skywalker Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Hi All Is anybody using flats on a Jazz - and is it good bad or indifferent?? Steve Quote
EssentialTension Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 D'Addario Chromes on a fretless Jazz - excellent. But then I use flats on everything so I'm not a good source really. What sound are you after? Different flats won't all sound the same. Quote
lee650 Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 I had some labella deep talking flats on my jazz for a while they were great but i went back to the roundwounds as i like bite with a jazz bass, if i ever get a precision it will always have flats i think its the perfect combination. lee Quote
markytbass Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 [quote]What sound are you after? Different flats won't all sound the same[/quote] +1 on that, I have used several brands. Roto jazz flats were quite bright, I think thats down to how they are made. I found that the lighter 40-100 guage felt like a set of 45-105 rounds tension wise. I have also used Ernie Ball flats, not as bright as the Rotos but I found the guages a bit odd (heavy top's med bottoms 50-70-95-105). Didn't quite work on my jazz, not sure if it was the odd guages with the slim Jazz neck but the E & A were slacker than the D & G. I tried Roto tru bass strings a la Herbie Flowers, they were great on my Stingray nice m'wah sound but couldn't seem to replicate it on the Jazz. The latest set of flats I am using are Status Hotwires, I have a set on my Warwick (is that ethical?) and they are sweet. I play the blues and they are spot on for that. I have yet to get a set on my Jazz but I am very pleased with the sound they produce, the tension and feel on the Warwick. Of corse there are other manufacturers to try but I think I have found the ones I like with the Hotwires. Quote
bass_ferret Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I use Status Hotwire halfs (best of both worlds) and TI Jazz Flats. Different strings suit different basses and different players, so its difficult to make a firm recommendation. Quote
Clarky Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I had them on the Jazz I sold y'day to Artisan and it played finger- and pick-style beautifully (obviously not great if you are a slapper) with very low action. I had the light-gauge Labella Deep talkin Flats (760FL code number) on them, which are best part of a tenner cheaper than TI Flats and very similar. Quote
niceguyhomer Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Labella flats are superb IMO but I've never had a any luck with them - I've had 3 sets and all of them had a duff E string. If you're lucky enough to get a perfect set - they would be my first choice. Quote
wateroftyne Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I used La Bella FLs on my J for a long time (I've never had any problems with them, FWIW) and they sounded great. Quote
6stringbassist Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I use LaBella medium flats on my Marcus Miller, it sounds excellent. Meshell Ndeogocello uses the same on her jazz, I think that's some sort of 60's jazz, but I may be wrong there, I'm not an expert on Fender basses. Quote
4000 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 John Paul Jones, Gary Thain, pretty much anything by Lenny Kravitz. Oh, and Me'Shell, as above. Sounds good to me. Quote
Raslee Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 I use flats, great for reggae & dirty old skool funk vibes. I struggle to slap on em though (not that i'm any good at slap though) but then i suppose they're not really made for slapping. Anyone tried those nylons strings.?..am considering trying those out...bloody pricey though! Quote
skywalker Posted January 18, 2009 Author Posted January 18, 2009 Thanks for all this. I like quite a "soft" sound as opposed to "hard and punchy". I suppose almost to sound like an upright (that might no be the best description, but I am sure you see where I'm coming from). I think I will give it a try and see what I get. Quote
foal30 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 D'Addario Chromes on a Fretless Jazz soft is a good description, warm through the valve amp + 15" speaker I like this set up for stock standard walking bass lines. Chromes have to me at least, a wear in time, give them 3-4 weeks and their sweet. Quote
WHUFC BASS Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 When our Lord Jesus Christ returns upon this earth he will speak unto nations and say... "Fellas, I was only f***ing joking when I invented flatwounds... you silly c**ts!!" Quote
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