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Very first set of flats?
- Thread starter Woody1999
- Start date
Dont judge them till they are at least a month old.
Flats take time.
Will only get better.
Fender flats are pretty nice and are currently on my p bass. They don't quite nail what I think of when I think flats so ill definitely agree with those that said They are all purpose flats.
I had a jazz that came with chromes on it and to me they sounded like the quintessential flats sound. I have been seriously considering putting them on the precision.
I had a jazz that came with chromes on it and to me they sounded like the quintessential flats sound. I have been seriously considering putting them on the precision.
I had chromes on my jazz and it sounded incredible. I only took them off because you lose that jazz grind when you dig In.
I'm definitely considering a second jazz to put flats on and a second precision to put rounds on.
I'm not a fan of bright sounding flats, so Chromes don't do it for me even though they are the best selling flatwound. I've gone to the DARK SIDE of ghs Precision flats, and I'm never going back.
But how is the tension on the chromes? I dont like very high tension roundwounds so I probably wouldnt like it on flatwounds either.
I see you're from UK, so perhaps you can get Pyramids for decent cash. They're too much in US, but in Europe they are competetively priced (at least they used to be). My first flats, and I loved them for a warm woody tone (pun intended).
Though in the end, you may need to try several to find what you like, and to get the idea of their differences. Perhaps more than in sound they differ in feel (esp compared to rounds). So with that in mind, pick something popular that you can find for cheap. Consider buying used to save money/try more sets, flats don't accumulate as much gunk, so it's not as digusting to play them after another person
Though in the end, you may need to try several to find what you like, and to get the idea of their differences. Perhaps more than in sound they differ in feel (esp compared to rounds). So with that in mind, pick something popular that you can find for cheap. Consider buying used to save money/try more sets, flats don't accumulate as much gunk, so it's not as digusting to play them after another person
@shawshank72 speaks stainless steel words of great experience. Heed Them.
Not only do flats take time to play in, the player also needs to take time to have open ears and an open mind.
You play flats primarily for the sound/tone, and smooth feel with no string screech, and of course longevity. You play rounds for the tone and put up with the nasty string screech; fret buzz, short life, fret abrasion, and finger abrasion. Correctomundo? Tension comes with the choice. Flats are higher than rounds. Hex core is higher than round core. Suck it up buttercup.
Or go down a gauge compared to your usual rounds and you'll be pretty close to the same tension and string diameter.
Higher tension is definitely not necessary with flats if you choose that route. Some flats have very low tension (Thomastik), and others can definitely be low, just pick a thinner gauge. In the mix, the tone difference may be negligible. Of course if you choose a thicker gauge, the tension will be more, but its a choice.
Even if you choose a flat with relatively high tension (relative to rounds), it doesn't take that long to become accustomed to it, and you can lower your action to help compensate.
Even if you choose a flat with relatively high tension (relative to rounds), it doesn't take that long to become accustomed to it, and you can lower your action to help compensate.
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I like the higher tension and the tighter sonic focus of a larger diameter string. I also like the more percussive attack of a heavier string.
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Chromes are middle of the road in tension. LaBellas are definitely higher tension and Cobalts and TIs are definitely looser.
Labella 760FL, and the new "low tension flexible flats" are light tension flats. 760FX are extra light. You cannot assume a flatwound is tense simply by Brand. If you want light tension flats, choose light tension flats from any of a number of flatwound manufacturers.
Rotosound Monel flats are great if you want a flat that has enough punch to play rockier lines on- anything from jazz to metal, really.
Chromes and Fender flats are not characteristic of what a true flat sounds like. They sound like a poor compromise. If you go with either of these, know that there are much better flats out there. LaBella, GHS, or TIs would be my choice.
