Confessions of a flatwound convert pt 2.

[engedi1]

Of course I am a huge ti flat fan. But they are less tension. I am using 105 sunbeams right now and I can tell you that ti flats are very different. Chromes in the 100 guage will be closer in feel, but I don't like their tone as much as the ti. Sadowsky flats might be another on to try. Ti is worth trying. Just raise your saddles a little and learn to play closer to the bridge. You can get some righteous fingerfunk that way, and your left hand will never have been happier.

 

[Zoomie]

Big thanks engedi1! I rest my thumb on the pick up and finger to rear of them. Based on sound clips and what I've read, I think that I will try the TI's first. I don't mind spending a little money to find what I am looking for.

 

[ryanfenderbass]

Don't want to create (another) dupe post. Similar conversation about TIs with sound clips here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/ti-flats-soundclips-875763/index2.html

Not my thread, so I'm not soliciting. Just trying to be helpful. Good luck!

 

[Turock]

The loose tension on the TI flats gets exaggerated. If you're used to playing the high tension flats, they may feel loose. If you are used to playing most round wounds, the feel is not much different.

 

[Zoomie]

Don't want to create (another) dupe post. Similar conversation about TIs with sound clips here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/ti-flats-soundclips-875763/index2.html

Not my thread, so I'm not soliciting. Just trying to be helpful. Good luck!

Sincerest apologies. Not sure why the post didnt show up in my search. And I assure you, no offense was taken!

TUROCK, thanks !

 

[engedi1]

In general, be very careful of soundclips, because they will never represent what the strings will sound like on YOUR gear. How many people try to get Jamerson's tone, only to realize that there were many factors producing the tone (his amazing hands not to say the least) that they didn't have. He was recording into a tube powered board onto a tape machine, using strings with years worth of gunk and grime and about 3 inches off the fretboard. The only way to find what works is to experiment on your equipment. The good news with flats, is that they improve with age. For example, if your TI flats don't work, you can easily resell them.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Bump! Just ordered a custom set of GHS Precision flats (40-55-75-100-128 ) from www.bassstringsonline.com

 

[Bassnkeys]

A month ago, I replaced the Roto 66's (heavy guage rounds) on my Carvin SB4000 J-bass with Chromes. I didn't find the tension to be too different - comfortable change. After breaking in a little, I have found something quite gratifying. I "always" had to play with the EQ on my amp (or on the bass when I flipped over to active mode) - always upping the bass level - generally by engaging the "growl" feature on the GK amp. Since switching to Chromes, I've been running strictly passive - all EQ knobs completely flat. I'm getting a great growl on the heavier strings (which has gotten better as the strings have broken in) - and can now actually palate the sound of the higher notes on the G string. I "hated" how the bass sounded on the G string before - too much like a guitar. The Chromes feel nice on the fingers, and come with the expected reduction in metallic "collateral damage" -- the lousy sound of shifting on round strings. My bass also sounds more like a "bass." I'm no expert by any stretch - but have tried several gauges of round strings, and Roto flats on another semi-hollow bass I have - and I'd say my bass sounds better than it ever has - and the strings' tension is equivalent to the feel of my former rounds. Me thinks I'm a permanent convert, and feel no need to try another brand of flats. Thanks for all of the wisdom from this and former flatwound posts.

 

[JSK5String]

A month ago, I replaced the Roto 66's (heavy guage rounds) on my Carvin SB4000 J-bass with Chromes. I didn't find the tension to be too different - comfortable change. After breaking in a little, I have found something quite gratifying. I "always" had to play with the EQ on my amp (or on the bass when I flipped over to active mode) - always upping the bass level - generally by engaging the "growl" feature on the GK amp. Since switching to Chromes, I've been running strictly passive - all EQ knobs completely flat. I'm getting a great growl on the heavier strings (which has gotten better as the strings have broken in) - and can now actually palate the sound of the higher notes on the G string. I "hated" how the bass sounded on the G string before - too much like a guitar. The Chromes feel nice on the fingers, and come with the expected reduction in metallic "collateral damage" -- the lousy sound of shifting on round strings. My bass also sounds more like a "bass." I'm no expert by any stretch - but have tried several gauges of round strings, and Roto flats on another semi-hollow bass I have - and I'd say my bass sounds better than it ever has - and the strings' tension is equivalent to the feel of my former rounds. Me thinks I'm a permanent convert, and feel no need to try another brand of flats. Thanks for all of the wisdom from this and former flatwound posts.

I switched to Chromes a few years ago, haven't looked back...

 

[Gyver]

I have been playing DR Nickel Lo Riders on my MM Sterling Classic for a while now and am very happy with them. BUT I have always liked the idea of flats and have a set of Chromes coming. My band plays everything from Motorhead to Primus to Talking Heads to Phish and I am very curious to see how the Chromes will handle that!

Considering Steve Harris and Cliff Williams play flats in Iron Maiden and AC DC I am optimistic it will work. Plus flats feel so damn good...

