My absolute favorite flats are the LaBella Low Tension Flats. Just magical.
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Roscoe Club
- Thread starter JOME77
- Start date
La Bella LTF-5A Low Tension Flexible Flats Bass Strings - 5-string https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MITW3O2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T5lnDb74N9CXW
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If I had 2 fretted Roscoe’s I’d definitely load a set of those on one. But with just one, the La Bella’s are just to old school. The D’addario Chromes and EB Cobalts are what I would call modern sounding flats. They can kind of catch the vibe of both flat and rounds (depending on playing style and EQ).
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You're right Shane. You don't understand!
It's like this Shane...........
It's like having a new mid-engine C7 corvette at home, but getting nostalgic for the sound of the old 1960s Impala you drove while in high school that had the old quadrajet carb. Ya miss punching it and hearing the SSCCHHWWWAAAAAAAA sound.
That help?????
I've been using lemon oil for years with great results. It cleans and conditions the wood. It will also brighten up your frets. I use it everytime I change strings, or at least once a year.
I reckon it would be like icing on the cake. A P in the mix is something to behold. All that Roscoe goodness plus the capability for P bass fundamental... well wouldn’t that be splendid.
Hey Andy.
Do the low tension La Bella's sound pretty much the same as the standard Deep Talking Flats? I've been considering trying them but didn't want to compromise the sound of the standard 760FS strings that I currently have installed.
Here's the thing peeps sometimes gloss over in this specific discussion - some of us want or need a real (or really close) P sound (to make us happy, so we dont get fired, etc.), and some of us need a bass to sound like a quinessential Roscoe. Some of us need/want both!
I've got to side with Shane on this discussion: a $200 P with flats can do the sound. It might not make you as happy as if you had a $4000 Roscoe PJ in your favorite body shape, that's for sure! I played a corporate gig where the first set was all 60s/70s Motown and rock, and I brought my $200 P cuz I didn't have a Roscoe P. Still got paid. Then I saved my pennies for a used Roscoe PJ...which happened to be one of Shane's old Roscoes.
Here's the thing peeps sometimes gloss over in this specific discussion - some of us want or need a real (or really close) P sound (to make us happy, so we dont get fired, etc.), and some of us need a bass to sound like a quinessential Roscoe. Some of us need/want both!
I've got to side with Shane on this discussion: a $200 P with flats can do the sound. It might not make you as happy as if you had a $4000 Roscoe PJ in your favorite body shape, that's for sure! I played a corporate gig where the first set was all 60s/70s Motown and rock, and I brought my $200 P cuz I didn't have a Roscoe P. Still got paid. Then I saved my pennies for a used Roscoe PJ...which happened to be one of Shane's old Roscoes.
LOL
You guys have obviously never played a really nice Fender P-Bass! Big difference between a $200 P-bass and new American Pro or Elite P-Bass (mine for sure). They play with the same low buzz free action that my Roscoe does. I'm Roscoe spoiled for sure but playing my Fenders is an all around joy.
But I do get where you're coming from. A $200 used P-bass (that set's up decently) will get you in the ball park (or the gig) but it won't hit a home run!
LOL
You guys have obviously never played a really nice Fender P-Bass! Big difference between a $200 P-bass and new American Pro or Elite P-Bass (mine for sure). They play with the same low buzz free action that my Roscoe does. I'm Roscoe spoiled for sure but playing my Fenders is an all around joy.
But I do get where you're coming from. A $200 used P-bass (that set's up decently) will get you in the ball park (or the gig) but it won't hit a home run!
That's the problem, I've never played a Fender period that makes me think I want or need it. That's not a knock as I've drove hundreds of miles to shops that stock several highend Fenders including several of the Elites with every intention of buying one. Honestly I wouldn't have traded my Ibanez Premium or Prestige basses I owned at the time for any of them I've tried. They are just not worth the money to me for what they are asking. I've heard some that sound good with other players having them but I don't get their cult following. My Roscoe's and Devon's blow them out of the water IMO.
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I haven't played the standard set myself, but a good friend has them on his bass. To me they sound really similar, but I prefer the low tension. Once they settle in they are perfect for what I want from a set of flats.
There's no way to understand a Fender or Fender style bass until you spend some time with one with a band. I fought it for years, but when I take my P bass out it's perfect in every way. I just smile, play, and feel completely satisfied.
I totally get that, and that's so cool that you found your happy place! 'Happy Place', though, is completely subjective and context-dependent. A few exceptions may be found, ymmv, etc., but personally there were several gigs in the last year where I would NOT have been happy with a Fender P of any value. That's just me and what I want to hear out of my bass in a given setting, though.
Because you know I'm all about the bass (context)!
The first Roscoe tagline I heard many moons ago was, “a P-Bass that sounds like a Steinway.” It’s true.
