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Fender Jazz bass with flats...examples?
- Thread starter raul
- Start date
along with the cited musicians, I'd like to add myself in the Jazz-flats users 
I've always used the P with flats, but since december I decided to try the Labella Flats (52-110) on my Jazz, to "sound like Joe Osborn" (ahahah! it would be wonderful) and JPJ in the first two albums with the Zeppelin.
these are some recording in the soundcard:
both pickups:
neck:
bridge:
this sample is recent, they now are 4&1/2 months old. both with both pickups:
PS:
answering to some questions in the topic: Cliff Williams never used a JB, as far as I know, and his "old" sound was made with a Precision and flats/pick, then the Stingray with flats/pick (since '96 he's using D'Addario Chromes).
I've always knew, about John Paul Jones, that he used flats in the first two albums, and always thought it was more than obvious the sound is clearly flatwoundish, and from old pictures of him and his Jazz...
I've always used the P with flats, but since december I decided to try the Labella Flats (52-110) on my Jazz, to "sound like Joe Osborn" (ahahah! it would be wonderful) and JPJ in the first two albums with the Zeppelin. these are some recording in the soundcard:
both pickups:
neck:
bridge:
this sample is recent, they now are 4&1/2 months old. both with both pickups:
PS:
answering to some questions in the topic: Cliff Williams never used a JB, as far as I know, and his "old" sound was made with a Precision and flats/pick, then the Stingray with flats/pick (since '96 he's using D'Addario Chromes).
I've always knew, about John Paul Jones, that he used flats in the first two albums, and always thought it was more than obvious
the sound is clearly flatwoundish, and from old pictures of him and his Jazz...
along with the cited musicians, I'd like to add myself in the Jazz-flats users
these are some recording in the soundcard:
both pickups:
neck:
bridge:
this sample is recent, they now are 4&1/2 months old. both with both pickups:
PS:
answering to some questions in the topic: Cliff Williams never used a JB, as far as I know, and his "old" sound was made with a Precision and flats/pick, then the Stingray with flats/pick (since '96 he's using D'Addario Chromes).
I've always knew, about John Paul Jones, that he used flats in the first two albums, and always thought it was more than obvious
I think jpj used flats throughout zepp until maybe in through the out door
.....and JPJ in the first two albums with the Zeppelin....I've always knew, about John Paul Jones, that he used flats in the first two albums, and always thought it was more than obvious
Pier, I agree.
Jazz with flats is a great sound!
I have a P with flats (Chromes) because it's part of a bassist's tool box!
I then decided to add a dedicated jazz with flats as well. Ended up getting a 84 Foundation because Peaveys are a bargain and the Foundy is pretty much a J variant and I already have J basses. I also wanted to try Colbalts and compare to Chromes. It's a great combo!
I have a P with flats (Chromes) because it's part of a bassist's tool box!
I then decided to add a dedicated jazz with flats as well. Ended up getting a 84 Foundation because Peaveys are a bargain and the Foundy is pretty much a J variant and I already have J basses. I also wanted to try Colbalts and compare to Chromes. It's a great combo!
Since many of us seem to dig the Flats + Jazz Bass formula, what's your favorite flatwound brand / gauge for Jazz Bass?
I've run Sadowsky Black Label (40-100) and right now I'm digging some GHS Precision (45-95). The GHS P Flats sound great, but I may search around for something that feels as good as the GHS with a bit more midrange.
I've run Sadowsky Black Label (40-100) and right now I'm digging some GHS Precision (45-95). The GHS P Flats sound great, but I may search around for something that feels as good as the GHS with a bit more midrange.
For my 2008 Highway One Jazz, nothing beats the Fender 9050CL (45-60-80-105) for both tone and feel.
I've been told the strings on my J are EB flats, although I can't confirm that sice I didn't buy them new. With a dial caliper they measure .105, .085, .070 and .050 inch. Very stiff strings when they are tuned EADG, but I have them tuned to BEAD and they feel/sound great.
Do they have blue silk at both ends with brass-colored ball ends for all four strings? If so, they're definitely Ernie Ball Group II flats (regular, not Cobalt).
If that is the GP note I saw, it said BO used Fender Rock 'n Roll Flatwounds and later Rotosound round wounds. Well, way back then I just had to get a set of the R & R flatwounds (no longer available, thank G-d) and they were hands down the most horrible dead stiff crappy sounding strings I ever used and the only set I ever took off in an hour or less and threw away. The closest strings that I have found to get his tone on the first ABB album, say the Whipping Post intro, are GHS Precision Flats. Woody and warm with not much sustain. My favorite Oakley sound with flats is on Please Call Home on Idlewild South. One important key to his sound is the use of a heavy thumbpick.
The famous Berry Oakley sound on Fillmore East is Rotosound roundwounds on the infamous Tractor "Jazz" bass with the Guild pickup. Most of the songs have that "well played in" Rotosound sound, to me anyway. I actually held and played that bass. I was in Austin hanging for an evening with Bloodline, Berry Jr.'s band from the early 90's (long story but true), and the Tractor came up in conversation. "Want to see it?" Sure...he grabs an old Fender case and out it comes. It was like being handed the relic of a saint. I played it for a few minutes. Life changer. The string action was way low...right on the frets. BO Jr. said that was how his Dad had it. Go back and listen and you will hear that.
