1st gig with Stingray & Flats

[mrpackerguy]

Guys, I've just put a set of group III flats on my SR4. I'm used to flats on my Fender P (LaBella's) and on my Rickenbacker (TI's) so I thought the EB ones would be the way to go with an EB bass. I must say I'm a bit underwhelmed at the moment.

There is a touch of zing that I was expecting to start with but my concern is that the pitch and fundamental of the note is not as clear as I would have hoped. Does this improve with playing? They feel great and I hope in a few days will be doing the business, but at the monet they aren't quite hitting the spot. How will they change over the next month or so?

I'm not gonna say much because I've used EB Flats and thought they were fine and felt great. But it seems harder to tame stainless steel flats vs nickel flats, at least for me.

 

[tkarter]

Y' all should hear the beast the Bongo 6H becomes with flats on it.

tk

 

[Kirby]

I have tried half rounds, but they seemed to be struggling to find their own ground. Kind of like they wanted to be either rounds or flats and did not have the better qualities of the two. I have since removed them years ago and went to plain flats on two of my 2 bands and they sound killer. I always get complements. Flats are my favorite to play slap with.

 

[bob atherton]

I have tried half rounds, but they seemed to be struggling to find their own ground. Kind of like they wanted to be either rounds or flats and did not have the better qualities of the two. I have since removed them years ago and went to plain flats on two of my 2 bands and they sound killer. I always get complements. Flats are my favorite to play slap with.

Kirby, I'm not much of a slap player but just gave the SR4 a spanking with the EB flats . I see what you mean... FWIW I think I'm getting more used to them/ they are improving with being on for nearly a day. Playing with the band on Monday night, that will tell me what they are like.

 

[Powman]

I have tried half rounds, but they seemed to be struggling to find their own ground. Kind of like they wanted to be either rounds or flats and did not have the better qualities of the two. I have since removed them years ago and went to plain flats on two of my 2 bands and they sound killer. I always get complements. Flats are my favorite to play slap with.

Slapping with Flats?? I learn something new everyday. I always thought you must use rounds to slap.

Anyhow, my EB Flats have still not arrived yet in the mail. Hoping soon so I can try them.

 

[shakinbacon]

Slapping with Flats?? I learn something new everyday. I always thought you must use rounds to slap.

Anyhow, my EB Flats have still not arrived yet in the mail. Hoping soon so I can try them.

Not much of a slapper myself. However, I've always liked the pop'ing tone with flats better than rounds - kinda muted and funky

ymmv

 

[bob atherton]

Not much of a slapper myself. However, I've always liked the pop'ing tone with flats better than rounds - kinda muted and funky

ymmv

Agreed. I always liked what Larry Graham was doing with his Rickenbacker 4005 back in the mid 70's.

 

[bob atherton]

Well I've now had the EB flat on for about three weeks and had quite a bit of band playing time with them. For the band that I'm in at the moment,( jazzy, fussiony, stuff) they are perfect. It cuts through the mix perfecly, not in a sharp way but a softer rounder way. I love the way that the volume can be controlled with the fingers much more so than with rounds. They sound better after three weeks that when first on. I will stick with these for a long time I'm sure. Thanks for the heads up guys.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Slapping with Flats?? I learn something new everyday. I always thought you must use rounds to slap.

I slap & pop with ACME flats (refer to AussieMark's post) on my unlined fretless MM Stingray 4

Awesome fun and very punchy too. Would never occur to me to limit a style of playing to a specific insturment/string combo. I might try a set of the EB flats on the fretless and rotate the ACME strings to my 30th AV 'ray.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Aussie Mark]

I might .... rotate the ACME strings to my 30th AV 'ray.

You won't regret it. That's a great match.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Hey Mark,

Did you source your EB flats locally? I can't find anyone stocking them nearby.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Aussie Mark]

Hey Mark,

Did you source your EB flats locally? I can't find anyone stocking them nearby.

I bought some on eBay that were cheaper than buying in Australia, even after taking shipping into account.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

I bought some on eBay that were cheaper than buying in Australia, even after taking shipping into account.

I hear ya...

 

[blkbrt]

just joined

not sure if I'm doing this right, need some help on detuning down one half step, and how not to have a buzz... playing a 5ray HH

 

[Aussie Mark]

not sure if I'm doing this right, need some help on detuning down one half step, and how not to have a buzz... playing a 5ray HH

You can get away with tuning a half step down with EB Group III flats or the equivalent D'Addario Chromes gauge. Acmes are too low tension to get away with that.

If you're getting buzz when detuned you'll need to adjust the trussrod wheel slightly - most likely a 1/4 turn or so -anticlockwise (ie. loosening the truss rod, which increases the bow in the neck)

 

[tkarter]

Aussie Mark is correct and there is little else to say on the matter for the real world.

tk

 

[KoreyD]

I think I've just recently decided my next guitar will be a 4 stringer just so I can have 1 with flats, one with rounds. I was all set to get a 25th (6 string) for my next purchase, but I gotta go Bongo!!! So, what would be the general consensus, flats on the stingray, rounds on the bongo, or vice versa?! I'm sure I'll switch em up and experiment, but curious what you all think.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I wonder if I could get a set of Group III's for my grand piano?

 

[Movielife]

Hey guys

Im going to put flats on one of my Ray's...should it be the 4 string single H Ray' with maple neck or 4 string single H Ray' with rosewood?

I have recently tried flats and I REALLY like them.

I would like to know what the best flats are for a low-ish tension for the above instruments.

 

[oli@bass]

I'd put them on a rosewood neck. And I'd use EB flats Group III. They have more or less the same tension and comparable feel to the EB Super Slinky that come stock on the bass. And they sound great.