Question Round Wound - Flat Wound.

[danny-79]

Buttercreme Stingray.
Ive always been a dedicated Round-wound user, my preferred gage being 50-105s EB Regulars, i tried a while back changing to a lighter gage (45-100s Supers) an the Stingray that i was putting them on just simply didn't like them, they just felt wrong to me so i changed them back an have kept it that way ever since.

Sunburst Stingray.
This was set up on the factory standard of supers 45-100s (the gage i previously dismissed) and suits it well so i have no issues with the set up and plan on keeping this way as it plays/sounds and feels perfect.

So the question is... I'm thinking about changing the regulars out on the buttercreme one for a set of flats, not having much dealings with flats I'm unsure on what gage to go for, would a set of group III flats (45-100s) be the same in tension terms as the regular rounds that are on it at present ? or should i go for a set of group IIs (50-105s) keeping the gage the same ?

Thanks in advance.
Dan.

 

[Moose308]

Don't think. Just do it.

Personally, I am quite happy with Group I. Big string. Big tone.

 

[Movielife]

I like flats, and I like to be able to bend with ease, so the Group IIIs for me.

I used to be a stainless steel or nothing guy, but now I really like nickel and flats. Nice to have some differences on each bass.

 

[T-bone]

I went with the Group III 's. Nothin but warm gooey phatness coming out of my bad little buttercreme girl.

But that's just the way I roll.

tbone

 

[bovinehost]

Another positive vote for Group IIIs.

 

[danny-79]

So i set of group IIIs would be a better choice for replacing a set of regular rounds rather than group IIs that are the equivalent in gage as the round regulars.
(if that makes sense )

 

[projectapollo]

So i set of group IIIs would be a better choice for replacing a set of regular rounds rather than group IIs that are the equivalent in gage as the round regulars.
(if that makes sense )

Yes, I think so. I've tried EB group 2, 3, and 4. The group 3 is your best start bet, for sure.

 

[clench]

Trouble with string length

I have a '77 stingray and the strings go through the body so I have had problems with the windings of some brands not making it over the nut. most makers just say 34" scale but they are not long enough. What strings do you guys like?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I have a '77 stingray and the strings go through the body so I have had problems with the windings of some brands not making it over the nut. most makers just say 34" scale but they are not long enough. What strings do you guys like?

I've used the following brands of standard long scale flats with thru body bridge basses ('76 and 30th Anniversary Stingrays, '51-'54 style Precisions, Gibson Ripper) with no issues at all with string length or windings -

Ernie Ball
D'Addario Chromes
TI
Dean Markley

 

[7broccos]

EB group III's on my SR5 and they do thump !

 

[danny-79]

Gone with the Group IIIs an so far so good like them very much.
Just one question to all the hardcore Flatt users, how long roughly do you get out of a set, life expectancy of them etc ?

 

[Double Agent]

I have Group II flats on one of my non-EBMM basses and they have pretty high tension, higher than most rounds of the same gauge that I've played. Of course, that is exactly what I want from a set of flats, so I'm happy with the higher tension.

I would go with the Group IIIs if want a tension closer to what you're used to from the rounds you're currently playing.

 

[muggsy]

Gone with the Group IIIs an so far so good like them very much.
Just one question to all the hardcore Flatt users, how long roughly do you get out of a set, life expectancy of them etc ?

I'll let you know when they wear out. My fretless Sterling has been wearing the same set of flats since I got it probably eight years ago. Granted, I don't play fretless a whole lot, but in my experience, flats get better with age.

 

[Steamthief]

What are the differences between the diferrent EBMM flats? Is it simply a matter of string tension, or are there tonal differences as well?

 

[ZiggyDude]

I am a steely round wound guy - and like the new "zzzitzing". But the flat guys usually say the deader the better.

 

[Double Agent]

What are the differences between the diferrent EBMM flats? Is it simply a matter of string tension, or are there tonal differences as well?

As far as I can tell, it mostly has to do with the gauge....Group IIs are .050-.105, Group IIIs are .045-.100, etc. I've only played the Group IIs, which have a pretty high tension and I imagine that the Group IIIs would almost certainly have less tension. But, I can say if they sound any different from one another. I can't imagine they would sound all THAT different, the differences are probably subtle if there are any. But, I do think the tension is different between all of them because of the lighter/heavier gauges more than any other reason.

I am a steely round wound guy - and like the new "zzzitzing". But the flat guys usually say the deader the better.

I like both rounds and flats. Having spent a good amount of time with flats, I don't believe you can get the flatwound tone from rounds. I've had people try to convince me otherwise, but simply cutting the treble does not make rounds sound like flats. They are each great for making certain tones. Just different tools for different jobs as far as I'm concerned.

 

[shakinbacon]

you may find the review in my signature of use

 

[danny-79]

you may find the review in my signature of use

Thanks for pointing that out, hadn't see that thread before its an interesting read.
Been playing my Stingray with the Flatt's on most of the day and have to say its been one of the best moves that i have made in a long time.
Been a long time round-wound user i was at the same attitude as i can imagen as a lot of people that putting Flatt's on an EBMM would be like neutering it, a waste almost but not at all I'm convinced and my group IIIs are hear to stay. (well on one of them at least )

 

[shakinbacon]

Thanks for pointing that out, hadn't see that thread before its an interesting read.
Been playing my Stingray with the Flatt's on most of the day and have to say its been one of the best moves that i have made in a long time.
Been a long time round-wound user i was at the same attitude as i can imagen as a lot of people that putting Flatt's on an EBMM would be like neutering it, a waste almost but not at all I'm convinced and my group IIIs are hear to stay. (well on one of them at least )

Glad you found it useful. Even though I've gone back to rounds, my backup bass is using flats. Flats just sound great for a lot of songs with EBMM basses.

Plus, if you like the tone, it will last for a looooooooooong time (I don't think Jamerson ever changed his Labella flats and Joe Osborne was famous for leaving a worn out set of flats on his bass)