Flatwounds on a Jazz and roundwounds on a Precision?

[Thom Fioriglio]

Hi all, I just got a new Fender Player Precision Bass. Over the last 2 years, had 2 basses, a Classic 50s P strung with Fender flatwounds and a Lakland DJ-4 (Jazz) strung with roundwounds. It's been quite a while since I've played a Precision with roundwounds, and man, does the Player P sound good. I got rid of the 50s P and like the idea of having one bass strung with flats and the other with rounds. I am thinking of keeping the rounds on the Player P and putting EB Cobalt flats on the Lakland. I've tried the Cobalt flats before on the Lakland but took them off because I already had flats on the Classic 50s P and didn't want 2 basses with flats. Now I am thinking I don't want 2 basses with rounds.

Based on my search, I know flats on the P and rounds on a Jazz is more common and more traditional. So my question is this, does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

Thanks for the feedback.

Thom

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends on what tone you are looking for. I think rounds on a Jazz is more versatile, and flats on a P sound better, than the other way around.

Try what you want. If you don't like it, take 15 minutes and exchange strings.

 

[alack]

Or flats on both. Maybe rounds on both. Depends on what feels and sounds best to you. There are no rules. The great thing about strings is you can always change your mind.

 

[JRA]

does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

you're way ahead of me in both the "thoughtful" and the "versatile" categories --- i put rounds on everything: if it even looks like a bass = rounds!

try it and see! let us know what you like, good luck!

 

[GrapeBass]

Flats on a P are divine but you'd probably want one with rounds if you're playing more aggressive styles. Flats on a J can be superb as well but you'll probably crave a bit more growl that comes by way of rounds if you're a funk player.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Flats on a P are divine but you'd probably want one with rounds if you're playing more aggressive styles. Flats on a J can be superb as well but you'll probably crave a bit more growl that comes by way of rounds if you're a funk player.

I don't play funk. Just rock.

 

[GrapeBass]

I don't play funk. Just rock.

IME 'classic' rock works marvelously well with a P or a J w/flats but there are times that certain songs call for rounds, especially with more 'contemporary' rock. I'd go with flats on the P especially since you've already have a Jazz w/rounds. Who knows, you may just fall in love w/the P w/flats. My advise is to allow the flats to break in for a few weeks/months. Good luck!

 

[BOOG]

I like flats on both my P and J. Rounds go on others.

 

[Drzejzi]

I'm currently experimenting with flats on a Player Jazz. Definitely not all knob settings, that I was using with rounds, sound good or usable. Bridge pickup on full, tone on full and neck pickup almost on full sounds ok. I'll be able to tell more tomorrow after a band practice.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Yeah, put me in the “Flats on a P Bass, Rounds on a Jazz Bass” camp.
It’s just a versatile setup, that’s all. (I play Blues and Classic Rock.) It’s not always which sound I prefer, sometimes it’s a matter of which sounds better in a particular venue.

Add the tone knob, a pick and palm muting into the equation, and I can pretty much cover any sound I’ll need during the course of a gig.
YMMV

 

[dave64o]

I've only had rounds on my Jazzes, not for any reason though. I just haven't gotten around to trying flats yet. However, I've had a few different types of both rounds and flats on my Precision and both flats and rounds sound great. It just depends on the sound you're looking for.

I know flats on a P are great for a vintage, warm tone but rounds on a P, especially bright snappy rounds, give a great rock tone. I tried DR Stainless Steel Lo Riders on my Precision and it was a snarling beast but I prefer the nickel Lo Riders for my purposes. Either way, it's a great rock bass with rounds on it, especially if you play with a pick (which I currently suck at ).

For rock, I might actually be contrairian and suggest rounds on your Precision even though I'm currently doing the opposite (my choice is a better fit for how I'm currently using my basses). But, like I said, there's no wrong answer.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi all, I just got a new Fender Player Precision Bass. Over the last 2 years, had 2 basses, a Classic 50s P strung with Fender flatwounds and a Lakland DJ-4 (Jazz) strung with roundwounds. It's been quite a while since I've played a Precision with roundwounds, and man, does the Player P sound good. I got rid of the 50s P and like the idea of having one bass strung with flats and the other with rounds. I am thinking of keeping the rounds on the Player P and putting EB Cobalt flats on the Lakland. I've tried the Cobalt flats before on the Lakland but took them off because I already had flats on the Classic 50s P and didn't want 2 basses with flats. Now I am thinking I don't want 2 basses with rounds.

