What flat could this be? Or could at least get this sound?

[lastminute]

Really thinking about getting a Guild Starfire I but definitely not the stock roundwounds on that bass in this demo. What flats do these sound like? Especially listening to the very beginning of the video.

Edit: And yes, did try asking the makers of the video. No answer from them.

 

[michael_t]

It sounds more like rounds than flats to my ears. I didn't see any silk on them, either.

 

[lastminute]

It sounds more like rounds than flats to my ears. I didn't see any silk on them, either.

Really? If they are rounds, I like them: don't sound too metallic and trebly, got a nice middy punch. I wonder what they could be?

 

[michael_t]

Really? If they are rounds, I like them: don't sound too tinny and trebly, got a nice middy punch. I wonder what they could be?

Do you know what strings come on this bass from the factory? I think the "flatwound" sound you're hearing is more of the tonal character of the bass itself.

 

[lastminute]

Do you know what strings come on this bass from the factory? I think the "flatwound" sound you're hearing is more of the tonal character of the bass itself.

I mean, according to Guild's website: D'Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound Bass, Custom Light (.045 - .105)

Does it mean this one had it? Perhaps.

 

[michael_t]

I mean, according to Guild's website: D'Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound Bass, Custom Light (.045 - .105)

Does it mean this one had it? Perhaps.

It's quite possible.

 

[wolffire99]

That’s definitely rounds. You’re hearing tone control and a good player making it sound more vintage.

 

[tothemax]

It would have been nice if they showed what amp they were playing through, and any effects (or DI and settings). It does sound great...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Listen to the pops. Those are not flats.

 

[MidnightRadio]

Yep definitely rounds. These are great basses for the money. I've had mine strung with the factory rounds, LTFs, and currently Labella tapewounds....they all sound great.

 

[JulienP.]

Around 2021 they were using a combination of BAE 1073 + REDDI + Plugins, but would be nice if they'd mention the signal chain and strings on each videos.

 

[Doug4321]

It sounds rather like a P bass. Pickups. Squashed top end. Maybe has some overdrive/compression going on too. He plays rather staccato and some muting sometimes. I know the hollow body colors the tone also.

 

[logdrum]

Probably D'Add's. They loose their zing right away

 

[Root 5]

Really? If they are rounds, I like them: don't sound too metallic and trebly, got a nice middy punch. I wonder what they could be?

They could be D’Addario Half Rounds. They will give you that sound and they feel almost like flats ( don’t listen to the haters..)

 

[GIBrat51]

Nah... definitely round wounds. IME, if somebody's demo'ing a new bass - and not the strings? If they've changed the strings, they pretty much always tell you. Those strings sound just like the factory D'Addario's that came on mine; the ones that met Mr. Trashbin a few minutes after the initial function check. The ones that got replaced with GHS #3120MS Precision Flats - quick as a bunny. And, which don't sound anything like that...

 

[deepestend]

Sounds totally like rounds.

 

[brianrost]

Not sure I see the point of using a P pickup on a Starfire.

 

[J Wilson]

Rounds, not flats.

But the question SHOULD be is what's AFTER the bass, the amp, and how it was recorded. You're hearing way more from that than whatever strings he's using.

 

[deepestend]

Not sure I see the point of using a P pickup on a Starfire.

Definitely a little silly, but nevertheless, I'm totally into this. If I had a lot of disposable income, I would totally buy this. $699 for a manageable hollowbody with a cool color and binding? Yes.

 

[GIBrat51]

Definitely a little silly, but nevertheless, I'm totally into this. If I had a lot of disposable income, I would totally buy this. $699 for a manageable hollowbody with a cool color and binding? Yes.

Well...
The original Guild Starfires were true hollow bodies - the new ones, though, are not. But, in these days of big amps and speakers, a semi-hollow body is probably the best way to go. I have to be careful where I stand, when I play my hollow body Gretsch Broadkaster. Even with it's internal stiffening "waffle" bracing and humbucker Filtertron pickups, it doesn't take a lot for it to make weird feedback noises. My new Guild Starfire I? I probably could make it do the same, but I'm not stupid enough to stand right in front of a Rumble 500 combo amp/15" cab - and crank it up to 11... Anyway; with a set of GHS #3120MS Precision Flats on it? My Guild sounds just fine...