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Flats not for everyone?

#62
Since I've discovered just how useful flats can be for certain types of music there is no way I could be happy without at least two basses on hand - one with a nice bright set of rounds that rings out overtones like a piano and the other with a mellow set of flats that oozes old school character.
 
#63
mmbongo said:
Flats definitely have their place. That place is in the dumpster.

How do you know when flats are dead and need replacing?
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I agree. They should also throw out all the crap music and horrible sounding basslines that have been recorded with them through the dark ages of music, until rounds came along and saved the instrument from itself.

I consider flats dead when they no longer intonate. Until then they are just resting.
 
#66
steele said:
Someone post a simple pros and cons thing. (if there already is one I apologize, im lazy............)
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It would take about 5 minutes to find the pros and cons. Also, people including me have been answering your questions about flatwounds.

Flat pros: "Bassy" sound, smooth feel, sit well in the mix, reduced finger noise, usually stay good for a loooong time.
Flat cons: Bright tones can't really be achieved, different slap tone (some will say bad)

Round pros: More tonal range (bright to warm), good slap sound.
Round cons: Rougher on the fingers, need replacing much sooner if you want to keep the bright sound

There you go, now please make up your mind or read the answers that people give you.
 
#68
BECAUSE OF THE STRONGER FUNDAMENTAL. TO ME THAT IS WHAT BASS IS ALL ABOUT. THE WORD "BRIGHT" SHOULD NEVER APPEAR IN A SENTENCE ABOUT BASS IMHO. I CANNOT EVER REMEMBER A "BRIGHT" SOUNDING BASS LINE MAKING MY HEAD BOB. EVER :rollno:. THAT BEING SAID, NOTHING IS RIGHT FOR EVERYONE.
 
#69
I put a set of D'Adderio chromes on once (I normally use their nickelwound rounds), as I'd heard that the tone of flats was different and I was willing to give them a try.

What I felt when I plugged the bass in and played it at rehearsal can only be described as fury, with a massive dose of disappointment. They sounded almost exactly the same to me as the completely dead rounds that had just come off.

So no, flats are not for everyone.
 
#73
Scordare said:
Anyone ever try making a hybrid set? Flats on the E and B strings for more fundamental, Then have rounds on the A, D and G strings...Or visa-versa... Just a thought.
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That sounds bizarre to me. I would definitely go with vice versa. Rounds on the E and A, flats on the D and G. I need more roundness not on the low strings, but on the high ones that often sound a bit thin. But that's just how I'd do it.
 
#76
I did something to my flats that really seemd to help with the playability. I heard from some TBers in order to quicken the breakin of flats is to use some vasiline and rub them on the strings (there are other techniques like BBQ sauce an putting the strings in the sun but that may not be recommended). So for S & G's, I did that Saturday and I have to say the strings seems more "Loose" and the vasaline on my fingers really made my fingers slide more and it was easier to play. Just a litte FYI, it seemed to work and I'm going to try to keep these flats on for as long as I can because the tone is so darn good!
 

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