Possible flats convert in the works.....

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:31 am

The TI's and Pyramid's are on my list of sets to try. Are the Pyramid's high tension? I seem to remember hearing that complaint before.

I've used roundwounds exclusively for the past 22 years. I usually changed them after every gig (playing a few times a month) so they were always nice and bright. I tried a few sets of flats over the years but never liked the tone. Maybe I just wanted something different then.

I played another show with the LK last night and must say that I am completely sold on the flats. A very strong, deep tone that cuts through the mix nicely. There's also no question it is a Ric....tons of growl and bite. The tone is pure without all of the overtones and, for lack of a better term, noise that the roundwounds gave me.

BTW....now I also see the need to change the pots on my 4004's. With my new sound I think I'd benefit from the dual concentric mod now. It never ends.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:41 am

Very interesting Brian. I haven't given flats a second thought for years. I'm anxious to hear your opinion of the other flat brands sound and feel on the 4004's.

Yea, it's the old the more things change, the more they stay the same, it never ends, thank goodness. Keeps us young and pretty.

Oh wait, I mean it keeps us broke.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Sun May 21, 2006 7:24 am

I have Chromes on my V63 and they work very well. I use DR Nickel Lo-Riders on my C64 and 4003 though. Those basses just seem to respond better with them than the flats, plus they are very nice on the frets. I'd like to try the Dr Sumbeams on them too sometime. But as far as flats go, the Chromes are hard to beat. They last quite a while on the V63 and sound great.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun May 21, 2006 7:51 am

I also switched to Rotos in 1972 and used them for probably 20 years until I kept getting dead strings and wanted a little more bottom in my sound, I then switched to Dean Markley cryogenic strings which I used for several years. I hadn't thought of flats for years either until I read an article in bassplayer about them and then went and saw a band somewhere around the year 2000 and thought what a great sounding very present bass sound the bass player had. I asked him if he used flats and he said of course. I though hmmm, and tried out many brands including Roto flats and both sets had completely dead G strings and they were too bright for me anyway. IMHO Rotos are just badly made strings and have absolutely no bottom, very inconsistent. I used Fender SS flats for a while which sound good and are great for plucking but are very high tension. I tried Chromes and thought they were all bottom with a click, not much musical texture to me. I tried TI's and liked the sound although they were very light and lose their brightness after a few months. I tried Pyramids and they sounded and felt great and hold their sound. They are med tension strings unless you are accustomed to super light gauge strings, there are many strings with much more tension out there than Pyramids. I use TI's on my 4001's and Pyramids on my 4003's. I also have a set of original Ric RW's on one of my 4001's. I have found no perfect string for me but Pyramids are the closest I have found. If you like the McCartney sound it is right there. you can also get a very cutting trebly tone with them also, they cut right through the mix but are not obnoxious sounding.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sun May 21, 2006 9:54 am

After 12 years of playing roundwounds, I tried flats last year for the first time. The sound wasn't bad, but what I couldn't get used to was the lack of 'friction' on my fret fingers that rounds give. The slick feeling of the flats took me out of a comfort zone. I guess that's something I could adjust to in time, but the difference in tone wasn't enough to do so. I switched back to rounds. To each his own!

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sun May 21, 2006 12:28 pm

I also like Chromes and have a spare set for my '97 4003.

One really good string to try are the TI PowerBass rounds, they are light tension and sound real "zingy", I have a set on the white '75 4001 and enjoy their tone and playing comfort. And real easy on the neck too!

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:46 pm

Just an update.....

I got a set of Pyramid Gold flats for my Trans Green Cii and a set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass flats for my Laredo. I've only had a few practice sessions and one gig with them but one thing I can say is that I am certainly a flats guy now. The Pyramids sound the brightest of my three sets with the Chromes on the LK being 2nd and the La Bellas have a low, solid tone.....what I'd expect from the others once they break in. I'm happy with all three and now will have to wait and see which I prefer after substantial use. All of my 4004's sounded pretty similar when strung with rounds but with the flats they have more distinct tones which comes in handy for different needs.....the character of each bass as opposed to that of the strings is coming through more now.

A nice bonus is how much less of a beating my fingers take after a three hour show. I tend to dig in and play hard which would tear my fingers up and with the flats I am typing pain free after having a show last night. I have a hearty set of callouses but it would still get to me on occasion.

One downside is that my playing has to be cleaner since I have less overall noise to cover my sloppy ham handed attack.

4003 · Post by **4003** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:05 pm

I have always used "half-rounds" on my basses. Good, bright tone but easier on the fingers and minimal fret noise. The best of both worlds in my opinion.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:20 pm

So you can teach an old _____ new tricks!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:26 pm

"A nice bonus is how much less of a beating my fingers take after a three hour show. I tend to dig in and play hard which would tear my fingers up and with the flats I am typing pain free after having a show last night. I have a hearty set of callouses but it would still get to me on occasion."

no more bloody basses???