Noob's first...What flats for round wound sound?

backtobassics · #1 01-12-2007, 07:59 AM

Hi to all, Talkbass is freakin' addictive! Anyway, I just bought a Lakland DJ-5 off eBay and once it gets here, I'm going to be looking for strings that have the flat-type of smooth feel, but with a round wound sound. I know, I know, the flat purists are sucking in a great gasp right now. I just love the smooth feel of flats, but don't want to loose the snap of a round wound. Oh, and black coated would be a great addition if possible. Am I asking for too much!!!!

zachbass02 · #2 01-12-2007, 08:15 AM

YES!!!! Run far far away from this site.. Addiction is an understatement...pretty soon, you'll be GASing for something that you'd never need in a million years but you want it because you sawit on Talkbass.com.....get away now!!!!! RUN!!!!

But to answer your question...try a set of groundwounds or half-rounds...SIT makes a pretty good set from what I hear...I've got a set that I've never put on my 5er....just haven't gotten around to it yet...

Jerry Ziarko · #3 01-12-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachbass02

But to answer your question...try a set of groundwounds or half-rounds...

Absolutely! Half rounds should give you exactly what you are looking for. A nice compromise.

JimmyM · #4 01-13-2007, 03:05 AM

TI Jazz Flats may work for you, too. I hate them but there's no denying they sound a lot like a roundwound.

AshenBassist · #5 01-13-2007, 04:47 PM

Try some chrome roundwounds. They are ALOT smoother than steel or nickel roundwounds, have less bite, but still have some roundwound snap to them. Great strings, though i don't think you can get em with a black coating...

Try several companies for these.

peaveyuser · #6 01-13-2007, 05:41 PM

Elixer has coated strings which give the longer life and make them feel smoother. http://www.elixirstrings.com/

**jumbosilverette** · #7 01-13-2007, 07:41 PM

Half rounds have been my solution.

backtobassics · #8 01-14-2007, 08:52 AM

Thanks to all for your respnoses. I've heard much of the TI flats and I am intrigued, but the half round option sounds interesting too. Can you reccommend brands?

avid · #9 01-14-2007, 11:53 AM

¡D'addario Chromes!

The Craw · #10 01-14-2007, 11:55 AM

Half rounds aren't flats at all, just ground roundwounds. IMO, the sound is the worst of both worlds, but YMMV.

The TI flats sound nothing like rounds to me. They don't sound like conventional flats either, but they have a real prominent midrange. Most rounds don't. And the TIs don't have the attack of rounds.

Brad Johnson · #11 01-14-2007, 12:04 PM

I've yet to play a flat or any of the "compromise" strings (half round, ground wound, double semi grande, etc.) that sound like roundwounds.

SIT and DR both make some pretty smooth feeling (IMO) roundwounds. Try Nickel vs. Stainless Steel.

Why compromise?

IIRC DR has some black coated roundwounds. Never tried them... I already found strings I like for each of my basses.

**jumbosilverette** · #12 01-14-2007, 04:37 PM

D'addario

Incognitus · #13 01-14-2007, 04:59 PM

I use D'addario Half Wounds and they give you a somewhat smooth feel but alot of snap and brightness. I like them because it let's me go from smooth to an aggressive on my Stingray.

Kael · #14 01-14-2007, 05:40 PM

TI flats sound nothing like rounds. Neither do D'addario Chromes. That doesn't mean that they sound bad, just that they don't sound like a roundwound. Plenty of info on both those strings if you do a quick search. I personally dig the Chromes, but do they sound like a round? Nope. I like the way that TI flats sound too (although their completely floppy tension turned me off of them), but they also sound nothing like a round.

I sincerely doubt that you will find a flat that sounds like a roundwound anywhere. If you do however, please let me know what it is. I'd love to find it myself.

I think that perhaps you should be looking at either halfrounds or just stick with rounds. If you need a more aggresive bite in the upper register, they are your best bet.

LoveThatBass · #15 01-14-2007, 10:44 PM

I agree. NO flat is going to sound like a round wound but the TI Jazz Flat and D'Addario Chromes at least have some passazz to them. Chromes being better as having more tension to them. TI's better in overall tone quality. Just wish The low E was not as floppy.

JimmyM · #16 01-15-2007, 12:51 PM

Do they sound identical to rounds? Of course not. But I've played TI's and they sound as close to a round without being round as you can possibly get. Chromes I don't know about but TI's I do. So thank you for trying to correct me but I stand behind what I said the first time.

Brad Johnson · #17 01-15-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Do they sound identical to rounds? Of course not. But I've played TI's and they sound as close to a round without being round as you can possibly get. Chromes I don't know about but TI's I do. So thank you for trying to correct me but I stand behind what I said the first time.

Did he "correct" you or disagree?

I too have tried TI flats and to me they sound nothing like any real roundwounds I've used. Not even close. They sound like flatwounds.

Kael · #18 01-15-2007, 05:26 PM

Wow, just wow. My post wasn't even to you fella. I think you are reading criticism into situations where there is none.

JimmyM · #19 01-15-2007, 06:54 PM

Bad day...sorry.

iamoldschool · #20 01-15-2007, 09:03 PM

I use D'Addario Chromes myself and I can't say that I think they sound like rounds at all. I selected them because of the warmth. JMO, but you select your string type for the tone, not the feel. The feel will come with playing time. If you like the tone you get from rounds, stick with them.