Question Question about flats ...

[OldSchool Noob]

I know there are a bunch of Flatwound devotees here so I'm asking for your advice. If you had a Stingray Single H and a Sterling HS, which would you string with flats and which would you string with rounds?

This isn't a hypothetical question and "Both" is not a useful answer. I'd like to have max versatility and I'm curious which bass is best suited for which strings and I'm most interested in hearing your reasoning.

 

[bovinehost]

"Both" is not a useful answer.

*looking down, kicking dirt*

 

[OldSchool Noob]

... "Both" is not a useful answer ...

*looking down, kicking dirt*

Jack -- I included that line SPECIFICALLY for you.

 

[danny-79]

Not long put Flatt's on a Stingray single H an like the tone I'm getting from them but also have another single H with Rounds on.
Just pick one at random, the one with the oldest strings on an try it, can always swap them over at a later date on another EBMM, its not like the "G" string is going to be cut to short (not that i cut a lot off when i re-string anyways)

 

[Ken Baker]

*looking down, kicking dirt*

That's about right.

I know there are a bunch of Flatwound devotees here so I'm asking for your advice. If you had a Stingray Single H and a Sterling HS, which would you string with flats and which would you string with rounds?

Welp, I've tried certain flats made in a certain European nation on several basses. This includes a SUB5 (poor man's SR5), a Bongo5HHp, a 5 string bass with booteek pickups and preamp, and a bunch of basses with ceramic pickups renowned for their bark & bite.

While these strings generally sounded very good on all of them, they really came into their own with the ceramic pickups.

Ken...

 

[Powman]

As if there was a "correct" answer...

You could make the argument that the Sterling is more aggressive sounding therefore keep the rounds on the Sterling. Conversely, the Stingray has a smoother tone. Therefore try the flats on the Ray. Now you have 2 quite different sounding instruments.

Next post will be someone who disagrees with me yet we will both be correct. Only in the MusicMan universe is this possible. Must be a Quantum Mechanics thing.

 

[bdgotoh]

Flats on the single H, rounds on the HS. Or rounds on the H and flats on the HS.

 

[Manfloozy]

Both

But I would say the Stingray first.

Flats will subdue the differences in the various pickup selections on the HS, which may be good or bad...

They will also mellow and fatten things out which works real nice on a Ray.

 

[projectapollo]

Flats will subdue the differences in the various pickup selections on the sterling

I was going to make the same point!

 

[Powman]

Both

But I would say the Stingray first.

Flats will subdue the differences in the various pickup selections on the HS, which may be good or bad...

They will also mellow and fatten things out which works real nice on a Ray.

Very good point. The single pickup on the Sterling needs rounds.

Flats on the Ray!

 

[Double Agent]

You could make the argument that the Sterling is more aggressive sounding therefore keep the rounds on the Sterling. Conversely, the Stingray has a smoother tone. Therefore try the flats on the Ray. Now you have 2 quite different sounding instruments.

Flats on the single H, rounds on the HS. Or rounds on the H and flats on the HS.

But I would say the Stingray first.

Agreed on all counts. Seems there is a general consensus forming. Keep rounds on the Sterling, put the flats on the 'Ray.

Might I wholeheartedly recommend EB Flats? Group II if you like higher tension, Group III if you prefer "normal" tension. I have a set of Group II flats on a P-bass (sorry) and they are killer strings. They are very balanced with sweet, fat highs. They are a bit bright at first, but they mellow out fairly quickly and supply a very satisfying thump. And, they are the most reasonably priced flats I have seen so far.

 

[Movielife]

Put the flats on the Stingray single H. Old school setup, old school strings

 

[Movielife]

In addition, I vote Group IIIs as well. I think EB may have had a bump in sales on these recently as flat strings seem to be popular again.

I agree, fantastic value and an excellent set of strings!

 

[drTStingray]

Put the flats on the Stingray single H. Old school setup, old school strings

+1 I had them on my fretless SR4 for a while - they sounded great especially recorded.

also I put flats on my SR5H (ceramic - similar EQ to the Sterling) and as stated by Manfloozy, it tended to reduce the variation in sound the pick up selector provides - it also took the edge off the sound - to the extent I stopped playing the bass until I re-strung it with rounds again. My opinion only, some may love an SR5 with flats - I didn't.

Why not just try a set on each bass and see which you prefer, if any?

 

[ivbenaplayin]

I'm kinda suprised that Jack didn't just say "put flats on your Bongo instead."

BTW Mr. Bovinehost, I'll be keeping the new flats on my DDII... I don't think they'll be on there for 6 years however...

 

[OldSchool Noob]

...You could make the argument that the Sterling is more aggressive sounding therefore keep the rounds on the Sterling. Conversely, the Stingray has a smoother tone. Therefore try the flats on the Ray. Now you have 2 quite different sounding instruments ...

This was pretty much what I thought going in but wasn't sure. Making a final decision is further complicated by the fact that the Sterling is "incoming" right now so I don't have it.

I have a set of EBMM 5 String flats that I may just throw on the Ray and see how it sounds. If I like it, when my Sterling gets here, I'll just leave the rounds in place and be done with it.

Jack: Just so you know, my Bongo is wearing a set of <gasp> DR Black Beauties. I tried these based on Ed Friedland's rave review and he was right. For this bass, these look great, FEEL great and sound killer!

 

[Manfloozy]

Just FYI, the 2810 5-string set are Group IIIs with a low B .130

 

[OldSchool Noob]

Just FYI, the 2810 5-string set are Group IIIs with a low B .130

That's exactly what I have sitting here on my desk.

 

[Steamthief]

Seeing as the Group III are gauged 45-100, how do they compare tension-wise with a set of nickel Slinkys in the same gauge? All this talk of flats has me looking over at my 30th........hmmmmmm.........

 

[Manfloozy]

Seeing as the Group III are gauged 45-100, how do they compare tension-wise with a set of nickel Slinkys in the same gauge? All this talk of flats has me looking over at my 30th........hmmmmmm.........

IMO the group III flats are about the same as regular slinks, maybe a bit stiffer... But I'll tell you what, I heard group IIIs today on ProjectApollos 30th and it was the best tone I think I have EVER heard. Really really perfect. Step away from the keyboard and slap 'em on NOW kind of perfect.