Flats, SR4 or Sterling?

[Psycho Ward]

Hey BB, did you get your SVT yet?

 

[BigBallz]

It is scheduled for Monday delivery...the bottom for next Monday......just got the RA for the svt 1000...will have it packed and ready for exchange monday morning

 

[shamus63]

Well I've played the SR4 all morning and I can't tell any difference in the neck or action what so ever. I don't know if it's I have so many basses that I don't have intimate feel of each or what, but I’ve been playing the SR4 the most lately and I swear the action seems to have not changed at all.

Now with a clear head this morning I have new observations about the tone of the flats. The SR4 now sounds bigger and fatter, judging from all tone knobs in their center indent. I find now that I don’t have to boost the bass control as much and I add all treble now. The sound is BIG and Full, but very smooth, I’m really digging this. Thru the SVT/810’s it will knock the breath out of you. Thru the B-18-N it sounds very old school, Duck Dunn comes to mind. Thru the Ashdown I can’t get something, I quite put my finger on it, but over all it’s my least favorite combo. Thru the Bose PAS I can get almost an upright, blossoming tone, I really need another bass module to do it justice, but it sounds great!

I’ll report later.

Thanks Chuck! This feedback is steering me towards flats on the new Ray.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

How's the tone with flats?

To discribe it does not do it justice. Grab a set of Flats string em up and try em out.

I've used Flats on all my basses for about the last 5 years. I can't see a reason to go back to round wound..........IMO

OMB

 

[shamus63]

To discribe it does not do it justice. Grab a set of Flats string em up and try em out.

I've used Flats on all my basses for about the last 5 years. I can't see a reason to go back to round wound..........IMO

OMB

Again, good to know! Thanks OMB!

 

[maddog]

Again, good to know! Thanks OMB!

For the price of a set of strings, no reason not to try some flats.

 

[shamus63]

For the price of a set of strings, no reason not to try some flats.

For sure. I think my biggest worry was how the different string tension would affect the neck. According to Chuck, it wasn't an issue on his Ray.

 

[higher1]

For sure. I think my biggest worry was how the different string tension would affect the neck. According to Chuck, it wasn't an issue on his Ray.

Same tension James. I had no issues when I used the EB flats on my fretted SR5. Same with my 89 fretless.

If you would like to actually hear what they sound like on the ray, I have some pretty decent recordings with the flats on with a band I did a project with back in '02 called "the Particles". I think you can actually search out that name and find some clips on yer own if yer interested in hearing the EB flats on a EBMM bass.

 

[shamus63]

Same tension James. I had no issues when I used the EB flats on my fretted SR5. Same with my 89 fretless.

If you would like to actually hear what they sound like on the ray, I have some pretty decent recordings with the flats on with a band I did a project with back in '02 called "the Particles". I think you can actually search out that name and find some clips on yer own if yer interested in hearing the EB flats on a EBMM bass.

Or...I could catch you guys live...being right across the bridge and all.

 

[higher1]

Or...I could catch you guys live...being right across the bridge and all.

un-fortunately, that band is now defunct (as far as I know) and I no longer have the flats on that bass. so you will have to settle for the recordings!

 

[shamus63]

un-fortunately, that band is now defunct (as far as I know) and I no longer have the flats on that bass. so you will have to settle for the recordings!

You, Van and Mike not playing out at all?

 

[higher1]

You, Van and Mike not playing out at all?

FootBall season is over. So, RaiderHed will not be performing live again until sept.

Yes, I am bummed!

 

[Nickytwister]

Well I've played the SR4 all morning and I can't tell any difference in the neck or action what so ever. I don't know if it's I have so many basses that I don't have intimate feel of each or what, but I’ve been playing the SR4 the most lately and I swear the action seems to have not changed at all.

Now with a clear head this morning I have new observations about the tone of the flats. The SR4 now sounds bigger and fatter, judging from all tone knobs in their center indent. I find now that I don’t have to boost the bass control as much and I add all treble now. The sound is BIG and Full, but very smooth, I’m really digging this. Thru the SVT/810’s it will knock the breath out of you. Thru the B-18-N it sounds very old school, Duck Dunn comes to mind. Thru the Ashdown I can’t get something, I quite put my finger on it, but over all it’s my least favorite combo. Thru the Bose PAS I can get almost an upright, blossoming tone, I really need another bass module to do it justice, but it sounds great!

Now I’m going down and put some new strings on the Sterling, I think I’ll put a set of Black Beauties on her… just because the Sterling is black and I think she will look cool with black strings. I do lots of stupid things like this.

I’ll report later.

Seeing as you mentioned the Ashdown tone thing I'll tell you what I do - for what it's worth....!
I use an ABM 400 rack and /or and ABM 500 sleeve head through either an 8x10" or a 4x8" plus 1x15" minicabs or just the 1x15".
Stingray 3EQ 4, a 5 string and a Bongo HS5 - usually with flats (but sometimes roundwounds).
Irrespective of string type, for the last 18 months I have used no eq on the Ashdown ie EQ button out, with mid pre-shape off. Totally flat. I use a bit of drive to warm the sound up.
It took a while not to fiddle but now find it gives the purest tone.
I add mid and bass from the 3EQ to get either fingerstyle note clarity or weight as required and a sometimes little bit of top if I'm picking or slapping.
With the Bongo I use the low mid almost full and a bit of bass.
Give it a blast - no fiddling with the amp, remember!

 

[shamus63]

FootBall season is over. So, RaiderHed will not be performing live again until sept.

Yes, I am bummed!

You guys don't do any other gigs? So many Bay Area bars...so little money to be made!

 

[Colin]

G'day Sport.
Do you mean Rotosound Tru Bass? The black plastic coated strings?
You used to see them alot on Hofner violin basses etc.
I've got a Musicmaster bass with a set on but they're a little quirky.
Great with a big fat felt pick and a bit of palm muting but fairly low output and uninspiring.
N x

Cheers for that, the reason I asked a friend of mine has a Fender Bass IV and years ago we talked him into pulling it out of the case. When it came out of the case it had those plastic coated strings on it. From memory he hadn't played it since the sixties.

Colin

 

[BigBallz]

FootBall season is over. So, RaiderHed will not be performing live again until sept.

Yes, I am bummed!

Well....football season isn't really over....but it is for the Raiders....oops....

 

[higher1]

Well....football season isn't really over....but it is for the Raiders....oops....

It is now playoff time. The official football season is truly OVER!

 

[shamus63]

It is now playoff time. The official football season is truly OVER!

This September I've got to come check out RH at the lot!

 

[Bill]

Hey, it's almost NASCAR season again!

 

[shamus63]

Hey, it's almost NASCAR season again!

We've got Sear's Point, and that's about it around here for racing...unless you've got four hooves.