I've been finding of late there are some exceptional basses out there at very reasonable (used) prices, that, while lacking "snob appeal" play exceptionally well and sound damn good. I can understand the whole 'devolving' thing...
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As a bass player, I'm devolving...
- Thread starter Anglin_az
- Start date
all roundwounds:
started off on a Jazz, went to Alembic, went to MusicMan, went to G&L...interspersed between that is Carvins, Ibanezes, Steinbergers, custom-built high end basses, hi-end Peaveys, BC Rich (early), various Fenders, a couple of Gibsons, Hamers, assorted budget basses, and almost anything else -- thirty years later, Im back on the Jazz bass as my primary "Go To" instruments ( One USA Fender and one Sire, both 5-strings) in my collection....
Apparently, I got it right the first time and didnt know
started off on a Jazz, went to Alembic, went to MusicMan, went to G&L...interspersed between that is Carvins, Ibanezes, Steinbergers, custom-built high end basses, hi-end Peaveys, BC Rich (early), various Fenders, a couple of Gibsons, Hamers, assorted budget basses, and almost anything else -- thirty years later, Im back on the Jazz bass as my primary "Go To" instruments ( One USA Fender and one Sire, both 5-strings) in my collection....
Apparently, I got it right the first time and didnt know
I've always used my Jazz with flats, HERESY I know, but it's the bee's knees. Yes the one in the profile pic has flats on it lol.
thats not heresy, my friend...its just different strokes for different folks...
I dont use flats for a simple reason: I can get that flatwound "thump" sound (approx.) on rounds with a combination of tone shaping and playing technique (some players use a piece of foam...I use the side of my thumb like a pick and palm-muting....its close enough for most recordings and some government work
....for brighter flat sounds, its all about tone-shaping) but what I cant do is go the other way - I cant get that articulate and rich harmonic structure rounds are noted for out of flats (pressurewound can get close)...also, slap bass on flats sux for me but thats just me: ymmv and all that 'jazz' 
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Oh the Jazz isn't my predominant bass, the Jazz with flats comes out only in some instances where I feel its needed. Absolutely love using it to play "Sweet Emotion"...
I'm on the journey and don't get it. I know there are certain players out there who are "looking for their sound" and when they find it they force that sound onto every tune they play. Well, if you limit the styles of what you play I guess that can work but it's never been my idea. A 4 string Fender is a great bass for some things. So is a 5 string Sire. So are my three G&L L2500 (Leo got it right) So is my Fretless 6 string SX (avatar) So is my Alembic fretless 6 string, so are my Modulus basses. What if I had to pick only one for "my sound"? I'll tell you what I'd do. I'd say phooey and go play drums instead. And yes I"ve got 4 different drumsets of different sizes and types too.
It's simple. I go by the TB rule. RULE: You can never own too many basses!
Sure Fender 4 string p-basses with tort and flats have a great place in music (In my opinion flats today are not the same as grandfather's flats), but to pretend that it would be best in a style where say my Modulus 6 string shines would just be lipstick on a pig. A while back most everything I played was high end 6 strings and now it's mostly my G&L 5ers. Is that "devolving"? No. Just just adjusting to the music.
Rotosound flats are unusually bright, to be sure, but they're actually made of monel, a nickel/iron alloy... LaBellas and GHS, despite their characteristic mellowness, are in fact stainless.
That concludes this unsolicited public service announcement.
Thats the beauty of the G&Ls L2Ks and ASATs: they can sound like a LOT of basses....its a Swiss Army Bass for sure ...One of the reasons why my ASAT is Number 1 for all my 4-String "Go To" needs
Im finally becoming a fender fan over the years(now owning a mij Jazz) and realize that basses don't have to be crazy expensive to sound crazy good. I'm back and for between flats and rounds. I do prefer rounds, I like that sizzle they yield that flats don't have. But I like the thump flats do so well. I think of it as tools for different projects. I love Marcus miller's sound and know that a lot of people say a lot of your tone has to do with your hands. But, I'd bet he couldn't get his hifi sizzle sound out of a p bass with 2 year old flats. ...id actually like to hear that sound though haha.
