Built for Flatwounds?! | Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass H [Demo]

The 2021 Affinity series saw Squier releasing the this strange single pickup medium scale. After a luke-warm start, I felt like I wanted to hear what this bass sounded like with flats! So here goes...
Let me know in a comment what you think of this vs how it sounds with round wounds.
#SquierJaguar #AffinityBass #Flatwounds
Watch my initial review here:
• Medium scale monster! ...
More information about the Squier Affinity Jaguar H:
www.fender.com...
Strings by D'adddario:
www.daddario.c...
All tones using the Ampeg SVT 4 PRO on the Line 6 HX Stomp:
uk.line6.com/h...
Follow me on Instagram:
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@jonnydibble
Check out my bass podcast "In The Pocket" here:
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
KZbin: • Podcast: In The Pocket
Acast: shows.acast.co...
Background music by Nova Mora
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[@t.j.meechan682]

I need a bass with flats. I love that old school tone, plus it gives me a good excuse to buy something bass related. Win-win

[@JonnyDibble]

I was like "well, best buy a bass just fir flats not then!" 😅😆 it's a great sound

[@t.j.meechan682]

@@JonnyDibble most logical solution! Lol

[@TSBASSIST]

I feel like this bass really shines with the flats and give the tone a bit more character. Great demo!

[@JonnyDibble]

I agree! Feels warmer and well rounded. Thanks!

[@kijekuyo9494]

I've been complaining on KZbin reviews about testers using only rounds. Thanks very much for bucking the trend! Not only do I want to hear flats because I use them exclusively (and they sound much better to me), I think we can get a much better idea of tone from flats because they cut out overtones that drown out the fundamental tones. I can barely tell anything when KZbinrs compare pickups with rounds. I only hear boing, bing, beehr, scratch scratch. I had a few years when I thought rounds were great, but I have since completely converted to flats. I think that H sounds great with them. I would consider one if I hadn't also completely converted to 30" scale.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ah no worries mate! My niche is mostly playing hard with a pick (something that's also very neglected in videos haha) so thw majority of my reviews will continue using rounds, but there'll definitely be more flats content 👍 Going to be putting flats on my shortcale too!

[@danielgraham4282]

I’m a recent convert to flats, I bought a JMJ road worn mustang bass, and it came with flats, first time I had ever tried them, and I bloody love them! I also dig in hard with a pick, but I’ve completely changed my overall tone recently, I also used to be a scoop the mids, push the lows and highs on the amp guy, where as now, I actually keep the bass and treble flat, and push the mids, that in combination with the shorter scale bass amd flat wound strings has given me a really nice punchy tone, that cuts through the mix with the band, has plenty of definition, but still carries a great, rounded bottom end! Great video by the way.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ah I can hear that mustang from here! Suits flats really well. I never normally associate flats with punching through the mix that way. May have to try them at practice tbf! Cheers 😄

[@TheSeanSnider]

Talk about late to the party. Here I am watching this video two years later lol. Been looking into this bass. Sweetwater now has a pink one. Flats sound killer on it. My favorite combo is: flats, fingering up towards the neck, maybe some palm muting, tone rolled back. That thumpy dead sound… Love it!

[@golfboy83]

I'd say try some tapewounds. I just recently tried some on my Gretsch short scale. I got some medium Guage strings, so they are tighter than the usual light strings. I like the feeling and sound. I feel like they're brighter than flats, good middle ground between flats and rounds. They definitely made me like that bass more...I was tempted to just sell that bass, but now I love it!

[@JonnyDibble]

I too am looking at putting tapewounds on my Gretsch short scale 😝 any specific string recommendations?

[@tomsimpson357]

Is it an electromatic jet II? I had one and sold it on, missing the short now

[@golfboy83]

@@tomsimpson357 yup, mine says Electromatic on the headstock.

[@erstwhilerambler]

Q: I also play with a pick probably half of the time; do tapes stand up to it, or are they going to peel from the plectrum? (Didn’t McCartney play tape-wounds with a pick?)

