Up until six months ago, my Precision was the practical go-to, and then I started playing my other basses more, and over time, I put flats on all of them except the P. Over time, I'd replaced the rounds on the rest of my basses. I hadn't touched the P in six month, and when I plugged it in, the tall frets threw me off, and the rounds emphasized the metallic and rough tactile nature of the strings and frets. I almost hated it.
I'll keep rounds on the P--gotta have one bass that goes there. When the G&L JB-5 comes in, I'm going to have a big decision to make between rounds and flats.
What strings do you guys have on your 5-string basses?
I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
Re: I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
I've grown to love flats on many basses as well. Ironically, a P is the one bass I wouldn't put anything but flats on, so you might want to reconsider which bass you keep the rounds on.ch willie wrote:Up until six months ago, my Precision was the practical go-to, and then I started playing my other basses more, and over time, I put flats on all of them except the P. Over time, I'd replaced the rounds on the rest of my basses. I hadn't touched the P in six month, and when I plugged it in, the tall frets threw me off, and the rounds emphasized the metallic and rough tactile nature of the strings and frets. I almost hated it.
I'll keep rounds on the P--gotta have one bass that goes there. When the G&L JB-5 comes in, I'm going to have a big decision to make between rounds and flats.
What strings do you guys have on your 5-string basses?
I think if it weren't for the few times I need a bright, snappy slap sound I'd play flats all the time. Even a fresh set of flats on my P sound great when slapped, but as they settle they warm and dull up, and that's where most people like their flats to be. I have a set of LaBella 760ms on my '73 P that have been on there for 20 years.
Flats on a P, rounds on a J. That would be my choice.
Can't really help on your 5 string question, as I don't play 5s.
Re: I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
Not quite there yet... but over the years, the balance of power is gradually shifting toward flats as my playing has evolved. When I was younger I was a much more aggressive player, and rounds fit my grinding, bending, punchy pick-driven style. I hated fat, stiff flats that didn’t allow me to attack the strings the way I wanted to, but I’d already started to evolve toward more finger style playing and occasionally found flats useful enough to have them on at least one bass.
I think the thing that started to flip my thinking was the first time I tried a set of TI flats about 20 years ago. I put them on a brand-new Carvin LB20 I’d just got, and took it along to a studio jam as a back up. After playing my usual bass for the first hour or so I switched over, put down the pick entirely- and the tone and flexibility of those TI flats with that new bass just completely transformed the way I was playing- I was inspired to do all sorts of things I didn’t ordinarily do- it was like I was a totally different bassist (the other guys were like, “what got into you man, you were going off over there”)....
From that point on, I’ve evolved to 90% fingers 10% pick and I’ve also slowly continued to put more and more various types of flats on various basses. I’m probably at about 60% rounds, 40% flat now.
I think the thing that started to flip my thinking was the first time I tried a set of TI flats about 20 years ago. I put them on a brand-new Carvin LB20 I’d just got, and took it along to a studio jam as a back up. After playing my usual bass for the first hour or so I switched over, put down the pick entirely- and the tone and flexibility of those TI flats with that new bass just completely transformed the way I was playing- I was inspired to do all sorts of things I didn’t ordinarily do- it was like I was a totally different bassist (the other guys were like, “what got into you man, you were going off over there”)....
From that point on, I’ve evolved to 90% fingers 10% pick and I’ve also slowly continued to put more and more various types of flats on various basses. I’m probably at about 60% rounds, 40% flat now.
Re: I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
The Precision is my rock bass, so I'll keep rounds on it. I've been thinking about the JB-5. My Fender Jazz is now fretless and has flats--and damn does it sound great. So I'll probably put rounds on the JB. Having flats on the Ric kind of takes it out of the C Squier and Geddy raspiness as well, and the JB-5 will cover that.
I'm not a collector per se: my main music activities are songwriting, arranging, and recording. My 5 basses, like my guitars, are meant to cover any style I write in. The JB-5 won't ever be my number one (the Ric is), but it'll have its place.
I'm not a collector per se: my main music activities are songwriting, arranging, and recording. My 5 basses, like my guitars, are meant to cover any style I write in. The JB-5 won't ever be my number one (the Ric is), but it'll have its place.
Re: I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
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Re: I've Gotten So Used to Flats that Rounds Feel Terrible
BTW, never jerk a string out of a dog's butt--might be wrapped around something important.
As for my JB-5, I'd never jerk a string out of its butt...unless it wanted me to...
As for my JB-5, I'd never jerk a string out of its butt...unless it wanted me to...