Flatwound strings on a Jazz Bass

[@craigdamage]

Finally. A Jazz bass demo that sounds fat and robust. Funny how everybody talks of the "versatility" of a Jazz bass but when you hear one it is always by default that one bright and snappy tone only.

[@zr2700]

craigdamage yes, I agree. sounds how a jazz bass is supposed to sound. Top end does nothing in the mix. A good Bass tone needs the fat bottom. You don’t “need” treble to be heard in the mix, either. It’s a mix of a lot of frequencies, mainly the low mids.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks a lot! There is no shortage of bright slap videos out there.

[@McPherson123]

YES! 100% this! 1,000,000,000% this! I was about to comment essentially the same thing.

[@jeroenklaassen579]

So true!

[@blooter6360]

Flats definately help with that no squeaking and priper low end thump

[@zibbezabba2491]

I've only recently discovered the joys of having flat wounds on my jazz bass. I've had them on my P bass for ages but the jazz sounds far better, especially with both pickups turned up full. Loads of character.

[@richardlopez7412]

Sweet Round sounds. Love the drum pauses and restarts. Great effect. 😮

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@lk63]

I remember when Jazz and P- basses both came from the factory with flatwounds.

[@SevanStick]

You‘re old my man.

[@ktown0173]

We need to return to that time. So many beginners would sound much better without the constant string noise and inadequate muting!

[@sapphicquartz]

@@ktown0173 wouldnt that make it harder for beginers to actually learn those tho?

[@hoangkhanhtruongnguyen8197]

Really, I didn't know that.

[@richardrichard5409]

Up until 1983 from memory, incredibly? 😎

[@dancorby7535]

Flats on a Jazz was my sound for the longest time. Love it.

[@insomniac2610]

Flats + J bass = early zep tone. Love it!

[@Pierfra007]

the fun thing is that JPJ says he never used flats on the Jazz in many interviews... but it clearly sounds like flats on the first two albums (and period live shows)

[@rrdream2400]

@@Pierfra007 he uses rounds on it after Led Zep. it sure sounds like flats on the early Zep. The Alembic didn't sound nearly as good for me.

[@michaelwoods9005]

@@Pierfra007 I think his memory is shot. You can clearly see the shiny flatwound strings on his Jazz bass in The Song Remains The Same and RAH concert films.

[@Pierfra007]

@@michaelwoods9005 I thought the same, but then discovered that the Acoustic 360 amp he uses on all that tracks and shows sounds like that, with or without flats. Probably he really used rounds, with that amp, the tone often closed. Listen to the soloed tracks

[@kjpatterson1453]

@@Pierfra007 I think all they had was flats back then on at least the first album, so I think that was what was used

[@sonjalee4502]

Sounds very nice.. makes me feel like relaxing in a hammock outside, on a warm sunny afternoon.

[@AnthonyLeBlanc-n6i]

That really is a wonderful series of demos. Thank you, Mr. Andreas, for sharing those beautiful tones. Your talents are such a joy to hear.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks for watching!

[@stefaneduard8169]

I had a shorter scale ibanez that is now around 12 years old and it didn't have the strings changed for at least 7 years and i swear those were the fattest roundwounds i ever heard, not to mention that the body was vibrating like crazy whenever i played a note. That bass sounded so much more like an actual double bass i absolutely loved it and it'll always have a special place in my heart😌.

[@aarondavis4341]

I personally like the sound of old worn in strings especially on anything from Fender,they give more thumpyness than fresh strings,tea I like that crisp twang of a new string,but I still keep my old strings around and slap an old used set on my basses like when I'm jamming some Motown for example old strings just sound better in that genre of music

[@tonberryfieldforever]

Wow i thought I'm the only one...

[@ft6755]

I've been buying Ernie Balls slinkies for years but hate them new and only like them after a month of being worn in. I have realised that I'm an idiot and should just get different strings.

[@martinmichaels234]

nice tone, nice timing, nice everything. Thanks for the demo.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Martin!

