ALL BASS PLAYERS USE FLATS!!!

[onosson]

Now, I use flats that kind of sound like rounds with the right EQ. Kind of the Steve Harris approach, but without dropping $45 every session for that "fresh "zing" out of the package string."

Which flats are you using?

 

[Ric5]

Back when I first started playing bass in the 1960s all basses came with flats. Then I discoved rounds. Forty years later I still prefer rounds.

If you simply lets your rounds get really old they will sound just like flats.

The flat wound / dead roundwound sound is kinda cool at first. But after about 10 minutes the sound becomes unsatisfying and I go back to round wound strings.

Also go into any music store that has 25 basses or more and 90% to 100% will be strung with rounds.

 

[mongo2]

Nylon tapes and flats here.

 

[onosson]

Why do so many people give such a crap about what others do?

Why do you care about why people give a crap about what others do?

And why do I care that you do??

 

[JimmyM]

Back when I first started playing bass in the 1960s all basses came with flats. Then I discoved rounds. Forty years later I still prefer rounds.

If you simply lets your rounds get really old they will sound just like flats.

I go back and forth on this one. Nothing inherently makes me think of flats when I use dead rounds, especially on the higher notes. But there have been a few times where the soundman gooses treble on me and makes my dead Chromes sound like rounds. So now I don't know what to think!

 

[cfsporn]

I've never met anybody who uses flats.

The post count is skewed, because those of us who play rounds are busy enjoying our bass playing, instead of spending all day on TalkBass complaining about how high tension and dead sounding our flats are

+1
I have advised people to use flats though.

Also, us rounds players are spending our time restringing instead of browsing TB.

 

[cfsporn]

I'm going to ask it: what are the best flats for metal?

Steve Harris signature Rotosounds of course.

 

[Mystic Michael]

me thinks you did not detect my sarcasm.

You're right. I'm gonna quit the thread now and go do something else. For a change...

MM

 

[LoveThatBass]

Actually, I was COMPLETELY kidding. If flats were really where its at, then GC would be all over them. The point is that, as my OP said, by reading this forum you would barely know that rounds exist and have been used by the VAST majority of bass players for the last 40 years.

Must be a reason for that, you think?

 

[mccartneyman]

I use rounds to strangle those who don't use flats.

 

[lbanks]

You're right. I'm gonna quit the thread now and go do something else. For a change...

MM

This is not a ragequit. There's should more fury and group denuciation. A little more fire and less reason, please.

 

[LoveThatBass]

This is not a ragequit. There's should more fury and group denuciation. A little more fire and less reason, please.

Exactly!

 

[KingRazor]

I'd take dead rounds over flats (fresh or worn) any day.

 

[LoveThatBass]

I'd take dead rounds over flats (fresh or worn) any day.

I don't take dead anything. They just sound plain bad to me. I like DR rounds and the only flats I seem to get along with are Roto 77's (but they are short lived) and TI Jazz Flats (good tone, long lasting)

 

[jarrydee]

I love the sound of brand new rounds,Don't really care for them even after a month because they sound dead and lifeless. I tried using the chromes and did not care for them!

 

[old-fashioned]

Dead rounds have nothing to do with flats.
Flats will never die!

 

[LoveThatBass]

I love the sound of brand new rounds,Don't really care for them even after a month because they sound dead and lifeless. I tried using the chromes and did not care for them!

I didn't like Chromes either!

Dead rounds have nothing to do with flats.
Flats will never die!

I disagree. Some flats (like TI Jazz Flats) never seem to die as they last for years. But Roto Sound 77's very good tone lasted me only a few weeks at most then they got dull sounding.
If you like a dull thud then I agree with your statement. I don't, that is why I only use TI Jazz Flats or DR Silver Star coated rounds. The coating takes some of the over the top zing out of them and leaves a nice piano string like ring.

 

[paganjack]

I use flats on my current main gig exclusively and they are great! I have never really met another bass player (in person) that uses flats, and most have no idea what they are.
I use rounds for pretty much everything else, but for that old school thump it's a p-bass with flats all the way. I have had the same set of chromes on this bass for a few years and I love them even more as time goes on.
Dead rounds have too much growl to them compared to flats. Growl is all well and good for some things but what if you want to play SMOOOOOVVVE??? That's when flats do it right.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Dead rounds have too much growl to them compared to flats. Growl is all well and good for some things but what if you want to play SMOOOOOVVVE??? That's when flats do it right.

I agree! Love that "SMOOOOOVVVE"

 

[chadhargis]

Played my P with flats last night with my rock band. Just killer tone. Love my P with flats.