NBD - Which one gets flats? (Warning - Green Content!)

[dbsfgyd1]

I purchased the Ibanez SR1505 (left) about a couple of months ago and fell in love with it so much that I've abandoned 4-stringers. Needing a backup I purchased the nearly identical SR5FMDX (right). They have identical electronics & PU's but differ in woods and finish.

Since they sound very similar, to make a sonic difference I will install flats on one of them, but which one?
View attachment 4696331

Sure are pretty! Not surprised they sound similar. As for which flats, I wouldn’t have a clue. I pretty sure you will get a couple of good suggestions as there are a lot of options out there, and some of those are fairly expensive. Best wishes, and congrats of finding a couple of real nice basses.

 

[GIBrat51]

I'm not gonna be much help, 'cause if they were mine? Both of them would get flats. Out of the current 24 basses I own, only one has rounds (TI Jazz Rounds), and one has Roto TruBass 88 Tapes on it. The rest wear all kinds of different flats, in all kinds of gauges. And those two would be no different. Probably some modern, bright flats on one, and some thumpier, Old School flats on the other.... TBH? If they sound pretty much the same now? I can't see that it makes any real difference which one gets rounds, and which one gets flats. Just flip a coin, and carry on....

 

[kumimajava]

Black Nylon LaBella tapewounds on the one on the left

 

[Riff Ranger]

Aw man, I already bought flats for my seafoam green Sire P5. Should I return the strings or get a new bass?

New bass and new strings, obviously

 

[dave64o]

Dark strings for the darker bass - put the flats on the Magic Wave and put the rounds on the green one.

 

[BOOG]

I purchased the Ibanez SR1505 (left) about a couple of months ago and fell in love with it so much that I've abandoned 4-stringers. Needing a backup I purchased the nearly identical SR5FMDX (right). They have identical electronics & PU's but differ in woods and finish.

Since they sound very similar, to make a sonic difference I will install flats on one of them, but which one?
View attachment 4696331

Whichever neck feels “0” face smoother, gets TIJF.

 

[E Joe]

I like rounds on a maple neck personally! So I’d do the flats on the purple one. Beautiful basses by the way!

 

[Dragan]

I never liked green basses until this thread

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I always thought that flats + maple is a good fit. For no objective scientific reason.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Left one ‘cause it’s clearly flatter than the right one

 

[Snert]

I purchased the Ibanez SR1505 (left) about a couple of months ago and fell in love with it so much that I've abandoned 4-stringers.

You have just proven yourself to be a man of impeccable taste and judgement.

 

[chris_b]

I have a passive PJ5, which I've strung with TI flats. That worked a treat for me and nicely enhanced the sound.

I tried flats on my active Jazz bass and I lost most of the "liveliness" that I like, so I went back to D'Addario NYXL's.

Sorry I have no pearls of wisdom for the OP.

PS Keep your current basses as they are and maybe get a P bass and put flats on that.

 

[theduke1]

I say the green one because I think LaBella Black Nylon Tapes would look cool on a green bass.
Duke

 

[shoulderpet]

Flats for the green bass as the maple fretboard will give a little more articulation plus I have always found maple plus flats is a great sounding combination

 

[neddyrow]

Love the choice of Nordstrands!

All my 3 basses have them

Flats on the green one

 

[cheapbasslovin]

Aw man, I already bought flats for my seafoam green Sire P5. Should I return the strings or get a new bass?

New bass and new strings, obviously

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I chose green - it just has a more retro vibe to me.

 

[eldorado2001]

Both

Correct answer.

 

[mongo2]

I'd put nylon tape wounds on both because I've only used nylon tapewounds for years.

 

[sonojono]

I’m gonna say neither. They both would look and sound amazing with either steels or nickel