[@Chitosmon]

Great job! Reminds me of my 73’ Precision bass when I first got it. Underneath the pick guard is the name “John Paul Jones”!!! But my parents got from a guy who played in a C&W band and I grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska so I think someone at the factory put it on. I think I’ll put some flats on my 75’ Jazz and the old Precision bass! Great video!!!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Pat!

[@scottrubey340]

Great playing, when I first started playing bass I really didn't get the whole flatwounds thing but as have evolved I don't want anything but flatwounds from listening to your demos, Bobby Vega and etc. Thank you very much!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks! Flats definitely have their place, you can't really get that fat, warm tone any other way.

[@madderbass]

I use D'addario Chrome flatwounds on my Jazz bass for a rock/pop trio I play in, which consists of piano, bass and drums. Having flats gives a nice, warm tone that doesn't interfere with the frequencies of the piano and still provides solid low end. Flats also seem to work really nicely with an analog octave pedal too when focused on the bridge pickup.

[@AndreasBrink]

Flats with octave pedal works great, it's probably the lack of overtones that helps.

[@brothermike2506]

Flats work with the piano rather than against it...2 different sonic signals sounds best.Piano will show a peak in the signal.Flats chop the peak off so they co exist.

[@GoldStar5XL]

I almost prefer flats on a jazz than a P

[@rrdream2400]

I totally prefer flats on a Jazz, it tames the high end. I like rounds on a P.

[@kevykev388]

@@rrdream2400 same here! I'm actually thinking about putting flats on MM copy. It's passive and yet when I roll in the tone/highs....it gets to be a bit much and a lot of unwanted string noise

[@rrdream2400]

@@kevykev388 if you want to hear flats on a Stingray listen to the band Chic as well as Nick Lowe's tune "Breaking Glass", the tone on that recording is out of this world

[@mute_cebu_]

@@kevykev388 Joe Dart, of Vulfpeck, uses flats on a Stingray. 👌

[@aussierule]

Flatwounds are the way to go for me. My main practice and gigging bass is a 2010 American Jazz. The flatwounds give you a lot more control tonewise honestly because you don't have to worry so much about the high end and string sound while shaping. The thing I really don't like about Jazzes is the high end if that makes sense which the flatwounds tame really well and sound great on the pickup configuration. On my active basses I prefer roundwounds but for passive, always flatwound.

[@thomasfioriglio]

Fantastic video and demo Andreas! I just picked up my first Jazz Bass after playing a P bass with flats for years. I put flats on the Jazz as well and man, does it sound sweet! I am still getting used to all the tones I can get out of and this video was very helpful. Great job. Thanks!

[@stevepethel6843]

I addition your good tone talent and skills Thanks for posting the style and volume of each pickup.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@richardrichard5409]

Fenders were still being shipped, regardless of model, with flats in early 80's, change occurred late '83.

[@Snavels]

My go to sound for playing with a big band: J bass with flatwounds

[@jeroenklaassen579]

Great video bro! You made me buy a set of Fender flats for my jazz and i love ‘em! Thank you

[@AndreasBrink]

Good to hear!

[@vyshawnforeman8384]

Flatwounds on a 5 string jazz bass is all I need

[@rbanyaga]

Man this a great video!! Thanks for sharing these mean grooves!!!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thank Robert!

[@MrTennisgolf]

Love the sound with flats.

[@richardrichard5409]

Lovely woody tone on those strings, thanks for the upload😎

[@Alex-Soup]

Beautiful tones and great playing!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Alex!

[@normanbataille8865]

I have this same deluxe in v string version with fender flats, I LOVE THEM.

[@chadrach3]

One of my favorite videos on KZbin right now... For all the reasons people have already mentioned. The sound, the style, the playing, the guitar, etc.

[@AndreasBrink]

Wow, thank you!

