Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Confessions of a Flatwound convert...
- Thread starter Sundogue
- Start date
- Status
I struggled with my sound for years to get a tone that would cut thru the mix and I finally did achive it but it wasnt a very pleasant sound and did lack some bottom end,but I just switched to a set of chrome rounds and now I get the best of both worlds.
Im not ready 2 string my other 2 basses with flats yet because I do like that harsh mid growl that I can get out of rounds for some of the songs that we do.
I also cant use my Pork Loin fuzz pedal with the flats as it just turns to mud.
If Im correct the Daddario chromes are wrapped on a hex core which is what I put on and are what I seem prefer for tension,but Im not sure if it is the stiffness or the tension that I like.
I like a high tension aggressive sounding string,are there any other strings that I should try out possibly the DAddario half rounds?
Im not ready 2 string my other 2 basses with flats yet because I do like that harsh mid growl that I can get out of rounds for some of the songs that we do.
I also cant use my Pork Loin fuzz pedal with the flats as it just turns to mud.
If Im correct the Daddario chromes are wrapped on a hex core which is what I put on and are what I seem prefer for tension,but Im not sure if it is the stiffness or the tension that I like.
I like a high tension aggressive sounding string,are there any other strings that I should try out possibly the DAddario half rounds?
I don't think that the Daddario half rounds would fit the bill, they are not aggressive at all. You might try the Thomastick Infelds Super Alloy. They are quite high tension, and are super hot.
Do they make the Super Alloy in a flat wound,if so where are you getting them from?
If you like the hi-mid growl and want a flat, I would check out the Sadowsky flats. They have a lot of "growl" for flatwounds, especially when they are new.
The TIs sound like they'd be wonderful, but I have a $200 5 string Ibanez. $90 for strings is a little out of my budget. Can somebody chime in with an affordable set recommendation?
I'm a complete beginner and like mostly old style Rock, Motown, and Blues. Basically what you would expect a typical 50 year old to listen to.
I've seen very good reviews on Pyramid Golds. Anyone use them?
I'm a complete beginner and like mostly old style Rock, Motown, and Blues. Basically what you would expect a typical 50 year old to listen to.
I've seen very good reviews on Pyramid Golds. Anyone use them?
Commreman
Faith, Family, Fitness, and Frets
Chromes. I'm using them in a 7 piece rock and soul act, and they are wonderful. At around $28.00 shipped, they wont break your bank account, either.
Who makes "Chromes"? Is it a name that is owned by one manufacturer or is it a style that is available from multiple companies? Are there different varieties of chromes geared toward different musical tastes?
This is too high of a price for the TI flat five string set. You can order it here:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
for $67 dollars. The good news, is that this set of strings will last you for roughly 4-5 years, so you will actually SAVE money, over replacing rounds every 2-3 months. This is true of most flats BTW, but especially of TI flats which due to exceptional build quality last forever.
You can also get a 4 string set to try them out, and then if you really like them, order the B string later.
So I think my love affair with the TI flats is over.
Just for fun, I strung up my P with my old Sadowsky set of flats, and I'm loving it. The TIs are nice and warm and mid-rangy, but the Sads are so aggressive and lively, I'm just smiling from ear to ear. The Sads are almost rounds in a flatwound disguise. The higher tension (higher than TIs anyway) makes me feel like I can fly across the bass.
I do think my preference in a B string belongs to the TIs still though. The Sadowsky B is nice (and I love that its tapered), but the TI B string is absolutely thunderous.
Just for fun, I strung up my P with my old Sadowsky set of flats, and I'm loving it. The TIs are nice and warm and mid-rangy, but the Sads are so aggressive and lively, I'm just smiling from ear to ear. The Sads are almost rounds in a flatwound disguise. The higher tension (higher than TIs anyway) makes me feel like I can fly across the bass.
I do think my preference in a B string belongs to the TIs still though. The Sadowsky B is nice (and I love that its tapered), but the TI B string is absolutely thunderous.
Thank you for that link.
In theory, with all the practicing I'm supposed to be doing, I should wear out the factory rounds in a hurry.
I'll be giving those a try when that happens.
great comments Cap'n. I have been wanted to try sadowsky flats for a long time now, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. TI's are perfect for fingerpicking, but for using a pick on more aggressive rock they don't do it for me. I may have to suck it up and buy a set of sadowskies.
Well, this thread seems to be quite long and I haven't checked every page so if someone already mentioned this, sorry. The reason I love flats is simple. Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii. Just listen to that bass! Roger Water's always used Roto Flats, picked right above the bridge on a Fender Precision Bass. Its a strong presence, not too flashy not too simple. The way the sound engineer mixed the drums and the bass is a perfect combination, leaving lead to the guitar the organ and the vocals. That first note Roger plays at the beginning of Echoes part 1 puts a smile on any bass players face.
- Status
