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Once you go flat, you never go back
- Thread starter GodPlayedBass
- Start date
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I just want to point out that if your first experience with flatwounds is EB Cobalts, make sure to try other strings before saying "I love flats and I'll never look back". They're not the typical flatwounds, in my experience.
I've tested them against different flats of different manifactures and they're definitely different, some sort of in between rounds and flats. They are often appreciated by people who don't like flats and/or are trying to not move away too much from rounds' tone, while long time flats aficionados tend to prefer the old school "spaghetti" ("bucatini" is more appropriate). I've used Cobalts for a while and they don't have the thump I want from flats. Top end and definition is great though, so if you like them... good for you.
The same can be told about Chromes, 9050Ls and other "bright" flats, but I must sat that the feeling and the sound (once they're broken in) is what I consider "appropriate" for a flat. Cobalts... not so much. IMHO, of course.
I've tested them against different flats of different manifactures and they're definitely different, some sort of in between rounds and flats. They are often appreciated by people who don't like flats and/or are trying to not move away too much from rounds' tone, while long time flats aficionados tend to prefer the old school "spaghetti" ("bucatini" is more appropriate). I've used Cobalts for a while and they don't have the thump I want from flats. Top end and definition is great though, so if you like them... good for you.
The same can be told about Chromes, 9050Ls and other "bright" flats, but I must sat that the feeling and the sound (once they're broken in) is what I consider "appropriate" for a flat. Cobalts... not so much. IMHO, of course.
I like the Thomastik JF344 or Sadowsky Blue Label 100-40, and they last forever. Friend of mine has a set that have been on almost 30 yrs, and still sound awesome, if not better. He plays Western Swing music.
I went back.
Tried TI's, Chromes, Roto 77's, Cobalt flats, Pressure wound over a period of 8 years.
DR LowRider SS on all my basses now.
Good Luck!
Without a doubt, my favorite bass tone is a P w/flats! That said, I have other basses with rounds that get used as well (but I'd rather just play the P w/flats).
Despite my love for them, I'm going toward that direction due to the genres of music I play with my band. Having more than one bass allows you to try different stuff, but I always end up with rounds (I like DR Sunbeams) because they simply sound better in that context.
Most of the times I string one of my basses with flats (usually a P) is because I want to play some old school stuff (Motown above all), and every time I do that I think "that's the best bass tone in the world" until I realize I need that bass for other stuff and come back to rounds.
Depends on the bass. I went back on my current, went Chromes, TI, to GHS balanced Nickels.
I love Flats on fretted basses. For me the bass dictates the flats.
My Warwick FNA loves Chromes.
My Wilkins P bass loves La Bella LTF.
For my Fretless, Rotosound rounds.
My Warwick FNA loves Chromes.
My Wilkins P bass loves La Bella LTF.
For my Fretless, Rotosound rounds.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,444
- 4,402
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- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I'm with those who say that both flats and rounds have their virtues. It's black-and-white, absolutist, "never-go-back" type thinking that causes trouble not only in forums like this, but in the world in general. Why do you have to choose one and "never go back"? Never is a very long time and things change over long periods of time. There are some beautiful shades of grey that maybe both bassists and politicians should try to embrace.
As a long time rounds users, I tried a set of chromes and just couldn't warm up to them. Even moved them to another bass to see if I could like them. They're super stiff but I do like the ease of movement.
The G string had a real lack of sustain (both basses I tried them on). Maybe that set?
I'm not looking for thump though. So maybe if that's what flats have to offer, they're not for me?
The G string had a real lack of sustain (both basses I tried them on). Maybe that set?
I'm not looking for thump though. So maybe if that's what flats have to offer, they're not for me?
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This is not true and there are too many example to note. Rounds do not ‘sing better, nor mix better’ nor sit in mix better by any stretch. They only 'sit better' in the mixes for the music in which they are appropriate for. Overall, flats ‘mix better’ and sit better as they stay out of the way of non fundamental bass frequencies easier. They are also preferred by many engineers as they have less string noise. Flats in many ways are ‘ready to go’ to mix well in an ensemble.
I understand phrases in music tone can be ambiguous and clumsy, the ‘dynamic tonal range’ might refer to timbre? Is that what you mean? The range doesn't change whether you are using flats or rounds. The lows are not ‘lower’ and the highs are not higher (frequency wise). The timbre is different though. The 'color' is different. The upper order harmonics are free to ring due increased string vibration in rounds (Maybe that is what you mean?) They can sound crisp like a piano note which is not often the desired timbre, effect or intent in certain genres, styles, ensembles, sessions etc. Thomastiks JFs are an exception IMO. They have their own timbre and cut through exceptionally well in the lower mids.
