Kelso Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Hey folks. I recently bought a 1972 Telecaster Bass from Si (username 0353203). I absolutely love this bass - the neck is deceptively fast, the pick up is thumping and it looks stunning. I currently play in a Soul/Motown band and I'm thinking about buying flats to string the tele. What do you think or do you have a better idea of how I might get that old school motown sound? (without purchasing a P-Bass! - I love the tele so much more!) Cheers, Kelso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 D'arddario flats are very good IMO. although with tounfs, filtering off some high end and playing over the pickup does the trivk, depends what you what though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='Kelso' post='1354564' date='Aug 28 2011, 05:50 PM']Hey folks. I recently bought a 1972 Telecaster Bass from Si (username 0353203). I absolutely love this bass - the neck is deceptively fast, the pick up is thumping and it looks stunning. I currently play in a Soul/Motown band and I'm thinking about buying flats to string the tele. What do you think or do you have a better idea of how I might get that old school motown sound? (without purchasing a P-Bass! - I love the tele so much more!) Cheers, Kelso[/quote] I'm a flats fan, but in my experience flats and a mudbucker Tele are not a good mix... there's just not enough definition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelso Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1354586' date='Aug 28 2011, 06:00 PM']D'arddario flats are very good IMO. although with tounfs, filtering off some high end and playing over the pickup does the trivk, depends what you what though.[/quote] Cheers man. Think I'm just going to have to experiment and see what works best for me. Thanks for replying Kelso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelso Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1354589' date='Aug 28 2011, 06:02 PM']I'm a flats fan, but in my experience flats and a mudbucker Tele are not a good mix... there's just not enough definition.[/quote] Hmm . . . I think you could be right. The humbucker is very thumpy/muddy so maybe better I stick with nickel roundwounds. thanks for taking the time to reply. Kelso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='Kelso' post='1354844' date='Aug 28 2011, 11:48 PM']Hmm . . . I think you could be right. The humbucker is very thumpy/muddy so maybe better I stick with nickel roundwounds. thanks for taking the time to reply. Kelso[/quote] I'd try D'Addario Chromes flatwounds. They are flats but they are rather meaty and with a pronounced midrange. So far, every bass I try them on makes me smile and think "what took me so long?" I was especially surprised when I put them on a Stingray clone (OLP). I still get a very slappable sound and the signature 'ray sound if I keep the tone up (this particular bass is passive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelso Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys! Much appreciated Kelso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1354893' date='Aug 29 2011, 01:03 AM']I'd try D'Addario Chromes flatwounds. They are flats but they are rather meaty and with a pronounced midrange. So far, every bass I try them on makes me smile and think "what took me so long?" I was especially surprised when I put them on a Stingray clone (OLP). I still get a very slappable sound and the signature 'ray sound if I keep the tone up (this particular bass is passive).[/quote] Bear in mind that, tonally, OLP and the Tele Bass are completely different kettles'o'fish... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1354946' date='Aug 29 2011, 07:03 AM']Bear in mind that, tonally, OLP and the Tele Bass are completely different kettles'o'fish...[/quote] Ah, of course, I was merely pointing out that these strings don't really contribute to "mud". I also use them on a standard P-bass and a Squier '51 P-bass. High on depth and classic 60s tone, yet retain great definition and cut through. That's why I think that in a "near mud" situation these stings could be the ones to go for (without going for rounds). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1355071' date='Aug 29 2011, 10:56 AM']Ah, of course, I was merely pointing out that these strings don't really contribute to "mud". I also use them on a standard P-bass and a Squier '51 P-bass. High on depth and classic 60s tone, yet retain great definition and cut through. That's why I think that in a "near mud" situation these stings could be the ones to go for (without going for rounds).[/quote] The Mudbucker tele is also light-years away from a single-coil P. It really needs all the help it can get in the definition stakes... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1355077' date='Aug 29 2011, 11:00 AM']The Mudbucker tele is also light-years away from a single-coil P. It really needs all the help it can get in the definition stakes... :-)[/quote] *and* old school Motown sound? Welcome Chromes... (no, I don't get commision) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1355557' date='Aug 29 2011, 07:12 PM']*and* old school Motown sound? Welcome Chromes... (no, I don't get commision)[/quote] I'm not quite sure what you mean..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelso Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Ended up stringing her with D'Addario super light mickel rounds and I'm getting a really nice warm tone. Flats would just be too muddy as the bass produces practically no high end. I guess you either love or hate the sound post 72' teles make . . . Personally I love it! Never owned a bass that produces such a fat, warm thump! One of the most playable basses I have played also - only second to my sandberg. Thanks again for your suggestions Kelso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='Kelso' post='1356649' date='Aug 30 2011, 06:27 PM']Ended up stringing her with D'Addario super light mickel rounds and I'm getting a really nice warm tone. Flats would just be too muddy as the bass produces practically no high end. I guess you either love or hate the sound post 72' teles make . . . Personally I love it! Never owned a bass that produces such a fat, warm thump! One of the most playable basses I have played also - only second to my sandberg. Thanks again for your suggestions Kelso[/quote] well, there goes my commision!!! (kidding, of course) Glad you found a solution you like. Experimenting with strings can be an expensive business, so it's great when we try something new and like it at first try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelso Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='mcnach' post='1356657' date='Aug 30 2011, 06:33 PM']well, there goes my commision!!! (kidding, of course) Glad you found a solution you like. Experimenting with strings can be an expensive business, so it's great when we try something new and like it at first try. [/quote] Haha! Yeah, sorry about that! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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