Flat Wound Strings For Rock

[kelvinf]

Hello All,

I`m very new to playing bass. I`ve seen so many types of strings available and it`s mind boggling. I now have peavey steel rounds on my bass. They sound really bright, almost too bright for my taste. I am looking into getting some flat wounds for a warmer tone. Before i spend the money on these strings,i thought i might get some input from you guys. I (try) to play rock,metal and blues. By the way, will i get less fret noise with flats? Any input would be greatly appreciated.THANKS!!

[HeavyDuty]

I don't know about the metal part, but I find groundwounds to be a great compromise for blues and rock on my DeA Starfire.

Much thumpier than roundwounds, but brighter than flats. A good all-around compromise, in my opinion.

[notduane]

Good call on the ground-wounds H/D.

There's GHS Brite Flats, Dean Markley Ground-Round Wounds,
D'Addario ½-Rounds, and Ken Smith Slick-Rounds.

Along those lines...there are "compression" wound strings.
They start out as full-up roundwounds, but are "squished"
into an oval shape in the winding process. Some of these
are Ken Smith Compressors, Rotosound Solo Bass 55's, and
Alembic CX-3's. The Ken Smith's have a great feel.

Finally ...flatwounds! Medium tension and bright (for flats) -
GHS Precision Flatwound and Dean Markley -- crosswound
underwraps and a stainless outerwrap. T/I Jazz Flats --
round core, Nickel outer wrap, LOW tension. Rotosound RS77
Jazz and Steve Harris sig set -- "Monel" wrap: `67% nickel,
28% copper, and 5% other metals` (thanx Flatwound ).
LaBella's James Jamerson set -- HIGH tension, major thud.

I seen ya' had all that Peavey gear and then noticed your
"location" -- you're in Hartley's backyard! Is that Fury string-
through? If so, you might wanna' consider an extra-long set.
For instance, T/I 36" or Roto 77 EL (Extra Long). I wouldn't
know about "fret noise" (strictly fretless ). The T/I (nickel)
Jazz flats are very warm (imo). BUT, if you've got a heavy hand,
their low tension will take some gettin' used to.

I can't speak to Elixirs (ain't tried`em...yet). I'm sure somebody
will chime in.

[kelvinf]

Thanks Guys,

Your replies are very helpful. I do have a heavy handed technique by the way. I would describe it as very percussive,a slap/pluck with my index and middle fingers for lack of a better description. By the way i do live in Hartley`s back yard, i even worked for him during the late 80`s. Again guys, thanks for the input.

[boogiebass]

You may like GHS Pressurewounds. Great strings with a semi-flat feel and a semi-round sound.

[HeavyDuty]

Originally posted by boogiebass
You may like GHS Pressurewounds. Great strings with a semi-flat feel and a semi-round sound.

They're my normal roundish-wound on my fretted basses - they work great on my Steinie and Ric.

[Chasarms]

Flatwound string are very nice for what they do, but IMHO they sound inappropriate for your described style. Flats tend to have sort of a "swell" to they way they develop a note. Not a lot of attack. If you are looking for a little darker sound, I would suggest trying nickel roundwounds first. They are going to respond to your playing style in a matter you are familiar with, but they won't be nearly as bright. IF you are still unsatisified, I would suggest trying some of the hybrid strings suggested here.

Chas

[playerdelabass]

I just fitted a set of flatwoundsa to my bass this morning, and am finding that there is a better tone, but they are far slower sounding. less attack.

It must also be noted that I've stepped up a guage to 50 75 95 110, and this also is gonna lessen the attack. But they do sound fantastic...

I think it's worth playing around. Get into your local music store, and ask to try out some different strings, if they don't have a few types set up, then they're not so great, and I'd take your business elsewhere.

[nanook]

Pyramid Golds feel flat but sound round..somewhat.

They pop nicely but lack the tiny ring that slappers like.

[Jman]

I'll go with Nanook , Pyramids