Flatwounds for Rock

[Memphis Soul]

Does anyone use flatwounds for rock? I only have one bass which is set up with La Bella flatwounds for that soul/Motown sound. I am thinking about buying another bass to keep roundwounds on but don’t particularly like the sound or feel of roundwounds. Not gigging at the moment but thinking of starting back and this will be the first time gigging on bass. (30 yrs as a guitarist). Could I pull this off or do I need to get the second bass?

 

[NKBassman]

GHS Precision Flats sounded excellent to my ear on my P bass in a rock/jam context, especially when played with a pick. However I grew less enthused with the sound as they aged over a year or so.

I have a set of Dunlop flats on deck in the string box, waiting until i get the feels to go back to flats on my P bass again... though that might be a while.

 

[FRoss6788]

Ask Steve Harris or Cliff Williams…

 

[Memphis Soul]

Ask Steve Harris or Cliff Williams…

Steve Harris uses flats? I was thinking of buying his signature P Bass but it comes with roundwounds. It list that under features.

 

[silky smoove]

Steve Harris uses flats? I was thinking of buying his signature P Bass but it comes with roundwounds. It list that under features.

Fresh flats and an aggressive technique.

I'll add that Fender 9050Ls sound great for rock when they're fresh. Less so once they've broken in, but still not too bad.

 

[onda'bass]

Chromes are great!

 

[dbflats]

Absolutely good for rock.

Personally, I don't think any bass, any string type, any amp.....is "for" any specific music genre. Get the sound/feel that works for you...and go with it.

I've got two identical basses, one had roundwounds on, the other flats. I switched the strings back to flatwounds on the one....the rounds just don't offer that uncompromising bedrock "note"......ymmv.

The roundwounds have way more sustain if that's important. It's not to me.

 

[michael_t]

I personally like the sound of flats in rock played with a pick. Rounds for finger style.

 

[Memphis Soul]

I personally like the sound of flats in rock played with a pick. Rounds for finger style.

I play exclusively with a pick no matter what music I’m playing. I can’t play with my fingers. I guess playing so long on guitar.

 

[ThudThudThud]

TI Jazz Flats, I believe:

 

[michael_t]

I play exclusively with a pick no matter what music I’m playing. I can’t play with my fingers. I guess playing so long on guitar.

In that case, no reason why you wouldn't sound good in rock with flats. Go for it!

 

[Memphis Soul]

TI Jazz Flats, I believe:

Really cool! Great bass tone.

 

[Crispus]

I really like EB cobalt flats with a pick for rock.

 

[MrAB4003]

Chromes are great!

I second Chromes. I play hard rock and heavy metal and I have a set of Chromes on my bass. You can either tame out the highs and aggression or keep them for different songs. They're the best flats I've ever played, especially compared to the Rotosound 77s.

Rotosound 77s die pretty quickly. While Steve Harris plays them exclusively, he changes strings after every live show or recording session. That's why it sounds like he's playing rounds on Iron Maiden and British Lion records. In a few interviews, he mentioned that he has sweaty hands and his skin chemistry kills the strings every time he uses them.

 

[Memphis Soul]

I second Chromes. I play hard rock and heavy metal and I have a set of Chromes on my bass. You can either tame out the highs and aggression or keep them for different songs. They're the best flats I've ever played, especially compared to the Rotosound 77s.

Rotosound 77s die pretty quickly. While Steve Harris plays them exclusively, he changes strings after every live show or recording session. That's why it sounds like he's playing rounds on Iron Maiden and British Lion records. In a few interviews, he mentioned that he has sweaty hands and his skin chemistry kills the strings every time he uses them.

Good info thanks. I am lucky my strings last forever and I don’t even wipe them down like I should.

 

[dbflats]

I'm in a rockin band, playing on 20-year old Status flats (no longer available). They can actually get pretty bright in their own way if ya want....I just turn the knob on my hpf...and of course, they.offer more low end than you can realistically use. Again, that knob.

 

[silky smoove]

I personally like the sound of flats in rock played with a pick. Rounds for finger style.

Early Joe Jackson with Graham Maby on bass using fresh flats and a pick sounded fantastic.

 

[dbflats]

So true!

 

[GrapeBass]

TI Jazz Flats, I believe:

I believe Pino specifically used rounds for the who, there's an interview with him to attest this.

BTW Flats in rick, absolutely! In fact, I'll be out tonight with my newly aquired SBMM Joe Dart.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Don't let string type prevent you from taking a gig. If you wanna get out and play some rock, the strings really do fall way down on the list.