[@golfboy83]

@@JonnyDibble sorry, just saw your reply! I put D'Addario tapewounds. I eventually sold that bass though. Playing a short scale got me used to the spacing, then I'd get messed up when I'd go back to my pbass. So I bought a Squire Paranormal jazz bass instead, and love it!

[@tysher7353]

Just tried out my first set of flats(ernie balls) on a jazz, trying to thicken the bass tone up a bit. It worked for that bass. Wouldn't want them on everything. Sounds like they make sense on the jag, well done!

[@JonnyDibble]

Nice! Yeah me too, cool to have the option though 😄

[@TooPunkToBeAPodcast]

I'm hoping to get a fretless this year. That's where I'll be getting my flats tone at. Look forward to trying them for sure

[@octaviomesquita4592]

Hi Jonny, as you asked 😅 I would like to see your opinion on why you would choose a certain bass for a certain song. Then a quick comparison with another bass in a band context together with drums and guitar. Great energy in your videos! Cheers.

[@tomsimpson357]

New to the channel, love your vid style and great playing. Also, on a side not, your jawline is flipping godlike

[@JonnyDibble]

Welcome! Haha thank-you so much! 🤣 I'm glad you're enjoying the content 😊

[@tomsimpson357]

@@JonnyDibble I’m about to buy one of these, the charcoal frost one, and I think I’ll pick some of these flats up too, after seeing this and some out-of-the-box reviews. Thanks for the quality content, keep at it. 👍

[@bassnsax]

The cobalt Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound strings are my favorite so far - they have a great nearly-roundwound sound, but can mellow out wonderfully when you start rolling the tone control off. I still need to try out some La Bella flats.

[@JonnyDibble]

Nice! I still need to try La Bella too! 😮

[@bassnsax]

@@JonnyDibble I've got a set of their white nylon tapewounds on my fretless jazz, and they are great! D'Addario has an excellent set of black nylon tapewounds, too - they have a lower tension feel, but still sound absolutely massive!

[@Minor_Thing]

I'm definitely not a beginner player more like advanced and for some strange reason I'm considering buying this guitar. I think it could be the one that is really fun to play and also to being modified in future... What do you think? :) Great vid btw.

[@Pointblankmos]

Still the best bass channel on KZbin

[@JonnyDibble]

Stop it, you

[@geraldp494]

4 Sure!

[@dice-fusionbassist]

I use Flatwound strings on my Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass and Tapewound strings on my Ibanez SRH500F (fretless) Bass. I also play with a Jim Dunlop Jazz III pick.

[@HW100]

Hey Jonny, you should have tried flats on your old Yammy, put a set of D'Addario Nylon Tapewound on it and its amazing, smoothest strings you will ever play, absolutely love it. Great review as always, got one of these arriving tomorrow, thought why not at that price, for something a bit different, def going flats on it. ATB.

[@daveandrews5485]

I have used flats but not that much, I love the brightness of rounds. Still, if they are good enough for Steve Harris, right? Now all you need is a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge and you’re sorted! Good video Jonny as always. Oh and the bass does sound better with flats.

[@JonnyDibble]

I'll always be a round wound guy, but I totally get it now. Can give some beautiful fat low end! Thanks as always mate

[@johndobbins1105]

My go to flats are the EB cobalt slinkys. They’re really bright and zingy.

[@davidbarclay54]

No direct experience of flats but they do appear popular on short and medium scale basses. I plan on experimenting in the future with my own short scale but sticking with my roundwounds meantime.

