FelixGubbins Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 First bass I had came with flats on it - a Kay. Took then off for a set of rounds and have never gone back. 34 years on I want to give them another go. My question is, what bass do I put them on? Choices are a J, a P or a Rick. What do you guys reckon and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Have a go on each and see what you like best. Flats on a Precision is pretty much guaranteed success IMO, though. Rich, warm, thumpy low mids; it's a classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I'd try the Precision first, but give them a spin on them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 You can't go wrong with flats on a P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 I've heard a but about flats on a P bass and my first thought was to try this first but then wondered whether the wider done palate of a jazz might be a better bet. I'm not so sure of trying on the Ricky yet as the tuner configuration means i can't put them back on the 4 in line basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 [quote name='FelixGubbins' timestamp='1445032118' post='2888402'] ...wondered whether the wider done palate of a jazz might be a better bet. [/quote] I used flats on an active Jazz at a gig and they worked very well. But if you like the Jazz 'growl', flats will be less effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Flats on a p is one of the quintessential bass tones. I had jap 57p with chromes and vintage frets -wonderful to play and deep smooth tone with the treble rolled off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 I thing in swayed to the P then, think I might give the jazz a miss as I do love the growl. Any opinion on the Ricky? What would out do to the slightly lacking low down punch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Put them on the bass you play the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 (edited) For flats on a Rickenbacker listen to middle to late period Beatles. Edited October 17, 2015 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1445079207' post='2888628'] For flats on a Rickenbacker [b][color=#ff0000]with simply oodles of studio processing[/color][/b] listen to middle to late period Beatles. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Fair point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo-E Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Flats on a J has been a go-to combination for reggae cats forever. I've heard some pretty great rock tones from that combination as well, but you're right about some of the growl going AWOL. As for the flats & P combination; well things do become standard for a reason! It worked for thousands of R&B hits for decades. It's a great sound (especially if you just happen to have a B15 lying around!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 [quote name='Lo-E' timestamp='1445088351' post='2888721'] As for the flats & P combination... It's a great sound (especially if you just happen to have a B15 lying around!). [/quote] Or if you have a VT Bass lying around. It's better-known for its full-on 8X10 rock tones, but can also be persuaded to produce some very convincing warm, fat, round tubey Motown/Stax vibes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 [quote name='FelixGubbins' timestamp='1445074488' post='2888568'] I thing in swayed to the P then, think I might give the jazz a miss as I do love the growl. Any opinion on the Ricky? What would out do to the slightly lacking low down punch? [/quote] It's an alright combination, but not the ideal one. You like your Jazz for the growl, what is it about the Ric you like? Many folk like the growl, so use rounds. I have rounds on my Ric, and have a P with flats on - TI JF344's - which doesn't give me a Jamerson esque thud, but it controls that top end and gives me a very "musical" sound, that is to say I can use the P with the TI's on in just about any genre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1445095669' post='2888777'] what is it about the Ric you like? [/quote] It's the shape and feel of the Ricky that I like. Sound wise I became a bit disillusioned with it as I was after more bottom at the time. Not an issue now I've got more options with the other basses. It's resting at the moment and needs a bit of tlc in the form of a new jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I've had flats and rounds on both my Jazz and Precision, and change my opinion quite a lot! If I had the money and space, I'd own two of each to have all options available - it's four very different sounds. As it stands, I'm using flats on my Jazz and rounds on my Precision. My current reasoning is that flats give the Jazz a smoother, less harsh tone - particularly on the bridge pickup. I find the mellowness a good match to the brightness of the pickup and makes it more useable when solo'd, and makes the Jazz more versatile all round. On the other hand, I find rounds gives a P a great rock sound. I'm using very bright steel rounds on my Lakland 5501, though I will try flats on that next! My advice - try flats on all your basses over a reasonable period of time (one at a time!) and make sure you try in a band situation. In my opinion, you won't appreciate flats properly until you've at least had a band rehearsal with them. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 [quote name='geoham' timestamp='1445120018' post='2889010'] ...make sure you try in a band situation. In my opinion, you won't appreciate flats properly until you've at least had a band rehearsal with them. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 [quote name='geoham' timestamp='1445120018' post='2889010'] I've had flats and rounds on both my Jazz and Precision, and change my opinion quite a lot! If I had the money and space, I'd own two of each to have all options available - it's four very different sounds. [/quote] That's definitely the way to go. Part way there as have got another p body and neck. Now I've got the perfect reason to buy another jazz :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 The only answer to this question is - ALL of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 [quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1445459540' post='2891713'] The only answer to this question is - ALL of them. [/quote] If I like them on the P I might just have to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Due to severe cash shortage, the Jazz I got from Raslee of this parish still has rounds on it. Aargh! I'd forgotten how horrible they feel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 I've got my strings now a set of fender 9050 45s so I'll put them on this weekend hopefully. They're going on a Hondo II p bass and I'm planning on doing a before and after recording to compare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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