👕 Get New Ernie Ball Merch Now!
  • Ernie Ball
  • Music Man
  • Sterling by Music Man
  • Security notice: Ernie Ball staff will never send you a direct message about a prize or giveaway, and will never ask you to click a link to "claim" anything.
    If you receive a message like that - even from an account whose name looks official - do not click the link. Please report it using the Report link on the message so the moderators can act. A scam campaign impersonating admin accounts was blocked on 29 July 2026; those accounts are banned and their messages have been deleted.
Majesty Premium Select

Flats, SR4 or Sterling?

Psycho Ward

Psycho Ward

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Messages
5,053
Location
Elk Creek, VA and Murrells Inlet, SC
Ok I’ve been thinking again, dangerous I know, but ever since I got my Rob Allen Mouse 30 with tape or nylon wound flats I’ve fallen in love with the feel and tone. Granted the Mouse is designed to go after the acoustic upright bass sound and it nails it, I want to hear and feel this on an electric bass.

I need your advice; I’m willing to try a set of TI’s on one of my EBMM’s. I don’t want to mess with my SR5 with standard issue Slinkys, too much love there. So that leaves the SR4 or the Sterling, (I love those with Slinky’s, but I’m wiling to experiment.)

So which bass and which set of flats? The strings will be ordered from Dude as soon as we come to a conclusion.

Thanks!
 
Why not try a set of EB flats?

(sending sum luv your way BP.)

I pick the sterling since I luv me some roundwounds on a sr4, not because I have any experience with flats on a sterling.
 
Psycho,

Those EB flats are AWESOME! I speak from experience on a few recording sessions on my fretted instruments and constantly on my sr5 FL.... nice smooove tone!

I vote you try um on the ray and the sterling!
 
I use the EBMM flats as well! I haven't used any other, but then again, I haven't had to look around, as I'm satisfied with the EB's
 
I would put them on the SR4. The sterling is aimed at having a trebely-er tone therefore putting flats on it wouldnt make sense to me.
 
When I get a Sterling, I'm gonna throw flats on it.

Meant to be trebly? I wasn't aware of this..I thought it was a different neck profile with switchable pickup options.
 
Fuzzy Dustmite said:
When I get a Sterling, I'm gonna throw flats on it.

Meant to be trebly? I wasn't aware of this..I thought it was a different neck profile with switchable pickup options.
Click to expand...
Well, maybe not MEANT but, it IS ;) Hi fi is the term of the week for it i suppose. The Series option, which IMO is the signature tone of a sterling, seems to be meant to rock with some rounds.
 
Psycho Ward said:
Well not a single set of EBMM flats to be found here in GSO, so I ordered a set. I should have a couple of days to decide which bass is going to get flattened. :D
Click to expand...

Chuck ~ let me know how those work out for you (PM is fine :rolleyes: ).

I'm considering going with Flats on my next Ray purchase.

Thanks,
James
 
To avoid writing what I've written before...................:
From a previous thread I said

'....Changing the subject completely I still think Ernie Ball flatwounds should be renamed 'Original Slinky' or Old Skool Slinky' bass. I've used them in the studio, live on TV, live on radio, on huge gigs and in little clubs on 4 & 5 string Stingrays and a Bongo HS5. And on my acoustic bass. They pump the mids, make the whole fretboard completely even, reduce top end sizzle and compress the bottom end....'

They're brilliant.
I use type 3 (45-100) although when I use roundwounds I go 50-105. EB flats don't sound as nice as rounds solo'd but they rock the house.
Try 'em on either bass.
It's just my opinion mind you........................................
 
Nickytwister said:
I use type 3 (45-100) although when I use roundwounds I go 50-105. EB flats don't sound as nice as rounds solo'd but they rock the house.
Try 'em on either bass.
It's just my opinion mind you........................................
Click to expand...

I definitely want to give them a go on the new Ray, especially with the 3BEQ system.

THUMP! :cool:
 
Well, my thoughts on flats are well-known and by now, I'm sure, repetitive and boring. Bear with me, though, because I'm trying to get my post count up.

1. If you are looking for that old school Motown/Stax thump, you need to try some flats.

2. If you are playing blues or 'classic' country or rockabilly, you need to try some flats.

3. If you are in a Yes cover band, you probably don't need to try some flats, although you never know.

That is all.

Jack
 
I think I'm going to put the flats on the SR4 and while I'm at it I'm going to put a new set of Slinky's on my Sterling, God knows how old the set that's on there are.

I may as well put a new set of shoe strings on my sneakers too... Hell I'll restring the tennis racket too... wait, I don't own a tennis racket... *note to self, buy tennis racket*
 
bovinehost said:
3. If you are in a Yes cover band, you probably don't need to try some flats, although you never know.
Click to expand...

They have one of those down your way...'cause that's the one band I haven't seen any cover band take on...yet.
 
bovinehost said:
3. If you are in a Yes cover band, you probably don't need to try some flats, although you never know.
Click to expand...

Just because of that I am now going to start up a Yes cover band and I will play all bass parts with flats AND the treble rolled off. :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Classic Rock N Roll Slinky
Back
Top