[@ottokaehlig]

Thanks for this video. I'll order flats right now!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@halrodriguez713]

Great tone and very musical playing 👏👏😎 I love flatwounds - had them on a P bass for a year and now I'm thinking of having them on my new J bass too.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Hal!

[@brothermike2506]

Flats are a Must especially if you plan on playing with a piano in the mix

[@aarondavis4341]

78! I want a 78 or preferably a 79 for my birth year...thats my dream collection, to have a fender jazz,and p matching if course, a 79 ric( only in my dreams,lol) and a 79 stingray

[@wjcolon]

Love the pizzicato

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@lordlollops1]

Some great lines and sounds there love the first one, you should do some playing tutorials your an excellent player!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thank you!

[@discharge666]

Cool shirt! Yeah, I dig Anti Cimex, but I also like motown and blues. Way to keep an open mind. Cool basslines.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks, and you're right, one thing does not have to exclude other things.

[@neilmorrow9756]

That sounded phenomenal!! Thanks for sharing.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Neil!

[@Project_2501]

Sounds awesome! I have multiple Jazz Basses but want exactly that P-Bass sound, but don't really want to buy a new bass. So I'll just restring one of my J's with flatwounds. Nice!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@jlr307]

Looking for a new set of flats for my Jazz bass. Thinking of trying the Fender 9050L's.

[@franciscobelmar9365]

I very much liked cobalt slinky flats on my j, will go back for sure

[@TheFightingLion92]

Thank you for this

[@franciscoj.887]

Nice job man keep it up!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks Fransisco!

[@tanukibrahma]

Great sound!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@davidcudlip6587]

Chromes on my 5 string Jazz. La Bella low tension flats on my P basses. Seems like a recipe that works.

[@tonyhernandez4569]

Sorry my bad. I have Labellas Deep Talk on my Jazz Bass now. However, I really like the sound and tone of the Fender flats. 🤟🏽

[@AndreasBrink]

These Fenders sound good, but they're really thick and a bit hard to play. I prefer the LaBella 760fl set.

[@markbass354]

flats sound good , nice bass

[@gabrielalbo6911]

Great demo. I absolutely love that flat wound sound. I did get curious about how slapping sound with your setup, though.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks! I have another video called Rounds vs flats on a Jazz Bass that has some slapping in it.

[@rbanyaga]

The slapping on flats reminded me of early Larry Graham recordings

[@nordmende73]

Thank you!

[@drawntothefire]

Always like your playing in your videos! Got the same flats on my fretless jazz bass, they feel and sound great to play, in their own specific way.

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@Adrian-dl9nb]

Awesome job!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thank you!

[@brothermike2506]

Leo used flats on all basses that left the factory. That's a fact. It keeps the bass and piano (which is strung with round wounds) friends in the studio as well as on the road. No fighting for the same signal wave space.

[@blib3786]

Yeah because roundwounds didn't even exist for bass back when the P and J were introduced lol. I don't know why everybody on the internet acts like every little thing Leo Fender ever did is gospel, remember he's the same guy who thought covering the Telecaster's bridge with a giant metal plate was a good idea.

[@Pierfra007]

@@blib3786actually, flats didn’t exist before 1954, and the first basses were strung with rounds (probably piano strings). in 1954 LaBella started producing flats, and in 1959 Fender started their Mastersound line. however in those years the bass was still a new product and bassist kept using the double bass. in the late 50’s and early 60’s the bass started to be recorded and became a stable instrument.

[@darrellwilliams6741]

Great Playin I'm going to Put a Set of flatwound strings on 1 of my Jazz Basses Those Fender Strings Certainly Had the Tone Jamerson was right Leave them on and they Keep the Funk when there Dirty & Old.Cool video & those Grooves you played were Stellar. 👍

[@carlosu1021]

Darrell Williams LaBella actually makes a “Jamerson” set of strings. They’re the 0760M’s

[@brothermike2506]

Be sure to match the new flats to the same guage you are taking off

[@kennethstarks3993]

Great t shirt!

