I am blessed to have more than one bass so I set up each to a certain classical way from bass history. Flats on Ps, Rotosounds on Ps, Flats on Js, Rotosounds on Js. That sort of thing. My answer is all.
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Why do so many players love flats?
- Thread starter RVRSCO
- Start date
Oh, then I definitely need that.Flats help mask mistakes
So that is a 25.5” sl Strat guitar strung with bass light flats?
How does it sound and play compared to a Fender bass?
I don't like the feel of flats either. The sound is appropriate for some things, but rounds cover most of the things I play.
It depends on the bass, but since I pretty much only play Precisions, I do prefer flats. Specifically, I like the Jamerson flats from La Bella and sometimes, the Harris flats from Roto. Why? The tone, the tension, and the feel. I wish there were options for a high-tension B string that went with these 2 signature sets of flats.
I like the sound of Dunlop stainless flats and that’s my favorite string. I have rounds on some basses, but prefer the feel and sound of Dunlop stainless flats.
I consider all of us to be sorcerer's of a sort because of our ability to coax sounds out of wood and strings. That being said, I think it's like in Harry Potter where the wand chooses the Wizard. In this case the bass chooses the string.
I used to be strictly flats but some of my basses prefer rounds and so that's what they have. I buy different basses for the different sounds and when I lock myself into one string it denies the very reason I purchased that specific bass. I still have a few I'm trying to figure out though. Good luck.
I used to be strictly flats but some of my basses prefer rounds and so that's what they have. I buy different basses for the different sounds and when I lock myself into one string it denies the very reason I purchased that specific bass. I still have a few I'm trying to figure out though. Good luck.
So far I'm the only one who chose "other". I chose that because somebody gave me crap about referring to my LaBella white Tape Wound strings as flats. I would not be averse to being lumped in with flats. They are flat and actually smoother than any other flats I've used.
I originally used flatwound strings on my 1965 Jazz that I bought in 1966 because that was the only type of string available. Then while I was touring in 1971 I replaced them with the Fender black nylon tape wound strings. I kept those on it until my bass was stolen in 1976. I bought a 1982 Jazz in mint condition in 1985 and it came with some round wounds on it. When those strings wore out I put Dean Markley Blue Steel strings on it, which I thought were direct replacements (evidently Fender had some round wounds with same blue silk on them). Replaced those one more time and then replaced with DR Black Beauty strings. When my "Black Beauty" strings turned into "Mottled Gray" strings I replaced those with LaBella White Tape Wound Strings.
Put on the white tapes about 4-years ago or so and they are by far the best I've used on this bass. They are smoother than the flat wounds strings I've used before and are brighter sounding that previous flat wound strings I've used. They are also the most balanced in sound from string to string than any strings I've used. I really like them and if these ever go dead, I'll replace them with another set of the same.
I chose other too... primarily, because my main 'non-retired' basses use GHS pressurewound strings. They seem to be the best 'halfway house' between the deep rich tones of flatwounds, and the punchy mids of the roundwounds. Find them ultra-reliable, less finger noise and deep but still punch through quite a crowded mix in my band.
That said, the 'retired' crew sport such a mix: Rickenbacker 4001 naturally has Rotosound roundwounds, P bass has LaBella flats, and the Ricky fretless has black nylonwounds!
That said, the 'retired' crew sport such a mix: Rickenbacker 4001 naturally has Rotosound roundwounds, P bass has LaBella flats, and the Ricky fretless has black nylonwounds!
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Smooth_bass88
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
It totally depends on the tone you want. In the 1980s, I was playing SS rounds and changing them every month, even as a broke college student. If you want more of an old school thump, you can't beat flats. Now I mostly use nickel rounds, and I prefer them once the initial zing disappears.
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Why do so many players love flats?
i. do. not. know.
i don't like 'em, but a lot of players i admire and respect use 'em. it's all OK with me: play what you like!
i voted "rounds." TBH: i've ducked into the coated string thing now and then, i like them, too.
edit: i tried the vaunted TI jazz flats = couldn't stand 'em --- sent them to a friend who loves 'em...made us both happy!
it’s me, your friend. I think you should try a short scale set. If you still don’t like em i guess you can send them my way again.
