Flats on a jazz bass

[Spinal Tapper]

I've got Roto 77 flats on my Geddy Lee jazz. Love the tone.

 

[Mr. Ray]

Flats or roundwounds on a Jazz bass are both good, one's not better than the other they just give you different sounds/feels.

 

[Delta_Petra]

I tried flats on my jazz bass a couple years ago and it has really turned my world around. Currently my jazz bass is neckless, but my p-bass got flats and the j-bass will get flats again. I have saved my thunderbird from the obsession of flats in order to have a bass that sounds different.

I use Fender flats and have tried nothing since. But as mentioned by someone else, they only sound better with age.

 

[FERNDOGG]

I'm seriously contemplating throwing some La Bella flats on my Lakland Skyline JO jazz--

I noticed on the La Bella catalog page that on the 760F's "are recommended for fretless basses"

if I put them on my fretted jazz, will there be a problem?



BTW. the reason for putting some flats in the mix is that I find myself doing alot of muting with my hand and have always played roundwound strings-- so I think the change would be fitting.

 

[Delta_Petra]

I noticed on the La Bella catalog page that on the 760F's "are recommended for fretless basses"

if I put them on my fretted jazz, will there be a problem?

There should be no reason why they would be defective on a fretted bass. I use flats on my fretted basses. I figure the warning is geared towards fretless players, letting them know that flatwound strings might be better for their basses as roundwounds will "bite" into the fingerboard of the neck and leave grooves.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

I put Fender steel flats on my Jazz and I was in Thumpville. My band thought it was too thumpy so I soon threw on some Rotos.

 

[FERNDOGG]

any problems with stringing the deep talkers through the body?

 

[Mastermold]

any problems with stringing the deep talkers through the body?

La Bella warns against it but I've seen posts by TB'ers who do it anyway and have been okay.

 

[Onox]

Another Meshell clip. Talk about old skool punch. I'll take this over high end sizzle any day.

MeShell Ndege Ocello - Sonic Tonic ( (1of 2) 2004 - YouTube

Meshell uses LaBella Halsrounds, don´t she?

 

[ChrisPbass]

Flats on a fretted J is a crime against bassmanity. Why clip the wings of such a brightly voiced bass? You have to let it sing its heart out with some 66's or Hi Beams.

Now fretless is a different story. Meatiest sound ever.

I dig...I cannot imagine putting flats on my J but I must admit I am curious...
I will say that I *do* 2 other basses w/flats so I don't really have to make a decision about the J.
If I had another J it would absolutely have flats on it. Such a cool sound.