Can a roundwound guy be happy with flats?

[Freddy-G.]

Fact: I've always been a roundwound guy. Always.

Everytime I tried some flats, they came off almost immediately. The sound with flats (on stage) did not project like rounds do. Now having said all that, I have not tried flats on my Bongo.

Is this a maturity thing? Do I just need to grow up and develop a taste for flats (and Scotch)?

OK, I realize I just need to try some flats now, get over my obsession with rounds, and get on with my life. Sorry guys, just doing some soul searching. I'm sure you understand.

Now, how about a group hug.

 

[higher1]

my two cents ( thats about all this is worth):

I have played both over the years. the flats DO NOT ring out like rounds, plain and simple. The flats do, however, have a very unique tone in that they do growl totally different than the rounds. Flats seem to have a smoother more moaning growl while the rounds tend to "bite" harder in their growl.

I'm sure this does'nt help. But I had to throw my two cents in. so take for what it's worth (two cents, and that won't even buy you a bazooka joe anymore!).

In answer to you question; YES, you can!

 

[adouglas]

FWIW, IMHO TI Jazz Flats growl more than any other flat out there. I think this is because there's a roundwound middle wrap under the flat outer layer.

Still not as growly and bright as rounds, though.

 

[Freddy-G.]

You gotta understand, I was weaned on a Rickenbacker 4001 with a set of Rotosound rounds. It doesn't get any growlier and scratchier sounding than that. You know, that Chris Squire, Geddy Lee sound. (You could almost consider it "vintage" nowdays).

I do love the way a set of strings can change your sound. I've never been too content with leaving a set on for long. Love the zing of a new set. But just to satisfy my curiosity, I will have to try those TI or EB flats on the Bongo.

 

[Golem]

You gotta understand, I was weaned on a Rickenbacker 4001 with a set of Rotosound rounds. It doesn't get any growlier and scratchier sounding than that. You know, that Chris Squire, Geddy Lee sound. (You could almost consider it "vintage" nowdays).

I do love the way a set of strings can change your sound. I've never been too content with leaving a set on for long. Love the zing of a new set. But just to satisfy my curiosity, I will have to try those TI or EB flats on the Bongo.

I realize opposites don't automatically balance out but, you say you love ZING, and you've never found happiness in your multiple attempts to play flats. Well, more than a mere hint of ZING really bugs me [although the hint is cool, much better with than without... ], and I've always prefered flats. My first bass came with RW and in my ignorance, I couldn't figger out why it just didn't "sound like a bass". I think your you're never gonna dig flats unless you wake up one afternoon and discover your sonic aesthetic has undergone a tsunami sized sea change.

Did you ever try half rounds? Also, where do you stand concerning stainless vs pure nickel alloy? If you immediately and boldy shout "Stainless!!!", you really are just waaaay too much of a zing addict to ever play flats. Especially if you play stainless RW with the highs boosted in your EQ.

I'll play almost any bass so long as it's not green. Maybe you'll play any string so long as it's not flatwound. Nothing wrong with knowing your personal happy zone.

 

[tkarter]

IMHO a roundwounds guy isn't going to like flats any more than a flats guy like me will like roundwounds.

tk

 

[Freddy-G.]

you really are just waaaay too much of a zing addict to ever play flats.

I guess you're right. I'm enjoying a set of Blue Steels now, although it's weird, I thought a set of DR Hi-Beams were tooooo bright. And I keep the treble turned DOWN.

It's not that flats don't have good tone. That's not what I'm saying at all. I think it has more to do with the fact that rounds can sustain better. A note played with flats seem to die quickly. Not sayin' ones better than the other. Just personal preference.

 

[Freddy-G.]

IMHO a roundwounds guy isn't going to like flats any more than a flats guy like me will like roundwounds.

tk

Well said.

 

[cgworkman]

Can a roundwound guy be happy with flats?

No.

 

[maddog]

4001 + Flats = awesome. Friend in high school had one strung up with flats. Had great Grrrrrrr! but wasn't overbearing.

 

[strummer]

Flats stick to left hand fingers, make Strummer suck more on stage.
Roundwounds make screechy noises, but audience not hear so strummer suck less.
Strummer record sometimes, uses flats, them good says engineer, strummer too. Strummer not happy with sticky feeling, but concentrate hard in studio make sounds come out ok anyway.
Strummers' band mates like sound of Bongo and flats, but Bongo not cut through as good as with screechies.
Many flats tight, makes Strummers fingers strong.
Smooth surface cheats Strummer of calluses, makes Strummer hurt and bad on stage playing long hours on roundwounds.

Strummer has tweeter on cabinets turned almost all the way up.
Strummer chooses to say he is roundwound player.

Strummer likes nickel, nickel does not agree with strummer so doctor says Strummer use stainless.
Strummer forgets sometimes, and pays.

Strummer happy when Bongo goes BOOM, but Strummer even happier when audience feel BOOM and hears pitch.

Strummer should not post this.

Strummer forgets.

Strummer thinks anyone can be happy, just need love.

Strummer needs a vacation.

Peace.

 

[Freddy-G.]

Strummer funny. Make me laugh.

 

[tkarter]

That is funny and it sounds like Strummer knows what strummer likes. I like flats and I like Strummer.


tk

 

[AnthonyD]

I once asked the same question and thought I already knew the answer.

Go flat and you may never go back...

 

[bassmonkey]

At this particular moment in time, I'm listening to the "Dust Yourself Off" album by Pleasure. I'm assuming that Nathaniel Phillipson is playing a bass strung with flats. Now I really love that tone, but it does seem a little inflexible, what about slapping with flats, for instance? A bit one trick pony maybe.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Let me answer it this way. I'll bet that all the flatwound lovers in this forum were roundwound users originally.

 

[maddog]

I guess I'm bi-string. I love both.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I like both as well.

 

[bovinehost]

Well, I have been known to use those Fat Beans and I did like the Slinkys on my last Stingray, so I'm willing to give this new white SR4 a go with the rounds.

What in God's name is happening to me?

 

[maddog]

I like both as well.

How do they taste?