How much time should I spend trying to like flats...?

[Killing Floor]

In ancient Rome there was poem about a dog who found 2 bones...

Flats, tort and chipotle all have their place. I'm in the 50/50 camp on this one. Flats and rounds and tapes and halves all have their place but not one size fits all. Frankly I would try any string brand or style that comes my way but I wouldn't woodshed to make myself like something that doesn't feel right.

But in my experience if you have a punchy bass (think Ray, for example) flats can take away some of what the designers built into the instrument.

It really comes down to your preference and playing style. Best plan is to buy a bunch of basses so you can have some with flats and some with rounds. Some with tort, some with mint, some with chipotle and some with buffalo sauce, some au poivre, some chimichurri.

 

[Sixgunn]

Well - I hope you chaps don't feel I'm wasting your time. I wasted some time worrying about whether it was acceptable to start two completely different threads in the same forum within an hour of each other, but my questing through the world of strings continues and I have a completely different subject to ask for some help with. Hopefully the mods won't mind too much.

I've got a 5-string J-bass onto which I recently put some La Bella flats. They were quite nice on my other "cheapo" bass, but on the Squier, I just don't like them. They feel slippery and imprecise and as much as I really want to like them, they sound pretty crap, no matter what I do with the pots / amp. They're also oddly twangy and noisy, which surprised me - they certainly weren't on the other one. As far as I know, the setup is good, intonation is bang on, everything's adjusted to be comfortable. Except I seem to hate them.

How long do I should I give it to see if they (or I) settle down before I put the heavy-gauge rounds I like for that bass back on it? I mean - I've read that flats are harder to play accurately: do I just need to practice more and ignore the sort of "sickly" tone for a bit? Can I learn to love them? Should I?

I've been entertained and much-informed by your answers previously: I'll hope for a little of both this evening.

With thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

Some of us will never like flats. Don't despair.

 

[easyj]

Your entire life.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Flats=you love them or hate them no in betweens..
I love them!

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I've got a 5-string J-bass onto which I recently put some La Bella flats. They were quite nice on my other "cheapo" bass, but on the Squier, I just don't like them. They feel slippery and imprecise and as much as I really want to like them, they sound pretty crap, no matter what I do with the pots / amp. They're also oddly twangy and noisy, which surprised me - they certainly weren't on the other one. As far as I know, the setup is good, intonation is bang on, everything's adjusted to be comfortable. Except I seem to hate them.

"Twangy and Noisy it's not the comparison you typically hear about when. comparing flats to rounds (in general). They certainly are more slippery than rounds but that makes it easier on your fingers and mostly eliminates the finger noise you get with rounds. If they sounded and played the way you described, I would hate them too. Could it be that something just isn't right with the set of flat strings you're using?

..."I mean - I've read that flats are harder to play accurately: do I just need to practice more and ignore the sort of "sickly" tone for a bit? Can I learn to love them? Should I?".

I've never heard anyone say that flats are harder to play accurately. That hasn't been my experience and I don't know what would cause that. Rounds are generally better for slap if that's your style.

You did mention that you took a used set off a four string and added a new B string to a 5'r. I recommend trying a complete new set and then see if there is an improvement. If not, then you'll know for sure.

Also, different strings have different tensions and therefore changing to strings with different tension can potentially effect a previously good setup. Maybe the pickups are too close to the string. Different strings can have slightly different magnetic properties. Just sayin.

You don't have to like flats but in my opinion, I don't think you've had a fair test so far.

 

[Wesley R]

I had just bought a used and expertly dialed in MIM Jazz. I had to have flats on it. When the flats were installed, I almost cried. They were horrific, it actually made me sick to my stomach. Four to five weeks later they were almost tolerable, mush less overtones and harmonics etc., allowing the fundamental note to almost come through. Add two more weeks and most was well. The bass ended up cased and untouched for at least another month. I am here to say that the sound was everything Flats are built up to be. It was sold.

I am back to Tapes now. where I resided for my first forty years of playing.

 

[bikeplate]

How about no time

 

[diegom]

If they sounded OK on the other bass, could the strings have been twisted on installation?
Overtones? Twang? Sounds like something went wrong with THAT particular set of strings...

But in my experience if you have a punchy bass (think Ray, for example) flats can take away some of what the designers built into the instrument.

Remember, the MusicMan Ray shipped with what's now labeled "GHS Precision Flats". Bernard Edwards got plenty of punch out of his...

My love-hate for flats varies by instrument. They work for some, They DON'T work for other...

