Flats - Do I need to man-up?

[Bander]

I'm with the folks who say they require a different attack and technique, and it takes a little bit of time to get there. And, I'm with the folks that feel they are worth it. Rounds are fine too, but I prefer the transients and decay of flats. I know folks can get what they want from rounds too.

 

[Kro]

I'm with the folks who say they require a different attack and technique, and it takes a little bit of time to get there. And, I'm with the folks that feel they are worth it. Rounds are fine too, but I prefer the transients and decay of flats. I know folks can get what they want from rounds too.

They may also potentially require some EQ tweaking, and frequently a setup as I know has already been noted.

@4StringDave , you probably had your entire rig dialed in perfectly for your particular rounds. The odds of those exact same EQ settings and setup working as perfectly for flats are IMO pretty low.

Flats definitely aren't for everybody, and I'm glad that I don't think you've 100% given up on them just yet. I hope you can spend a little more time breaking them in and tweaking things so that at least when you turn away, you know you gave it your best shot!

 

[schietschijfje]

La Bella 760FS (43-60-80-104)

 

[4StringDave]

They may also potentially require some EQ tweaking, and frequently a setup as I know has already been noted.

@4StringDave , you probably had your entire rig dialed in perfectly for your particular rounds. The odds of those exact same EQ settings and setup working as perfectly for flats are IMO pretty low.

Flats definitely aren't for everybody, and I'm glad that I don't think you've 100% given up on them just yet. I hope you can spend a little more time breaking them in and tweaking things so that at least when you turn away, you know you gave it your best shot!

I usually just play with my amp pretty flat and let me hands get the tone I want. I've definitely not given up, and I'll be playing them this afternoon

 

[Acoop]

Ti or La Bella Low Tension flatts might be worth another try. I wouldn't give up so soon, there's lots of info on here about flatts that one shouldn't paint all flatts with the same brush.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Bit of background - I play in a Country Rock band, a 60s band, and a Blues Rock band. All fairly traditional stuff, with not an ounce of slapping in sight, fingerstyle (and palm mute) only..! I normally play a Fender Jazz with old D'Addario nickel rounds on it (45-105), either both pickups or front pickup only, but also occasionally take my P with the same type of rounds. The sound I am going for is deep, defined and muscular.

I decided, as everyone seems to love them these days, and specifically due to the vibe of the 60s band, to purchase a set of Flats - Fender 45-100 to be specific, after a little bit of research on here and elsewhere.

Played a gig with them tonight on the P (as I didn't want to muck about with the setup on my Jazz, which is my baby) - very disappointing..... The bad bits: the feel - they feel like cables, and sticky so hard to move around on. Also felt like harder work to fret; the sound - the boom is there, but almost too much at times. It seems like there is little of the "finesse" that I get with the rounds. It's hard to describe, and could be to do with readjusting my ears.

So, my question is, do I need to just admit defeat and go back to my rounds, or am I missing a trick? All reasonable suggestions considered!

Not that I've ever said this on this board, rounds are a much more musical string. With the right EQ I can get as deep, muscular, and percussive as you want or ever need to be. What you are not going to get is the exact duplication of a flat wound string that is 40 years old, and why anybody wants that is beyond me, unless you are a purest that needs to copy exactly what somebody sounded like 50 years ago for historical purposes.

What you will get with rounds is much more clarity, less mud, more sustain, and in general, giving your sound engineer (if you are working with one) a much fuller tonal palate to work with. In over 50 years of gigging and recording, I've never had a sound engineer tell me my part would sound a lot better if my bass had flats. On the other hand, I have had many tell me horror stories of bassist that had tracks ruined because of their "Vintage" strings.

My advice is unless you are going to lose a gig over it, stick with rounds.

 

[Wesley R]

I tried some new flats once, almost cried, more overtones and harmonics all over the place. That was ona MIM Jazz, which quickly got sold. I love Tape-wounds YMMV

 

[johnson79]

I tried the EB Cobalt flats and was disappointed. Tried Fender 9050's on my P and am pretty happy. I did have to adjust my setup and lower the pickup, especially on the bass side, but they feel and sound good to me.
I'd let them settle in and see if adjusting the pickup helps with the boominess.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I find that flats really need a lot more break-in time than rounds. See what you think after about 3 months.

 

[Hypercaffium]

Sorry for saying this, but...
Saying that you don't like the feel and/or the sound of flats is one thing, which I truly respect. Saying that flats are basically useless because you can get the same tones with rounds, plus much more... is another.
I respect other people's opinions, but If you think that you're totally wrong. And that's a fact, not an opinion.
Play what you like, don't bash what you don't.

 

[4StringDave]

Sorry for saying this, but...
Saying that you don't like the feel and/or the sound of flats is one thing, which I truly respect. Saying that flats are basically useless because you can get the same tones with rounds, plus much more... is another.
I respect other people's opinions, but If you think that you're totally wrong. And that's a fact, not an opinion.
Play what you like, don't bash what you don't.

