Flatwound VS roundwound strings ???

[Turlu]

Hi,

I have been playing Bass for more than 12 years and always used Roundwound strings and don`t have a clue what flatwound strings are and their differences.
I would like to know their specifications and their appropriate usage.

Thx.

[Rob W]

Well, the basic tone difference is that flats have more bottom end and probably a bit more midrange. Some brands of flats also have quite a bit of treble too - Thomastik, Rotosound and D'Addario.

The most important thing to remember about flats is that they are best judged in the final mix of a band. They don't always sound immediately appealing when played solo, but mixed into a band, they really project well and can be very clear sounding.

They work extremely well with a pick too. The pick can add extra clarity and a real percussive attack, but with flats, you still maintain the warmth of tone. Often when picks are used with round wound strings, there can be a noticeable reduction in warmth.

The other plus with flats is that they last a LONG time. They tend not to change their tone after they are initially broken in, so you could easily get many years out of one set.

[Flatwound]

Rob W. said it better than I could. I would add, however, that they don't have the "ring" of roundwounds. It's really a very different sound. And, fortunately, the brightness of the TI's wears off after a few weeks, and then they sound really great . IME, the Rotosounds sound closer to rounds than other flats do. Probably why I don't like 'em. If you want to know what old flats played with a pick sound like, listen to "Horse With No Name", "Tin Man", and others by America, and you'll hear Joe Osborn mixed up pretty loud.