 

[nerkoids]

I suppose I could take this opportunity to once again sign GHS Precisions' praises, but I think Kipp did a great job already.

I had them on my Squier VM 70s. Virtually no break in time to get to the sweet spot.

 

[franklindayala]

ErnieBall slinky flats

 

[Ric5]

I can simulate flats 2 ways:

1 - let the rounds get old
2 - palm mute

or do both

 

[JimmyM]

I once spent 4 months trying to force myself to like TI Jazz Flats after all the rave reviews, and that's 4 months of my life I'll never get back.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Well - I hope you chaps don't feel I'm wasting your time. I wasted some time worrying about whether it was acceptable to start two completely different threads in the same forum within an hour of each other, but my questing through the world of strings continues and I have a completely different subject to ask for some help with. Hopefully the mods won't mind too much.

I've got a 5-string J-bass onto which I recently put some La Bella flats. They were quite nice on my other "cheapo" bass, but on the Squier, I just don't like them. They feel slippery and imprecise and as much as I really want to like them, they sound pretty crap, no matter what I do with the pots / amp. They're also oddly twangy and noisy, which surprised me - they certainly weren't on the other one. As far as I know, the setup is good, intonation is bang on, everything's adjusted to be comfortable. Except I seem to hate them.

How long do I should I give it to see if they (or I) settle down before I put the heavy-gauge rounds I like for that bass back on it? I mean - I've read that flats are harder to play accurately: do I just need to practice more and ignore the sort of "sickly" tone for a bit? Can I learn to love them? Should I?

I've been entertained and much-informed by your answers previously: I'll hope for a little of both this evening.

With thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

How much money should you throw away trying to like flats?

 

[jaco944]

I like rounds on all of my basses but flats on only some of them. That being said I’ll usually leave them on for a month or two before passing final judgement. My preference is GHS and EB Super Slinky Flats. I keep flats on my Gibson G3 just to preserve the nearly worn frets.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I spent nearly 30 years trying to like rounds before giving up.

 

[Acoop]

LaBella's are pretty good strings, so, I rule them out as the cause of the problem.

 

[bassplace]

Give it a month or two on a bass then move on. I tied a set of TI JFs on a P first. Good but didn't quite do it for me. Next on a Rick 4000. Better enough to use a few years then back to rounds. Now on a Jazz. Perfect on a Jazz....for me anyway.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Well - I hope you chaps don't feel I'm wasting your time. I wasted some time worrying about whether it was acceptable to start two completely different threads in the same forum within an hour of each other, but my questing through the world of strings continues and I have a completely different subject to ask for some help with. Hopefully the mods won't mind too much.

I've got a 5-string J-bass onto which I recently put some La Bella flats. They were quite nice on my other "cheapo" bass, but on the Squier, I just don't like them. They feel slippery and imprecise and as much as I really want to like them, they sound pretty crap, no matter what I do with the pots / amp. They're also oddly twangy and noisy, which surprised me - they certainly weren't on the other one. As far as I know, the setup is good, intonation is bang on, everything's adjusted to be comfortable. Except I seem to hate them.

How long do I should I give it to see if they (or I) settle down before I put the heavy-gauge rounds I like for that bass back on it? I mean - I've read that flats are harder to play accurately: do I just need to practice more and ignore the sort of "sickly" tone for a bit? Can I learn to love them? Should I?

I've been entertained and much-informed by your answers previously: I'll hope for a little of both this evening.

With thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

I find that I can string up a set of flats and use them with a lot less change in their sound over time than with rounds, although flats absolutely mellow with age; some of mine have been unchanged for decades.

If you have more than one bass, you may find that some instruments speak to you with flats, while others make you happier with rounds. It's highly personal. Good luck!

 

[RedBadger]

Every bass will let you know which strings sound best on it.
I have Flats on one precision and one Jazz bass. I seen to remember they were Dunlops.
also have one each with La Bella Tapewounds which I have grown to enjoy and are pleasantly easier on the fingertips.
Everything else roundwound of differing gauges.
I have never had a bad bass...(except for a Gibson Explorer with dead spots) re-qualify the previous statement...Never had a bad Fender, G&L, Ibanez bass that the right strings didn't prove to find the sweet spot for good tone & playability.
listen to your bass it will tell you.

 

[dkelley]

A couple minutes is all it took me to know I like the sound on recordings in some situations.

I know I don't like playing them MOSTLY, but I do like playing them on hollow body vintage electric basses. I learned that after playing a few hours on different types of basses.