• 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 use flats?

#61
seanm said:
Which flats did you try and what gauge?
Click to expand...

I've tried standard-gauge Rotosounds and GHS, and heavy-gauge Chromes. I've currently got TI flats on my Warwick Flashback, and so far I'm not really impressed.

The Rotosounds sounded like roundwounds at first; after they "died" they sounded OK, but the tension was so high that my poor P-bass folding up like a pretzel, so I ditched them. The Chromes were the most comfortable, but had the worst "toy-like" sound, it was just too weak. The GHS flats were good and sounded similar to Ben Kenney from Incubus (whose tone I also dig), but still didn't get me where I wanted.

With the TI flats, they're a lighter gauge, but they're almost too flabby and flexible. I may try a heavier gauge later on.
 
#62
joeinsprings said:
For lot's of people, it's about the sound (rounds will never be able to get that smooth round balanced bass that flats get), the feel of smooth strings instead of rough, and the tension some people like.
Click to expand...

My drummer wants me to start using flats, because he wants that smooth, round sound.

But I won't. Because I like rounds, the brighter, the better. I like to cut through.

Also, flats *feel* weird to me. I used them on my first bass, but when I went to rounds, I loved it, and never went back. The rounds don't hurt my fingers at all, not now that I have callouses.

To each his own. Me, I like the bright rounds...I use DR Hi-Beams most of the time.

Cherie
 
#64
K-Funk said:
I've tried standard-gauge Rotosounds and GHS, and heavy-gauge Chromes. I've currently got TI flats on my Warwick Flashback, and so far I'm not really impressed.

The Rotosounds sounded like roundwounds at first; after they "died" they sounded OK, but the tension was so high that my poor P-bass folding up like a pretzel, so I ditched them. The Chromes were the most comfortable, but had the worst "toy-like" sound, it was just too weak. The GHS flats were good and sounded similar to Ben Kenney from Incubus (whose tone I also dig), but still didn't get me where I wanted.

With the TI flats, they're a lighter gauge, but they're almost too flabby and flexible. I may try a heavier gauge later on.
Click to expand...

I would try LaBella 760FL.

I am surprised you had problems with a P bass. I've never tried Rotosound flats, but I had some very high tension Fender flats and the P bass had no problem.
 
#65
I'm and older guy whose ideas about the ideal bass sound emanate from upright players and old school electric players. I like strong fundamentals, clear mids, and just enough treble to provide clear intonation and harmonics without any unnecessary finger or fret noise, and without any jarring upper mid-range clankiness.

When I play a bass strung with rounds, the first things I hear are finger noise and fret clank, and the tendency of harmonic overtones to overwhelm the fundamental if my technique isn't perfect; the first things I see are gunk stuck in the strings, and abrasion of the frets and fingerboard. I don't have these issue with flats.

My main bass is an active fretted fiver strung with TI Jazz flats; I don't slap, and keep the treble control turned all the way down on my bass to tame the fret-clank and finger noise, but when I play harmonics, they ring like a bell; when we play reggae, I turn up the bass control and get a beefy low end. The mid-range is inherently clean and clear.

A friend sat in - using my bass - and with just a few tweaks of my bass EQ, got a killer slap tone. He'd never played TI jazz flats before, and during the break he said he was very impressed by their sound and playability.

TI JazzFlats provide a wide range of versatile tones with none of the negatives endemic to rounds; my bottom line is they make playing easier and more satisfying for me. :D
 
#66
JMDT said:
Thanks for all the responses. So it seems as though the consensus is that rounds have much more top end sparkle while flats have an emphasis in the lows and low mids giving a more thumpy sound.

Sounds like I should at least give flats a try on my G&L L2500 as it is more or less my designated thumpy bass. Who makes a bright, or atleast relatively bright set of flats that could me some zing if needed?

So how do the half rounds come out? It doesn't seem as though they could be both bright and thumpy. How do they compare?
Click to expand...

