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Using flats for pop music?

H

HugeInJapan

May 25, 2011
107
1
#1
I switched to flats about two years ago and I absolutely love them, the feel, the sound, etc. I recently switched bands and am now playing top 40 pop. Any suggestions on how to get a better tone for pop music out of flatwouds? ANything I can set on the amp/eq? If it helps I'm playing an L2K through a carvin b2000 and a fearful 1515661.
 
#3
To retain clarity, drop the lower mids slightly on the amp, and don't have the bass control too high. If your bass has two pickups, work with pickup balance, say, starting with neck pickup full on and bridge pickup at about 7 or 8 to also get a little bit of scoop to the tone, and experiment from there.
 
#4
I think it could depend on the flats - I have TI's on one bass that could do any style I have no doubt. I have had chromes and sads on others that I don't think would have done as well across genres. I keep one bass with flats and the other has KS compressors on it which can cover the round tones but keeps a little of that flat thang going on as well. Good luck.
 
#5
Gab124 said:
I think it could depend on the flats - I have TI's on one bass that could do any style I have no doubt. I have had chromes and sads on others that I don't think would have done as well across genres. I keep one bass with flats and the other has KS compressors on it which can cover the round tones but keeps a little of that flat thang going on as well. Good luck.
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+1 I use TI's on my 1959 Precision Bass. I dearly love those strings. I tried the 5 String Set on my Lakland 55 94 and was really dissapointed. They just didn't sound nearly as good on a modern active bass as they did on the Fender. I use D'Addario Half Rounds on the Lakland.

Ric
 
#7
Have you tried Rotosound JazzBass flats?
They have a more open roundwound sound than most traditional flats.
Slap works fine. Only thing is you might want to go down in gauges. Compared to others they are quite stiff.
 
#8
I use GHS Precision Flats, and find that an EQ boost at 2K and/or 4K helps cut through. These strings are already a bit midrangey, so use your ears and don't overdo it. Finding that midrange "sweet spot" is critical to sitting well in any mix, live or studio.
 
#9
Ric Vice said:
+1 I use TI's on my 1959 Precision Bass. I dearly love those strings. I tried the 5 String Set on my Lakland 55 94 and was really dissapointed. They just didn't sound nearly as good on a modern active bass as they did on the Fender. I use D'Addario Half Rounds on the Lakland.

Ric
Click to expand...

I put the TI's on my 5502 and was also not happy at all. But on the 4401 active they are awesome. So I don't think it is so much modern or not just the bass itself - they just seem to like some more than others but really no different from any string.
 

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