Question Flatwounds on a M/M Sterling HS
- Thread starter ray
- Start date
I've got a set of flatwounds that I'm itching to try but my guitarist thinks flatwounds are dumb and don't give a full enough sound in the mix or something. I used to use em on my old bass and really liked the mellowness, but I do trust him, so, who knows.
MadMatt
Well-known member
Yes, I've tried flats on about every bass I've owned. Its one of those things you have to try for yourself to see if that is the sound your looking for. Be sure you play with flats in a band context. The first time I put flats on one of my basses I though "Hey, thats the sound i've been searching for"... then came band practice (Drums, 2 skinny stringers and keyboards)... I was no longer in the mix. I literally could not here myself anymore at normal volume levels. (Unless I simply move down a halve step without telling anyone hehe).
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Holdsg
Well-known member
I have half-rounds (sorta flats) on my Sterling currently, and I like them just fine. Since I was most always turning down the treble using rounds, I find having a little less "sparkle" just fine by my ears.
RaginRog
Well-known member
I just picked up a Sterling, but don't think I'll put flats on it. It just wouldn't work for the punk band I'm in. I used them on a couple of SRs I had....but I was in a classic rock/pop band...so they worked then.
bovinehost
Administrator
bovinehost
Administrator
Listen, I get that flats are not for everyone. ("Some of us like full harmonic content", says my buddy Bob Nyswonger. And if you don't know who Bob is, you should check him out on Google or whatever the cool kids use now.) Flats do a certain thing very well - and it's not a modern, zingy, zippy thing. If what you want is an old school thumpy kind of tone, then you go for flats. (Preferably EB flats, of course.)
The idea that flats don't "cut through" or "sit well" in the mix is complete BS, though. Listen to some of that Motown biz that Jamerson did and tell me the bass isn't completely there.
There is something so completely orgasmic, for me, about a Music Man bass (choose your fave, I do) strung with flats.
But you get to choose - just don't let a guitar player tell you what your choice should be.
The idea that flats don't "cut through" or "sit well" in the mix is complete BS, though. Listen to some of that Motown biz that Jamerson did and tell me the bass isn't completely there.
There is something so completely orgasmic, for me, about a Music Man bass (choose your fave, I do) strung with flats.
But you get to choose - just don't let a guitar player tell you what your choice should be.
drTStingray
Well-known member
hes right you know. I now have eb group 3 flats on my SR4 fretless. They sound great and are way in the mix in the rock and roll v rockabilly band i play in. I dont need to boost treble even for slap.
projectapollo
Well-known member
I have found in my experimenting that flats sound better in the mix that just playing or practicing by myself. The punch in them really stands out Also, as I posted earlier, I just tried the la bella black nylon flats and thought they were terrific. I normally use EB group 3s.
RaginRog
Well-known member
I think not sitting well in the mix has a lot to do with genre of music. During the Motown era, I think the music left more space for bass guitar, which is why it's heard in the mix. For some rock, heavy rock, and metal...flats just don't work as well. I loved them when I was in a classic rock/pop band though.
keko
Well-known member
Well, ...just wonder why Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) use RS flats than...
He said some metal, not all!
RaginRog
Well-known member
Well, ...just wonder why Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) use RS flats than...
Steve Harris is a pariah....but in a good way. It works for Maiden because he happens to be the chief song writer...or at least that's what I've read. I love what he does, and it's unique to the "Maiden" sound.
Thanks for coming to my aid!
Keko's cool though! I know he's messin' with me.
keko
Well-known member
Steve Harris is a pariah....but in a good way. It works for Maiden because he happens to be the chief song writer...or at least that's what I've read. I love what he does, and it's unique to the "Maiden" sound.
Thanks for coming to my aid!
No hard feelings dude, I just wanted to say that strings choice is also pretty subjective matter!
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
I have flats on two of my Sterlings and call me crazy, call me Psycho, but I even had a set of tape wounds on a Sterling! They sounded great too! More and more of my basses are wearing flats these days.