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

Just ordered flats the sound way better than rounds

[@Phaidrus]

Nice playing and tone! Is the tension of the 9050M set enormous?

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks, and yes.

[@soultabs]

GReat tones

[@MrSimonez123]

Damn! I forgot what was the topic of the video , Great playing bro and nice sound and the end was gold. Groovy as fuck! ps: i also prefer flat on my jazz and round on my P

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@monz7951]

Great demo and playing! I have a question about gauge since I am undecided between 9050m and 9050ml sets. How do they feel tension-wise? I have labella's 760FS right now and would like something a bit less stiff. Thanks!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks! The 9050s are VERY stiff, I very much prefer the Labella 760FLs.

[@luismarcano4745]

Hey Andreas! I saw you have a video where you play with La bella DT strings and this one with Fender 9050... which do you prefer for a Jazz Bass? I think I liked your tone here better but I don't know if it's because of the strings or different bass

[@AndreasBrink]

I prefer LaBellas.

[@studiodw12]

La Bella and the Ernie Ball are not there because I have to put flats on my new JB I am hesitating between the Fender and the Ernie Ball... the Fender L or M pull? La Bella too expensive even if the best great tone anyway!! we are in my desired sound 2:02 good chord tone !!! and the nylon strings then?

[@MultiDavid]

NO SLAP This is illigeal ;PPP God JOb man

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@sprucefan4379]

How's is the stiffness/tension on these. Manageable? I noticed most people go with the lighter gauges.

[@AndreasBrink]

I find them very stiff, too stiff for my taste. My preferred flatwound strings are LaBella 760FL.

[@sprucefan4379]

@@AndreasBrinkYeah, I don't have much experience with flats and ordered a set of Labella's myself a couple days ago. It was either LaBellas EB Group flats or Fenders. I bought the 760fm's though. Hopefully, I can handle them.

[@cmvb]

The Thomastil Infeld jazz flats are soft...

[@jamesc9691]

Nice anti-cimex shirt you are a man of good punk music taste.

[@AndreasBrink]

Anti-Cimex were great!

[@jamesc9691]

@@AndreasBrink i always say this in punk music we have some of the best rock styled bassists in the world with really cool walking basslines to really heavy hitting intros we know how to get our shit done

[@bayoubengal1961]

How's the tension on the Fender flats? And how's the feel as far as smoothness? I tried some Ernie Ball Cobalt flats and honestly, they were awful and they developed some discoloration and corrosion after 3 gigs

[@AndreasBrink]

The Fenders feel good but the tension is really high.

[@brandonpenaranda2424]

How does it sound for crust punk?

[@AndreasBrink]

Imagine if James Jamerson had been the bass player for Wolfbrigade, that's what it would sound like. A marriage made in heaven.

[@WeZte]

AWESOME!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@mikesanders80]

Nice, what pickups you got on there man?

[@AndreasBrink]

It's the stock Fender pickups.

[@mikesanders80]

Cool what are you plugged into? Really nice tone...

[@AndreasBrink]

@@mikesanders80 Thanks, it's recorded through a Keeley Limiter, a Neve RNDI and a Focusrite Scarlett.

[@Maharani1991]

Loved the ending with the guitars as well!

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks! I don't think I have ever had flats on a guitar.

[@Maharani1991]

@@AndreasBrink I highly recommend giving it a try. I for one will never go back to rounds :) If the slightly higher price isn't an issue, I recommend Thomastik.

[@ale-fz]

ANTI-CIMEX!!!!

[@kahfigitar]

have you tried labella ltf on that bass?

[@AndreasBrink]

It now has LaBella 760FL strings which are really great and have lower tension than the strings in this video.

[@TheBassfresh]

TI flats on both P and J

[@Skiroy]

Hello What year is this bass?

[@AndreasBrink]

1978.

[@bobc.5698]

What brand and Guage are these flats?

[@wjcolon]

Mean blues

[@bapt_andthebasses]

75 American Reissue ? :)

[@AndreasBrink]

No, 1978 original issue.

