• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

One with flats and one with rounds ?

Ok , who here really does this?

Me. Gives me options and keeps life simple. My Precision bass has TI Jazz flats. My Jazz bass had TI Jazz flats until it dawned on me, "Why do I want the Jazz bass to sound like a Precision bass?" After trying several brands of rounds, I put TI Jazz rounds on the Jazz bass, was astonished by the good and different tone and feel, and never looked back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5
Ok , who here really does this?
I do, with these two basses in particular. Sunburst gets flats, while sparkle red gets rounds. Originally I only had the burst one and that's the one that got rounds. I've thought about switching them back.
upload_2024-5-2_10-11-10.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5
One with flats and one with rounds ?
Ok , who here really does this?
While I haven't typically done this, I put a set of flats on one of my P-Basses last month and really love how each bass fulfills a completely different niche now.

P-Bass A is a 1983 Japanese Squier P-Bass with rosewood fretboard, double reverse-P pickups (at middle and neck positions), passive Lakland pickup, and Olinto flats.

P-Bass B is a $50 Craigslist Frankenstein salvaged from the carcass of an SX P-Bass and a Chinese Squier.
It has a maple fretboard, roundwound strings, and active EMG pickup.

To say they sound different from each other would be an understatement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5
Ok , who here really does this?

The rule is that at least one P-bass must have flats, right?

Srsly: I've been a roundwound guy all my life. If I only owned two basses, both would have rounds even if both were P-basses. I mean, if my primary bass went down at a hard rock gig, I would not want to be stuck with flats.

But I own 10 basses, over half of which are P-style, so I keep flats on exactly one. I'm a free agent and most of my bands play rock, including some hard rock, but even so I gig with flats somewhat regularly. I played with a roots/blues/country band for awhile, do occasional sub gigs with a mostly-Elvis band, and also play with an 11-piece classic rock/R&B band (1960's mostly) where the Jamerson tone is perfect.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LadyLoveStingRay5