Question "Just put flats on your Bongo..."

[jlepre]

I just received my FIRST Bongo, and I have a small dilemma. I played two gigs this weekend, and was quite impressed with the clarity. I haven't changed the strings that came with my UNLINED FRETLESS, and was going to slap flats on her.

So here's the question, What will flats do so that great clarity that I heard this past weekend. Will it limit the types of songs (IE: Ballads etc.) that I can use her on?

Thanks for listening...and I know no pics no bass. I will try to take some this week.

John

 

[MingusBASS]

Did I miss the thread with pics of your new fretless Bongo!?!?!

 

[phat5]

Congrats on your recent purchase John. Since I put flats on my Bongo, I have NO loss of hi end and clarity, in fact, I roll back my treble control to "1". Still plenty of hi end coming through.

 

[Vintersprit]

It's the humbuckers on them, they naturally produce a bright sound. I'd go for some RotoSound Jazz Bass 77 strings, but that's just me.

 

[Psychicpet]

I've been a vehement supporter of only rounds on fretless as I feel that that's the best route to go and provides the best fretless tone (you know, like that one fretless guy, what's his name...oh ya, Jaco)

with that said, I recently put a set of Group III Ernie Ball flats on my old Vantage fretless (fretless maple fingerboard) and I've gotta tell ya, the tone is really nice, still plenty of mwah.

So your tone will be different but I think it really comes down to a subjective thing. You might dig it, you might not.

IMO you though you do get more growl and better fretless mwah in the lower registers with rounds than you do with flats though.

regardless, enjoy!

 

[MrMusashi]

flats on fretted bongos. it gives this meaty sound that the bongo project so well. just listen to psycicpets songs (the latest ones he posted on utube) and youll know what i mean. its like the bongo smoked a cigar and drank half a bottle of bourbon last night.. gheheh

as for fretless bongos i cant say what i like cause ive never had the opportunity to check one out. on my sr4 fretless i prefer rounds. its like the bass comes alive, play it soft and you got mwaaah from here to heaven (or hell if you hate mwaah), play it hard and it sounds more like a fretted bass.. /me likey

as for what suits you, there is only one person who can answer that... try some combos, perhaps do a recording of a know piece and then next time you change strings you record again. that will give ya some nice reference points

MrM

ps: congrats on the new bongo!!

 

[Duarte]

I don't dare put rounds on my wonderful fingerboard. But I like the muted tone flats offer, so that's OK.

 

[Psychicpet]

I don't dare put rounds on my wonderful fingerboard. But I like the muted tone flats offer, so that's OK.

don't be afraid of the Round Sound Luke, it's ways are full of tone




besides, unless you play insanely hard and choking-like with your left hand, the fingerboard will stand up to years and years and even years of roundwound use.

 

[MrMusashi]

pau ferro translates to iron wood, and it didnt get that name by accident
so dont be afraid of trying rounds!

MrM

 

[jlepre]

I don't dare put rounds on my wonderful fingerboard. But I like the muted tone flats offer, so that's OK.

That was also a fear of mine. Will rounds chew up my beautiful plank over time?

pau ferro translates to iron wood, and it didnt get that name by accident
so dont be afraid of trying rounds!

MrM

I think I will try the Labella Deep Flats I have on hand. If I don't like it, I will just switch back to rounds.

 

[buzzbass]

The flats made my Bongo really shine, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[sandman@midlife]

First off, I thought my Bongo sounded great with flats. I like EB flats the best, even better than the famous "Acme" brand. To answer your question, I don't think the flats will take away the clarity of your bass, but to get that "piano" like sound, there's nothing like rounds.

I prefer flats. After all, it is a bass. Best of all worlds.... one of each!

 

[nashman]

I tried flats for the first time today - Group III's - on my fretted P. I really like them - less "twang", more thump - hard to explain sound - but they sound like what a bass should sound like to me. I also like the smooth feel - the lack of string noise from my fingers almost felt like I was cheating!

A couple questions ... 1. should I try a set on my Ray? 2. I had to order these - why aren't flats as popular as rounds? I'm just a "basement" player for now - but thought perhaps rounds would cut through the mix better in a band situation?

 

[Aussie Mark]

why aren't flats as popular as rounds?

Because all the kids are playing metal and punk, plus they want the Fieldy and Flea clangy sound.

And, stores don't push flats because they last forever and therefore don't generate ongoing revenue from repeat purchases every couple of months like rounds do.

 

[Smakbass]

No harm in trying something different...really its your ears that matter, if you ask 10 guys you will get 10 opinions..you just have to expirament til you find what works for you...

(I use half rounds on my main fretless right now but im sure ill try some other things on it)

 

[dmarotta]

One of the beautiful aspects of the Bongo is the great sound available whether you use rounds or flats. Not all fretless basses are this versatile.
My Bongo 5 HS is strung with EB Group 3 flats. The sound is warmer than the rounds but still will cut through either recording or playing live. I just recorded a track with guitarists Carl Verheyen and Scott Henderson with the Bongo/ flats combo and it is punchy and cuts through those guitars like a knife. When it is mixed I will post a sound byte of the track. Either way you go , you can't go wrong and you can change back and forth for the price of a set of strings.