To use flats or not, I just don't know...

[smem]

Hey all, haven't been here for a while but I have recently become obsessed with putting flats on my 07 4003. I have been using mainly stainless rounds for most of my career, abour twenty years, and I play pickstyle about 98% of the time. I play generally pretty aggressive rock and punk influenced type stuff social distortion, samiam, the briggs, street dogs that sort of stuff. I've always been pretty attached to that zingy crunchy roundwound sound but lately a lot of recordings I've been listening to guys have been using flats and I'm really liking the sound. Does anyone here use flats on their Rick's and play harder stuff with good results? If so what brands? I realize everyones ears are different and opinions are subjective etc. etc. etc., and that's fine, any thoughts or info is appreciated. I'm running my ric into a GK800rb into an ampeg 8-10 as well if that helps.

[pflash4001]

I don't know about the flats question, but I LOVE my 4001's thru my GK800RB!

[johnallg]

Steve, make it easy - get another 4003 and put on flats.

[Prowl]

I used to alternate between Flats and Rounds but now I mostly use Rounds again. Once the Flats get really good and broken in they sound like mud and have no give at all depending on where you're playing and the only way to get definition out of it is to play with the tones wide open. Keep in mind this is only my opinion. I usually bounce between D'addario and Rotosound rounds. Standard gauge.

[smem]

Yeah,I guess getting another 4003 is the obvious choice however convincing my wife of that is another story...I have been looking into possibly GHS brite flats but who knows..maybe it'll have to be one of those 'ya never know if ya don't try' kinda things...

[86kubicki]

I prefer the strong solid fundamentals you get with flatwounds. Boost the mids on your amp (and throw in some distortion if you like ) and you can get a very aggressive sound.

[RobRick]

I used rounds on my 4000 for twenty five years. Now that bass and my 4001C64 have flatwounds. I just prefer the fat, round tone you get with flats. Being they are Rick basses, there is still plenty of brightness and zing to my tone, just a warmer, bassier tone that I prefer.

Given that, make sure it works for the music you play. I play a lot of pop and rock from the 50s and 60s.

[thisismusicinc]

I'm not familiar with the bands you are referring to, but I would give it a try. I am lucky enough to have another rick, and even though I don't use it with my heaviest band, it have worked fine in the 70s style hard-/ spacerock band I have been playing with. Maybe I should give it a try in my heavy band as well? Hmmm

[blueflamerick]

I think flats sound great, I just don't like the feel of them.

Look at it this way, a set of flats are a $25-50 cash investment, maybe 15-30 minutes of your time to change strings. Why not just give them a try and decide for yourself? If you don't like them, you may even be able to sell them to someone else wanting to experiment.

[86kubicki]

An excellent suggestion Erik. I've tried out a few sets of strings that weren't to my liking that I was able to subsequently sell to other folks on the forum.

[cangaroo]

I'm using TI flats and i have the classic macca tone, but i can also obtain a few of the classic growl if i turn treble and mids at high level on the amp.

[sloop_john_b]

I prefer the strong solid fundamentals you get with flatwounds. Boost the mids on your amp (and throw in some distortion if you like ) and you can get a very aggressive sound.

A big +1. I use flats on all my basses and have for a few years now, playing an extremely wide variety of music. I get compliments from people on my bass tone all the time at gigs and I have to believe it comes from the fact that my bass actually sounds like a bass, not a detuned guitar.

[cassius987]

I get compliments from people on my bass tone all the time at gigs and I have to believe it comes from the fact that my bass actually sounds like a bass, not a detuned guitar.

I want to see you and Anthony Jackson duke it out over this one... Personally I agree with you, there's something very nice about "just" sounding like a fairly traditional electric bass.

[sloop_john_b]

I want to see you and Anthony Jackson duke it out over this one... Personally I agree with you, there's something very nice about "just" sounding like a fairly traditional electric bass.

Well, that's a whole 'nother can 'o worms - 4 vs. 6. Anthony is a monster player, no doubt about it - but I do feel like he has a bit of guitar-envy when he solos. He's got a bit of classical guitar-style right-hand technique and it's all chordal. It sounds good anyway though!

[cassius987]

Anthony is a monster player, no doubt about it - but I do feel like he has a bit of guitar-envy when he solos.

I think he says himself that he's not "really" a bassist in some ways. He cites listening to LPs at half speed as his inspiration for wanting to sound *exactly* like a guitar tuned down an octave. It's certainly a different approach and not the one I take but I still admire him.