[@JonnyDibble]

I'm definitely going to put a set on my short scale, or MAYBE some tapewounds 🤭

[@carlosjorge7518]

One of these days check the la bella flats and the tapes my favourite strings ever. The flats are so smooth, much smoother than any other flats I have tried. The tapes have this more mids kind of sound (compared to the flats)

[@JonnyDibble]

Got some on the way! 😁

[@carlosjorge7518]

@@JonnyDibble you won't regreat it

[@GavinJ-PThom]

I have ordered one of these Squier Affinity Jaguar basses as I thought I would keep the round wounds on. I also have a Jack Casady Signature Epiphone Bass which I changed to flats. I like the smooth mellow sound of the JC and I thought the Squier would give me a more punchy sound say for Roadhouse Blues by the Doors. Have I got it right or what would you recommend? Cheers

[@EasyHeat]

I recorded and toured with a fast playing punk band in the late 90's. How fast? I had to wear a sport band on my right wrist as I was burning a whole in it, and my left hand digits are forever disfigured. I exclusively played Rotosound round wounds, and I wish I had even heard of the possibility of flats back then. Would of saved the chore of super gluing my nubs back together! LMAO!

[@JonnyDibble]

Oh I know that feeling! BUT rounds suit punk a lot better imo! Pray for the nubs 🙏

[@oyemarvin]

Can this bass support a drop B tuning in manufacturing conditions? 

[@viniciusprestrelo552]

Hi, Jonny. Your videos are very good. I would like to see a video of you reviewing a Thunderbird Epiphone bass.

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks so much! My next review is a Thunderbird! (Harley Benton one though)

[@willistaylor4077]

1. I have this Bass on lay-by. 2. I was given a pack of medium-scale Tapewound strings. I know now where they will be going...!

[@JonnyDibble]

What a beautiful coincidence 😇😈

[@f1948s]

Thanks for the updated review for I am considering one of these. How comfortable do you find to play this bass compared to some of the 30" short scale bases you have tried. I was considering the Gretsch G2220 short scale but figured I might get a little better tone out of this 32" scale. Your advice would be appreciated.

[@JonnyDibble]

Personally I prefer the G2220. Tone and feel, it's really nice! Single coil pickups rather than humbuckers, but still great sounding

[@putradwiananto4181]

Any plans in the future to upgrade that bass? It would be sick if you replace that pickup with fender with range pickup just like mike kerr from royal blood basses??? Anyways great video as always johnny

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks mate! Not sure just yet. I'm pretty bad at pickup replacement haha. Are they big humbuckers or mini ones??

[@putradwiananto4181]

I do belive its the big one he put in the middle

[@haydnr01]

I feel compelled to point you towards the Schecter J4 Exotic, active J bass 900ish quid but its an absolute monster and is a dream to play. I went to check out J basses played some Fender, Charvel and a few others all at a similar price point but none felt or played as nice the the Schecter

[@JonnyDibble]

I love schecter. Always outstanding quality!

[@geraldp494]

Great Job Jonny !!!

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks Gerald!

[@ichiban5]

I just found this channel. Excited to watch the videos! Trying to learn the guitar.

[@passenger1jaro]

Great sound with flatwounds, I love it! :) just one remark for reviews... I understand that SVT4 is "your sound" (I love it too), but to my ears its compressing sound to much and doesnt allow different basses to sound different enough. I know that you usually throw in GK as well for slap, but can you maybe use also SVT to allow basses to give us their natural sound?

[@JonnyDibble]

To me, the SVT 4 always just sounds the best? If I use the GK I use it for all tones in that video 😊 I will definitely look at a more standard SVT though, thanks!

[@passenger1jaro]

@@JonnyDibble I used SVT4 for every bass I have too, because I liked it the most :) but lately realized that SVT or Mesa give me more tonal differences among my basses. its not a critique, I love your review, just something that I would enjoy :)

[@gabrielegazzotti5582]

Vintage sound to my ears....which is good !!!! Well done.....😃👍✌

[@JonnyDibble]

Sounds cool! Glad you like sir

[@MrJoeAkuma]

I hear nothing but butter melting🔥

[@JonnyDibble]

IM MELLTTIIIINNNGGG

[@PushSueAside]

You need to try some tape wounds next. I prefer them. Great video. Cheers

[@JonnyDibble]

I do! Might put some on my short scale 😊 Cheers!

