Flatwounds with a pick?

[Ric5]

Hi all,

I have always used roundwound strings but have been interested in trying out flatwounds recently.

I play with a pick though, how do they sound with a pick? Am I better off sticking to roundwounds?

Ever heard of Paul McCartney?

 

[fenderbassman40]

I know the song "London calling" by the Clash is a PBass with flats.

 

[meatwad]

Flatwounds with a pick? Heck yes!

 

[JimmyM]

Cliff Williams sounds pretty good. So does Paul McCartney.

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

My main P bass is Chrome-d and I only play with a pick. Used rounds for years and than decided to test: wish I did it before! Great tone, great punch, and with those particular strings, you can pretty much emulate round's grind when needed.

I personally play from the Ramones to Franz Ferdinand to Nirvana with my P bass/ chromes / pick.

 

[GIBrat51]

I find myself playing flats with a pick more and more; pretty much exclusively with my flatwound-clad shorties, in fact (and I like La Bellas). As others have said, it is pretty much the classic Rock sound; and if that's what you want/like to play, then....

 

[Jazz Ad]

With flats I prefer to use a felt pick.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

It's pretty common to play them with a pick, sound great too! I don't think I saw anybody toss them out, but if you want a flat that sounds well-broken in right out of the box I would get GHS precision flats. I have been playing a set of them for a while and they sound great. They break in super fast (mine was 2 weeks), whereas other flats may take a long time. If you dug the Chromes though, the GHS is on the other end of that spectrum, you might not like them.

 

[Camaro]

I like the Big Stubby Nylon in 2mm.

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[nrs7six]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I think I'm going to give the D'addario ECB82s a go!

 

[Highroler79]

3.00mm Jazz fat stubby

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Dude, listen to "Ventura Highway" by America (studio version) for the quintessential 'flats with a pick' tone courtesy of Mr. Joe Osborn (jazz bass favoring neck pickup). It's the best!

 

[40Hz]

They'll sound really good. Especially when you mix in some palm muting.

Go for it!

 

[Treadstone71]

I use Dava control picks almost exclusively, with the nylons for rounds and the gel ones for flats. I like the extra "grab" the gel ones give on flats.

(I'm not endorsed, I just really like them.)

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Cliff Williams sounds pretty good. So does Paul McCartney.

 

[Lowness]

I struggle with this idea as I have flats and like a pick.

All things equal, flats+pick isn't as good as using rounds+pick, but it is fine - not a deal breaker

Just do it.

 

[Jay2U]

There was a time that all basses were strung with flatwounds. Back then there were pickers too.
I've done it myself on a BEAD tuned Ibby with EB flats. The pick attack, immediately followed by the typical flatwound tone is worthwhile.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Flatwounds with a pick seemed to work pretty well for the Doobie Brothers longtime bassist, Tiran Porter. Just listen to 'The Captain and Me', 'What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits', 'Stampede', or, if you are really in a mood to be humbled, 'Takin it to the Streets'. Yep, flatwounds with a pick sounds just fine.

 

[subbeh]

I bought a used Jazz deluxe which turned up with a set of fender flats on. I play with a pick and loved the sound and feel of them, I was really surprised at how nice they sounded and could still get a nice attack with them when I needed to.

 

[ofajen]

Oh, yeah.

Otto