I don’t think it’s the strings. My $.02
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Flats and playing live
- Thread starter NeonNobody
- Start date
Oh how I would love to say this without making the piano player and organist mad.Tell everyone playing anything with keys to not play anything EVER below middle C, period. PERIOD.Have a nice day.
PS: 3 services a week plus a practice for the last 10 years; I learned this lesson the easy way (from someone else) and early on. Works like a charm if the egos don't get in the way.
While I love LaBella 760FL's on my P bass, they dont work well for my classic rock gig, buried in the mix same as the OP....However, they pair perfectly when accompanying and acoustic guitar or a trio. Problem is I only have 1 P and a hate switching strings back and forth
Forgive me if you've heard this before. I didn't want to post it because it's so often stated, but in this thread I'll make an exception - and a newer player might benefit. It is said that Bill Evans would almost never play the fundamental of a chord with his left hand. He was so clever he even DELETED that note so the bass would have it's fullness of options/impact, etc.
Consider THAT in a band context, in the context of the OP's problem.
Before you change anything in your setup that you like, be sure to talk with FOH and audience members. Sometimes what gets buried in the stage mix is loud and clear out front.
That’s how most good key players I’ve played with do it. When I record the key tracks for demos I keep a beer in my left hand ;-)Forgive me if you've heard this before. I didn't want to post it because it's so often stated, but in this thread I'll make an exception - and a newer player might benefit. It is said that Bill Evans would almost never play the fundamental of a chord with his left hand. He was so clever he even DELETED that note so the bass would have it's fullness of options/impact, etc.
Consider THAT in a band context, in the context of the OP's problem.
Forgive me if you've heard this before. I didn't want to post it because it's so often stated, but in this thread I'll make an exception - and a newer player might benefit. It is said that Bill Evans would almost never play the fundamental of a chord with his left hand. He was so clever he even DELETED that note so the bass would have it's fullness of options/impact, etc.
Consider THAT in a band context, in the context of the OP's problem.
Good enough for Bill Evans...
With respect, no you don't, and that's a statement that has always been untrue. You need a sound mix that doesn't have other instruments EQd into the same frequencies as the bass. I and others have been playing flats in bass since the 1950s without problems
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I have almost the opposite experience; flats seem to cut through better than rounds, but I'm playing in a 3 piece rock band, no keyboards. The warm & focused sound you hear with flats is mostly due to the strong fundamental frequency and less pronounced overtones of rounds.
A few questions;
- Have you had rounds on this bass? If yes, how were they?
- Have you ever been able to be heard in the current live environment where you are getting buried? If yes, what was has changed since then?
- Is there anything specific that makes you believe different strings is the solution, or are you just starting with that?
- Any headroom left on your amp?
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An organist playing pedals, that's going to be some tough competition, and the other keyboard player(s) are unlikely to help. Sounds like an arrangement problem, but acoustical problems might also be contributing.
Maybe drop some SD Quarter pounds in there. Great pickups that articulate and accentuate the string tone. I know that’s a bit of an extreme mod but there is a noticeable difference in clarity and midrange punch.
Can you tune in a bit of gain on your mb200? I think that one of the things that flats lend themselves to nicely is a bit of preamp breakup. The breakup will help you get frequencies over and around the keys.
I find flats sit better in the mix than rounds. They get below the guitars and fill the bottom in better. I was a longtime Chromes user and never got lost in the mix no matter who I played with. I think it’s more of all the parts in the band at your church is the issue. Keep the Chromes and experiment with where you are in the mix and placement on stage. See if that helps.
I’ll have to keep this in mind since I will be putting flats on my 60s J bass. Never played flats before.
