Flatwound or Tapewound

j_rod · #1 02-23-2010, 08:43 AM

I am looking to get a "round", warm vintage sound.

What would get me the warmest round vintage sound, tapewound or flatwound strings?

I currently play a Schecter 5 string with Roto Tape wounds, Ampeg V4 through a 2 x 12 EBS Neo.

I like the sound but it tends to be a little mid heavy for my taste. I have the Mid on both the amp and eq on bass almost all the way down.

Thanks,
- J -

J. Crawford · #2 02-23-2010, 08:58 AM

Flats, IMO. Tapes have a lot more attack than flats.

D'addario Chromes and Labellas are too good choices.

becker4567 · #3 02-23-2010, 10:35 AM

Well, if your looking for warm, thick, vintage sounds, it's hard to beat LaBellas. I believe Sir Paul used tapewounds on Abbey Road, so give that a listen to see if that is what your looking for.

Pilgrim · #4 02-23-2010, 10:55 AM

Labella Deep Talkin' flats will give you a vintage sound - more appropriate to the vintage sound than tapewounds. They also last for years.

ironrat · #5 02-23-2010, 11:17 AM

TIs!!!!!

pbass888 · #6 02-23-2010, 02:23 PM

flats and for thuddiness.. i would recommend la bella over ti or chromes... esp if you play straight jazz etc...

EthanTheHeathen · #7 02-24-2010, 11:53 AM

Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but when I played a bass in a shop that had LaBella Tapewound strings I thought they sounded very deep and thick (much more so than other tapes).

john-boro · #8 02-24-2010, 08:32 PM

I've only tried la bella and rotosound tapes, and I found the la bellas very very roundwound sounding - not much double-bass style low end. The rotos were much more thumpy, with less sustain and a more percussive sound.

Craig_S · #9 02-24-2010, 08:38 PM

I love LaBella 760FL flats. They sound amazing on my P-Bass. Not too bright but not too thumpy. They're just right!

lmfreeman9 · #10 02-25-2010, 09:11 AM

I like LaBella DTFs, I love TI Jazz Flats, but Pyramid Golds offer the warmest fattest vintage sound. They are expensive, but if you are not happy with them, just put them on the classifieds for 70% of the cost.

stflbn · #11 02-25-2010, 09:18 AM

I tried the whole flatwound route a couple times...

Excited when I go into it, and initially completely love the tone, then once they start really breaking in I find that i've lost the tone I like. But completely understand others loving it.

To me:
Tapewounds are smoother and more of an acoustic or upright type sound or vibe.
TI's and Chrome flats retain the most clarity, then the others follow after that.

.

Webtroll · #12 02-26-2010, 05:40 AM

I've only tried one set of tapewounds on my LX5 fretless but I really didn't like them at all. For the fretless I like chrome flats and oddly enough DR color coated strings.

Lichtaffen · #13 02-26-2010, 05:59 AM

Didn't care for the string tension of LaBella Deep Talking Flats, but I'm in lust with TI Jazz Flats. They're the bee's knees.