flatwounds

elavate7 · #1 12-06-2009, 06:04 PM

can flatwound strings be used on any bass????? cause it seems like pple only use them on p and jazz basses....and use rounds on every other bass.

CapnSev · #2 12-06-2009, 06:07 PM

Rob Martinez · #3 12-06-2009, 06:11 PM

I use flats on my Hofner Icon basses and my Rickenbacker basses. And on my Gretsch Broadkaster bass and my Kay Pro Bass reissue! I love 'em!

J. Crawford · #4 12-06-2009, 06:13 PM

Strings are strings. Most, if not all, arent made for one specific type of bass.

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 12-06-2009, 06:24 PM

I will only use flatwounds on each and every bass I ever buy.

My favourites are the Labella 760FLs. Once they are worn in ( a few weeks) they are nice and thumpy... and smoothness is great.

elavate7 · #6 12-06-2009, 09:48 PM

so which last longer????? rounds or flats???? i know they have a difference and sound but which is more bang for my buck???

Poor Tom · #7 12-06-2009, 09:49 PM

flats tend to cost much more, but by their very nature they can last years. So in the long run flats are the better value I guess.

elavate7 · #8 12-06-2009, 09:58 PM

ok thanks

::::BASSIST:::: · #9 12-07-2009, 12:06 AM

There's a certain famous bassist that used one set of flats for 10+ years.

Mine have 2+ years going on them.

When you do the math, flats are cheaper in the long run.

Number27 · #10 12-07-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

There's a certain famous bassist that used one set of flats for 10+ years.

Mine have 2+ years going on them.

When you do the math, flats are cheaper in the long run.

so true. this is what people don't realize, and then balk when they see the price of a nice set of flats ($55 TIs, $45 LaBella, $70 Pyramids).

mongo2 · #11 12-07-2009, 10:28 AM

I have a couple of sets of flats that are take-offs from two early '70s P basses.

I got them in the early-mid '80s and they've aged nicely.

odin70 · #12 12-07-2009, 10:33 AM

Jazz an p-bass players tend to think more "tradition". But there is no reason not to use flats on more modern instruments.

ass_guitar · #13 12-07-2009, 10:37 AM

I have a Hohner 5-string headless bass and wonder whether someone makes flatwounds for those models.
Does anyone know?

#14 12-07-2009, 09:16 PM

I would think flats would be more common on a Jazz than a P-bass.

RWs on a P practically dominated the 80s bass "scene," such as it was...

I remember getting my first set of RWs for my '72 Jazz in '76. I was in my first "real" professional band, touring the country, and discovering the joys of that full range of "piano" like sound. The most common response was "turn it down." Funny, I played flats at the same volume ( using a decibel meter) and was never told to turn down... The added frequencies were also making both guitarists scramble their settings looking for some sonic traction... Changed back to flats... Ahhh! All better! Crowd, bar and guitarists all happier with bassist staying in the bass range, and not cutting into their sonic territory... I was happier, and quite satisfied as well. YMMV...