There may be a lot of truth in that.
For every gigging bassist, there are about 99 bedroom/basement players.
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Flatwounds?
- Thread starter sammyp
- Start date
There may be a lot of truth in that.
For every gigging bassist, there are about 99 bedroom/basement players.
I started playing bass when there were only flat wounds. Since rounds were invented I say a prayer of thanksgiving to the bass gods. I would never go back to the dull old days and have no interest in trying to mimic an 'old school' tone. When I want deep bass, I use my upright. When I want a smooth warm sound, I use my fretless (with rounds). Despite the flat idolatry that goes on here, I don't like them. My least favorite bass sound is a P bass with flats through an Ampeg because when I started, that's pretty much all there was. I love active basses with clean hi-Fi sound. I can always take brightness out but never found a way to put it back in. Also to encourage more flames, I like to take bass solos and want my audience to actually clearly hear my note selection. So no flat love here. I'll pull out my fire suit.
To each their own. I put flats on my Mustang this morning and it blew me away. I love the sound. I have DRs on my Jag SS so I appreciate the sound that rounds give also, but I certainly prefer the mellow sound of flats.
I'm pretty new to flatwounds...
What can a say... WOW! They sit in the mix fantastically. I don't use them for everything but when I do they always blow me away.
This is the video that made me think... 'I've gotta try them out!'. Also... check out the rhodes solo on this tune... I think it's one of the coolest solo's I've ever heard!
Ez,
Scott.
What can a say... WOW! They sit in the mix fantastically. I don't use them for everything but when I do they always blow me away.
This is the video that made me think... 'I've gotta try them out!'. Also... check out the rhodes solo on this tune... I think it's one of the coolest solo's I've ever heard!
Ez,
Scott.
Flats require a certain amount of trial and error. They don't sound and/or feel great, or even good, on every bass. But when you find the right combination of instrument and string, it's a very muscular sound.
That's the reason why they aren't more popular (however popular you perceive them to be): One size don't fit all.
That's the reason why they aren't more popular (however popular you perceive them to be): One size don't fit all.
Edward...
I've found this too. One of my basses really suits them, while the other... really doesn't. As a newcomer to flats I've only tried out one brand... now reading this thread and other threads on flats it seems that the sound between brands also differs widely too! Bring it on lol!
Ez,
Scott.
I've found this too. One of my basses really suits them, while the other... really doesn't. As a newcomer to flats I've only tried out one brand... now reading this thread and other threads on flats it seems that the sound between brands also differs widely too! Bring it on lol!
Ez,
Scott.
>buckeyebragi: I really like flats too. Which brand and gauge of flats did you put on your Mustang?
All ears right now, nearly all my basses (including my fretless) have rounds on them. Lately I was looking to put some flats on my SS Mustang and was concerned about the thru body stringing with flats. TI's or LaBellas both interest me.
I think it's because most flats don't give a great modern slap tone, and lots of guys want to be versatile enough to have that option. However, I've used flats on my Modulus VJ and got a great slap tone, in particular from the D'Addario Chromes. In fact, next string change I'm going back to that set up.
Think of round wound strings as metal files that wiggle around everytime we play a note. Munch, munch, munching on our frets as we play and cutting notches that in a very short time sends us off for fret work.
Let alone round's big twangy guitar sound that require Eqing to tone 'em down.
Flats are what bass is all about!
But "to each his/her own".
Peace.
Let alone round's big twangy guitar sound that require Eqing to tone 'em down.
Flats are what bass is all about!
But "to each his/her own".
Peace.
Apples and oranges comparison. Flats are great at sounding like flats (duh). But rounds - new ones - are the only way to get that zing that lots of folks love.
I use rounds most of the time, but I have one bass that has flats on it and I enjoy using it from time to time in appropriate contexts.
I use rounds most of the time, but I have one bass that has flats on it and I enjoy using it from time to time in appropriate contexts.
I use pressurewounds on my fretless, rounds on most of basses, but sometimes will throw some flats on. Flats are no good for slapping, and I want most of my basses to be versatile enough to slap from time to time. I use pressurewounds on my fretless for a Jaco tone without destroying the fingerboard. Flats sound too much like upright on my current fretless, and if I want to get an upright tone I'll just play my upright!
I actually used rounds on fretless for years without fingerboard damage. Maybe it's down to differences in technique. That said, I'm using Rotosound Solo Bass pressure wounds on fretless at present and they sound great - I love 'em.
This needs to be moved to the Strings forum.
This needs to be moved to the Strings forum.
I was using flats in the '80's in cover bands, recordings and in original metal bands. No one ever said anything about my tone. I have always used them. I have tried rounds before I just don't like that piano sound
Three of my basses now have flats. TI Flats, GHS Precision Flats, and Roto 88 Tapewounds.
Listen to what's trendy. I hear flats quite a bit now, lots with a tic/tac flare. Roto 88 Tapewounds are really cool for that. A foam pad under strings at the bridge with GHS Precision Flats can mimic tapewounds as well.
Listen to what's trendy. I hear flats quite a bit now, lots with a tic/tac flare. Roto 88 Tapewounds are really cool for that. A foam pad under strings at the bridge with GHS Precision Flats can mimic tapewounds as well.
They aren't as popular as rounds because when rounds really hit in the mid-late 70's (Chris Squire caught on, but it took a while before the industry caught on) they were a radical change and pretty much everyone switched over. The industry hasn't caught on with the fact that a sizable percentage of bassists prefer flat wounds these days and it will probably take years before the industry realizes it.
It would be interesting to see what percentage a place like Just Strings sees of flat wounds to round wounds, but I suspect that wouldn't be representative of the population either for two reasons:
1) Flat wound players pretty much have to hit on line retailers because Brick and Mortar stores don't stock them as much.
2) Flat wounds last significantly longer than rounds, so they don't sell as well. I end up buying rounds a few times a year, whereas I stick with a set of flats for years.
In fact, if you're judging what gets used by advertising or word of mouth from a retailer, they don't sell as well simply because they last a long time.
KO
It would be interesting to see what percentage a place like Just Strings sees of flat wounds to round wounds, but I suspect that wouldn't be representative of the population either for two reasons:
1) Flat wound players pretty much have to hit on line retailers because Brick and Mortar stores don't stock them as much.
2) Flat wounds last significantly longer than rounds, so they don't sell as well. I end up buying rounds a few times a year, whereas I stick with a set of flats for years.
In fact, if you're judging what gets used by advertising or word of mouth from a retailer, they don't sell as well simply because they last a long time.
KO
Flats are popular on TB because bassists who hang around here are usually smarter than the average bear. Granted, they are not everybody's cup of tea, but i like my tea (and flats).
I am a flat wound purest, and I've hung them up(literally). The main reason why is because they distort harshly. With a calm overdrive the flats high bass response it just was too fuzzy. I love them to death but to play my rock and roll and metal I had to go back to round wounds. I have mixed emotions. Flatwounds were cheaper for me too, I've had the same pair for over a year, I hang them up on the wall and wait til I use them again, the age doesnt hurt the tone, which is a huge plus.
I've been playing flats exclusively for 8 years now. When I'm in a music store and pick up a bass with rounds they sound thin and hollow to me....not to mention rough as sandpaper. My theory on why rounds are so popular is that they offer instant tone especially for a beginner.....flats take time to find the right sound...but when you do find it it's amazing and there's no turning back.
