I honestly couldn't see myself without a Moka at home. I need to source me a custom maker of rubber gaskets, should they become unobtainable in the future!
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Why do so many players love flats?
- Thread starter RVRSCO
- Start date
"Problem" is a complex word that can have many different interpretations, depending on the context. If you've read my post and you understand the context I'm pretty sure you've got an idea about what I was trying to say. And because you asked, I think it's THEIR "problem", not mine. I'm open minded, I try everything and I use what I like and what I need. I don't follow fads, I don't feel the need to join a "club" or a "cult".
That said, I find the recent "old-fashioned" fad pretty cringy for a number of reasons that aren't the clothes or the music per se, or the kind of strings I use with bass.
Eh, retro p*****cs is a whole thing, back here, isn't it? : /I find the recent "old-fashioned" fad pretty cringy for a number of reasons that aren't the clothes or the music per se, or the kind of strings I use with bass.
I've been playing flats for about 15 years now. My first three years I used rounds, and I found myself breaking a string approximately once per week. An older and more seasoned player, who witnessed me break multiple strings over a period of months, turned me onto flats, and assured me that I would spend a lot less money on strings if I switch to flats. Since the switch to flats, I have broken approximately four of them, averaging one broken string every 3 to 4 years. I play with my fingers, I'm not sure how or why I broke so many rounds, but the issue was greatly reduced with the switch to flats.
It depends on the sound I'm going for. Rounds on my Jazz bass. Flats on my P-Bass. Half-rounds on my fretless.
Run of the mill Fender tapewounds; fatter (whatever that is), noiseless, smooth especially when I need to slikde
You don't mention what kind of bass(es) you have.
I'm not sure that flats are a good match for an active bass, for example. --Cue internet "experts" to say othewise in 5...4...3...2...
However, flats sound best on passive instruments, particularly on a Precision Bass or a Jazz Bass. Actually, a Ricky sounds good with flats, too (viz, Tom Petty in Mudcrutch).
Flats provide a more focused fundamental because they don't have those high, ringing overtones that rounds have - overtones that mix, and diminish, your bass sound with other instruments, like guitar.
Another advantage is there isn't that little buzzing sound from moving your hand up and down the fretboard that you inevitably have with rounds. That is, they're quieter to play, which is especially useful in a studio setting.
The economical issue with flats is that the older they get, the better they sound. I'll keep a set of flats on my P/J Bass for almost two years. Rounds? Maybe a few months.
I use LaBella Deep Talkin Flats on all of my basses. They get better with age and I prefer a "thud" to a "boing"
D
I think the love/hate of flatwound strings depends largely on the music to be played and the tones desired. These days many music producers and music listeners (across multiple genres) want to hear a fat and fundamental bass sound with few overtones, so using flatwounds(with foam mute) on a bass guitar is a logical and trendy choice. This is in stark contrast to the 1980s into the mid-1990s, when using roundwounds with effects processing and/or sawtooth synth bass tones were the rage.
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After using steels and then nickels for years, I've landed with flats for all my basses because,
1. Just LOVE the smooth feeling on my hands;
2. They don't always sound better solo, but way better to my ears IN THE MIX, be it live or recording where steels and nickels are way too harsh and bright;
3. They're easier on my frets, which last way longer with flats, and;
4. They're more versatile, with an old pair for Motown type tones, or a fresh pair for heavy rock and metal a la Steve Harris!
1. Just LOVE the smooth feeling on my hands;
2. They don't always sound better solo, but way better to my ears IN THE MIX, be it live or recording where steels and nickels are way too harsh and bright;
3. They're easier on my frets, which last way longer with flats, and;
4. They're more versatile, with an old pair for Motown type tones, or a fresh pair for heavy rock and metal a la Steve Harris!
I prefer GHS Pressure wounds too for the same reasons. I run them on a Lakland 44-94 and a Fender Roscoe Beck signature, so active and passive sounds great on both.
I'm a rounds guy. I have exactly one bass strung with flats...an Ibanez Mikro that I bought for ukulele jams, where I wanted something that wouldn't call too much attention to itself. I even string my fretless with ground rounds.
But honestly, to each their own.
But honestly, to each their own.
Depends on the bass. If it's a Jazz, rounds all the way. However as I got older, I bought my first P Bass. I can't imagine that bass without the LaBella Low Tension Flats on it. It just has that sound, the tone. If it's a modern bass, I think flats would be silly. I have to clarify by saying I don't like high tension flats either. Too stiff and cause fatigue in my hands.
I certainly prefer rounds, but do enjoy flats for three of my specific purpose basses.
One is a P with flats, as that is a classic tool in the bassist's toolbox. This is also my only actual P. Anything else is a P/J.
Two is a Foundation with flats, which is my main bass for a CAN tribute. It gets that tone.
Three is my only fretless. Using flats to preserve the fingerboard over the long haul. My last fretless was quite chewed up from rounds. As much as I like the enhanced mwah rounds can provide, I'll stick to newer flats.
Once they break in and get thumpy, I really like the tone. The super long life is great, and when others play my basses with flats, they don't kill my strings like they do when playing my rounds. However, the zing and sustain of rounds is hard to beat.
One is a P with flats, as that is a classic tool in the bassist's toolbox. This is also my only actual P. Anything else is a P/J.
Two is a Foundation with flats, which is my main bass for a CAN tribute. It gets that tone.
Three is my only fretless. Using flats to preserve the fingerboard over the long haul. My last fretless was quite chewed up from rounds. As much as I like the enhanced mwah rounds can provide, I'll stick to newer flats.
Once they break in and get thumpy, I really like the tone. The super long life is great, and when others play my basses with flats, they don't kill my strings like they do when playing my rounds. However, the zing and sustain of rounds is hard to beat.
I always bring two basses, one with flats and one with round wound strings. I can get a thicker, deeper more bass rich sound with flats, and they're easier on my fingers since I'm a very aggressive player and tend to get blisters playing round wound strings all night.
