Playing Flats with a Pick

[Alcyon]

Hey all,

I've got a '93/94 MIJ P-bass with GHS Boomers on it, and I almost always play with a pick... I don't have the finger coordination and I don't like to do it, but the bass sounds really atomically low, like SUBS low, with the tone knob down and played with fingers. The kind of lows I can't get even by maxing out all the low EQ knobs on my amp (Kustom KBA100). I was considering picking up a set of Brite Flats as I still need that high end to punch through, but will this make my bass get anywhere near those lows? I haven't heard that much low end out of a bass since I played through that Mesa Carbine at the music store

 

[lorenk]

well, i cant answer your question, but if you want something a little brighter but can still give a nice low sound, id say check out the labella deep talkin round wounds. i put em on my am fender p/j after i came to dislike the sound of flats (they just didnt have the treble bite - to much lows) and a pick, and i have to say with the tone rolled off they still give nice definition as well as a deep, bassy tone.

 

[Alcyon]

Rolling up the tone knob lets my chorus pedal and hopefully my future reverb pedal make themselves heard... With the tone knob down you can't even tell the effects are on. So I guess I'm looking for something with more lows that regular rounds and enough treble to hear.

 

[GeneralElectric]

You don't need highs to punch through, you need mids for starters.

You might wanna invest in a better amp, but in the meantime I suggest you play by the bridge. Might also wanna try nylon coated flats as well.

 

[DaveF]

Actually, I too have thought about playing flats with a pick to get that nice, fat bottom end... right now I'm using GHS boomers but I'm starting to notice how hollow it seems to sound with a pick. I don't use many effects but I like a nice, crisp attack so I've held off on the flats so far.

I wonder if anyone is currently using flats w/ pick in a modern/alt rock context nowadays....

 

[JohnDavisNYC]

i play with a pick a good deal in rock/studio settings, on my jazz bass with TI jazz flats... lots of lows, nice punch, and my tone knob determines how much 'click' there is on top. sounds particularly good when palm muting.

john

 

[Buskman]

Actually, I too have thought about playing flats with a pick to get that nice, fat bottom end... right now I'm using GHS boomers but I'm starting to notice how hollow it seems to sound with a pick. I don't use many effects but I like a nice, crisp attack so I've held off on the flats so far.

I wonder if anyone is currently using flats w/ pick in a modern/alt rock context nowadays....

Ben Kenney w/ Incubus comes to mind...

 

[mrkreuzschlitz]

What exactly do flats sound like with a pick? Do they have that "dead" sound you get when you pluck an upright bass?

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

Get some Rotosound Jazz Bass Monel, use the pick and pretend you are Phil Lynott! Sweet, Sweet tone!

 

[basscheez]

I use Fender 9050s on my fretless. Usually use my fingers, but occasionally use a pick if I need a little more punch. I get a little "poing" with the pick, but not quite the piano-sound as I get with my Blue Steel roundwound-equipped fretted P-bass.

Hope that helps and / or made sense.

 

[LevinFan]

Hey Alcyon, I threw a set of Brite Flats light gauge on my Lakland 44-01. Sounds fantastic played with a pick. I tried different picks, heavy, medium, nylon, tortex, etc. The best sound I got was the Pickboy Vintage T-Shell Classic 1.00mm.

There are better flats than the Brite flats, but I like the Brites. I change strings often, so the price of them works for me.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ryan Mohr]

Ben Kenney w/ Incubus comes to mind...

+1