Flats on a Jazz

[skywalker]

Hi All

Is anybody using flats on a Jazz - and is it good bad or indifferent??


Steve

[EssentialTension]

D'Addario Chromes on a fretless Jazz - excellent. But then I use flats on everything so I'm not a good source really.

What sound are you after? Different flats won't all sound the same.

[lee650]

I had some labella deep talking flats on my jazz for a while they were great but i went back to the roundwounds as i like bite with a jazz bass, if i ever get a precision it will always have flats i think its the perfect combination.
lee

[markytbass]

[quote]What sound are you after? Different flats won't all sound the same[/quote]

+1 on that, I have used several brands. Roto jazz flats were quite bright, I think thats down to how they are made. I found that the lighter 40-100 guage felt like a set of 45-105 rounds tension wise. I have also used Ernie Ball flats, not as bright as the Rotos but I found the guages a bit odd (heavy top's med bottoms 50-70-95-105). Didn't quite work on my jazz, not sure if it was the odd guages with the slim Jazz neck but the E & A were slacker than the D & G. I tried Roto tru bass strings a la Herbie Flowers, they were great on my Stingray nice m'wah sound but couldn't seem to replicate it on the Jazz. The latest set of flats I am using are Status Hotwires, I have a set on my Warwick (is that ethical?) and they are sweet. I play the blues and they are spot on for that. I have yet to get a set on my Jazz but I am very pleased with the sound they produce, the tension and feel on the Warwick. Of corse there are other manufacturers to try but I think I have found the ones I like with the Hotwires.

[bass_ferret]

I use Status Hotwire halfs (best of both worlds) and TI Jazz Flats. Different strings suit different basses and different players, so its difficult to make a firm recommendation.

[niceguyhomer]

Big +1 for TI Jazz flats.

[Clarky]

I had them on the Jazz I sold y'day to Artisan and it played finger- and pick-style beautifully (obviously not great if you are a slapper) with very low action. I had the light-gauge Labella Deep talkin Flats (760FL code number) on them, which are best part of a tenner cheaper than TI Flats and very similar.

[niceguyhomer]

Labella flats are superb IMO but I've never had a any luck with them - I've had 3 sets and all of them had a duff E string. If you're lucky enough to get a perfect set - they would be my first choice.

[wateroftyne]

I used La Bella FLs on my J for a long time (I've never had any problems with them, FWIW) and they sounded great.

[6stringbassist]

I use LaBella medium flats on my Marcus Miller, it sounds excellent.

Meshell Ndeogocello uses the same on her jazz, I think that's some sort of 60's jazz, but I may be wrong there, I'm not an expert on Fender basses.

[4000]

John Paul Jones, Gary Thain, pretty much anything by Lenny Kravitz. Oh, and Me'Shell, as above. Sounds good to me.

[Raslee]

I use flats, great for reggae & dirty old skool funk vibes. I struggle to slap on em though (not that i'm any good at slap though) but then i suppose they're not really made for slapping. Anyone tried those nylons strings.?..am considering trying those out...bloody pricey though!

[skywalker]

Thanks for all this. I like quite a "soft" sound as opposed to "hard and punchy". I suppose almost to sound like an upright (that might no be the best description, but I am sure you see where I'm coming from).

I think I will give it a try and see what I get.

[foal30]

D'Addario Chromes on a Fretless Jazz
soft is a good description, warm through the valve amp + 15" speaker
I like this set up for stock standard walking bass lines.
Chromes have to me at least, a wear in time, give them 3-4 weeks and their sweet.

[WHUFC BASS]

When our Lord Jesus Christ returns upon this earth he will speak unto nations and say...

"Fellas, I was only f***ing joking when I invented flatwounds... you silly c**ts!!"