Who said they're useless?

 

[*Tempest*]

Bit of background - I play in a Country Rock band, a 60s band, and a Blues Rock band. All fairly traditional stuff, with not an ounce of slapping in sight, fingerstyle (and palm mute) only..! I normally play a Fender Jazz with old D'Addario nickel rounds on it (45-105), either both pickups or front pickup only, but also occasionally take my P with the same type of rounds. The sound I am going for is deep, defined and muscular.

I decided, as everyone seems to love them these days, and specifically due to the vibe of the 60s band, to purchase a set of Flats - Fender 45-100 to be specific, after a little bit of research on here and elsewhere.

Played a gig with them tonight on the P (as I didn't want to muck about with the setup on my Jazz, which is my baby) - very disappointing..... The bad bits: the feel - they feel like cables, and sticky so hard to move around on. Also felt like harder work to fret; the sound - the boom is there, but almost too much at times. It seems like there is little of the "finesse" that I get with the rounds. It's hard to describe, and could be to do with readjusting my ears.

So, my question is, do I need to just admit defeat and go back to my rounds, or am I missing a trick? All reasonable suggestions considered!

So there's a couple things and maybe someone mentioned this already: Most flats have a break-in period that can last varying amount of time depending on frequency of play, body PH, etc. For me, it takes about 1-2 weeks before they start to feel good. Secondly, I've never played fender flats, and I'm sure they're fine, but I'd suggest trying a better set perhaps. These days I really like Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats if I still want the strings to sound bright for awhile. But on a precision, you really can't go wrong with labella deep talkin' flats. When a set of those is broken in, it feels wonderful from my experience.

On a related topic, I recently have been playing a set of Cobalt rounds on my 5-string because they sent me the wrong set when I ordered cobalt flats and I was too lazy to ship it back. I've grown to like round wounds again. But when these strings start to dull, I'll put flats on. I just think it sounds better for my sound.

 

[TinIndian]

Try a lighter gauge Earnie Ball Cobalt Flats. I'm a dyed in the wool SSRW player, but the cobalt flats have enough zing to not be just boom and muddy thud. They have a midrange texture.

By going with 100s or 95 gauge, it will offset the higher tension feel. I like either 95 or 100 as my e string, and generally play a 105 for my rounds.

The flats will feel sticky, as you have more surface contact that with rounds, so more friction. Either try using finger ease to lube the strings until you get used to playing them, and wipe them down after you play as well. You will eventually get used to playing them. I go back and forth, but they will make my fingers hurt a little if I play them for long periods compared to the rounds.

Exactly this. As a SSRW user as well these are the only ones I've found I like. You really should try a set of these before you give up entirely. I tried a number of different sets and didn't like any of them. These were literally the last set I was going to try before giving up on the idea altogether. Turned out these were the ones that worked for me.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Fender strings are made by D'addario, and for the first couple weeks they're sticky just like Chromes. They're not 100% identical to Chromes but they're similar. But if they feel thick to you, you can always get a lighter gauge.

... according to my experience, Chromes are slightly brighter and punchier than Fender's flats .. I personally like how Chromes feel and sound ... a nice in-between for the OP may be constituted by D'Addario Half-Rounds which sound more like flats but are characterised by a lesser tension than Chromes ..

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Sorry for saying this, but...
Saying that you don't like the feel and/or the sound of flats is one thing, which I truly respect. Saying that flats are basically useless because you can get the same tones with rounds, plus much more... is another.
I respect other people's opinions, but If you think that you're totally wrong. And that's a fact, not an opinion.
Play what you like, don't bash what you don't.

^^^ this!

I also was a rounds aficionado but since I discovered the punch of flatwound strings, with the right setup, and the fact that, in reality, I don't dislike playing with a sight LG higher strings tension, I'm putting flats in all my instruments ...

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

IMO stick w/ the rounds. I'm like you, don't like the feel of them, not crazy about the sound except for rare occasions, I feel like they slow me down, and on top of these, the tone is close enough w/ the tone rolled down and w/ foam/palm mute that they're not necessary live. If I wanted that sound on a recording, then yes I'd use them in the studio. But live, rounds all the way.

 

[CallMeAl]

I couldnt even get down with half rounds! DR sunbeams are my new favorite, fat and mellow. Still wanna try GHS pressure wounds

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Just reading the OP I'm thinking the strings just need to be broken in.

I agree with you.

 

[Skillet]

Fender flats I find to be ..... serviceable. These have a lot more life in them, to my taste:

 

[rtslinger]

Flats are a little sticky at first and it takes a little time to get them broken in. Stick with them for a while before you walk away, I think you will be re-posting that you have change your mind.

I have TI jazz flats on my Fender P, but for many years I was a round wound guy
and didn't care for them at first.

But man after they broken, I love how they set in the band mix effortlessly and not to mention that save your frets and and your fingers. We support you whatever your decision.