Based on my search, I know flats on the P and rounds on a Jazz is more common and more traditional. So my question is this, does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

Thanks for the feedback.

Thom

Rounds on PBs are are highly underrated. I’ve been using rounds on my PBs for over 40 years. Zero complaints from band mates, sound men, or even sound engineers.

I will say this, it requires a different EQ that you might normally use, so plan on some time to get it dialed in. Another thing using rounds is it removes some fudge factor with your articulation.

IMO, rounds allow the PB to sing like a DB with a bow. For around $25 on a set of DR Lo Riders or a set of GSH Bass Boomer, I’d give them a shot. If you don’t like it, put your flats back on it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained

 

[Gorilla Fingers]

I sort of feel like this is an experiment which could take a couple of months to figure out; after all, it takes about that length of time to break in a set of flats. At least in my somewhat limited experience.

That being said, there's nothing inherently wrong with flats on a Jazz, especially bright flats like the Cobalts. I use rounds on my Franken-P, and it growls like a monster!

 

[Domboy]

Interesting that you should ask this, I have not long acquired a Flea jazz and have stuck some flats on it while keeping rounds on my American Special P-bass. I love the 'Live At Leeds' like tone from rounds on a P and the jazz sounds excellent to my ears with flats. I may swap that round at some point but for now I am happy with this combo.

 

[Killing Floor]

No wrong answer. I have flats on one Jazz, I really like it. I also like rounds on a J. Last new Fender I bought was a MiA P and of course it came with rounds, I am just assuming they were Fender rounds. I had my go-to TI flats in the drawer and I ended up leaving the rounds on until they got dull. It sounded really cool in my opinion.

Bottom line is there are no wrong answers. Play what you dig.

Edit that I have pretty big hands and I actually far prefer a P (C) neck profile so any bass I play for bright sounds, slap/pop or some modern pop I'd use a P shaped neck with rounds.

 

[el murdoque]

I made sure my P bass was shipped to me with flats already installed and set up.
I've never played or heard it with rounds.
My Jazz is strung with flats, too. I do have another set of flats, a set of pressurewounds, a set of broken in rounds and two fresh and sealed sets of rounds sitting in the cupboard, should I ever need them.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all, I just got a new Fender Player Precision Bass. Over the last 2 years, had 2 basses, a Classic 50s P strung with Fender flatwounds and a Lakland DJ-4 (Jazz) strung with roundwounds. It's been quite a while since I've played a Precision with roundwounds, and man, does the Player P sound good. I got rid of the 50s P and like the idea of having one bass strung with flats and the other with rounds. I am thinking of keeping the rounds on the Player P and putting EB Cobalt flats on the Lakland. I've tried the Cobalt flats before on the Lakland but took them off because I already had flats on the Classic 50s P and didn't want 2 basses with flats. Now I am thinking I don't want 2 basses with rounds.

Based on my search, I know flats on the P and rounds on a Jazz is more common and more traditional. So my question is this, does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

Thanks for the feedback.

Thom

Go for it. You'll either dig it or you won't. So...save your strings.

I like Fender flats. Medium light

 

[Stewie]

I’ve been repairing and setting up a really misused Jazz Bass. I’ve got it playable, but it has rounds on it, Dang! It’s harsh and nasty. Sign me up for flats on everything if I have to play it. I have an old set of Brite Flats I should put on it before I return it, just to protect it’s owner from hurting himself.

 

[Bassamatic]

When I first put T.I. Flats on my Jazz bass and gigged it, my comment after the gig was "Now THAT is what a bass is supposed to sound like!" The TI's have enough of that upper mid growl to give a lot of articulation of rounds.

 

[Rev12_11]

I like flats on both.