Which One Gets the Flats? Stingray or Bongo?

[jasper383]

If you had a Stingray H 4 and a Bongo 4H, and one set of rounds and one set of flats, which one would you put the flats on, and why?

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you like flats, put them on both. Otherwise, it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[bovinehost]

This is some kind of trap.

I can smell it.

 

[AnthonyD]

It would all depend on the day of the week...

 

[spencer]

bongo

 

[TSanders]

I would destroy the rounds, and get another set of flats to simplify things.

 

[saxnbass]

Put the flats on the Stingray and the rounds on the Bongo. Play for a few hours.
Put the flats on the Bongo and the rounds on the Stingray. Play for a few hours.

Now decide which you like better.
That's how I'd do it.

 

[midopa]

Yeah, +1 with sax. The great thing about your situation is that the strings will be fit for both of the basses once you put them on one (same scale length, tuner config, etc.).

 

[mammoth]

i've got some flats ready for my backup bass to try... both are non EBMM sorry!!

If i like 'em.. im gettin some for my bongo

can you slap flats?

 

[saxnbass]

Yes, you can slap flats. Doesn't have the same attack as rounds, but you can do it.

 

[jasper383]

It just seems strange (to me) to put flats on a Stingray. It's like the only great bass that is supposed to have rounds on it. Jazz or Precision, flats no problem.

 

[muggsy]

It just seems strange (to me) to put flats on a Stingray. It's like the only great bass that is supposed to have rounds on it. Jazz or Precision, flats no problem.

My 30th Anniversary Stingray has flats on it, and for me it's a perfect combination, but most of my basses wear flats. I have rounds on the stealth Bongo just for variety.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I got my new Dargie 5H Bongo with the intention of using rounds on it to go with my two Bongos with flats.

After a couple of days, I'm fighting the urge to put flats on it, too. I've even got a set of EB flats ready to go. There is something special about the Bongos 18 V preamp with flats, though....



I wonder how many of the prototype Bongos wore flatwounds while they were working on the design of the preamp. Hmmm.....

 

[MingusBASS]

I've recently discovered the joy of EB Flats w/ a foam mute on my Bongo 5 HHp. It's a sweet tone for sure. I think the single H is staying with rounds but you never know.

 

[Aussie Mark]

It just seems strange (to me) to put flats on a Stingray. It's like the only great bass that is supposed to have rounds on it. Jazz or Precision, flats no problem.

All my basses wear flats. I haven't put a set of rounds on any bass I've owned for almost 20 years. Stingray is a great bass. Stingray with flats is still a great bass, if flats suit the style of music you play.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm contemplating the same exact thing.

I have an abnormal fear of flats though.

 

[AnthonyD]

I'm contemplating the same exact thing.

I have an abnormal fear of flats though.

Get over it!

I had the same fear - thought rounds were the "only" way to go. I became an instant convert and now find rounds to be the "speciallty" string for getting the slap/pop sizzle while flats do everything else.

Go for it...

 

[Evolver]

I love the sound of my 30th with the rounds that came with the bass - I assume regular Slinkys - but I'm getting too much string noise recording fast passages on relatively mellow rock. My technique likely doesn't help... So, I'm thinking of trying some flats as well. How does string gauge impact such a change - would the first choice be the same gauge for the flats?

 

[AnthonyD]

Super Slinkys come stock on 4 string basses...

Gauge would be personal preference. A difference in string tension would potentially impact your current set-up - nothing a simple tweak of the wheel wouldn't fix.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Gauge would be personal preference. A difference in string tension would potentially impact your current set-up - nothing a simple tweak of the wheel wouldn't fix.

Also, be aware that rounds and flats of the same gauge won't necessarily be the same tension, because of the fundamental difference in how they are constructed. Either way, EB basses are simple to set up, so no biggie.