[@PushSueAside]

@@JonnyDibble I don’t know if its a mental thing or what, they just seem like they are “easy on the fingers” (not that i have soft fingers, i do concrete demo) but, they DO seem easy on the fingers. And you can get different colors...so that’s fun! Also, i wanted to ask if you’ve tried “woody blue” on the hx stomp. I was getting bored with the ampeg sounds... and i started messing with it and found if you bring the drive down to 4.1 turn effect all the way up ch vol all the way up bright and hum off leave tunfork alone and pretend its not there... bass and treble to taste and its all about the Variamp from there! You have 5 fun clean sounds. I like #5 for a nice “growl”. Anyway, thought I’d pass that on. Cheers

[@egnbigdave]

Try Rotosound Monel Alloy flats. They hold the brighter tone for much longer.

[@JonnyDibble]

I had some rotosounds on my P bass video, not sure if they were Monel Alloys though 🤔

[@egnbigdave]

@@JonnyDibble I usually use Rotosound Swing rounds, but my most recent aquisition ( a Limelight Customs 68 P aged replica based off John Deacons live aid bass but with a Jazz neck) came fitted with Rotosound 77 Jazz's which are the Monel alloy - and I love them. I have used fender flats and they were ok, worst (and Cheapest) were Olympics I fitted to my Jazz - sounded dead after a week. The Monels on the P bass just seem to not die and sound brighter than others I've used(supposed to be ultra corrosion resistant).

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Great vid Johnny but on your recent videos the bass is almost inaudible in the mix. Not sure if it’s just my set up. Cheers.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ooh don't think I done anything differently! I'll keep an eye on it mate, thanks for the heads up! X

[@jamesmarkham7489]

@@JonnyDibble just double checked the audio with a different setup. Your voice is still quite a bit louder than the bass. Perhaps it's just a balance thing between audio inputs?

[@joeycacti]

Did you use medium scale length or normal??

[@tomsimpson357]

Do you have any advice on whether s/m scale basses are good for alternative tunings? Like drop c? I can’t find anything on gauges to go for or anything if it’s on a shorty, or whether it makes enough of a difference.

[@JonnyDibble]

Personally, I would not do drop C on a short scale, unless uts a 5 string (believe Ibanez do a short scale 5 string Talman) The shorter scale means the strings are naturally more slack which isn't ideal for down tuning. For drop C, 120 guage is good but I don't think you can really get that for short scale, unless it's a 5 string set

[@tomsimpson357]

@@JonnyDibble I’ve been thinking of getting a 5 string for a while anyway so maybe I’ll just do that in few months! I’m gonna need a rack soon, at this rate! Thanks for the info

[@quailingvoss]

Sounds WORLDS better with flats, makes that beefy pickup even beefier, I love it. When you can’t afford a Modulus, this will suffice. Haha

[@willistaylor4077]

What sort of music are you playing in a band situation ? 💕💕

[@JonnyDibble]

Had to nail down but I'd just say Rock, all the background music is my band 😊

[@citeltheof]

I'm a very young bass player and I picked up this bass but I absolutely loathe that I lose all my tone options when plugged into an amp due to the amp making an electric buzzing noise. Evidently this is because of the single humbucker pickup. I'm sorely tempted to pick up these strings to put on my bass. Is there a brand I should be looking at? Any suggestions? This is my first bass I've purchased after the bass I was gifted to me that didn't really gel with me. Thanks!

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi! As its a humbucking pickup, there shouldn't be buzzing noise so something doesn't sound quite right there! In terms of brands though, check out Harley Benton, Sire, G&L and Sterling 😄 Not gelling with a bass can be the WORST. I hope you find the one!

[@johncollins5552]

You might just need to replace the jack input or a pot, it's easy, parts only cost 5 to 10 each for good quality e.g. CTS, only takes a beginner less than an hour to unscrew the pickguard or covers and solder maybe 2 wires. A soldering iron on Amazon for 10 quid will do fine. An excuse to try a new set of strings too. Lots of videos show how to do the job.