[@McDoinky]

Do P bass next!

[@AndreasBrink]

Already done it.

[@McDoinky]

@@AndreasBrink Are you referring to the string comparison video? I meant a whole video on flats

[@1okanaganguy]

Superb. Sub/belled

[@AndreasBrink]

Thanks!

[@jburtonca]

In my opinion Thomastik Jazz Flats are the best you can buy. They are very flexible compared to other flats. Not cheap but worth it.

[@alfieharries]

Second

[@robertnewquest656]

TI's are way overpriced. They are more boxy mid sounding, than thick and round. They are their own thing. To each their own.

[@multibassman]

if you want to hear how great flats sound on a jazz bass , listen to any recordings Joe Osborne played on , end of story ..

[@AndreasBrink]

Carpenters, Mamas & Papas etc. Great stuff for sure!

[@disordercolony8467]

ill buy all the uranium youve got...

[@ethanjose5513]

Victims of a Bass Raid

[@McDoinky]

Are the Fender flats super tense?

[@AndreasBrink]

Yes.

[@McDoinky]

How do you compare them to Chromes?

[@robertnewquest656]

@@McDoinky pretty much the same tension.

[@McDoinky]

Robert Newquest Huh Well, that's not so bad I've been waiting to try these and I was hoping that they wouldn't be unplayable compared to the chromes i use

[@robertnewquest656]

@@McDoinky they are almost identical in feel, to Chromes. Fenders have a little more mid range and growl.

[@iliasgkalgkanopoulos8397]

Do u listen to Anti Cimex man????

[@AndreasBrink]

I love Anticimex! We're from the same area in Sweden so growing up I listened to them a lot. I used to play in a band with some of the guys from Wolfpack/Wolfbrigade, if you're familiar with them.

[@SevanStick]

If you don‘t slap, go with the flat.

[@alfieharries]

You're missing out if you use the bridge pickup but dont play over it. The change it tone comes mostly from your fingers in a different spot, not the pickup

[@zr2700]

de_dongle yeah I agree. The bridge pickup sound in this video sounds absolutely terrible, because he’s not playing over the actual pickup. Neck pickup you don’t have to do this, but I feel it’s a must when you’re using the bridge pickup to get the proper sound

[@Joebyron72]

Hey man, my jazz bass has significant spacing between the fretboard and the strings as it runs down to the pickups and bridge, you know how I can fix this? It makes slapping hard and overall difficult fretting

[@AndreasBrink]

Adjust the trussrod in the neck and the height of the bridge saddles and you should be good.

[@fabiocester6804]

If you can't slap it's not a problem, it's a solution!

[@brothermike2506]

If you are unsure take it in.Have seen a lot of broken and stripped truss rods on basses in the past 40 yrs or so.

[@matteocristini6221]

Remember the TRAIN order: tune, relief, action, intonation... I can't remember what the n was for though... learned this from Ron Thorn, who works at the fender custom shop

[@tonyhernandez4569]

Has anyone bothered to ask what flat wound strings he using and what gauge?

[@AndreasBrink]

This information is both in the video and the video description, so there's no need to ask. The strings are Fender 9050M.

[@bedroomstudios2614]

The Best sound for bass, sorry.

[@jburtonca]

For authentic Motown, Old School sound and things like that a P bass with flats is the ticket.

[@wallacewinston3627]

Your shirt does not match your playing at all. You seem like a cool guy.

[@AndreasBrink]

It's the playing that doesn't match the shirt, I should have played more crust punk in the video.

[@wallacewinston3627]

Andreas Brink would suit me just fine. I feel like it’s an appropriate time for a crust revival.

[@lookingatyouforever]

Andreas Brink Troublemakers' - Staden Goteborg would be a nice opening bassline to this video...

[@AndreasBrink]

@@lookingatyouforever Absolut, "Frölunda å Hisingen å Kortedala torg".