Flats on a 6 string?

[Phud]

I also played 6’s when I was younger and dumber… but the idea of installing flats to smooth out the upper register sounds very cool.

HuH?

 

[Altitude]

I have half-rounds on mine, and that's also what Patitucci uses.

I think if you are using a 6-string in a jazz setting the flats tone makes sense. Sort of mellow and dark, like Pat Metheny's tone on a bass.

 

[BazzaBass]

I suppose the number of strings does not really matter, but I am curious how many 6 stringers prefer flats?. With a 6 string bass being a forward looking idea and approach, flats seem counter intuitive save for maybe a fretless instrument.

Wow! Lots of assumptions/judgments in your last sentence.

 

[logdrum]

MY only 6 is 36 inch scale and TI Jazz Flats super long scale are expensive but I may do it. Not sure if I can get GHS flats

One of my 5 strings is strung E-C, with La Bella Gold Tapes (I know now really a flat). The reason I like these La Bellas is that they are fatter, the C is like 0.043 gauge. But I am sure I can't get them for my 6.

 

[singlemalt]

Jason at FretNation.com has been super helpful setting up mixed length sets of TI flats for my 37”-34” Dingwalls.

E-C TI flats on a five string was especially sweet.

 

[Pings Bass]

My only 6-string is fretless, and yeah, it's got flats. It doesn't matter how many strings; I choose based on the sound I want. I currently use flats on both my fretless bass guitars (the other is a 4-string), but I used to like rounds when I was playing more rock and wanted more in-your-face edge to the sound.

 

[Aidil]

My first set of flatwounds were installed on a 6 string Cort Artisan A6. Currently I have an Ibanez SRC6 strung with flatwounds.

 

[spartan1620]

Glad someone started this. Does anybody know of flats for a six with a tapered b? Been contemplating trying some on my Warwick but haven’t had any luck in my search.

 

[BassFalcon]

I bought the 6 when I was young and naive and thought a 6 string bass would cover every contingency and I would only ever need one bass. I bought a nice instrument figuring I would buy once and cry once. It really sounds and plays great but a 6 string neck is a beast to play when bass is your second instrument and not getting the lion's share of practice time.

I have found that I like how flats sit in a mix but its not necessarily the sound I want for every track. I want at least one bass with flats. I am debating which basses get which string types.

Maybe labella white nylon gold tapewounds would interest you. I play the copper, the gold is supposed to be the brightest.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Currently I have an Ibanez SRC6 strung with flatwounds.

Is it the La Bella bass VI flatwound set (and, if so, how does it fit)? Or something else?

 

[singlemalt]

Payson strings have tapered B and E strings. I have Payson flats on my Dbird. Not quite as flexible as TI flats, but not anywhere near the bridge cable feel.

My one problem with TI jazz flats was the untapered, whopping big .136 B string. I needed shorter saddle screws to get it down where I wanted it.

 

[BOOG]

I suppose the number of strings does not really matter, but I am curious how many 6 stringers prefer flats?. With a 6 string bass being a forward looking idea and approach, flats seem counter intuitive save for maybe a fretless instrument.

I don’t know man…(best Chong impression)
Ya know, you’re gonna pi$$ a lot of fu@%i&@ people off, doin that sh!#, man. Here, leave yer stash with me and I’ll make sure nobody knows where you went. Now, RUN MAN, RUN.

 

[kleinenenten]

When I had a six, it had flats. Played metal on it. Sounded glorious! Loved the tone, but I couldn't get my tiny hands to work well on the bass - I kept accidentally hitting notes on the high C when trying to play notes on other strings!

 

[Thumpin6string]

Flats on a 6 string?

 

[TheArchitect]

Flats on a 6 string?

That looks like a no....

 

[gstaats]

I simply prefer the tone of TI Jazz flats to most other strings. I do have rounds on one of my 6 string basses - but the other 3 get TI Jazz Flats.

 

[Aidil]

Is it the La Bella bass VI flatwound set (and, if so, how does it fit)? Or something else?

I bought La Bella Bass VI flatwound set first. Turned out, the winding length was too long for the SRC6. Instead, I use La Bella Hellcat flatwound set which winding length is perfect for the SRC6:
Ibanez SRC6 (bass VI) + LaBella flats

 

[TheArchitect]

You gave yourself an answer: "forward looking" does not equal "roundwound".
[Also, flats+fretless is only a thing if you're obsessed with preserving your board (or if you like that specific tone): the Jaco tone requires rounds, not flats.]

Fair enough. I probably did not articulate that well. In my mind flats brings images of James Jamerson and Carol Kaye even though I know their use is quite common today in a lot of styles

 

[Thumpin6string]

That looks like a no....

Ya think?

 

[gstaats]

Fair enough. I probably did not articulate that well. In my mind flats brings images of James Jamerson and Carol Kaye even though I know their use is quite common today in a lot of styles

The tone I get from ti jazz flats works perfectly in the group I'm playing with... indie/pop rock kinda vibe.

I played a 6 with ti jazz flats on Invalid Link Removed