 

[Bassnkeys]

I have been playing DR Nickel Lo Riders on my MM Sterling Classic for a while now and am very happy with them. BUT I have always liked the idea of flats and have a set of Chromes coming. My band plays everything from Motorhead to Primus to Talking Heads to Phish and I am very curious to see how the Chromes will handle that!

Considering Steve Harris and Cliff Williams play flats in Iron Maiden and AC DC I am optimistic it will work. Plus flats feel so damn good...

Give them a few weeks to break in. They are a tad brighter than expected at first, and then get bassier. Others have said they continue to improve with time. I haven't had mine long enough to know - but love them. You can always EQ the sound to fine tune if needed, depending on the song. Good luck.

 

[Gyver]

Give them a few weeks to break in. They are a tad brighter than expected at first, and then get bassier. Others have said they continue to improve with time. I haven't had mine long enough to know - but love them. You can always EQ the sound to fine tune if needed, depending on the song. Good luck.

I like a touch of highs with strong mids and prefer higher tension. I think they will fit the bill.

 

[kurosawa]

Great thread. I went back and looked at the OP and it was very insightful.

TI flats are weird. They have more excursion, so they want more string height and neck relief. This makes them harder to play, as they always have a rubbery vagueness to the feel. They cost speed. They are also the loudest and liveliest flats.

The deadest flats, Pyramid Gold pure nickel wrap, are easier to control.

Stainless flats are easiest to play. They stay put.

The most difficult thing about converting to flats is the loss of string control.

Rounds are grippy. They really stick to the fingers and allow max percussive attack, plus cool left hand stuff. Like you know how you keep a gliss alive when you stretch the string toward the nut as you gliss down, then relax when you hit the target note.

If the transition to a slicker surface can't be made, dead rounds are a viable alternative to flats. I can't find my dead LaBella M45s. I think I put away 2 sets that were each a gigging year dead.

 

[blooter heed]

after spending weeks going over these 2 threads,i felt it was time to actually make a post.
as a strictly rounds,80's metal then 90s grunge and rock player i never even considered flatwound strings,always trying to get that bright ,zingy,snappy high end guitar sound.
always battling my eq's to match and fight with the guitarist ,sometimes 2.
i stumbled across sundouges thread and was instantly hooked upon reading everyones input/experiances.....
at this time i was in a metal covers/originals band doing metallica-sabbath esq stuff.
i went back to passive basses,ditched the ibby active i had been using and started playing traditional p bass and j bass...
i strung my p bass with fender flats to "give it a go" first rehearsal [with 2 guitarists]
i started playing[i only play fingerstyle]........
NO FINGERNOISE,NO SQUEAKING,SLIDING UP AND DOWN WAS A BREEZE,THE ACTION WAS LOWER THAN ID EVER HAD..........ok,tension was a bit tighter,but im not a bend em,solo type bassist anyway,just a regular rythym guy...however,the biggest and most massive differance i noticed and band members was..................
SONICALLY......i wasnt drowned out, i didnt feel the need to eq to match the guitars,the drummer was smiling his head off, my bass SOUNDED LIKE A BASS i was now beneath the guitars, i had my OWN SPACE i could feel the thud,the thump IT WAS ME WHO WAS DRIVING THE MUSIC with the drummer.......................

we did a gig that weekend, forget about cutting through the mix, forget about highs and mids, forget about being drowned out, and clanky no impact bass lines......

i had people after the gig come up to me saying,"thanks for smashing my chest in", "wow, your bass totally out blew my head off"

my fellow band members,all agreed it MAD OUR SOUND much better and more "in the goove" our sound was now complete.....

I HAD FOUND MY DESTINY........ALL DOWN TO FLATWOUND STRINGS..........


all i can say is thanks to all the great advice and input on this forum,its you guys that did it for me ......................
And of course sundouge.thanks for sharing your story which in turn has completely changed my whole experiance with playing my bass and playing music.......................

cheers ..............

 

[JSK5String]

after spending weeks going over these 2 threads,i felt it was time to actually make a post.
as a strictly rounds,80's metal then 90s grunge and rock player i never even considered flatwound strings,always trying to get that bright ,zingy,snappy high end guitar sound.
always battling my eq's to match and fight with the guitarist ,sometimes 2.
i stumbled across sundouges thread and was instantly hooked upon reading everyones input/experiances.....
at this time i was in a metal covers/originals band doing metallica-sabbath esq stuff.
i went back to passive basses,ditched the ibby active i had been using and started playing traditional p bass and j bass...
i strung my p bass with fender flats to "give it a go" first rehearsal [with 2 guitarists]
i started playing........
NO FINGERNOISE,NO SQUEAKING,SLIDING UP AND DOWN WAS A BREEZE,THE ACTION WAS LOWER THAN ID EVER HAD..........ok,tension was a bit tighter,but im not a bend em,solo type bassist anyway,just a regular rythym guy...however,the biggest and most massive differance i noticed and band members was..................
SONICALLY......i wasnt drowned out, i didnt feel the need to eq to match the guitars,the drummer was smiling his head off, my bass SOUNDED LIKE A BASS i was now beneath the guitars, i had my OWN SPACE i could feel the thud,the thump IT WAS ME WHO WAS DRIVING THE MUSIC with the drummer.......................

we did a gig that weekend, forget about cutting through the mix, forget about highs and mids, forget about being drowned out, and clanky no impact bass lines......

i had people after the gig come up to me saying,"thanks for smashing my chest in", "wow, your bass totally out blew my head off"

my fellow band members,all agreed it MAD OUR SOUND much better and more "in the goove" our sound was now complete.....

