Author Topic: Flatwounds! (Read 1401 times)

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #45 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:25:43 AM »

Update on my recent experiences with Pyramid Flats: I installed them on my Epic after removing the GHS Brite Flats. I did not have to adjust the truss rods (so far), but I did have to adjust the intonation on the D and G strings.
I played it through a recently-acquired Hartke rig (not my usual, familiar set-up of Eden/Acme), with no other players or instruments making noise. I sounded very good, especially with a Dunlop lexan pick. Then I picked up my P-Bass with flats and that sounded even better! I was surprised... and not necessarily in a good way...
Then last night I played a 3-song set in a relatively large room (the Oriental Theatre in Denver) with the Alembic/Eden/Acme set up and I just LOVED the sound. It seemed like the Pyramids had an extra dose of clarity (for flats).
I don't know what it all means, but I am reminded that the rig and the room have everything to do with the sound, along with the other instruments in the mix. More observation is called for!

(Message edited by Benson_Murrensun on March 12, 2010)

sonicus · « **Reply #46 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:56:41 AM »

I am pleased that your experiment is apparently resulting in positive results for you regarding the Pyramid Gold Flats .Be careful with the G &D strings.

811952 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:00:30 PM »

The thing that sold me on flats is that it's so easy to fit the bass into the mix with clarity, without muddling what the guitars and vocals are doing.

John

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #48 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:41:28 PM »

Yes, it seems like there is more fundamental and fewer harmonics. There certainly is less finger noise, at least for me!!!

dluxe · « **Reply #49 on:** March 12, 2010, 03:55:12 PM »

I've read that Pyramid flats have a round core. Has this always been the case?

hieronymous · « **Reply #50 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:18:10 PM »

Here's a studio version of the song I posted of the video above, recorded on my Telembic - early-'70s Telecaster Bass with Alembic P-Bass Activators - and Chromes. Turntables courtesy of DJ Taka, drums by Greg DeGuglielmo:

AKA studio version

oddmetersam · « **Reply #51 on:** March 15, 2010, 12:06:26 AM »

Harry, does the offer to check out those strings still stand? Sorry for the protracted response...
-Sam

nnek · « **Reply #52 on:** March 15, 2010, 04:34:44 AM »

LOVE the Studio version!!!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #53 on:** March 16, 2010, 05:27:33 AM »

Oh, you did it again Harry...

Great piece of groove, congrats!

811952 · « **Reply #54 on:** March 16, 2010, 07:47:36 AM »

Nice!

hieronymous · « **Reply #55 on:** March 16, 2010, 11:44:03 AM »

Thanks a lot guys! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I still can't quite believe that the bass and drums were improvised on the spot (although I did make a couple of fixes). I think of this as our Meters style tune, updated with the turntables.

And Sam, the flatwounds are coiled up waiting for you! We'll have to figure out a time & place to meet...

Fly-by-night · « **Reply #56 on:** April 24, 2010, 08:52:00 AM »

I've been using Thomastik-Infeld strings on my mandolin, and have liked them - so I tried a set of their Jazz E-Bass flatwound strings on my short-scale Series I (they come in 32, 34 and 36 lengths). I was astonished by the sound. Loads of bottom, even more harmonics. Extremely articulate. They retail for over $100, but everyone sells them for $52-60. Gonna stick with 'em until something MUCH better comes along.

hieronymous · « **Reply #57 on:** May 16, 2010, 10:32:36 PM »

Some more flatwound funk!

This is just the bass track of a jam that I did with DJ TAKA today. My 5-string Stanley Clark Sig. Standard with newly-strung Chromes, into an MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter and Glockenklang Soul Head with CAJ V-COMP Tube Compressor in the effects loop - recorded direct into Tascam DR-1 recorder, but who knows how much effect the amp and compressor had on the sound?!!!

I should have set the filter controls more carefully, but as usual I didn't have much rehearsal/setup time so I was flying by the seat of my pants! Mostly fingers, with some thumb/slap in the middle. Loving the Chromes! Much better than the Rotos. I videotaped it too, hopefully the audio came out half-way decent so you can hear the whole thing...

souza_lima · « **Reply #58 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:18:24 PM »

I'm one of those who spent all my life avoiding Flats but sometime ago I was considering trying them since Alembic can really sound too harsh. But everytime I try some groundwound or pressurewound set I simply find them as getting dead too soon. I wish I could do like Steve Harris (he uses Flats, but changes it every show).

So I kept on Rounds, although I can't use Stainless Steel no more.

But I was thinking about how a 35 Scale Bass could have a better sounding B String. Most people say that this is due to better Tension you got from a longer String and this got me thinking about what are the Strings tension on my 4 strings...

Well, it looks like Low Strings always presents less Tension than the Highests, not only the B. But if you need more uniformity on string tension you could always opt getting light high strings along with heavy lower strings (since Tension relates Gauge and Lenght).

I'm currently using GHS's Bassics L6000 since they're cheap (US$ 14,00 at JustString.com) and got the most extreme combination on gauges (that I hope can even out all string tension):

.040 .058 .080 .102

(Message edited by souza lima on May 18, 2010)

hieronymous · « **Reply #59 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:20:30 PM »

Mario, I resisted flats for the longest time! The mighty mudbucker in Gibson basses that doesn't transmit any highs whatsoever was one of the things that got me started - my current Alembic needs higher tension to keep the neck manageable, and I discovered that I really like the sound!!!

I appreciate your comments on tension though. Personally, I think strings are one of the most mysterious parts of our instrument! And unfortunately, it's expensive to experiment...