NT1991 Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 I've always wanted to do something a bit different with my telecaster bass, my other two (both Ibanez) have got more modern sounds sorted so I was looking for a more vintage sound. As such I've today strung it with some Picato stainless steel flatwounds. First impressions, having always played round wound strings, is that I love the feel! The only problem is now I really wish that I could get something brighter (for the other basses) but with the same feel without changing strings every day... Anyway, I'm hoping that these combined with the homemade mute will give me a nice Motown sound for a cover I'm going to record next week. Anyone else trying out something new with their strings? always been curious about tapewounds myself! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Try Half Round / Groundwound / Pressure wound types. Smoother feel but brighter than flats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I recently (as in this weekend) picked up my Precision that has been strung with flats for a year or two, and has therefore remained unplayed for that time as I dislike the feel of flats, though they do sound good. Now it seems that both the bands I play with prefer the sounds of the flats as well, so looks like I just need to get use to the feel. In the past, when I have got fed up with the dead fuel of the flats, I have removed them and restrung with rounds. To avoid this, I ordered another Precision yesterday which will keep the rounds it comes with. I also have two Jazz basses (in theory - one had to be returned due to a truss rod problem and so far Fender have sent two replacements to the shop, each of which have had different problems). There is a fourth (third replacement) on the way, so either that or my old faithful will be strung with flats so I can choose between them without constantly restringing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats have a far more more lively sound than traditional flats. I have them on all my basses except one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I used to use Chromes, but then discovered LaBella flats, which sound perfect to my ears, but feel like bars of steel under my fingers. I haven't tried any other brands, it can get quite expensive buying a different brand of flats just to discover they don't do what you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrinkleygit Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 On 11/04/2022 at 09:39, FinnDave said: I used to use Chromes, but then discovered LaBella flats, which sound perfect to my ears, but feel like bars of steel under my fingers. I haven't tried any other brands, it can get quite expensive buying a different brand of flats just to discover they don't do what you want. I use Labella low tension stainless steel flats on all my basses, much easier on the fingers than their “deep talkin flats” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 I just didn’t like the smooth feel of them under my plucking hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 49 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said: I just didn’t like the smooth feel of them under my plucking hand I don't notice it under my plucking right hand, it's the fretting left hand that feels plucking wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 I found them ok for some styles but didn’t work for me in rock. I know everyone says Steve Harris uses them but I prefer RW strings and about to try Rotosound 66 stainless on one bass and Elixir stainless on the other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Brighter flats - Thomastik TI’s The dogs danglies 🤘 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 On 09/04/2022 at 14:47, NT1991 said: I've always wanted to do something a bit different with my telecaster bass, my other two (both Ibanez) have got more modern sounds sorted so I was looking for a more vintage sound. As such I've today strung it with some Picato stainless steel flatwounds. First impressions, having always played round wound strings, is that I love the feel! The only problem is now I really wish that I could get something brighter (for the other basses) but with the same feel without changing strings every day... Anyway, I'm hoping that these combined with the homemade mute will give me a nice Motown sound for a cover I'm going to record next week. Anyone else trying out something new with their strings? always been curious about tapewounds myself! I have those exact strings on my PB. I’m new to bass and just walked in my local shop and asked for some flats and those are what I got. Whilst I am keen to try some other brands at some point, I’m in no rush as the bass sounds exactly like I want it to and it plays really well. I’m mostly doing blues and soul stuff on it and it’s great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NT1991 Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share Posted April 30, 2022 On 11/04/2022 at 09:00, rmorris said: Try Half Round / Groundwound / Pressure wound types. Smoother feel but brighter than flats. Good shout I was thinking of putting some Rotosound Pressure wounds on my 4-string when it next gets restrung. Alas not sure they will work on my 5 as it needs a very bright sound for the heavier genres I sometimes play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NT1991 Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share Posted April 30, 2022 Cheers for the suggestions all! Will definitely try out another brand of flats when I come to restring it... in the next... well 7 years 🤣 After playing some more on it I can say I still love the feel under my fretting hand, I've just come to terms that I need to keep rounds on at least one of my basses for the brightness, but having the options is always great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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