Good pick style with rounds?

M

mbell75

May 23, 2016
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#1
I made the switch to flats recently because I prefer the feel and the sound, especially with a pick. However, I just got a new Mustang bass and Im stuck with rounds until my flats come in next week. How do you get a good pick sound that is not clanky, metallic or tinny sounding? I have an Ampeg BA210 and I usually have the Ultra Lo on, Bass at 7 and the mid and treble at 5. Even with the mid and treble at 2, Im still getting that metallic, tinny sound when using a pick. Even with my tone rolled all the way down. Whats the trick? Using Dunlop max grip .88 picks by the way. Thanks.

PS, I like this kind of tone for what Im doing right now.

 
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#3
Working with the youth in our church to put together a Praise band. So I bought an inexpensive starter electric bass that came with rounds. And the future bassist for that band is coming over for his first lesson tomorrow.

First thing I did was put some foam rubber at the bridge. That helped, and I'll get some flats next time I go into town. Been awhile since I've played anything but, flats and foam, but, it only took me 10 minutes to know why I moved from rounds.
 
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#8
Oh, if you've gotten one of the new MIM mustang P/J's that just came out I'd love to know what you and others think about it when you get flats on it.

I'm thinking about one myself, and I'll probably throw flats on it.
 
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#10
A 5mm Dunlop Primetone Gypsy Jazz will give you a darker tone.
Dunlop Primetone.jpg
 
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#12
Mvilmany said:
Oh, if you've gotten one of the new MIM mustang P/J's that just came out I'd love to know what you and others think about it when you get flats on it.

I'm thinking about one myself, and I'll probably throw flats on it.
Click to expand...

Yep. Already know it's going to sound awesome. Mustangs are really made for flatwouunds IMO and many others agree

Thanks for the suggestions on the picks, gonna look at some heavier ones. Playing around with it more, just really comes down to round wounds are not for me. Maybe it's the extra light stock strings on here making matters worse. But I can get a bright enough sound with my flats messing with the EQ on my amp and I won't get that clanky, metallic sound like I do from the rounds.
 
#14
mbell75 said:
I made the switch to flats recently because I prefer the feel and the sound, especially with a pick. However, I just got a new Mustang bass and Im stuck with rounds until my flats come in next week. How do you get a good pick sound that is not clanky, metallic or tinny sounding? I have an Ampeg BA210 and I usually have the Ultra Lo on, Bass at 7 and the mid and treble at 5. Even with the mid and treble at 2, Im still getting that metallic, tinny sound when using a pick. Even with my tone rolled all the way down. Whats the trick? Using Dunlop max grip .88 picks by the way. Thanks.

PS, I like this kind of tone for what Im doing right now.

Click to expand...

Hi there. I had to play a song last night with a pick on my ash/maple pbass with rounds. I discovered that if I put the tone setting where I like and then roll the volume off slightly it really mellowed out the clanky attack of the pick on the roundwound strings. I think as you roll back the pot it increases the capacitance of the circuit which in turn reduces the treble frequencies sent to the amp. Try it out and see if you have some sucess.
 
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#15
mbell75 said:
I made the switch to flats recently because I prefer the feel and the sound, especially with a pick. However, I just got a new Mustang bass and Im stuck with rounds until my flats come in next week. How do you get a good pick sound that is not clanky, metallic or tinny sounding? I have an Ampeg BA210 and I usually have the Ultra Lo on, Bass at 7 and the mid and treble at 5. Even with the mid and treble at 2, Im still getting that metallic, tinny sound when using a pick. Even with my tone rolled all the way down. Whats the trick? Using Dunlop max grip .88 picks by the way. Thanks.

PS, I like this kind of tone for what Im doing right now.

Click to expand...

Oh I should add, that I was talking about the volume pot having more capacitance (less treble) as it was turned down a bit.
 
#18
Adjust your attack, loosen your grip ever so slightly, and use a thicker pick. Don't dig. You just want the tip of the pick to hit the string so you get a solid note but with a softer attack. Possibly ditz with your EQ and lower your settings a bit. The more they're cranked, the more sensitive your bass is going to be to things like clank, finger squeak, and string attack clicks.

FWIW, that sound is mostly in your touch. I can get that same sound with Rotosounds if I have to. And so can you.

Luck! :thumbsup:
 
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#20
40Hz said:
Adjust your attack, loosen your grip ever so slightly, and use a thicker pick. Don't dig. You just want the tip of the pick to hit the string so you get a solid note but with a softer attack. Possibly ditz with your EQ and lower your settings a bit. The more they're cranked, the more sensitive your bass is going to be to things like clank, finger squeak, and string attack clicks.

FWIW, that sound is mostly in your touch. I can get that same sound with Rotosounds if I have to. And so can you.

Luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks, I noticed that. I can't use a sweeping guitar like motion with rounds like I do with flats. Its almost more like a pushing motion and with a softer touch. Still dont like it but Im sure it would sound better with a band rather than solo at home.
 
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