Flats, this is hilarious

[strummer]

Some weeks ago I restrung my beloved Envy Green with flats, and woo hoo a whole new bass experience!
It's so weird, but I find myself looking at the instrument in a new way, I actually play it differently than I did with rounds. Never thought flats would have any impact except tone, but Strummer is definitely going even un-busier than before, very healthy.
Something in the way the bass sounds combined with the sticky feel just alters my musical (yeah right, well you know what I mean) mind, and it is fun.
Thx jack, u rule!

 

[bassmonkey]

Can you be more specific?

I know your band plays some fairly funky numbers, has it had an effect on the notes you play on them?

 

[T-bone]

I put EB flats (duh) on my buttercream and all of sudden my 30th is spending more time in her case. Wow, what a great sound! An added benefit is I can play longer. Those flats are much easier on my fingers.

tbone

 

[MrMusashi]

yup.. i noticed that too strummer
you start doin slides like you would on a fretless, the oommff makes the rhythm more emphasized.. hehe.. adouglas recommended some kind of wonderful with joss stone as a good flats song, and my golly it is.. when i thump along i always try to alter the rhythmic pattern for variation instead of the notes flats.. gotta blame em for that

then what happens is that you crave a fretless you can do those vocal-like slides on.. hehe.. makes for much more interesting challenges, making your bass speak like you do with volume and pitch variations.. and not to mention intonation challenges

flats is a good thing.. try it, it might not be for you, but at least you have tried something new today

ps: i find the increased tension harder on my fingers than the roundwounds.. it doesnt grind down your skin, but the stiffness put a different strain on the fingers i guess its just a matter of finding the right kind of strings...

MrM

 

[Raimond S]

I know what you mean Mr. Mus. I had D'Addario Chromes on a precision. So tight! Now with these Labella flats on the SR it's totally different, very light tension on them.

 

[carpedebass]

Flats are for old people!! OK, just trying to make myself feel younger, really. If I hadn't just put a new set of Black Beauties on my SUB5, I'd try 'em out. Maybe next set...

 

[Baird]

I had flats briefly on my 30th and it sounded great.

I don't use flats often enough (maybe 6 or 7 tunes or 1/2 a set) and I like my 30th too much to only play a few songs during a gig. I took them off the 30th and slapped them back on my '74 P.

 

[silverburst]

I haven't seen you around in awhile, strummer-man. Where have you been?

 

[midopa]

The EB flats sound great and a wipe with the String Cleaner Wonder Wipes made them really smoose and fresh n so clean clean

 

[Psychicpet]

yep, gots "Jack's Flats" on a 4 string of mine and am now seriously thinking of stringing one of the 6s with them too... even though i don't slap live, these flats have such a crazy slap sound and feel. Definitely making a flats man outta me.... almost

 

[phat5]

Using Chromes on my Bongo, they sound nice, but am finding them a bit too bright for me. I guess after they wear out, I'll throw on my slightly used set of ACME flats. Last night at practice, we worked out a new acoustic tune......plucked the strings with my thumb, with my palm near the bridge; nice uprighty tone

 

[strummer]

I haven't seen you around in awhile, strummer-man. Where have you been?

Hey silver, been busy, with CRAP I'm afraid, and it'll be quite some time before it's sorted too, bet you can guess...

 

[Smakbass]

I play different when I have a bass with flats too...more greasy meters style grooves I guess....now when Pete had those black nylons on his bongo that was a whole other thing....

 

[ratfart]

yep, gots "Jack's Flats" on a 4 string of mine and am now seriously thinking of stringing one of the 6s with them too... even though i don't slap live, these flats have such a crazy slap sound and feel. Definitely making a flats man outta me.... almost

Slapping with flats??!?!?! I've never thought of those two together. I'm going to have to try it out. Must be a very percussive sound? Do you loose anything on the pops/p.o.'s?
I've played flats on fretless and I love the greeezzy feel of them, but I've never thought about them on a fretted bass.
GREAT! Now I gotta go get a new set of bass strings AND a new set of EB strap locks! My wife is gonna kill me!

 

[Ole Man Blues]

Chromes on MY Bongo.....

Make'em heap BIG Yummy Sound......

OMB