• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Flats not for everyone?

#43
Interesting discussion.
I just put some Roto flats on my old Precision. I packed the strings with some foam near the bridge and put the covers back on - going all out old school. The sound is stonking! I don't really lkike the feel...yet; but the sound is great especially with a nice warm and responsive old Fender Bassman 135 rig. They've only been on the P for about 2 weeks and I am keeping Rounds on my other basses; but I am really looking forward to these flats bedding-in to produce more sounds at about 6 mths old. #

If string mutes, valves and ancient flats were good enough for Jamerson, who are we mere mortals to argue?
 
#44
Bassnut62 said:
Interesting discussion.
I just put some Roto flats on my old Precision. I packed the strings with some foam near the bridge and put the covers back on - going all out old school. The sound is stonking! I don't really lkike the feel...yet; but the sound is great especially with a nice warm and responsive old Fender Bassman 135 rig. They've only been on the P for about 2 weeks and I am keeping Rounds on my other basses; but I am really looking forward to these flats bedding-in to produce more sounds at about 6 mths old. #

If string mutes, valves and ancient flats were good enough for Jamerson, who are we mere mortals to argue?
Click to expand...
'

In the same boat as you mate

Love the tone, not liking the feel. Flats are not as responsive as rounds IMO.
 
#48
I bought a Fender MIM P Bass about a month ago. I rescued it from Craigslist. I wasn't sure I wanted a P again... but it was supercheap and in excellent condition.

Short story: I got home and just hated the tone. I tried to dial in something I liked... but I was considering just throwing it in a case and putting it on the bay. In a last ditch effort to get some kind of usable tone out of this instrument (after reading this thread and many like it) I decided to put some LaBella flats on it. I put them on about three hours ago.

Honestly, it sounds like a different bass. I just can't believe it. I really love the tone when I put a little dirt in it. It just sounds awesome. I can't wait for the strings to break in a little. This bass just thumps now.

I'm a convert. I don't know if I will put them on my Tbird or Jazz... but the P sounds just awesome with these strings.

Thanks again.
 
#55
RicPlaya said:
I was referring to more of the feel. Rounds seems easier to play faster then flats. They are more responsive to the fingers. Flats tonally can't be beat IMO
Click to expand...

For what I play & what I want, TIJFs are great tonally. Like you, IMO is included.

I find them very responsive, though for me "responsive" = "giving sonic differences to varying playing factors" like how hard one plucks, where one plucks, fingertips tip or pad, etc. Maybe it's better termed "more flexible tonal detailing"?

Not trying to be argumentative Ric. I'm just not catching what you mean on "responsive". Please be patient; I can be thick at times.:confused:
 
#56
No prob man

If you took 2 of the same basses, out your fav round on one, and flat on the other. Not paying attention to tone, which bass would play better IYO? Which one could you play faster and easier on? For me it would be the rounds, for whatever reason rounds play better for me. But flats have tone! To me TI's are floppy and wobble like crazy so I have to almost catch the string and stop the wobble if I am playing fast. Does this make any sense?
 
#57
I'm so used to Flats that the now-strange texture throws me off.

Fully agree with you on the floppy/wobble of TIs: IME they are NOT a great 'fast' string due to the very low tension. I tried Chromes for awhile when we were doing a song that had some galloping in it: a lot better there. Might the tension be the factor?
 
#58
I personally prefer the sound of rounds, and unless the bass is excessively bright, steel rounds, at that.

That said, I've played around with Thomastiks in the past, and with my old MIM Jazz (modded with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups and a Badass II bridge) and a SansAmp BassDriver DI (none of which I own any longer), I could get seriously distorted, growly tone that you might almost mistaken for some popular progressive bassists (who shall remain nameless here).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back