I like Lakland's Joe Osborn flats. They're stainless steel. I had them on my fretless for 10 years. I changed to a different set because I like the lighter gauge on my B, E and A and the heavier gauge on the D and G.

I hated half rounds.

I seem to prefer rounds on my Skyline 55-01. My P-Bass has flats and my Yamaha BB300 has rounds.

If I had to choose one string I'd probably go with flats, but I like the variety.

KO
 
#67
I'd really like to get a set of flats as they have a really cool sound when walking and playing some jazz, blues or certain kinds of Jamaican/Carribean music but they wouldn't suit much of what I like. As someone who is as likely to play Rush or The Clash as they are to play some blues or reggae, would half-wounds be a good comprimise?
 
#68
kraigo said:
I like Lakland's Joe Osborn flats. They're stainless steel. I had them on my fretless for 10 years. I changed to a different set because I like the lighter gauge on my B, E and A and the heavier gauge on the D and G.

I hated half rounds.

I seem to prefer rounds on my Skyline 55-01. My P-Bass has flats and my Yamaha BB300 has rounds.

If I had to choose one string I'd probably go with flats, but I like the variety.

KO
Click to expand...

Stainless Steel flats!?!?!? These sound interesting as I like the zing of SS string usually. Tell me more. Are they thumpy while still retaining a bright character? BTW, who makes the Joe Osborn Jazz flats?

Thanks
 
#72
I was messing around with my uncles beater that has both rounds and flats on it (broke a round and added a flat, he doesn't play bass much). I gained much insight from my time with the bass. With the tone knob on ten, there were distinct differences in the sound. The flat was noticable fuller and thumpier while the rounds were much brighter. With the tone knob down to zero, there really wasn't that much difference in the sound of the strings and in a live setting it would probably not be noticable.

l also realized that when I play the rounds with my thumb instead of my fingers I get a warmer thumpier sound. The combination of the thumb and the tone knob turned down essentially give the flat vibe without actually having flats.

Anyone else see similar results?
 
#73
I have flats on all my basses, and love them. I prefer the stiffer tension (i hate playing all the flobbery roundwound strung basses at GC), and the lack of fingernoise is a nice plus. Also sliding sound about 20 times better with flats.


lunarpollen said:
short scale bass + neck pickup + Pyramid gold flats = perfect satisfying vintage thumpy bass tone + extreme comfort on the finigertips

not everyone wants to play funk or slap in the first place, and many who do aren't looking for a bright piercing sound.

i have roundwounds on the basses i use for my main band (modern post-punk) and flatwounds on the basses i use for my other stuff (retro '50's/'60's styles)
Click to expand...

I strung my EB-0 with pyramid golds :bassist:
 
#76
Back in the day (yes -- I'm an old-timer) that's all there was. Just flats. I think it was John Entwistle and Rotosound that designed the first roundwounds maybe back in 1966 but I could be wrong. Gradually the roundwounds eclipsed the flatwounds and by the late 70's they became the standard and flats became an endangered species until the new interest in vintage sounds such as James Jamerson's and Joe Osborn's. My attitude is that this new emphasis on varied tones is a perfect excuse to by a whole rack of basses. :bassist:
 
#77
Go to the Myspace link and listen to the "seasoned" TI flats on my '78 J.

I didn't think it was possible when I read all the raving endorsements of them, but now I'm a believer.

After over a year, they're still bright, punchy, and just what I like to hear thru my Tech21 RBI and Avatar 115 & 210 cabs.

YMMV
 
#78
Ever since I put some thomastik jazz flats on my bass a year or so ago, no other bass has felt as nice. Aside from the sound, which I love, they just feel so much more comfortable to play on. And there's no string noise when you move around either.

I can get what I feel is a nice slap tone, but yeah, there is a lack of that stinging attack you get with rounds.

But I love these flats so much, I'm going to get a 6 string set and put them on a 6 string bass when I get one some day.

And they also look really sexy and shiny. Rounds get all kinda rusty and finger gunky.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back