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I faced my fear!

Shepsdad

Shepsdad

Sep 22, 2019
575
1,564
In a holler in ol Kentucky
#1
So, I’ve always had a fascination with flats on a P, and back around Christmas, I bought one of the Squier sonic Ps that Fender.com had on sale with the intention of eventually putting a set of flats on it. I bought a set of Fender .45-.100 flats in early January, and everything was all set, BUT…

I’ve changed strings on electric and acoustic guitars thousands of times over the last few decades but had never changed a set of bass strings!

I really don’t know what I was afraid of, the unknown, I guess? I decided this morning that today is the day, and now my grinch green sonic P bass is wearing a nice new set of flats, and it is everything I hoped it would be! The strings even have sea foam green silk, that goes nicely with the grinch green, and I just love the tone I’m getting!

Later today I’m gonna plug into my recording rig, and I feel pretty confident that this is what I’ve been looking for!

So glad I decided to put my worries aside and just do it!
 
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#2
I'm not a flats player. But, I too have tried those Fender flats and really liked them. I bet they do look pretty amazing on that bass. Want to get one myself at some point. I hear for the price they are great basses.

But like I said, I'm just not a flats player. Never fit my style or the bands I play in. I'm actually a little jealous of the folks who do use them, they sounds amazing on a P bass IMO and really sound great in a band context depending on the genre. Glad you got over your fears!! I just borrowed an electronic drum kit from a buddy and I'm going to see if I can get over my fear/laziness to learn to play drums!
 
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#3
gregmon79 said:
I'm not a flats player. But, I too have tried those Fender flats and really liked them. I bet they do look pretty amazing on that bass. Want to get one myself at some point. I hear for the price they are great basses.

But like I said, I'm just not a flats player. Never fit my style or the bands I play in. I'm actually a little jealous of the folks who do use them, they sounds amazing on a P bass IMO and really sound great in a band context depending on the genre. Glad you got over your fears!! I just borrowed an electronic drum kit from a buddy and I'm going to see if I can get over my fear/laziness to learn to play drums!
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I’m really happy with this bass. I had stayed away from P basses in the past because the few I had played had, to me anyway, bulky feeling necks. When I heard the sonic series had a J like neck, I was all over it!
 
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#4
gregmon79 said:
I bet they do look pretty amazing on that bass.
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But we’ll never know, will we? Since there are no pics! Come on @Shepsdad , didn’t they explain the rules during the orientation when you joined Talkbass? “Pics, or it didn’t happen.” I won’t report you - this time - if you quickly address this oversight. ;)
 
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#7
Lol! They look more blue now that I’ve had a few cups of coffee and see them in daylight! But anyway, I like the look.
IMG_9784.jpeg
 
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#8
Shepsdad said:
So, I’ve always had a fascination with flats on a P, and back around Christmas, I bought one of the Squier sonic Ps that Fender.com had on sale with the intention of eventually putting a set of flats on it. I bought a set of Fender .45-.100 flats in early January, and everything was all set, BUT…

I’ve changed strings on electric and acoustic guitars thousands of times over the last few decades but had never changed a set of bass strings!

I really don’t know what I was afraid of, the unknown, I guess? I decided this morning that today is the day, and now my grinch green sonic P bass is wearing a nice new set of flats, and it is everything I hoped it would be! The strings even have sea foam green silk, that goes nicely with the grinch green, and I just love the tone I’m getting!

Later today I’m gonna plug into my recording rig, and I feel pretty confident that this is what I’ve been looking for!

So glad I decided to put my worries aside and just do it!
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I prefer the Fender flats over Labella. Feel and tone.
 
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#13
Flats are a thing, and I am coming around. I just put a set on my fretless J, and it’s so buttery smooth. I am putting another set of flats on one of my Ps for the next band practice. I believe they will have a better tone for our classic rock/pop, not to mention saving my finger tips. My other P will continue with rounds so I can still get my heavy metal fix. Rock on.
 
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#16
srosenthal13 said:
It's not hard. Just count to four and start throwing hands.

That's always worked for me.
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I can kinda play a little. But my brain still gets turned around between the high hat and bass drum. But that was why I wanted borrow my buds electric kit, so I could get my brain programmed for the muscle memory. Just gotta sit down with it and do it. I remember when rock band was all the rage, I played the drums all the time. Now I know it's not totally the same thing, but I was able to rock the heck out of them on hard so I'm pretty sure I can pick it up with some effort and time.
 
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#19
gregmon79 said:
I can kinda play a little. But my brain still gets turned around between the high hat and bass drum. But that was why I wanted borrow my buds electric kit, so I could get my brain programmed for the muscle memory. Just gotta sit down with it and do it. I remember when rock band was all the rage, I played the drums all the time. Now I know it's not totally the same thing, but I was able to rock the heck out of them on hard so I'm pretty sure I can pick it up with some effort and time.
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I'm going the opposite direction: 45+ years on drums and just a couple of years on bass. Stay with it. In all seriousness, it will do a lot to strengthen your timekeeping and syncopation as a bass player.

And if it doesn't work out, bass-player-you can always fire drummer-you.
 
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