• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

why don't music stores put flats on their basses?

#121
"Close.Let's a 7 string bass in there.(Avatar left)Now it's Bizzarro World!"
Watch that! It's catching. :D
 

Attachments

  • 20150315_141228-1.jpg
    20150315_141228-1.jpg
    142.2 KB · Views: 40
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout
#125
because they're generally a higher tension and they want the instruments to play easier. Also, a lot of new basses ship with lighter strings for the same reason. I didn't read-up, and am assuming someone already chimed in with this info at least once.
 
#127
I can only think of one of my bass playing buds around here that uses flats. I have lived here all my life and been playing over 45 years. There are probably a few local bass dudes I don't know who use flats of course. As far as saying, "I want to try out a P Bass, but I don't know if it will sound good with flats" - yer kidding, right?


But the general answer expressed here is most likely on track: New basses are shipped with rounds, so there. Buy the bass, and replace the strings, which is what most everyone does anyway.
 
#129
I'm always surprised how many people on here use flats. Flats IMO are a jazz thing and at least in the UK. not very popular. I massively prefer the attack of rounds and its that same with all bass players I know personally. I would say its the norm. Flats appear to be having a lil bit of a comeback right now, but i doubt it will last.
 
#130
1954bassman said:
I can only think of one of my bass playing buds around here that uses flats. I have lived here all my life and been playing over 45 years. There are probably a few local bass dudes I don't know who use flats of course. As far as saying, "I want to try out a P Bass, but I don't know if it will sound good with flats" - yer kidding, right?


But the general answer expressed here is most likely on track: New basses are shipped with rounds, so there. Buy the bass, and replace the strings, which is what most everyone does anyway.
Click to expand...

With that mindset why wouldn't I just grab any p bass off the wall and buy it without even playing it at all. I know a P will sound great with flats... the buying experience is a bit more intimate for me. I'm just saying that if I'm going to buy a $1000 - $2000 bass, I'd love to be 100% satisfied before pulling out my wallet. Without flats on it, I really won't know until I'm home with it which sucks... but now that I know that flats are really not that popular I understand a bit more.
 
#131
Roy Vogt said:
I'

I can remember when you couldn't get a bass without flats and putting Rotosounds on a Rickenbacker would void your warranty. I guess I'm a Certified Bass Geezer! :D
Click to expand...
I had a new '76 4001 that shipped with flats, I had to send it back for some warranty work and they admonished me about the rounds I'd put on it. Told me the same thing about voiding the warranty. They sent it back with flats and I never changed them again. The 79 I have now also wears flats. Sounds pretty good.
 
#132
DionClassic said:
I was actually under the impression that flats were quite popular. I guess it's because of TB. What your saying g makes sense though. But i wish It was like at the car dealers... they have automatic and manual... even though everybody wants an automatic, they still have manuals to demo (I guess they are cheaper though).
Click to expand...

Again This must be a US thing... In the UK 95% of people would prefer the manual. I, as a Brit, don't understand the appeal of an automatic car as much as I don't understand the appeal for Flats.
 
#133
Yeah seriously, I've only known 2 people who prefer flats in all my 20 years of playing... though I'm pretty sure its a small minority to people using rounds, but I'm still surprised how many people HERE use them...

not my thing, but to each there own... I also think rounds can give people a better idea of what a bass is capable of with the tone knob, etc... I just don't see manufacturers accommodating a small minority with stringing basses with flats, they sound dead/dull to me and I'm sure others, probably also the reason foam mutes aren't a regular feature on most bridges nowadays
 
#135
/\/\3phist0 said:
Only old dudes would buy them.
You can't slap them or play metal with flats.
The stores need to sell cabs with tweeters. .

Hiding:help::rollno::eyebrow:
Click to expand...
Not even that many old dudes use roundwounds. I'm 57 and haven't used them since 1976, although I do appreciate that sound. A store isn't gonna restring a new bass (they don't even bother to set them up 99% of the time...) and if a used bass comes in that needs strings and they even bother to restring it, they're going to put what the vast majority of players consider to be standard on it in order to sell it.

Another thing is that there's nothing worse than new flatwounds. The E string sounds like you'd expect a flatwound to sound like, and the A, D, and G sound progressively brighter and brighter...the G almost like an old roundwound. What most think of as the flatwound sound is actually the sound of old, dead flats.
 
#136
zombie1965 said:
Again This must be a US thing... In the UK 95% of people would prefer the manual. I, as a Brit, don't understand the appeal of an automatic car as much as I don't understand the appeal for Flats.
Click to expand...
Both have their uses - I prefer an automatic when sitting in heavy traffic commuting to work, but a manual when driving a sports car down country lanes or on a track. I'm sure someone can think up some stilted analogy for bass strings, but I think you get the point without it. :)
 
#137
1954bassman said:
...Buy the bass, and replace the strings, which is what most everyone does anyway.
Click to expand...

Umm... Not me. I almost always play the factory strings until they won't hold pitch anymore. Hell, they're new. I guess I'm not nearly as picky as many are.

When I buy a used bass, yes, then I'll probably change the strings (to a standard guage of nickel-rounds of whatever brand I have on hand, again not too picky) as part of my normal "clean-up and set-up".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jah Wobble Fan
#139
vmabus said:
Rounds are cheaper.
Click to expand...

This is because they sell a lot of rounds ... there is a limited market for flats ...

I have owned over 70 basses and restrung a lot of basses many times. I have been playing since 1968. I have bought hundreds of sets of strings, many different brands, 4 and 5 string sets. In all of those years I have only bought a couple of sets of flats, and the flats never stayed on a bass very long.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout and DionClassic

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back