discreet

It's within the bounds of possibility that you could pick up a MIM Fender Jazz on here for around 300 notes. This one's sold, but should give you an idea of what's possible. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/283176-fender-70s-jazz-bass-mim-l250-sold-now/

Nowt wrong with MIM Fenders, my MIM Road Worn P is my current A1 go-to bass. Have fun.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1469197115' post='3096548'] Higher due to the board radius - I couldn't stop playing it and I really doubt you need to change the pup. [/quote] I'm totally sold on 7.25" radius boards now. I find the curve more natural and easier to play. Anything else seems way too flat and unwieldy. Which may be a problem as my Road Worn is the only bass I have with a 7.25" board... maybe it's finally time to get back to having only one bass (gasp).

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1469194164' post='3096512'] My gear is all pretty good, my playing is decent, so just down to me to make it all work! [/quote] Yes. Try to forget about the rounds/flats issue, just play your bass and see how it goes. If the flats are still bugging you after a reasonable time then obviously they're not for you. Nothing wrong with that, we try new things, we like them (or not) and move on.

Gary Mac's Dingwall Super P/J which is up for sale!!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1469191172' post='3096481'] You can easily remove more top end and move the sound towards a more classic flat type of sound, or not and enjoy a sound that it's not quite like round-wounds, but not too dissimilar either. They have great presence and tight bottom end, not 'thud' (unless you make it go thud)... [/quote] There is that, and even when I used rounds I tended towards a thumpy sound with them and preferred rounds that were pretty dead. I never got into the 'zing' much. I think mostly I prefer the feel of flats, they're smooth and shiny, don't shred your fingers and don't wear your frets as much. So maybe the OP should continue to use rounds as he obviously prefers them - just make them sound like flats!

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1469187988' post='3096435'] It's not helping my appetite. [/quote] It's the 'S' diet. You're so appalled you never eat anything.

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1469187059' post='3096425'] It's primarily for a band with drums, a jangly guitar and lots of harmony vocals, so my thinking was that flats would be better for a smooth, distinct bass tone underlying it all, rather than the zing of rounds getting lost among all the other mid and high frequency sounds already. But on the other hand, i'm finding rounds just fuller, louder and more dynamic - which is also quite handy when filling out the sparse instrumentation in that band. Flats to me feel/sound a lot more restrained and almost compressed, with less dynamic range when you dig in etc. Maybe it's just me expecting the wrong thing. [/quote] That line-up sounds perfect for flats, your initial thinking is correct. Smooth and distinct is where it's at. Do I take it that you have already tried flats in the band? The point that rounds seem louder is moot - you can turn up if necessary. With a good rig flats can easily carry all before them. I think it would help if you stopped comparing rounds (which you have used for a while) with flats (which you have not), give them a chance and see where it takes you. I found my technique changed somewhat when I started using flats, I dug in less and let the amp do the work. I used less pressure on my fretting hand and I also started plucking the strings more with the very tips of my fingers. As said above, how and where you strike the strings can make a huge difference without constantly EQ-ing. I'd say 'it's all in the fingers' but I don't want to look like an arse (but it really is all in the fingers). Of course as you said in the OP, maybe you just don't like flats! But I wouldn't discount them just yet. Edit: Just for the record I don't much like TI Flats but just love LaBellas, so there is quite a difference between brands. Edit 2: Sorry missed your post #10! Ignore irrelevancies.

I just sharted. Does that help?

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1469167517' post='3096194'] astraphobia [/quote] I had to look that up. Though I know what 'brontophobia' is - fear of thunder. As in brontosaurus (thunder lizard).

Maybe in your mind you are wanting your flats to sound like rounds. They will not. The words 'the flats just sound like worse versions of my round wound sound' are telling. You could try boosting your mids a little, but they should sound good with the amp EQ, er... flat. Are you playing them in a band context or comparing them with rounds solo? Either way start with your EQ flat and take it from there. Good flats will sound great in a mix, they have a fundamental tone. Which may be your problem, as rounds have a lot of harmonic shenanigans going on which you may be missing. Persevere. I used Rotosound RS66 rounds for 30-odd years before discovering LaBella flats, and I'm not going back.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1469122507' post='3095983'] Fart a top E? Blimey, that's some control, that is... [/quote] Nah, if it's avant garde - or jazz - it can be ANY old note. Or no note at all. Or a John Cage fart, i.e. silent but deadly. Lasting 4'33". Now that [i]would [/i]take some doing.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1469120088' post='3095964'] As a 'non-parent' I am struggling to see the negatives here... [/quote] Well I AM a parent, but I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1469117372' post='3095926'] 20 frets is fine, but occasionally I'd like to have that extra 'E' at the top. Very, very occasionally. [/quote] If you play [i]avant garde[/i] music, you can just fart at the appropriate point. Or jazz.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1469111084' post='3095853'] ...is it bagpipes or bagpies? [/quote] I hope it's bagpies. I'm starving.

Very personal choice. I like 20 frets. But then I like four strings too, so...

And how are children expected to believe in fairies without clapping..? Apart from trolling down Old Compton Street as usual, that is?

Another step on the way to having children killed and stuffed so they don't make any noise or mess.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1469078597' post='3095529'] Even if it's a no, buy a separate step down transformer that can handle the supply and you'll be fine. [/quote] By far the easiest and safest solution.

Ah, it's just simple lack of female supervision... http://mwlfs.cheezburger.com

Get BassChat's own Karl Derrick to make a strap to your requirements. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/243139-karls-ergonomic-leather-bass-strap/ You won't see better quality!