I HAD FOUND MY DESTINY........ALL DOWN TO FLATWOUND STRINGS..........

all i can say is thanks to all the great advice and input on this forum,its you guys that did it for me ......................
And of course sundouge.thanks for sharing your story which in turn has completely changed my whole experiance with playing my bass and playing music.......................

cheers ..............

Amen brother blooter heed. Welcome to the family.

Just remember, rounds are like a drug. Seems like a good idea, you miss them once in a while, but flats are where it's at. You'll get the urge for rounds once in a while, but resist, and reach out if you need support to resist. ;-)

 

[blooter heed]

Thanks for that:
dont worry im well and truly off the roundwound wagon!
i WILL NEVER GO BACK flats are definatly where its at baby!

im happy to be part of the brotherhood and just love the feel,and touch of my fender flats on my jazz ,and im putting some chromes on my sx p/j......

isnt it great when BASS drives the groove and rythym,together with the mad drummer we have in our band WE HOLD DOWN THE ENGINE ROOM AND THE LOW END let the boys out front scream and screech as much as they like...

its that much affect on me , ive got a 2nd band play nothing but BLUES and grassroots ,i love it and that from a die hard metal head!!! go figure that one out

all down to the power of FLATWOUND BASS STRINGS
rock on

 

[bassist4dalord]

I've been a flatwound convert for over a year now. However, I just recently took the GHS Precision Flats off of my Squier Standard Precision V in favor of a set of D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds.

I know, they're not technically flatwound. They're roundwounds coated in polished, flat nylon. BUT, they share sonic qualities with flatwounds (thump, smoothness, punchy fundamental) AND roundwounds (bright when called upon, punch, slappability).

So, I strongly suggest you try them out! They don't sound like an upright; they really are a middle ground between flats and rounds.

 

[phillybass101]

I don't understand why so many bassists on TB talk in absolutes. Tone and string choice are very subjective issues. That is the only absolute when it comes to string choice. Nothing is the best or the greatest, or the only way to go. I slap, and I slap very well and there is no way I can run flatwounds but you won't hear me saying flats are not the way to go. If I want more of a less twangy sound or edge to my tone, I just back off some of the highs, and add a little more lows. And I can aslo wait for my strings to go dead. To each his own. flats are not better than roundwounds and roundwounds are not better than flats. It all depends on the mission, what you like and are trying to accomplish. I say, never say never.

 

[JSK5String]

I don't understand why so many bassists on TB talk in absolutes. Tone and string choice are very subjective issues. That is the only absolute when it comes to string choice. Nothing is the best or the greatest, or the only way to go. I slap, and I slap very well and there is no way I can run flatwounds but you won't hear me saying flats are not the way to go. If I want more of a less twangy sound or edge to my tone, I just back off some of the highs, and add a little more lows. And I can aslo wait for my strings to go dead. To each his own. flats are not better than roundwounds and roundwounds are not better than flats. It all depends on the mission, what you like and are trying to accomplish. I say, never say never.

"to each his own" - that's why so many talk in absolutes. Personally, I talk in absolutes about what works for me. I like flats, I like them on a P bass, I like to play it through a LM II with a VT Deluxe in front of it. To me my own. ;-)

 

[blooter heed]

each to there own,
you are absoloutly correct philly bass, and i wholeheartedly agree............

music is the source of life ,and each person has there own personal journey,and there own ears tell them what is "best " for them..........

sometimes ive found over the years, too much "hype" too much commercial input ,too much "new fangled" things these all clutter ones minds into buying into certain basses,certain amps certain strings.....etc etc etc......................

i found that by going back to basics, passive j bass passive p and p/j bass with FLATWOUND strings, I WAS NOW BACK TO BEING A BASS PLAYER....solid in the pocket ryhtym,with low frequency ......FOR ANY TYPE OF MUSIC...... ..

Last night i watched a led zeppelin tribute band here in the uk.....

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a fantastic performance,by a very accomplished tribute act
they NAILED that classic zeppelin sound and tone,as a band it was a sonic treat..
and of course i was all eyes on the bass player............
all night long he rocked,grooved and drove the music
he played his jazz bass with FLATWOUNDS and believe me ,it sounded bloody marvelous........... it thudded,it pounded,every note was crisp and defined and just made the music!

it really is a what makes it all come together, one guitar and one bass, who says flats only work with 2 guitars?, and you cant play flats with one guitarist?, as they wont cut it,or wont match up?

well to my ears, flat wound strings sound the best for any situation or any song
but as i say at the start of this post, each to there own !

only advice i can give is ,why not give them a try and see what happens..........

peace out