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Rounds which sound like flats

4StringDave

4StringDave

May 4, 2010
769
1,276
From - Glasgow (Sco) Lives - France
#1
Hi Everyone

I've been experimenting lately (last couple of years!) with some Fender Flats on my main Jazz Bass and I'm loving the tone for most things. The problem is, I'm still having trouble with stickiness - normally things are ok, but last night we played an outdoor gig and, when the sun set and the air became colder and a bit more damp, I was sticking all over the place and they became difficult to play.

I use D'Addario XLs on another jazz so I know what they are like when well broken in, but I was wondering if there was anything else that could get me closer to the sound of the Fender flats, but roundwound, for those sticky moments? I know it won't be 100% the same...
 
#4
4StringDave said:
I use D'Addario XLs on another jazz so I know what they are like when well broken in, but I was wondering if there was anything else that could get me closer to the sound of the Fender flats, but roundwound, for those sticky moments?
Click to expand...

Well-broken-in DR Nickel Lo-Riders for punchy warmth and smooth mids. Even when they're brand new, they're not nearly as bright or zingy as the D'A XL Nickels, not to mention they're also a lot smoother in surface texture than the D'A without ever getting sticky.

EDIT: I should also point out the Nickel Lo-Riders, being hex-core, are fairly closer to XL Nickels and Fender 9050s in terms of overall playing feel (stiffness/flexibility) than the TI Jazz Rounds mentioned above.
 
Last edited:
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#6
michael_t said:
Well-broken-in DR Nickel Lo-Riders for punchy warmth and smooth mids. Even when they're brand new, they're not nearly as bright or zingy as the D'A XL Nickels, not to mention they're also a lot smoother in surface texture than the D'A without ever getting sticky.

EDIT: I should also point out the Nickel Lo-Riders, being hex-core, are fairly closer to XL Nickels and Fender 9050s in terms of overall playing feel (stiffness/flexibility) than the TI Jazz Rounds mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Thanks Michael!
 
#9
4StringDave said:
Hi Everyone

I've been experimenting lately (last couple of years!) with some Fender Flats on my main Jazz Bass and I'm loving the tone for most things. The problem is, I'm still having trouble with stickiness - normally things are ok, but last night we played an outdoor gig and, when the sun set and the air became colder and a bit more damp, I was sticking all over the place and they became difficult to play.

I use D'Addario XLs on another jazz so I know what they are like when well broken in, but I was wondering if there was anything else that could get me closer to the sound of the Fender flats, but roundwound, for those sticky moments? I know it won't be 100% the same...
Click to expand...

There was a thread a week or so ago about flats in high humidity being somewhat sticky. Having a good clean wipe cloth on gigs is a good idea. I don’t use flats but years back, I just wiped them (and the neck too) down as often as needed, once or twice a set seem to eliminate the problem. JMO.
 
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#10
4StringDave said:
Tried that - my nose isn't greasy enough apparently.... :D
Click to expand...

There are legends about fried chicken grease deadening strings - you might get the sound of flats with decent slide-ability that way, but...I've never had the guts to try it (and I like the sound of rounds, so I probably never will).

Otherwise, broken in Pressurewounds will get you to the edge of flatishness tonally.
 
#18
michael_t said:
Well-broken-in DR Nickel Lo-Riders for punchy warmth and smooth mids. Even when they're brand new, they're not nearly as bright or zingy as the D'A XL Nickels, not to mention they're also a lot smoother in surface texture than the D'A without ever getting sticky.

EDIT: I should also point out the Nickel Lo-Riders, being hex-core, are fairly closer to XL Nickels and Fender 9050s in terms of overall playing feel (stiffness/flexibility) than the TI Jazz Rounds mentioned above.
Click to expand...
I use a Jazz bass with broken-in Nickel Lo-Riders (sometimes w foam mute) interchangeably with my Pbass with Labella flats for an Americana band. No one bats an eye. They can sound nice and thumpy. Honestly the only thing I miss with them is with my pick sound--you don't get the same "thunk" on the attack as with flats with some highs boosted, but at least the NLRs don't sound zingy or pingy. For fingerstyle with some highs rolled down they're killer for rootsy tones.
 
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