Never thought I'd say this

[dg27]

I'm starting to really like flats.

Have used GHS Bass Boomers on all of my basses except my '69 Gibson EB-1 and my '69 Fender Mustang (those have Rotosound tapewounds--a different animal) for many years.

When I converted my '87 MIJ Squier Jazz to fretless (swapped in a fretless MIJ Fender Precision neck), my tech urged me to go flats (as did people here). I went with the LaBella Original 1954s (aka the Jamerson set) in 52-110 and can't believe how much I like them.

I'm waiting for another set that I'll use on my MIM Fender Jazz. I'll keep RW on the rest of them, but really liking these on the fretless.

[dystrust]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I'm starting to really like flats.

Have used GHS Bass Boomers on all of my basses except my '69 Gibson EB-1 and my '69 Fender Mustang (those have Rotosound tapewounds--a different animal) for many years.

When I converted my '87 MIJ Squier Jazz to fretless (swapped in a fretless MIJ Fender Precision neck), my tech urged me to go flats (as did people here). I went with the LaBella Original 1954s (aka the Jamerson set) in 52-110 and can't believe how much I like them.

I'm waiting for another set that I'll use on my MIM Fender Jazz. I'll keep RW on the rest of them, but really liking these on the fretless.

+1

LaBella flats are amazing. longcat and I scored a Yamaha fretless P-copy off Craigslist over the weekend, and I'll be throwing a set of LaBella flats on there as soon as I can find some (along with a Gotoh 201).

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I've been wanting (and will eventually) throw flats on my second bass for a completely different sound/feel. Glad you like them! And I agree - on fretless it's a no brainer to me.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I like the LaBellas, but not in that gauge. I use the 760FL set (.043-.104). I currently have the 5 string set on my fretless.


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[dg27]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I have always preferred the heaviest gauge I can find, regardless of brand.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I have always preferred the heaviest gauge I can find, regardless of brand.

You lose all nuance that way. I bend notes and solo. Heavy strings are too clumsy. Plus you lose all the snap when you pluck them hard.


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[dg27]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

You lose all nuance that way. I bend notes and solo. Heavy strings are too clumsy. Plus you lose all the snap when you pluck them hard.
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No, actually you lose all cujones with light gauge strings.

We've obviously got very different approaches and objectives. I don't bend, don't solo, and don't pluck.

I can agree to disagree.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

No, actually you lose all cujones with light gauge strings.

We've obviously got very different approaches and objectives. I don't bend, don't solo, and don't pluck.

I can agree to disagree.

No I get a very heavy tone from light strings. It’s all in the technique.


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[dg27]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

No I get a very heavy tone from light strings.

According to you: this is a subjective assessment.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

No, actually you lose all cujones with light gauge strings.

According to you: this is a subjective assessment.

See how that works?


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[dg27]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

I prefer heavy gauge strings possibly because I started on string bass.

What may be a "heavy tone" to you might not be so to others.

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I tried flats on a ss MIJ P bass...loved them! Gave a warmth and smoothness that really worked well for blues and classic rock.

For some reason I thought flats were only for old school jazz cats or something. I was wrong!

[d1dsj]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

I just put a set of Ti flats my eldest son bought me for Fathers Day on a bass I was going to sell. This is my first set of flats and it has transformed this bass, it feels, plays and sounds so slick now.... loving them.

[ginormous]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

Flats on a P is the "OG" sound. Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Chuck Rainey, & so on.

When I get my hands on a good P again, I might go with flats, just to have the back-in-the-day vibe.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Never thought I'd say this

Flats on a P is the "OG" sound. Jamerson, Duck Dunn, Chuck Rainey, & so on.

When I get my hands on a good P again, I might go with flats, just to have the back-in-the-day vibe.

Don’t forget the foam string mute. That’s half of the tone right there. Some guys stuck a big piece of foam under the strings.


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