Painy Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 I've just ordered my first ever set of flats I'm trying the relatively inexpensive Fender strings to begin with but hopefully they'll do the job. I've always gone for a super bright, aggressive rock tone but the Sterling SUB Ray I got recently is doing a better job of that than my precision ever did - only some of the stuff in our set really needs something warmer and a bit more old school. Can't wait to try 'em out now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Funnily enough, I've just found a set of hardly-used flats whilst sorting through my accumulated "bass clag" drawer. I'm tempted to whack them on a bass and see (hear?) what happens. Have fun with your flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Fender flats are my faves out of all the ones I've tried. 9050L - awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FelixGubbins Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 I bought a set of 9050Ls as my first set of flats and put them on a P bass. I'm rather impressed, especially for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 5, 2016 Author Share Posted November 5, 2016 They're only a couple of quid more than my normal Prosteels so if they're any good at all I'll be very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 I just did my first rehearsal with EBMM Cobalt Flats. Sounded brilliant this morning- loads of fundamental with a lively bite at the top. Very happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1478354079' post='3168571'] I just did my first rehearsal with EBMM Cobalt Flats. Sounded brilliant this morning- loads of fundamental with a lively bite at the top. Very happy! [/quote] That`s good to hear as I`ve just ordered a set for my "at home bass" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Flats arrived yesterday. Only had a chance to play with them through my little practice amp so far but already I can see what all the fuss is about a P with flats and I'm loving the feel too - including the increased tension as it goes. Can't wait to play through the full gigging rig at the weekend now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 excuse my ignorance but what are "flats" and what do they do different to rounds? are these differences subjective? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Flatwound strings are basically roundwounds which have had the surface polished off so the windings are flat and smooth. The difference in sound isn't just subjective - they produce less harmonic overtones than rounds so they tend to be less bright and zingy but that allows you to hear the fundamental of the note more strongly so they often tend to be described as more 'thumpy' sounding. Rounds on my Ray:- [URL=http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Richard_Pain/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0480_zpsq4gxxpfx.jpg.html][IMG]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/Richard_Pain/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0480_zpsq4gxxpfx.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Flats on my P:- [URL=http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Richard_Pain/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0479_zpsqoggrr7b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/Richard_Pain/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0479_zpsqoggrr7b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1478620081' post='3170352'] Flatwound strings are basically roundwounds which have had the surface polished off so the windings are flat and smooth. The difference in sound isn't just subjective - they produce less harmonic overtones than rounds so they tend to be less bright and zingy but that allows you to hear the fundamental of the note more strongly so they often tend to be described as more 'thumpy' sounding. [/quote] Technically what you're describing are groundwounds. On flat wounds the out wrap is a flat section wire, as opposed to round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1478620698' post='3170356'] Technically what you're describing are groundwounds. On flat wounds the out wrap is a flat section wire, as opposed to round. [/quote] That'll teach me to get my info from YouTube videos That shows it nice and clearly too though, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1478606793' post='3170194'] Flats arrived yesterday. Only had a chance to play with them through my little practice amp so far but already I can see what all the fuss is about a P with flats and I'm loving the feel too - including the increased tension as it goes. Can't wait to play through the full gigging rig at the weekend now . [/quote] Excellent... stick with them until they soften up. If you're finding them a bit 'grabby' at first, give them a rub doon with a cotton t-shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1478620939' post='3170360'] That'll teach me to get my info from YouTube videos That shows it nice and clearly too though, thanks. [/quote] Pressure wounds are missing from it though. Ground wounds tend to have a tone somewhere between Flats and Rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Flats are lovely. Can't wait to get a second bass so I don't have to keep restringing between flats and rounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1478621733' post='3170372'] Pressure wounds are missing from it though. Ground wounds tend to have a tone somewhere between Flats and Rounds. [/quote] I did actually try some pressure wounds initially as I was worried I'd miss the bright, aggressive tone that I've always used too much to go fully flatwound. They did feel nice but it felt like a bit of a half hearted effort in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1478620081' post='3170352'] Flatwound strings are basically roundwounds which have had the surface polished off so the windings are flat and smooth. The difference in sound isn't just subjective - they produce less harmonic overtones than rounds so they tend to be less bright and zingy but that allows you to hear the fundamental of the note more strongly so they often tend to be described as thumpy [/quote] Sorry again but what are harmonic overtones and what are fundamentals. I'm not trolling, Just thick apparently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1478620951' post='3170362'] doon [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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