBella flats aren't suitable for through body stringing according to their catalog. I'd have to find their "Flexicore" flats.
 
#11
ric426 said:
No, haven't tried those yet.

After looking at the prices for the Fender flats and LaBella flats, I'll be trying the Fenders first. Plus, it's for a Precision A/E bass with an acoustic style saddle that only strings through the body and the regular LaBella flats aren't suitable for through body stringing according to their catalog. I'd have to find their "Flexicore" flats.
Click to expand...

Body strung? The Roto Tapes may give you trouble... a lot of people have problems getting them to intonate... I've got them on a Jazz bass and they're doing fine - but they are an acquired taste...
 
#12
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72489

Suggestions to deaden strings from the above thread:

1)Rub the strings with butter, aloe baby wipes, bbq sauce, gun oil, lemon oil, machine oil, crisco, vasoline, maybe try furniture oil. (IMO, I'd stay away from the food products.)
2)Leave them outside for a week.
3) put in the shower room and let the heat/steam do the job.
3) Tune them up higher and leave overnight to stretch them out. Not too much, though. The neck relief may change.
4) After tuning up, give a good pull on the string(s) and retune, repeat as often as needed. If the string can't rebound, it's dead, isn't it?
5) Make a paste out of baby powder (talc) and baby oil or mineral oil. Get a bit on your thumb and index finger, and slide them along one string.
6) use a bit of chapstick...apply with a paper towel, and it works great.

Or maybe combing a few of the ideas: temp. change (outside or shower), the oil, pulling, and overnight stretching.
 
#13
Getting the sound you want is a two-step process:

1) Install LaBella Deep Talkin' flats.

2) Play them for at least six months, preferably a year.

The longer you leave them on, the better they sound. Most of mine are 3+ years old. One set of flats I have is at least 35 years old.

I have an extra set of tuners and a bridge, and I'm thinking of mounting them on a 1x4 and stringing it so I can leave the strings at tension for a couple of years before I need to use them. Kind of pre-aging.

Most important: STOP changing strings. You won't get the sound you want until they have been on the instrument for a LONG time - probably multiple years. But you can find threads about coating them with BBQ sauce, chicken grease and other deadening substances to accelerate the process.
 
#14
Stumbo said:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72489

Suggestions to deaden strings from the above thread:

1)Rub the strings with butter, aloe baby wipes, bbq sauce, gun oil, lemon oil, machine oil, crisco, vasoline, maybe try furniture oil. (IMO, I'd stay away from the food products.)
2)Leave them outside for a week.
3) put in the shower room and let the heat/steam do the job.
3) Tune them up higher and leave overnight to stretch them out. Not too much, though. The neck relief may change.
4) After tuning up, give a good pull on the string(s) and retune, repeat as often as needed. If the string can't rebound, it's dead, isn't it?
5) Make a paste out of baby powder (talc) and baby oil or mineral oil. Get a bit on your thumb and index finger, and slide them along one string.
6) use a bit of chapstick...apply with a paper towel, and it works great.

Or maybe combing a few of the ideas: temp. change (outside or shower), the oil, pulling, and overnight stretching.
Click to expand...

Stretching actually damages the string and creates deadspots and odd harmonics when you bring them back down to pitch...
As far as that putting crap on the strings... I'm not a fan of that either... But hey, if you live near a waffle-house, most have a gigantic tub of lard or tallow in the corner of the flat-top ready for use on your favourite sobering-up food... I'm sure they could spare a cup or two for your strings...
 

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