Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 on a jazz?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
I know of one who sang all the classic disco stuff from the mid to late '70s (Anita, Donna, Gloria, &c) Super singer who also did Elvis P. proud that we did as part of our show, along with tons of both top M&F singers of the day. Proud Italian, too (as if that is even relevant
).
I'm a J with rounds guy for most of what I do.
However, if one is building up a bass toolbox, with grab and go basses for certain iconic sounds, a P with flats is a top of the list instrument. I made that happen almost 20 years ago and was very happy to have done so.
That P/flats thing piqued my interest in a J with flats. Well, 15 years ago, an 80s Peavey Foundation was a much better value for a "J Type" bass to be relegated to flats vs any Fender or Squier. Picked up a killer 84 Foundy for $300 and threw a set of Cobalt Flats on it. It's never been without flats, and I play it waaaaay more than the P. It's really cool!
However, if one is building up a bass toolbox, with grab and go basses for certain iconic sounds, a P with flats is a top of the list instrument. I made that happen almost 20 years ago and was very happy to have done so.
That P/flats thing piqued my interest in a J with flats. Well, 15 years ago, an 80s Peavey Foundation was a much better value for a "J Type" bass to be relegated to flats vs any Fender or Squier. Picked up a killer 84 Foundy for $300 and threw a set of Cobalt Flats on it. It's never been without flats, and I play it waaaaay more than the P. It's really cool!
Flats on a Jazz? Works great in a Rock'n'Roll band!!
Wow, that's an expensive journey but glad you got something that works for you. I was lucky enough to give the 9050Ls a try first, after a pretty long break-in period, they've sweetened and are perfect for my jazz bass.
The thing is, not that long ago I never even considered flats. Then a few years ago I had an Ibanez I bought specifically for modern/slapping sorts of playing. I tried a half dozen different brands and material combinations. It just was not working. It just didn't sound good recorded. As a last ditch, I thought what the hell and put flats on it. It still sucked for its intended purpose but all of a sudden finger style playing was laying in the mix and punching through like nobody's business. That's when I learned about how good flats can be..
Labella Deep Talking flats if you were wondering....
Labella Deep Talking flats if you were wondering....
So all the recent talk of flats on Jazz basses has inspired me to try TI Jazz Flats on a Jazz bass for the first time. They sound great, which isn't surprising since they're great strings. But whereas on a P-bass I found there to be almost an overabundance of mids (although I bet I would've loved that sound in a mix), on the J they sound just right with that little mid-scoop you get with both pickups on full.
Well...
What happens? Your Jazz Bass sounds like it has flats on it; and, your fingers might be glad you did. Seriously, though; depending on the flats, you might be happy - or, you might not. As someone who has played basses with flats on them 99% of the time for over 5 decades? There's no such thing as a "flats sound". Well, other than not being obnoxiously bright like new rounds... There are lots of different flats, and they mostly all sound at least a little different. However... from what's posted here on TB, most Jazz Bass players seem to prefer 40-100 or 45-100 gauge, mostly "modern" sounding, mid range focused flats. TI Jazz Flats; Fender 9050L Flats; D' Addario Chromes; and EB Slinky Cobalt Flats. The latter are brighter than I like my flats, but other people do like them. But, whichever flats you name? There are folks that think they're perfect on a Jazz Bass.
Fender Jazz Basses used to come from the factory with light gauge, Squier-made Fender Flats - until 1978. Precision Basses kept their factory flats longer; until 1982 or so. So, my '78 P-Bass wore them when it was new. If you think you want that original sound? A set of GHS #3025 Precision Flats are as close as you can come - and they're very close. My P-Bass wears them, under the foam mute in it's bridge cover. Early Jazz Basses had a mute in their bridge/ bridge pickup cover, too... In any case, they're probably what I'd have on my Jazz Bass - if I owned one. Which I don't - that offset body is awkward and uncomfortable to me; in fact, out of the 27 basses I currently own? Not a single offset body in the entire Herd... I do own several basses with dual single-coil pickups, though - as well as a couple with dual humbuckers that can both be split. Amazingly, all of them wear light gauge flats; TI Jazz Flats; Fender 9050L's; Optima 4440 RB Flats; and Dogal JC106A "Jaco" CarbonSteel Flats.
So; bottom line? Based on the numbers, light gauge flats seem to be the preferred way to go. But... as I said; there's somebody around here with just about every other kind of flat that you can think of. And, they think they're the greatest flats ever for a Jazz Bass....
It's implied in the thread title, P basses = peas so J basses = carrots.
I've tried a bunch of different flats on my Momose ash/rosewood '70s style J-bass. Favorites were DR Legends (great midrange detail and balance between warmth/bite), I liked Ernie Ball Group IIIs quite a bit too and Labella 760FLs for a more old-school vibe. I enjoyed the midrange of TIs for fingerstyle but I've never liked them for slapping and tapping, to me the inner silk winding does something to the physical response of the string. To my ears LaBella LTFs are round but comically non-detailed sounding compared to their higher-tension flats. I liked the tone of the D'Addario Chromes I had on for a minute but found the D and G of the 100-45 set to be way too high tension-wise compared to the E and A.
I'm about a month into TI Jazz Flats on my 5-String Jazz Bass, and I think they might still be settling in but I like them so far. They aren't as big of a departure from the sound of rounds as some other types of flats would be.
I made a hybrid set of Chromes. Bought both the 50-105 and 45-100 sets. Installed the 45 65 85 105 and sold or gave away the other 4 strings. Much better balance of tension. I wish they would just package that set.
I have 45-105 Cobalt Flats on my "Jazz," which is a 84 Peavey Foundation.
