I used Chromes in a hard rock band for a few gigs. Worked fine.
The guitar player swore he hated 'flatwound strings' but never even noticed.
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Flatwounds for Rock
- Thread starter Memphis Soul
- Start date
The guitar player swore he hated 'flatwound strings' but never even noticed.
I stand corrected. I was just sure he preferred TI flats on his FR Precision.
For me it is the Fender flats for classic rock and EB cobalt for punk rock.
I only use flats. Even used em in a Rush tribute band using a P. No issues.
I was just going to buy a Ric 4001 but you just stopped me at the right time……………..no, I wasn’t, prefer digging my precision as well !
Don’t forget some companies make half-rounds. A bit nicer on the fingers with most of the ring and clank of rounds.
Geezer’s flatwound tone on early Sabbath albums epitomizes the old school rock bass tone.
I use TIs on a jazz bass with a Sadowsky preamp for my Zeppelin rig.
They were tape wounds. Sounded fantastic, he's an excellent bass player!
I think the Harris bass includes a set of flats as well if you buy it new.
Edit : yep, from Fender's site..
"Pinstriped Body with Westham United F.C. Crest, Dunlop® 6100 Frets, Black Synthetic Bone Nut, Darker Tint on Headstock, Rotosound® Steve Harris Signature flatwound strings included"
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You are correct. I checked the Fender website and this is listed under specs. Rotosound® Steve Harris Signature flatwound strings included.
Oh yes. I have LaBella 760 FS strings on my precision. On both jazz basses that I own, I have them strung with flats. I just don't like the feel of rounds. Both jazzes have Pyramid Gold flats. A very nice string. Not quite as smooth as the LaBellas, but very close. Tension feels about the same. They are also a little brighter than the Deep Talking flats, which I wanted. In any event, they have a very nice tone that I find excellent for rock.
love me some flats. I use em for funk, soul, and rock. I've also had great success with good tapewounds. Possibly a good 'in-betweener'
These GHS tapes have been on this EB4 Gibson for years now.
Tho I've generally liked Fender tapes more, these sound good, with ability to get some twang if plucked aggressively. And they feel really smooth.
I had Labella White Nylon tapes on this bass previously, and they also were great sounding. Perhaps this bass just loves tapewound strings?
I keep going to change them, then I realise, again, they still sound great.
Until these get unplayable, I think they'll stay on
These GHS tapes have been on this EB4 Gibson for years now.
Tho I've generally liked Fender tapes more, these sound good, with ability to get some twang if plucked aggressively. And they feel really smooth.
I had Labella White Nylon tapes on this bass previously, and they also were great sounding. Perhaps this bass just loves tapewound strings?
I keep going to change them, then I realise, again, they still sound great.
Until these get unplayable, I think they'll stay on
A good player sounds good no matter what. Just like people who take care of their bodies seem to look good in their clothes, whatever they wear.
If you just want to sound like yourself, pick a string you like and play it. Maybe choose a flat known to be bright, like Chromes or certainly Cobalts.
But if you’re trying to sound like someone else, like if you’re in a cover band - you might have to use the string approach they used. Certain periods of bass playing were defined by roundwounds - punk, 80s funk, probably grunge.
If you just want to sound like yourself, pick a string you like and play it. Maybe choose a flat known to be bright, like Chromes or certainly Cobalts.
But if you’re trying to sound like someone else, like if you’re in a cover band - you might have to use the string approach they used. Certain periods of bass playing were defined by roundwounds - punk, 80s funk, probably grunge.
Well shoot y’all are giving me no reason to buy a new bass. Now I have to come up with a whole new reason. I already had my speech to the wife planned out.
I was just about to suggest flats on the Precision Bass and rounds on the Jazz Bass.
"Well shoot y’all are giving me no reason to buy a new bass.
Now I have to come up with a whole new reason. I already had my speech to the wife planned out."
If you buy Thomastik flats at prevailing market prices, you'll still need to come up with a speech.
Now I have to come up with a whole new reason. I already had my speech to the wife planned out."
If you buy Thomastik flats at prevailing market prices, you'll still need to come up with a speech.
I have used labellas to great effect live in rock bands. Heck, one time I got hired for a death metal band and was playing a 57 ri p with labellas and fingers.
It’s all eq. I do have a bass always strung with fresh (just put new ones on 30 mins ago) rotosounds. I mainly use Labella flats and rotosound 66’s, nothing else. You should have a flats bass and a rounds bass, especially for rock. If you have a p, get a j, and vice versa. Only you can decide which strings go on which, good news it’ll sound great with either or.
You’ll be fine
It’s all eq. I do have a bass always strung with fresh (just put new ones on 30 mins ago) rotosounds. I mainly use Labella flats and rotosound 66’s, nothing else. You should have a flats bass and a rounds bass, especially for rock. If you have a p, get a j, and vice versa. Only you can decide which strings go on which, good news it’ll sound great with either or.
You’ll be fine
The last rock band I played in with two loud guitarists was a nightmare for me. No matter what bass or amp configuration I tried I could never sit in the mix right.
At my last show with that band I had just put GHS P flats on my bass and decided to roll with it. And boom there it was! I finally had my own sonic real estate that none of the other instruments drowned out. It was bittersweet but I learned a lesson. Flats aren’t just workable for rock, they can be a requirement!
At my last show with that band I had just put GHS P flats on my bass and decided to roll with it. And boom there it was! I finally had my own sonic real estate that none of the other instruments drowned out. It was bittersweet but I learned a lesson. Flats aren’t just workable for rock, they can be a requirement!
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