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Flats - The Clear Choice!
- Thread starter ScottTunes
- Start date
Sound better? Wrong. Neither sounds better, just different. That's why it's good to have at least two basses, one with each type. 8)
I don't care for Chris Squire or John Entwistle - and in the long run, Rounds cost more then flats as you can keep a set of flats on a bass for years...
I play rounds simply due to the more modern and diverse tone.
Rounds are more diverse - period. You can do the thump thing with rounds (P bass, tone rolled off) - and you can do the modern sizzle Marcus Slap thing to.
ROUNDS FTW!!!
Actually, I can think of more reasons; rounds have more sustain and and can make grinding and clanking sounds (which may or may not be desired) that flats can't do very well.
I could be wrong, though, but it just seems as if flats are not made to be as clanky as rounds.
(EDIT: sorry, not trying to start any arguments)
Actually, I can think of more reasons; rounds have more sustain and and can make grinding and clanking sounds (which may or may not be desired) that flats can't do very well.
I could be wrong, though, but it just seems as if flats are not made to be as clanky as rounds.
(EDIT: sorry, not trying to start any arguments)
If I recall correctly, Steve Harris uses flats or at least he has - and I think he just about defined the 'clanky' bass sound.
Flea has been known to use flats as well. They are far brighter than a lot of people think and show up in some very unexpected places.
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Actually, I can think of more reasons; rounds have more sustain and and can make grinding and clanking sounds (which may or may not be desired) that flats can't do very well.
I could be wrong, though, but it just seems as if flats are not made to be as clanky as rounds.
(EDIT: sorry, not trying to start any arguments)
You all have never heard my bass. I don't use compression because I have so much natural sustain I actually have to roll it off. I have almost as much growl as Roto Swingbass. Yes, when I want full-blown crank and clank, I do have a Rickenbacker 4002 strung with GHS Progressives, but up until that point, my flats setup has more punch, growl, attack and drive as most folks' rounds.
After taking a long break from playing in a band (about 16 yrs) I set up my home studio. After experimenting with tracking bass I was just not getting the results I wanted. After some research I ended up with a set of TI Jazz flats on my Ibanez
RB999. Playing thru my amp or studio monitors I was thinking "I like the feel and the lighter touch, but it really doesn't blow my socks off. I could take it or leave it"
But when I did some test tracks and played them back.......that was it. I was like "so that's how you get that sound (my LA610 solo tube pre doesn't hurt it either)
I don't hear any mud here: http://db.tt/ev4HjyUT
And that's with the treble turned back half way on the bass using finger style playing.
RB999. Playing thru my amp or studio monitors I was thinking "I like the feel and the lighter touch, but it really doesn't blow my socks off. I could take it or leave it"
But when I did some test tracks and played them back.......that was it. I was like "so that's how you get that sound (my LA610 solo tube pre doesn't hurt it either)
I don't hear any mud here: http://db.tt/ev4HjyUT
And that's with the treble turned back half way on the bass using finger style playing.
Getting my new P set up with flats today! I can't wait to see the results. I know it's all preference, but I got medium gauge. The gauge just, other than being harder to play, makes it able to handle a heavy attack and sound a little fatter right?
I haven't been playing long, and all I have is a little junky single 10" combo, but I just strung up my Squier VM Jazz with some D'addrio Chrome flats and I like it so far. This set was the clear choice for me, since I really wanted to try out some flats and they were the only ones my local shop had on hand. They seemed a bit pricey, but my grandma had just given me some birthday money 6 months late, so I said what the hay. I didn't realize until reading this thread that this strings just may out live me. I'm supposed to go jam with a few friends this weekend, I'll see what they think.
tZer said:
I agree with tZer. I am grateful for these types of threads. I enjoy reading about other players' choices in gear because I occasionally learn about something new (at least new to me). For example, a few years ago, Sundogue posted a very similar thread about Flats. After reading his OP, I realized I was having very similar issues. After 30 years of playing Rounds, I gave a set of Flats a try. Holy flipping shite am I glad I did. My band sounds massive, I hear myself much better without playing nearly as loud, and I consistently get compliments from sound men on how easy I, and my band, are to mix.
So, I say keep posting these types of threads. After all, isn't Talk Bass supposed to be about sharing and learning?
colbyAKAbobby said:
I use them on my ESP fretless. Bit bright at first, but they settle in nicely after a few weeks. No real complaints.
I get all that and I'm fine with it - truly.
I just didn't care for the wording that flats are the "clear choice".... as in, "rounds are not a good choice". That's how the title come accross.
I see how flats vs. rounds becomes almost a religion around here.
If flats work for you - great. I persoanlly prefer punch over thud. I just don't care for the wording of the title... as if there's something "wrong" with rounds.
Its really about what kind of tone your looking for, I like rounds for somethings, more often than not these days I play a jazz bass with Labella flats through a 2x15" or a 4x10" and I get a big 'ol large and in charge kinda tone that makes me smile. Sometimes I get out the 5'er w/ rounds and that makes me smile too.
The fact is that you chose to interpret "clear choice" in a way that was not intended by the OP.
Let it go. This fictitious battle between players who use flats and other string types is in your head. There IS NO BATTLE and I can tell you for a fact that no one here is condemning you or your string choice.
On topic - I swapped out the flats on my Jazz V for a picnic gig last weekend because we were playing a Rush tune and I wanted that authentic Geddy sound. Rounds on a Jazz through a nice warm SVT rig just oozes Geddy goodness.
For the one Rush song that bass sounded perfect! For the rest of the gig which featured a ton of classic rock, I didn't like the way they set in the mix. In my experience, the flats provide much more clarity and punch and don't compete with the guitar for sonic space. They stake their own claim in the frequency spectrum and live there nicely instead of trying to climb into the zone of the guitar and battle for sonic prominence.
When I practice without the band, however, I LOVE the way rounds sound - but that's only because they are entirely alone and they sound really great all alone. Flats, IMO and IME, just sit in the mix of a typical rock, funk, jazz or pop band more comfortably. I will be putting them back on before the next gig and probably will just bring a second Jazz with rounds for the odd Rush tune.
