Flat Wounds

[0DDJ0B]

So I kept reading about how flat wounds make the Bongos all that and a bag of chips. I figured that I would try out a set on my Sterling. All I can say is "WOW", it sounds like a total different bass. Compared to my Stingray the Sterling seems a little on the bright side. The flat wounds took care of that. I would have never thought about using flat wounds on a fretted instrument. So now I'm using flat wounds on the Sterling and kept round wounds on the Stingray.

 

[drTStingray]

+1 I have had the same experience - on a fretless Stingray - they sound and feel great.

I doubt I'll be putting them on my Bongo - I did a rehearsal with a band last week end using the Bongo 5HHp strung with elderly Slinkies and the bass sound was all I could wish for - really filled the room but bright if required.

 

[0DDJ0B]

I had never really noticed how much brighter the Sterling was until I started giging again. When I started using both basses the tone was so different. I liked the Stingray more than the Sterling. Even considered getting rid of it and getting a Stingray Slo. I figured it would be way cheaper to try out a set of flat wounds than buying a new bass. Glad I did.

 

[Holdsg]

Currently experimenting with flats on my Big Al and half rounds on my Sterling. Liking both.

 

[MrMusashi]

flats are not for everyone, but you should try a set at least once.. how else will you know if you love them or hate them?
(kids psychology can be used on bassplayers too.. heheh)

MrM

 

[silo special]

Great idea to try flats! I never really figured to try it for the Sterling, because the only reason that I bought it was for the slap and pop, but it is sooo bright, I hardly ever play it. Sorry, EBMM fans, I've been going for my G&L L-2000 most of the time... but I am going to try this. I have a set of flats sitting around anyway. Thanks!!

 

[projectapollo]

I think flats really sound best in the mix. Diddling around, they are nice. But in the mix is where they really do their deep punch and sound terrific. They seem to couple up with the kick better for a unified professional thump.

 

[basscaster]

Interesting so many people are digging flats. I've always kept one bass strung with them because they are so different tonally. Interesting because MMs really respond well to rounds.

 

[0DDJ0B]

Brought the Sterling with the flats to practice yesterday. Hit a few notes to check my sound level and the singer was the first to notice. Everyone else dug the sound also. Once we started playing the sound laid in the mix a lot better so they are keepers. Not to mention that they are a lot easier on the fingers.
Lets not forget I'm a transplanted guitar player here

 

[Grga]

For me it depends which kind of music is played and which other instruments are part of the band. I love the sweet sound of flatwounds, did never use EB flats, one day I'll try them. I went with La Bella FL on one bass and on another with Thomastik Jazz Flats. The Jazz Flats are for my ears the best sounding ones.. ok.. as you know I do not have played the EB flats . Soft jazz or blues tunes, some latin stuff or oldschool funky stuff is great for flatwounds. The more instruments, the more dense a band sound is I go with rounds. Funny that a lot of flatwounds players argue just the opposite way.

 

[1954bassman]

I just got my first Music Man bass to actually play last December, a Sterling 5HS. I am still loving it. I put Ernie Ball slinkys on it and love them. I am totally considering buying another MM 5 to play in my Acoustic Gospel group and putting flats on it. Of course I am looking getting at another Sterling 5. There is a 5H on ebay right now, and I was curious if it would be a good choice for the flats/acoustic gospel set-up, or do I need to stick with finding a 5HS model.

Currently in that band I am playing a fretless G&L L2500 with TI Jazz Flats on it, and I love the sound I am getting, but on live recordings, I have noticed my intonation is at times not too good (to be nice to myself), so I am thinking of switching to a fretted bass. Plus we have a recording date coming up, and the only fretted bass I have with flats on it is my Lakland 55-01, a great sounding bass for sure, but I am pretty well hooked on the sound of my Sterling.

Also, isn't the H pick-up different on the H and the HS Sterlings?

 

[bovinehost]

At the risk of repeating myself, flats on a EBMM 5? Well, yeah. The Sterling 5H with flats would be a GREAT choice.

I will never forget how impressed I was with my first EBMM 5 - a Stingray 5. This was back when pterodactyls darkened the skies over Texas. When the supplied Slinkys started to get a bit old, I thought - well, this is it. This is tonal nirvana. Then for one reason or another, I put flats on it. And remember, in the 80s, no reputable music store really stocked flats. I was in no-man's land. Most of my bassist friends made fun of me. I didn't care. I knew what I wanted but hadn't known how to get it. Flats - that was the answer.

I didn't even know the QUESTION back then. But that was it. Flats. Most of you guys have kicked around the bass forums enough to hear people saying, "Oh, Music Man basses, they're slap machines, but I can't tame the top end." And the internet says, "Of course not, Stingrays/Sterlings/etc, they're so ZINGY."

Yeah, HELLO? Sometimes I just want to scream at those guys, "Have you ever considered changing your strings?" I have played SR4s, SR5s, Sterlings, BONGOS for god's sake, Reflexes - in a ROCKABILLY BAND. You think I'm going for a Flea vibe here? Um, NO.

 

[J Romano]

Flats would be awesome, and I bet if you added piezo to that bass you want to purchase, that would sound great in your acoustic group! Flats and piezo - YUM.........

 

[1954bassman]

Thanks for the input guys. Another quick question. The Sterling 5 I am watching on baby is a 2008. Will it have the same neck profile / width as my 2011 Sterling 5? The small neck on my Sterling has been a Godsend, helping eliminate the numbness I was expriencing in my left hand. Is there a resource on EBMM bass necks? thanks again guys.

 

[bovinehost]

The neck will be the same profile.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

For me, the FLAT side is a more versatile side...I can be plenty of BITE with my Flats on...as 90% of the time, I'm using a pick ala Paul/Chris etc....I can go right to the thumpy darkside of Flattsville with a little right hand movement...can't get to Flattsville on the Round express...

Love them..they will love you back

 

[Manfloozy]

I actually have no basses at the moment, but I do have a few sets of flats that moved to Florida with me, that should say something. Maybe I should go string the toaster with a set, I'm sure it'll still sound great LOL!

 

[njhammer]

Just put a set of EB flats on my fretless SR5. First time I've had a set on a bass since I took the originals flats off my new 1977 F3nd3r P in 1978. These play nothing like I remember flats playing - have a lot more "life" than I remember(!). This is going to be fun!

 

[Jim Dandy]

The first thing I did when I got my Sterling was change out the rounds for flats. Flats on a Sterling give me just the sound I am looking for.

 

[nurnay]

Anyone using flats on their Big Al 5SSS? I'd be interested to hear some feedback. I might try a pair, just for fun. I have a 4 string set for my Ray, but I prefer the sound of the Slinkys on it.