Some may say I've got it backwards, but I like it. I just switched the TI flats from my P to the J and the Sunbeam rounds to the P. So now both my Js, a MIM Classic 60's and my Frankenstein Dinky body and Aguilar 4J-60's J, wear TI flats. I like the grunt of a P with rounds. Lots of versatility in a J with TI flats. Just sayin'. Carry on.
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J with flats and P with rounds
- Thread starter bassdog
- Start date
Funny this topic should come up now... I replaced the flats on my P bass with a set of rounds just two days ago. I'd rather have punch with some bark and bite out of my P than the traditional thump and thud.
Funny- I just swapped my Jazz back to TI flats from DR Lo Rider nickels, and swapped one of my P Basses back to TI Rounds from La Bella 760FX flats.
Agreed about TI flats on a Jazz- For me, they eliminate some of the excess harmonic content up top that I’d normally have to dial out at the amp or tone knob w/ rounds. They also have a little mid nudge which helps the Jazz poke through better.
The TI rounds are an old set and have no “shine” left in the top, and are serving this P Bass beautifully. I like the TI rounds on a P because their mid emphasis is at a little higher frequency than the TI Flats, and this P bass has an Ash body with a little bit of extra low mid presence… I wasn’t having luck with flats that added more “grunt” to the low mids, so these TI rounds are terrific on here.
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I hear what you're saying and 'my' solution was to have a P w/flats + a P w/rounds. Both have strengths that cannot be substituted. IMHO, the same holds true with J basses. The difference for me is that the Ps are more raw and unapologetic and the Js more 'refined.'
So, whatever floats your boat and what sounds (and feels) right to you.
Both my Ps were given a chance with flats; both preferred rounds.
Every time I truly *like* the tone of a J, it's fitted with flats.
So: I hear you
I am wondering how flats on a J get on when the pickups are hum-cancelling, eg Dimarzio Area Js, or Nordstrand Big Splits
Every time I truly *like* the tone of a J, it's fitted with flats.
So: I hear you
I am wondering how flats on a J get on when the pickups are hum-cancelling, eg Dimarzio Area Js, or Nordstrand Big Splits
I have a G&L JB-2 that has been strung with Chromes (flats) for years. I picked up a P-Bass last year and have kept it with rounds. Each seems to have a happy place in the two bands I play in. I have to restring the P, and I am keeping it with rounds.
Ultimately the solution is to have:
A P with flats and a maple fingerboard,
A P with rounds and a maple fingerboard,
A P with flats and a rosewood fingerboard,
A P with rounds and a rosewood fingerboard.
Same thing with four different Jazz basses, then all of them in a 5-string version.
Only then can we start dealing with active electronics.
Before, of course, tackling the fretless versions of each of them.
A P with flats and a maple fingerboard,
A P with rounds and a maple fingerboard,
A P with flats and a rosewood fingerboard,
A P with rounds and a rosewood fingerboard.
Same thing with four different Jazz basses, then all of them in a 5-string version.
Only then can we start dealing with active electronics.
Before, of course, tackling the fretless versions of each of them.
I'm totally with you. Flats give the J body while rounds give the P definition.
That's my take anyway...
That's my take anyway...
Round and flat sound depend personal taste on both J and P bass, even Nylon has their cool sound out from P or J too.
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I've just shifted my set of Chromes from my SB-1, whose volume control offers a useful amount amount tone-shaping, to my LB-100.
I love the alnico+flats combination, but my ears are dying for the extra dimension that a second pickup would add. Hmmmm *plots*
I love the alnico+flats combination, but my ears are dying for the extra dimension that a second pickup would add. Hmmmm *plots*
While I do have a P with Ti's, my pair of J and P AVRI's wear pure blues on the P and Ti's on the J....and that's the way it's gonna stay.
It's all good. I have stainless rounds on my custom P-style fanned fret bass; I have Fender 9050CL's (no longer made - now all you can get is the 9050L with the 100 E string instead of the 105) on a mongrel bass that has Bart J-pickups. Each sounds great.
Anecdote: it's not the bass, it's the playing: when I played my P-style bass at a blues fest many years ago, I had Roto Swingbass 45-60-80-105 on it. After our set, several people came up to me asking what flats I had on the bass, because they were impressed with my tone in the mix - house PA system. They were amazed that I had Roto Swingbass, because their prejudices were that Rotos were only used in harder rock genres.
Anecdote: it's not the bass, it's the playing: when I played my P-style bass at a blues fest many years ago, I had Roto Swingbass 45-60-80-105 on it. After our set, several people came up to me asking what flats I had on the bass, because they were impressed with my tone in the mix - house PA system. They were amazed that I had Roto Swingbass, because their prejudices were that Rotos were only used in harder rock genres.
I'm with you. My all-time favorite bass tones are McCartney's Band on the Run album (J with flats) and anything with Bruce Thomas with the Attractions (P with rounds).
But yeah it's all good!
But yeah it's all good!
Passive Jazz with rounds, both pickups on and tone on 10 is just one of those classic sounds. Gotta have it.
The P with both flats and rounds is a classic sound...D@mn it... I need 2 P basses...
The P with both flats and rounds is a classic sound...D@mn it... I need 2 P basses...
My favorite is a P with rounds. I also think flats mellows a Jazz in all the right places.
But the inverse are 2 fantastic, Classic and indispensable tones. So my vote is “it’s all good!”
But the inverse are 2 fantastic, Classic and indispensable tones. So my vote is “it’s all good!”
Just a follow-up to my earlier post...
Shortly after I put the rounds on my P, I decided I didn't care for the feel after all. So, I have a set of SIT Silencers (NPS semi-round) on order to try on it next.
Meanwhile, my J is happily purring with GHS Pressurewounds (Alloy 52 rollerwound).
It’s because the average buyer thinks they sound better. I worked in the industry for a large manufacturer. I like flats but I’m in the minority once you get outside bass forums.
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