deepbass5 Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 Having bought this Custom shop 62 P bass relic about 5 years ago, I immediately order a set of La Bella flats to go on it. A bucket list bass. Only used for jazz since i got it as it sits under the radar nicely in that situation. However I fancied using it in the rock band i am in, Lets say heavy covers band. Many of you I know use Flats on your basses in similar bands, but wondered If you have also gone back to round wounds, for some extra bite and harmonic content. These are also easier on the fingers with reference to tension as my pinky is playing up these days. New strings are D'Addario Nickle 50,70,85,105 It sounds wonderful and having used it this week for jazz and rock I don't think i will go back now. any thoughts 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 18 minutes ago, deepbass5 said: Any thoughts Not really. If you're happy, stick with it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichT Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 I say use whatever strings make you happy in the moment and not necessarily what internet forums think is right. Internet wisdom has told me several times that I must use flats on a P bass and rounds on a Stingray, but after much experimentation, I've found I like flats on my Ray and rounds on my P. And they're both short scale (which the internet says is only for children and people with small hands 😉) 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I've tried all sort fo flats on my fretted and fretless jazz basses over a period of a couple of years, but went back to rounds for the extra top end bite - mostly for overdrive and slap tones. I've got a P bass at home with flats on, but that's more of an economical choice. I've only ever gigged with that bass once, and the others have had plenty of airings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I'm with the Darester(!!). If you're happy with the sound, then it's the right choice for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 You need two P basses. One for flats, one for rounds. 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nice Guy Rich Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 Stick with what makes you happy, personally I only play flats but that's what makes the world of bass playing interesting, we all love different things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubbybloke68 Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I think round wounds are much more versatile really, glad you’re happy and enjoying new choice x 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodders Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I've always found flats easier to EQ on a P bass, put rounds on one and flats on the other so I always have the option. Options seem to be the way forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 The only person who needs to be happy with your string choice is... you. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 2 hours ago, uk_lefty said: You need two P basses. One for flats, one for rounds. Well... 1: Flats 2: Steel rounds 3: Nickel rounds 4: Nylons/Tape 5: Groundwounds / Pressure wounds 6: A set of those mad glow in the dark DR String Neons. Same again for Jazz and rays. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 For me, the answer to the actual question being asked is, it depends on the band. In a 4/5-piece covers band with either two guitars or guitar + keys I prefer to stay well away from that sonic territory. I use flats to supply the underpinning for the band. In a 3-piece rock'n'roll outfit I need to be period-correct so it's flats all the way. In a 3-piece covers band where there's a lot of sonic territory to be filled I find that flats just don't cut it, so I use a Rickenbacker 5-string with rounds. I've heard plenty of bands over the years solve that last conundrum (sonic territory to be filled) by just cranking the amps up to 11 and/or adding loads of FX but I have no interest in being in that sort of band. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 5 Author Share Posted November 5 3 hours ago, uk_lefty said: You need two P basses. One for flats, one for rounds. Funny you say that, as i have been looking out for a PJ with maple board i can have rounds on as an opposite and more versatile bass to the rosewood P with flats, but cant really justify it if i'm honest. I will run with this CS on rounds until GAS bites again, It really needs to be used more and i can easily EQ out the highs when required but can't bring them up if they were not there in the first place. cheers all -just sharing my new found joy 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 Just now, deepbass5 said: i can easily EQ out the highs when required but can't bring them up if they were not there in the first place. Which is why I never fit flats to my basses. I feel the sound of a worn in set of rounds can do a good impression of flats (maybe with foam under the bridge) but it doesn't work the other way around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 5 Author Share Posted November 5 6 minutes ago, gjones said: rounds can do a good impression of flats (maybe with foam under the bridge) A good point + I have a piece cut for the job but found it was a bit OTT with the flats but will try again with the rounds when needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I`ve tried flats many times, never got what I wanted from them, though as the material I play now is different I might well try them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I prefer to use flats on basses with more wallop than a P. I've gone from D'Addario rounds to half-rounds for now, just to see if I can get best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 8 hours ago, uk_lefty said: You need two P basses. Only two? 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 I’ve used lots over the years, but I’m currently on a flats tip. Ernie Ball Cobalt, to be exact. They’re quite bright, with thump. However, as they’re on all my basses, I have considered putting rounds on something……and I have got a new set in the case…..😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 27 minutes ago, BlueMoon said: Only two? 😊 I forgot about nylons somehow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StingRayBoy42 Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 32 minutes ago, spongebob said: Ernie Ball Cobalt, to be exact. They’re quite bright, with thump. I use these on my Sterling for the heavy rock covers stuff - they're flats but they sound a *bit* like rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 Apart from those strings being slightly thicker and stiffer than mine (oo er missus!) I have the same ones and think they sound great for pretty much everything I want to play. EQ and tone controls tame most of the high end so they sound very flattish, but having the ability to get them clanky is also good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 4 hours ago, Schnozzalee said: I prefer to use flats on basses with more wallop than a P. Me too - I love flats with my EMG equipped basses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 1 hour ago, BlueMoon said: Only two? 😊 That's what I thought. I've got 12 and still hanker after a number of them in the classifieds! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 5 Share Posted November 5 52 minutes ago, StingRayBoy42 said: I use these on my Sterling for the heavy rock covers stuff - they're flats but they sound a *bit* like rounds. I took your advice and put a set on my Precision. I like them. Brighter than I expected which is not an issue at all but I guess they’ll lose a bit over time? I’ll be taking the bass to the next rehearsal and see how it all sounds in the mix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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