Never thought I'd say this

dg27

New member
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.
 
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).
 
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.
 
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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Re: Never thought I'd say this

I have always preferred the heaviest gauge I can find, regardless of brand.
 
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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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.
 
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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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.
 
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!
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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Re: Never thought I'd say this

If you're not in triple digits it doesnt even sound like a bass

unless its got mad active pickups and doesnt weigh jack....and even then, a heavier proper bass with proper strings and the same pups will crush it
 
Re: Never thought I'd say this

I may have misinterpreted what was being said about "triple digits": I took that to mean that a .95 E is not going to have the same effect as a .110. A .105 is the lowest I'll go with.

Pretty much
 
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