Flats on a Sterling?

[DanNowhere]

Hi, new member here. Just discovered the EB forms a few days ago.

Just curious if anyone has tried or is currently using flats on a Sterling, or any MM bass? I've been toying with the idea of trying them on my Sterling. My '57 RI P is strung with Rotosound flats, and I love the sound and especially the feel of them. But since the Sterling is a different animal entirely, I don't know how much flats will affect the sound I get out of it.

 

[bovinehost]

Howdy Dan.

I'm a certified flats user. I keep rounds on certain basses at certain times, but deep down inside, I know that I will sooner or later replace them with flats.

It's usually sooner.

I have or have had flats on Sterlings, Stingrays and Bongos. (I say 'have had' because I am currently a bit short on Sterlings.)

It really depends on what you want out of your bass. I'm always looking for a bigger, deeper thump, and flats do that better than most rounds can ever dream of. I'm not a fan of the Roto Flats (hey, this is what makes the world go 'round) but do like the D'Addarrio Chromes, the LaBella Deep Talking flats and am a recent convert to EB Flats. The Rotos are very high tension and I prefer somewhat less.

In fact, my ideal string is the TI JF344s, which are at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Rotos.

I definitely encourage you to try the flats of your choosing on a Sterling. Really changes the way the bass sounds and the way you approach it, but only you can judge whether it works for you.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[midopa]

How's the sound of slap on flats?

 

[armybass]

Dan, I put TI Flats on my Sterling and it really opened up the tonally options of the bass. I found the three way pup selector to be much more functional for my tastes with the flats than with rounds. With RW Strings I left the Sterling in the Parallel pos all the time because I found the other positions of little use, but with the flats and the on board three band EQ I was able to get lots of useful tones. It was particularly grand for use with my big band jazz group. Got some reall Jazz Bass bite out of it.

 

[basspastor]

flats on a Sterling

Bovine,
I want the deeper the better sound, what do you think of the nylon strings? (think this is what I was told) I was told they would give a much deeper sound. Your opinion please.

blessing

 

[Mobay45]

I purchased a set of Rotosound flats Saturday and I'm thinking of putting them on my P just because I've never tried flats. Reading about them on this forum has raised my curiosity. The only question I came up with while reading this is if flats sound so good, why do all of the new basses come with round wounds? Just a thought.

 

[dlloyd]

if flats sound so good, why do all of the new basses come with round wounds?

Probably because most bassists use them... I've only found one bass (a precision) in a shop that was strung with flats. My immediate reaction was "ugh"... I was looking for a p-bass at the time and might have given this one more of an audition if it had been strung with rounds.

 

[bovinehost]

if flats sound so good, why do all of the new basses come with round wounds?

Way back in the old days, basses came with flats.

Then things changed. Now all basses come with rounds.

This is a reflection of what manufacturers think players want, and, to a great extent, this IS what players want. Blame Entwistle or Chris Squire, but I'd prefer to sound more like McCartney than that screetching guy from Rush. Sure, I went through my roundwound phase BUT I GOT BETTER.

All kidding aside, some of those Rotos have the tension of high power cables and are truly hateful, unless you really like high tension strings. Just be aware that once you put them on:

a. you may have to really dig into your truss rod adjustment
b. they are not representative of how all flats feel
c. they make excellent murder weapons.

Medium tension flats are maybe a better way to ease into the flatwound universe (EBs come to mind). My favorite flats are the Thomstik Infeld Jazz Flats (low tension and extremely musical) or LaBella Deep Talking flats (higher tension but still not like those Rotos).

Good luck!

 

[Mobay45]

I knew I could count on you, Jack. I've only been playing since '80 so I don't recall ever seeing a new bass with flats. I think I need to return the Rotosounds and try to find some EBs so that I don't end up with a bad taste in my mouth over flats the first time I use them.

Thanks.

 

[Mobay45]

I usually play med. light Dean Markley Blue Steel. Any recommendations on guages for the flats?

 

[Psychicpet]

Flats are cool.... as long as you don't put them on a FRETLESS!!! That's my only beef with flats, it takes all of the mwah and cello-ness out of a fretless when you put flats on it. If you want to get an upright tone with your fretless.... GET AN UPRIGHT! ok, I'm better now...

 

[Mobay45]

I was on Musicians Friend and the offer EB flat wounds in four guages. 40-95, 45-100, 50-105 and 55-110. Any recommendations out there?

 

[bovinehost]

I'm experimenting with some Group II Flats from EB. Gauges are 50-70-85-105 and I like them so far.

Flats are cool.... as long as you don't put them on a FRETLESS!!!

You should someday try the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats and see if you feel the same way. I had them on a fretless Stingray and there was no lack of mwah; very woody and organic sound, even with a Stingray. They're expensive but they last forever.

 

[Mobay45]

I think I'll try the EBs first and see if I like flats. Maybe step up the the TIs if I find I do like them.

Thanks for the input Jack.

 

[Psychicpet]

I'm experimenting with some Group II Flats from EB. Gauges are 50-70-85-105 and I like them so far.



You should someday try the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats and see if you feel the same way. I had them on a fretless Stingray and there was no lack of mwah; very woody and organic sound, even with a Stingray. They're expensive but they last forever.

...possibly, do they make a 5 string set? I guess I could check that out myself. As long as they still sing though, it's gotta have the cello/french horn factor.

 

[midopa]

My understanding is that higher tension means lower action. If TI Flats were strung on a bass that was setup up for EB Super Slinkies (Roundwound), would they cause fret buzz? How about the neck and truss rod? Would I have to loosen the neck?

 

[jubjub721]

yeah
flats on a fretless are less harsh on the fret board and u have to refinish it less

 

[bovinehost]

Yes, Virginia, there is a five string TI Flat set! I have them on my Bongo as we speak.

Not sure about higher tension = lower action. You'd have to ask them guitar players who use .009 E strings about that, but there are some adjustments to be made for lower tension bass strings, sure. Almost anytime you change strings, you can expect to make a little tweak or two, though.

Switching from Slinkys to TI Flats, I would imagine that yes, you'd have to loosen the truss to get proper relief. Odds are that the bridge saddles wouldn't need anything.

Switching to a lower tension string can also mean you have to adjust your technique, which is not always a bad thing. If you dig in hard, you may have to lighten your touch some - I've had to do this, and find it gives me much better dynamic control. (Just played my Bongo 4 with relatively high tension LaBellas and that can be fun, too - really thick kinda noise.)

 

[armybass]

Switching to a lower tension string can also mean you have to adjust your technique, which is not always a bad thing.

This is true, I took DR's off of my bass and put TI flats on it and my technique was the only thing I had to adjust.

Flats and roundwounds are both great chioces depending on what you are looking for. I used to have a pretty closed mind about flats and roundwounds on a fretless but I took the advice of Jack and others and entertained the thought that somebody might know something that I did not and I have been very pleased with the outcome. I now have two Stingrays with TI flats on them and they do what my Stingray with DR's can not and visa versa. I even have TI flats on my fretless Stingray....something I never thought would happen. I now have much more tonal options in my bass collection and another excuse to own more basses, which is always a good thing, no?

 

[cgworkman]

What difference if there as far as slapping?