P-Bass Players - Flatwounds or Roundwounds (POLL)

needmoney · #1 10-31-2008, 03:27 AM

This poll is simply to see how many P-bass players use/prefer flats, and how many use/prefer rounds. Post your thoughts as to why if you like. Flatwounds seem to be a very popular choice for a P, but how many stick with the roundwounds?

Note: I posted this here for a greater response, as opposed to the Strings section. Mods, feel free to move this if you wish.

crack-boom · #2 10-31-2008, 03:34 AM

I only voted for roundwounds cause that's all I've ever used on my P. When finances and time allows I'll have a look at flats.

Chinguschild · #3 10-31-2008, 03:37 AM

Rounds. Flats just dont have that rock and roll sound.

PilbaraBass · #4 10-31-2008, 03:38 AM

for me it's rounds...

i struggle to bring the brightness out of my basses as it is...

must be my ears...

Fender32 · #5 10-31-2008, 03:42 AM

I have one P with flats and one with rounds, but on the whole, I prefer rounds

.

What I particularly dislike, tonewise, are bright sounding flats

. I really can't see the point to them at all

. I prefer La Bella flats; big, thick, dull and bassy as they come

YMMV

LAPetrarca · #6 10-31-2008, 05:09 AM

Only use tape wound flats on my fretless Michael Kelly Firefly ABG. Other than that, it's roundwounds on both electrics.

Moondance360 · #7 10-31-2008, 05:57 AM

D'addario half rounds.

Fun Size Nick · #8 10-31-2008, 06:01 AM

Flats is where it's at for me on the P. I dug my P with rounds on, but putting flats on it made it exactly what I was after. It's probably all that motown having an influence on me

Webtroll · #9 10-31-2008, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender32

I have one P with flats and one with rounds, but on the whole, I prefer rounds

+1

Philbiker · #10 10-31-2008, 06:18 AM

I prefer rounds on the split-coil P-J in my avatar which I use as a "P" 90% of the time.

I prefer flats on the single coil Jay Turser JTB-401 '54 P bass copy.

StarscreamG1 · #11 10-31-2008, 06:19 AM

I have always used rounds whether it be a Pbass or anything else. For the tone I want, rounds is where its at for me.

BullHorn · #12 10-31-2008, 06:24 AM

Never tried flats. String choice where I live is not very wide.

Scott in Dallas · #13 10-31-2008, 06:58 AM

I have two P basses with rounds, but my favorite has flats.

**Chef** · #14 10-31-2008, 07:07 AM

You need another poll choice:
"one of each"

that'd be me.

tmax · #15 10-31-2008, 07:08 AM

I prefer really old(5-8 years) nickel round wounds. Give you the nice old school tone but if you dig in they will snap a bit, flats won't do that-only old school. TI Jazz flats are great tho if you are trying to tame a really bright bass.

dave64o · #16 10-31-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmax

I prefer really old(5-8 years) nickel round wounds. Give you the nice old school tone but if you dig in they will snap a bit, flats won't do that-only old school. TI Jazz flats are great tho if you are trying to tame a really bright bass.

I'm another one of those wackos that likes old rounds. I always put on the set I wanted after buying a bass and then left them on there for good. The only time I changed a set of strings was to freshen up a bass before selling it.

Getting back on topic ... I just bought my first Precision about a month ago, which the previous owner put flats on (TI's), and since I'm loving the sound I get from it I voted flats. I also use a Stingray that I have rounds on so I don't see any reason to put rounds on the Precision right now. Those two basses complement each other nicely.

However, if I were to risk a divorce

by buying another P bass so soon, the new one would of course get a set of rounds on it.

spade2you · #17 10-31-2008, 07:58 AM

Kinda depends on the vibe you're shooting for. If you want that grindy pick tone, grab some rounds. If you want a more mellow sound, grab flats.

Edword · #18 10-31-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

You need another poll choice:
"one of each"

that'd be me.

Ditto.

bassmodder · #19 10-31-2008, 08:51 AM

I see flats is moving up...

P-bass with TI flats is to die for! IMO!
That really was the sound I had in my head for quite some time before I discovered flats.

Would'e? · #20 10-31-2008, 09:04 AM

Anyone care to recommend a bright, long-lasting flat for metal? I'm a round player but I'm curious to try flats if there are any that would suit my needs. I know about the Rotosound Steve Harris flats and 'Arry certainly gets a good metal sound out of them with that sick hammer attack, but he also changes them for every show, so I'm not confident that they will still sparkle after a couple of months. I play 90% of the time with a pick BTW.