Flatwound or nothing as far as I'm concerned.
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Confessions of a New Flatwound Convert
- Thread starter bassandkeys42
- Start date
Every time I read flatwound posts, I start thinking to put flats back on one of my basses...
Since March I'm using Thomastik jazz round, a strange "halfway" between rounds and flats, in both sound and feel, but the need to buy a set of Labella 760fl is huge! Ahahaha!
Since March I'm using Thomastik jazz round, a strange "halfway" between rounds and flats, in both sound and feel, but the need to buy a set of Labella 760fl is huge! Ahahaha!
It depends on the slap sound you want 
for a Miller/King sound yes, but if you like funky slap sounds, flats are perfect in the mix (think about "Treasure" by Bruno Mars).
However, in many context the picked or fingered sound of rounds is necessary.
It all depends on the sound needed
Fascination Street (the cure song) won't work without hyper-low action, fret buzz and rounds, just like a Smith's song won't sound the same with flats, if you don't use a massive equalization.
A scooped and zingy sound won't probably work if you play something like the Blues Brothers, but in The Commitments is all roundwounish.
for a Miller/King sound yes, but if you like funky slap sounds, flats are perfect in the mix (think about "Treasure" by Bruno Mars). However, in many context the picked or fingered sound of rounds is necessary.
It all depends on the sound needed
Fascination Street (the cure song) won't work without hyper-low action, fret buzz and rounds, just like a Smith's song won't sound the same with flats, if you don't use a massive equalization.
A scooped and zingy sound won't probably work if you play something like the Blues Brothers, but in The Commitments is all roundwounish.
I have the same size but In Ernie Ball flats.
That 75D in standard tuning is a beast.
The first set of flatwounds that I tried was one from Picato. I placed them on my (then) fretted ibanez sr300. I hated them, as I was unable to get a decent tone out of it (which, I realize now, is 100% the bass' fault) and playability wasn't perfect as I wasn't used to the higher tension.
After two years I got a new bass that had normal P/J pickup combo (vintage - you know the brand...), and I decided to put the flatwounds on it as a test. Sounded wonderful. It's my to-go configuration now. And my fingers gained strength so I actually dig the extra tension now. I also enjoy the sound you get when boosting the treble on that thing. Nice high without the finger/fret noise as you get with rounds.
After two years I got a new bass that had normal P/J pickup combo (vintage - you know the brand...), and I decided to put the flatwounds on it as a test. Sounded wonderful. It's my to-go configuration now. And my fingers gained strength so I actually dig the extra tension now. I also enjoy the sound you get when boosting the treble on that thing. Nice high without the finger/fret noise as you get with rounds.
Finally got the flats put on my blacktop; definitely better sound and feel.
I'm gonna keep rounds on my other P, though.
I'm gonna keep rounds on my other P, though.
+1 for flats on the blacktop!
I've got them on the BT jazz right now and they definitely bring it to life.
I've got them on the BT jazz right now and they definitely bring it to life.
I have used flats on and off for 20+ years and only like them on a PBass and some fretless basses. Everything else gets rounds. Many other TBers are the same.
Not a derail, but anyone that tried and doesn't like flats But has a P or fretless, try them again before getting rid of the flats!
Not a derail, but anyone that tried and doesn't like flats But has a P or fretless, try them again before getting rid of the flats!
The highest tension set of the stiffest flats on the market, then. Good luck.
You've chosen the hard path trying flats
No pain, no gain.
Have you considered the LaBella Low Tension Falts?Pier_ said:
not sure if that's a good thing or not.... should I have tried something else at first? I haven't strung yet
Yes, I'd recommend some Fender 9050L's or Chromes (45-100) as an intro to flats. The Rotos will probably scare you off.
I have tried flats on my jazz bass and always went back to my DR high beams. That bass just sounds great with round wounds. I bought a p bass a few days ago and didn't even play it with the strings that were on it. I went out and got a set of chromes (50-105 because I like that E string gauge). It sounds awesome! Tempted to try TI flats next but they're so expensive! I would need to do more reading on them first.
I had a Hofner Ignition Club bass and flats sound right on it. I've never liked them on a solid body (or never really given them a chance.) I had a cheap set of flats I had lying around that I put on (just today) my revamped Ibanez TRB50. I'm going to revisit songs I play that were originally recorded with flats. I know as far as flats go they probably suck. What are you using with your P type bass?
I have tried TI and Chromes - I settled on Fender flats for my P and it is really nice. To me they have much, much more character tonally than the other two.
Yes, same experience here, except that I played roundwounds for 30 without even giving a thought to buying a set of flatwouds. The first time I put on and played a set of LaBella Deep Talkin flats a couple of years ago I was in heaven. Silky smooth, zero string noise, slippery smooth slides, great in the mix for R&B & Blues. The only negative was that I was not too happy about playing them on songs where I slap. But then I bought some chromes and was amazed how bright they sounded and really dug the slap tone - different from rounds for sure, but still very funky. If you listen to the Godfather of slap bass, Larry Graham, on Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Myself - he is using flats. Anyway, I have more than one bass, and still keep one of them strung with roundwounds. Like someone else noted, I view them as different tools for the particular job. There is some material that requires roundwounds, but mostly I play flats now. The other set of flats I really like now are the EB Cobalts. They are bright like the chromes, but have less tension.
