Gonna try flats...

[erbine]

I'm looking at Rotosound Trubass or D'Addario Chromes.

Looking to get a nice mellow woody tone. With rounds I find myself backing off the mids and highs to minimize fret noise. I think flats will allow me to leave those frequencies alone and end up with a fuller sound.

Thoughts?

[Blacksack]

it gets rid of the noise of moving your fingers up n down on the strings but you still get the clank of string on fret (steve harris uses them for just this reason)

i like roto's as i find them brighter but from the sounds of it you'd probably like the chromes better as they have a more even sound

the rotos have a higher tension too but i find this helps my play style best bet is try both

[ProfGumby]

I liked the Chromes far better than the Rotosound flats. I have never liked the feel of Rotos in my hands. Nor how badly they chew the snot out of frets, especially the rounds.

Chromes will be bright (well, bright for flats anyway) but mellow out to a fantastic bass sound. I am not sure about woody but you might like them.

[jedgargroover]

I have used Chromes for a few years and love them. I find that the lightest gauge, the .45 - .95s are the most comfortable. I'm also thinking of trying out the TI Jazz Flats. I hear those are awesome. Be careful of high tension flats, though...they'll mess up your neck. Stuff like the LaBella Jamersons are like that. I find them hard to play, too. In my book, the Chromes are still the best string I've ever played...don't see the need for much else.

[bassist4dalord]

If you want woody tone, get the TI Flats. Expensive, low tension, sound good.

[fretlessguy]

I think you should, and Chromes are a good set to start with. I used them in the past, and will eventually use them again.
I currently like to use GHS Precision Flats, and also have a couple of basses strung with TI Jazz Flats, which are pretty low tension when compared to most flats.
There are many different types of flats, with all sorts of aspects peculiar to each. I tend to use flats with gauges up to .100 E strings since they can be tension heavy in higher gauges, which can cause my arthritis to hit with a vengence. Higher gauges may be more your cup of tea.
So.....Pick a set and go experiment. Do not get discouraged if the first set doesn't trip your trigger. Just try a different brand. Good luck and have fun.

[markanini]

Any flat is great for completely removing finger noise. Which flats will give you the best tonal responce is impossible to guess due to countless variables and personal taste. So yeah try different brands a see what you like. My favorite flats at the moment are Optima Chrome, they do the 60s west-coast psych-rock thing well while having just enough highs to spare for modern rock.

[lowendfriend]

D'Addario Chromes are walking away the most popular flats just in terms of sets sold.

I seem to recall a poll here that had them in the high 60's or 70's of per cent of flat users on TB.

They have a even mellow tone and mid range tension for playability. Not the best sounding B string but not bad.

[erbine]

Thanks for the responses. I know this topic has been talked to death and is very subjective. I'll eventually try both, and since the chromes are obviously the most popular, I'm going to start with the Trubass. And the fact that I think the black strings look really cool may have a little to do with it.

A couple questions. What's the tension like on the Rotosounds? Also, what do you think are the advantages/disadvantages for different gauges? Is it a comparable difference to guitars where heavier gauges are harder to fret, but give better tone? It seems to me that there would be less of a difference with bass, in which case I'd just go with the lightest gauge.

Thanks again, guys.

[jasper383]

The Trubass Rotos aren't technically flatwound strings, but are tapewound. There is a roundwound string under that plastic.

The Roto tapes will be far less stiff than just about any flat out there. Tapes come in one gauge only for each brand.

Flats--lo mids, thump, focused. Tapes--hi mids, smooth, creamy.

[madmatt]

Fender flats are the way to go.
Similar to Chromes but much cheaper.