[@Pointblankmos]

Also, whatever LUT/ colour grade you're using is very yellow I think. Your skin tone looks a bit funky.

[@JonnyDibble]

This one was a nightmare. Got me settings all put of whack! You should see the original footage 😅😅

[@derPaul76]

Put flats on my fretless and than put them on all of my basses; love the feeling and the tone;

[@JonnyDibble]

Nice one! 😄

[@alexherrera7455]

ahhh but how does it sound with a pickkk

[@nunofernandes4501]

Johnny Dibble dabbles in Dub.

[@JonnyDibble]

Jonny Dubble

[@nunofernandes4501]

@@JonnyDibble With that name you may now become a bonafide a Reggae bassist.

[@joetspaulding]

big sound!!

[@JonnyDibble]

Sounds cool I think!

[@michaelblaney4461]

I like flatwounds but I never turn of the tone completely . Those chromes are not my favorites flats . I like the Ernie Ball cobalts , Fender ,La Bella and Thomastik the best. I'm also a big fan of La Bella white Tapewounds on my fretless J bass too.

[@JonnyDibble]

Going to try some tapewounds on my short scale methinks!

[@dimiaraujo90]

IMHO, this is an upgrade from the Bronco, or even from the Mustang models

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah definitely

[@wearesyntria]

🔥🔥🔥

[@willistaylor4077]

Dibbler, the Dabbler ! 💕💕🎸🎵🎸

[@JonnyDibble]

You might say that flats are... IncreDIBBLE

[@erstwhilerambler]

J Dibs, what about the Gretsch with flats? You promised! You must deliver! 🤞🏻🤣

[@JonnyDibble]

One day...

[@Okay-time]

Yes

[@erstwhilerambler]

I’ve got La Bella flats on my Gretsch JJ2 now, and I’m very happy with them. Sometimes the E is a little “dead” sounding, depending on how the tone and pickups are set, but I’m definitely hooked on flatwounds. The feel alone is worth it. Unbeatable. So smooth.

[@bassonthemark8191]

Indeed the Dibble can dabble! 😂

[@JonnyDibble]

Jonny Dabble 🤪

[@bassonthemark8191]

Enjoyed it as always.

[@bonkerscat9306]

Any chances of this bass tunes BEAD?

[@JonnyDibble]

As in a low B like a 5 string? There are some 5 string medium scales out there so uts possible but depends what kind of string tension you want. A low B on this will be quite floppy

[@bonkerscat9306]

@@JonnyDibble yeah, I thought about 5 string bass set with 135 gauge B string

[@keinname629]

It's NOT Di Addario! That's what the ' is for: Daddario!

[@JonnyDibble]

I never know!

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Flats last for years rounds were making broke

[@isaacramirez3729]

I like oy

[@JonnyDibble]

I am a glad

[@Firedancer100]

Ethereum 🎸

[@JonnyDibble]

😆😅

[@willistaylor4077]

Also, a shaved head and big bushy beard might suit you....(?) ❤️

[@JonnyDibble]

Unfortunately my long beard gets very, how do you say... pubey 🥲

[@willistaylor4077]

@@JonnyDibble 🙂❤️😀

[@SourNote93]

I appreciate what you are doing, but I have, hopefully, constructive critique. Why does every bass in your reviews sound so muffled? I mean compared to live sound and other reviews, yours just sounds like giving wrong info on sound of the bass. Hope you can look into this at improve it.

[@JonnyDibble]

The flats on this are quite damp sounding in this video, can't say I've thought any of the other videos are muffled though? I'll definitely look into it, much appreciated!

[@SourNote93]

@@JonnyDibble Yesterday I was watching your Squire, HB JB75, and both of them one versus each other. I had same thoughts, maybe more proper wording would be highly compressed sound. It's not bloomy at all, and I felt like it didn't represent that open jazz tone. I mean maybe it's just me if nobody else has anything to say about this :D

[@user-ve4ig6pw1s]

That bass is a piece of crap. DON'T BUY ONE.