Flats on a Sterling

[RaginRog]

Anyone tried flats on a Sterling?

Flats do round out the tone...however, if you want to keep some of that snap try a set of the Md Light or Light guage flats. Maybe with a .100 or .95 E string.

I had flats on my SRs and after about 3 weeks I went back to the roundwounds. I prefer the attack, and certain nuances are more audible with rounds....just my opinion.

[RaginRog]

Would I still get a good rock sound? Usually tune Drop D and haf a step down. I only have the one bass, and it is sort of an expensive experiment. I tried flats on another brand one time, but truthfully I hated the sound and playability of the bass, so I don't think it was a fair representation of what the flats would sound like. My BFR Sterling is definitely the best playing bass that I have ever personally played on and I am tempted to try the flats.

I had the same set up for about a year when playing with a modern rock band.

Go with Power Slinkys...they may cause some blistering(on your fingertips, if you don't use a pick) come 3rd set, but they sound sweeeeeeeeet, especial for drop tunings.

[sitonmybass]

You're just string curious.

[GGK]

I managed to get a set of flats as a throw in from a past deal I did at my local shop. I put em on about 4 months ago, took a couple of weeks to settle in. I may never take them off

[kevins]

on the stingray and they sound amazing. i dont think ill ever go back to rounds unless someone lends me some really really really dead ones cause dead rounds are amazing too but i have yet to find out what dead flats sound like, so im waiting till the flats are about 2 years in to make that choice, and they'll probobly feel a lot nicer than dead rounds lol, because those things cut into you after a while

[bob atherton]

I've recently put flats (EB group 3) on my Stingray with single PUP. I'm getting a great parpy, almost Jacoesque tone from it that works a treat in my jazz fusion band.

If I got a Sterling with single PUP do you think I might get as good or even better a Jaocoesque tone with flats? I like the idea of a slightly thinner neck for the stuff that I'm play at the moment. Thanks, Bob

[Thornton Davis]

I put a set of EBMM Bass-5 2810's on my Sterling 5-H to help calm it down. I was finding the bass to aggressive when playing it hard for my liking. Felt good to play flats again, been 30 yrs. Liked the playability and overall tone they gave the bass. Now i'm going to put a set on one of my Stingray 5-H's, just waiting for them to arrive at the store.

TD

[projectapollo]

I just put TI flats on my 25th ann bass. I think it gets a very good, punchy rock sound. I do use the SansAmp Bass Driver and that will dial in any needed drive and presence. The reduced string noise and fret buzz with the flats is teriffic.

[EdFriedland]

I have flats on my 25th too, it's amazing. The bass became a frikkin' bulldozer after they went on. I also had flats on my SB14 for a while. Obviously the tone depends on what string you use too, not all flats are created equal. Lots of folks like the TIs, very musical and balanced sounding, also very loose tension. I've tried Lakland JO flats on my SB14 and it was great for old school country, but not enough edge for rock. The D'Addario Chromes are nice, but they are very bright and take forever to mellow. I think ultimately the EB flats are best suited to the bass, they have the high end that will make the bass cut, but they aren't too aggressive. The Group IVs are very similar to TIs in terms of tension, but I prefer the Group III. And yeah, you should probably just get another bass so you don't have to switch back and forth!

[Busterkilrain]

Mogee,
I just checked your sig, did you keep the Bongo 4 ?
Brent

[Busterkilrain]

Never mind. I just saw your "for sale" post.
Brent

[bob atherton]

So Guys, do you think I could get just as good or better tone from a Sterling with flats as I can from my Stingray? (jazz/fusion/Jaco/burpy tone) The Sterling will have just one pickup like my Stingray.

[bob atherton]

^^^^^^^^^ bump question ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The guy who is selling his Sterling wants to know if I want to buy his bass and it's just too far from me to try it out. Any thoughts fellow bassists?

[TheAntMan]

^^^^^^^^^ bump question ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The guy who is selling his Sterling wants to know if I want to buy his bass and it's just too far from me to try it out. Any thoughts fellow bassists?

I purchased my SR4 from a fellow forum member without first trying out that particular bass. I did first check with a moderator (via PM) to see if this person was well known and trustworthy. I was lucky and it all worked out well.

Good Luck.

--Ant

[Bill]

I recently put EB Group III flats on one of my 4-string 'Rays. Sounds wonderful! And this bass has string mutes, so I can get some really cool thumpy tones.