Flats for Rock/Metal?

[petruccirocks02]

I was just sitting here thinking what flats would sound like on my Bongo 5 for playing rock/metal. Has anyone tried this? If so, what were the results like? Just curious, thanks for the replies in advance everyone.

-Phil

 

[AnthonyD]

I play mostly pop/rock from 60's, 70's & 80's and flats are fine.

I "converted" about two years ago and never looked back.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Pop rock from the 60s-80s is quite different than 'metal'.
But I'm curious to see the suggestions on this topic...

 

[fidooda]

for rock & blues, i love flats. For something heavier, i can't stand them. I feel i miss some mids that are needed to cut through especially with real loud guitars.

 

[AnthonyD]

Pop rock from the 60s-80s is quite different than 'metal'.
But I'm curious to see the suggestions on this topic...

Agreed, but I believe the right tone is still there and can be handled via EQ for most situations.

 

[robobass13]

well I know it's not on a bongo but, steve harris of Iron Maiden has played on flats for ever.

 

[petruccirocks02]

well I know it's not on a bongo but, steve harris of Iron Maiden has played on flats for ever.

Well, I guess ya learn something new every day. I never knew he played flats. The times I've seen Maiden, his bass always seems to cut through just fine.

-Phil

 

[Caca de Kick]

I honestly never liked Harris' tone...his playing yeah, tone no.

 

[nationalmanslo]

i have always thought harris has great tone, suprised me when i found out he is a flats user. no flats for me, thanks.

 

[bovinehost]

There certainly are a lot of misconceptions about flats.

If you're finding them shy on mids, you're using the wrong flats (or doing something funny to your EQ).

 

[petruccirocks02]

There sure are alot of different answers. Ahh, maybe I'll just try a set out and see how I like em.

-Phil

 

[Aussie Mark]

Ahh, maybe I'll just try a set out and see how I like em.

That's the go for sure. I don't play metal, but I have no doubt a Bongo with flats would do the job admirably.

 

[bassmancb]

There sure are alot of different answers. Ahh, maybe I'll just try a set out and see how I like em.

-Phil

This is the only way to know for sure. You can always go back to what your using.

 

[fidooda]

There certainly are a lot of misconceptions about flats.

If you're finding them shy on mids, you're using the wrong flats (or doing something funny to your EQ).

well i tried it with La Bellas, flat EQ with my usual setup. Stores here don't have EB flats in inventory. I guess i could have been confused with thinking it was mids lacking but it definately felt like i couldn't hear myself as much.

 

[tkarter]

The flats with the most mids are those acme type with the red wrapping. Often accused of being low tension.

No matter what flats they work for rock on a Bongo.

imho

tk

 

[phatduckk]

i figure its all up to how it sounds in your bands mix. its not something i would have thought of but who cares u may love it. give it a shot and see what u think

 

[petruccirocks02]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna give some EB flats a try next week I think.

-Phil

 

[n!k]

I use heavy gauge flatwounds for a heavy rock band and it sounds awesome. If you need more attack use a pick (or your fingernails).

 

[bovinehost]

well i tried it with La Bellas, flat EQ with my usual setup. Stores here don't have EB flats in inventory. I guess i could have been confused with thinking it was mids lacking but it definately felt like i couldn't hear myself as much.

The LaBellas are extremely old school flats and I've owned 3 or 4 sets; they worked well on a Jazz bass but not so well on my active basses. I don't know why that should be, but that was my take on it.

(I didn't think they lacked mids, though. Odd how different ears capture things.)

Big vote here for the EB Group II Flats, although they're not for girly men.

Jack

 

[robobass13]

i have always thought harris has great tone, suprised me when i found out he is a flats user. no flats for me, thanks.

harris even has a signature set of r__osound monel flatswounds.