How do you deal with flatwound string brightness when new?

[/\/\3phist0]

Just play the strings a lot and dig in a little bit to get them to break in faster.
Anything foreign substance added to the strings now for short-term tone improvement might have unwanted long-term side effects.

If it's still too bright during the recording session, use some foam, pull back on some of your highs & high-mids on your amp's EQ, or explain to the engineer that the new strings are brighter than you want and ask them to tame the top-end a bit if it works on the mix.

I have reduced zing on round wounds with a strip of medical tape (cloth type) around the string at the bridge.

 

[FFTT]

Never had an issue since 1974
I’ve been using nylon tape wound strings going that far back.

First I’ve read anyone making such a claim.

I did read in the note provided, no such issue with D'Addario strings.
Had no such issue with LaBella either.

 

[andare]

Never had an issue since 1974
I’ve been using nylon tape wound strings going that far back.

First I’ve read anyone making such a claim.

I did read in the note provided, no such issue with D'Addario strings.
Had no such issue with LaBella either.

When I posted that the chrome pickup cover makes P basses hum because it messes with the magnetic field and the pickups lose a bit of hum cancellation, many people said that they'd never experienced that. But it's absolutely true.
They probably have a bass that isn't shielded so there's always some kind of noise going on. Maybe that's why you didn't notice any extra noise with tapes?

 

[FFTT]

When I posted that the chrome pickup cover makes P basses hum because it messes with the magnetic field and the pickups lose a bit of hum cancellation, many people said that they'd never experienced that. But it's absolutely true.
They probably have a bass that isn't shielded so there's always some kind of noise going on. Maybe that's why you didn't notice any extra noise with tapes?

Original 1964 Fender Jazz Bass Electronics, untouched.

Only time I ever heard any noise was facing my amps at rock club volumes. Then she could howl!

My primary focus going back to them 10 years ago was to preserve the original frets on both my vintage basses.

 

[Geogio]

Jaco swore by KFC
Stills swears by BBQ sauce

Stills might have been joking around

But those were rounds

I take an engineers rag (red shop rag)
mineral oil... cheap and found at the constipation section of any drug store, or baby oil, which is mineral oil with a fragrance. Pinch the oiled rag and rub into each string. General wipe down when done. Then each string rubbed/ scrubbed with vigor using a dry shop rag.

BTW fret dressings for speedy slick strings are made from mineral oil.
Never use silicon on fret or finger boards.

 

[JazznFunk]

Weird. I've used GHS Precision Flats for decades and not once have I had any 'new string zing' that lasted more than a day or 2. They settled right in.

 

[andare]

Original 1964 Fender Jazz Bass Electronics, untouched.

Only time I ever heard any noise was facing my amps at rock club volumes. Then she could howl!

My primary focus going back to them 10 years ago was to preserve the original frets on both my vintage basses.

I have never played or worked on an unshieldied guitar that didn't buzz when not touching the strings or other grounded parts.

 

[FFTT]

I can’t account for anyone else’s rig.
Just glad my amps aren’t burning up.
If some people are having issues with nylon wrap strings, I’m sorry they were disappointed if purchased on my recommendation.

My tinnitus is pretty bad too.

 

[Gopherbassist]

I've yet to ever put flats on a bass, so I don't deal with it.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I love the new string zing of Ernie Ball Cobalt flats.

As a matter of fact.... they still have that zing.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Ah typical Talkbass. Guy asks basic question, gets answers, then arguments ensue.


lol

 

[GIBrat51]

There are some strings that are kinda offensive when new (D'Addario Chromes for instance).

I'm asking because I actually have a recording session soon and my bass with new Chromes on doesn't sound the way I want it to sound (weird metallic overtones on the low strings, but no string twist, I've been extra careful). They are slowly mellowing out but it's a very gradual process.

Well...
Yeah, flat wounds tend to be annoyingly bright - except for the E string, in the case of 4 sting sets - which tend to be dull/dead sounding, when they're new. And, yes, some people - who are in a hurry, for one reason or another - do tend to resort to slathering new flats with various things, to make them sound broken in right away. Does it work? I've never tried it, but I'll take their word for it... Personally, I have no reason to speed the break-in process up, since my World Tour has been cancelled - due to my fear of alien abduction... So, when I put a new set of flats on one of my basses? I just play the snot out of them until they're actually broken in, and sound like they should. It's good practice; an opportunity to learn new songs; and I don't have to deal with gooky stuff all over the strings...

 

[Lionel Albert]

EQ