Half-rounds or semi-flats might work for you to straddle that line. Or just run with what you had.
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Flats - Do I need to man-up?
- Thread starter 4StringDave
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Half-rounds or semi-flats might work for you to straddle that line. Or just run with what you had.
Optima has re-issued them. Optima 4440 RB Flats. Guys on the Rick thread indicate they are pretty true to those original Maximas.
I really like the LaBella (flats) 760-FL set. Not too heavy. Even tension - balanced even. Sean Hurley (John Mayer and many more) and JT Cure (Chris Stapleton) use them. I really like JT's tone on the records and live with Stapleton so that's why I tried that set. He doesn't slap - so it may be worth a shot to check those out.
I tried Chromes and didn't dig them. I liked them on a short scale gibson semi-hollow bass - but not on my Fenders.
I tried Chromes and didn't dig them. I liked them on a short scale gibson semi-hollow bass - but not on my Fenders.
No fair. To be a good member in standing here, you need to spend at least $500 on strings you just chuck in a drawer never to see the light of day again.
I have Half-Rounds installed on my Elrick and they are ok for me although I prefer Chromes actually
For what you play, rounds are probably best anyway. One more thing though...i’m starting to think about changing my strings on a precision that has had GHS flats on it for 15 years. Not that they need to be changed.
It's certainly not a defeat to go back to rounds. Most bass players who play the kind of stuff you do have been using them for decades.
That said, I love flats, and all flats are not created equal. The slinkier flats are: Dunlop (light), GHS Precision Flats (light - don't be alarmed by the narrow gauges), TI Jazz Flats (haven't tried them, but they're the standard for low tension flats), and La Bella Low Tension Flats (haven't tried them either).
I've also tried flats that I didn't like (Chromes, which are supposedly similar in construction to the Fenders, Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt, which I actually do like in a way, but they don't sound like flats to me), but there's nothing wrong with rounds. I like the feel and sound of flats, but I could see preferring rounds as a more expressive option that can still get good, dark sounds.
That said, I love flats, and all flats are not created equal. The slinkier flats are: Dunlop (light), GHS Precision Flats (light - don't be alarmed by the narrow gauges), TI Jazz Flats (haven't tried them, but they're the standard for low tension flats), and La Bella Low Tension Flats (haven't tried them either).
I've also tried flats that I didn't like (Chromes, which are supposedly similar in construction to the Fenders, Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt, which I actually do like in a way, but they don't sound like flats to me), but there's nothing wrong with rounds. I like the feel and sound of flats, but I could see preferring rounds as a more expressive option that can still get good, dark sounds.
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Flats may not be for you. When I first used them I experienced the same issues you did. But I played in a 50s rock band and THAT is the bass sound for that music. I eventually adjusted and now really like playing flats, especially on my Hofner basses.
Play what works for you and what is fun for you.
Play what works for you and what is fun for you.
Since we are talking about flat-wound strings, I believe you may enjoy this video:
Arrival order for me:
1. Tomastik Infeld.
2. Labella.
3. D'Addario (very similar to Labella however).
4. Fender.
5. Rotosound (too brighty for me).
Arrival order for me:
1. Tomastik Infeld.
2. Labella.
3. D'Addario (very similar to Labella however).
4. Fender.
5. Rotosound (too brighty for me).
Great video, thanks! But I wish he'd have used at least a couple of open strings in there somewhere.
I ended up going with TI flats for my 4 strings and Ernie Ball for my 5er. TIs feel the best of any flats, IMHO.
In my experience, flats are perfect to deliver against a certain specific tone goal but can't do anything else very well. They last longer and require little or no maintenance but at the cost of string feel in my opinion.
If you're playing a gig where the flat "sound" is a requirement, obviously string 'em up.
If you get a lot of calls from different people and find yourself in varying musical situations, might make sense to buy an extra P-bass and have flats on that.
If you have one bass or intend to use one bass in a variety of situations, or unless your situation isn't a "flats" situation, rounds are the better choice as they provide more flexibility in sound.
If you're just playing at home, do whatever you want.
If you're playing a gig where the flat "sound" is a requirement, obviously string 'em up.
If you get a lot of calls from different people and find yourself in varying musical situations, might make sense to buy an extra P-bass and have flats on that.
If you have one bass or intend to use one bass in a variety of situations, or unless your situation isn't a "flats" situation, rounds are the better choice as they provide more flexibility in sound.
If you're just playing at home, do whatever you want.
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Naa. Admit wisdom, and go back to rounds.
Flats, to my ear, lack any semblance of character, definition, muscle, or anything else I personally look for in bass tone.
Don't let the conversations on this forum influence you all that much. The type of strings you use doesn't matter at all to your band mates, let alone the audience. "If it sounds and feels good, it is good"
I play pretty similar type music, and use flats on a jazz bass, also front pickup or both pickups on.
I had a similar experience (but the other way around) as you trying out rounds a little while back. They felt different under my fingers, and reacted different to my touch, sounded different, etc... felt like I was going to have to adjust my right hand attack a bit to make em work for me. I went back to flats after a few weeks, but thinking about giving it another go.
The sticky part.. that's a no for me. I tried a set of Chromes once, they were sticky and they came off in about two days. I've had VERY good luck for years and with multiple basses with DR Flatwound strings (I think they are called Legend). Never sticky, great feel, consistent from string to string, etc.
If the flats aren't working for you, but you want more of "that" tone, old rounds with a little bit of foam under the strings might do the trick.
Nice playing and great share. The SPB-1 is a great pickup. I also like it's cousin the Antiquity II Pride.
Flats definitely take some time to reveal their true character. I love my GHS Precision Flats. I play classic rock, blues, and some blues/rock. They sound great! However, I recently purchased a Squier FSR CV P bass that came with Fender rounds and I was really diggin’ the sound, tone and punch. I really didn’t want to stay with rounds due to the short amount of time it takes before they lose their tonal character. So, I decided to go with the GHS Pressurewounds. They have revived a TON of positive reviews and you can count yet another from me. Wow! A perfect “middle ground” between rounds and flats. They are deep, meaty and punchy. I def think they would be the string you are looking for. Give ‘em a shot. You’ll be pleased, I’m sure. Remember though, they have a break in period also. They’re almost sound like a fresh set of rounds out of the package but they will mellow into a beautiful tone as time passes. These strings last also. Expect at least a year (or more) of great tone. Check out the thread(s) on TB in regards to this string. It offers great insight. Good luck and keep us posted on your final decision.
