Rounds and flats

[Larz48]

Can you tell the difference between flatwound and roundwound strings just by looking? Is it possible? trying to settle a little friendly argument. Thanks.

[JimmyM]

By looking at a bass player play bass on TV or on stage? No way. By looking at a bass close enough to see the windings, sure. Odd question, but there you go.

[bongomania]

True dat.

[Larz48]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

By looking at a bass player play bass on TV or on stage? No way. By looking at a bass close enough to see the windings, sure. Odd question, but there you go.

I meant up close, sorry. So what makes the windings different or how can you tell?

[bongomania]

Flatwounds are flat. They have a flat surface. Roundwounds have a knobbly-spirally round-textured surface, they look like a tight-pressed spring. Strings are made by wrapping wire around a core. Flatwounds use flat wire, roundwounds use round wire.

[adamrobertt]

Originally Posted by Larz48

I meant up close, sorry. So what makes the windings different or how can you tell?

Well, see, the windings on roundwounds are round. The windings on flatwounds are flat.

Um...yes. Flats are smooth and rounds are bumpy. In fact, just about any of the senses will tell you the difference. They LOOK different. They SOUND different. They FEEL different. (And I imagine they even taste and smell different). They are THAT different. Easy....I'm just having fun with you. But the short answer is yes. You CAN tell the difference by looking at them. Cheers.

[copreus]

Bass strings have a core string.
Roundwound strings have a round metal wire wound around that core and so you can see the ridges in them. Flats have a flat metal strip wound around the core so it looks and feels smooth. There are also half-round strings where the highest level of a roundwound is ground down to flat-topped ridges.
Each gives a particular type of sound. Rounds = bright. Flats = thumpy. Halves = mid.
Hope this is clear -- I'm going to bed.

[adamrobertt]

Flats, halves, rounds.

[bongomania]

[seanm]

Originally Posted by bongomania

A picture is worth 1,000 words

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Well, see, the windings on roundwounds are round. The windings on flatwounds are flat.

LOL

[Flintlock]

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Well, see, the windings on roundwounds are round. The windings on flatwounds are flat.

I think he's lying.

[Hawk_GP]

So, tell me you won the argument with your friend

[Dogbertday]

Wait...






What are strings?

[Larz48]

Originally Posted by Hawk_GP

So, tell me you won the argument with your friend

Well, it was kind of a draw but I was more correct in how they were wound. I just remember them looking differently then I first thought, the flats I mean. Thanks for the pic also adamrobertt, that solved alot right there. So now we both know.

[ProfGumby]

Okay.....let me get this straight. There are other strings tha flatwounds? Why?

[ProfGumby]

Originally Posted by adamrobertt

Flats, halves, rounds.

+1000!

Everything else from your post on is pure stuff and nonsense....especially mine!

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Flatwounds are flat. They have a flat surface. Roundwounds have a knobbly-spirally round-textured surface, they look like a tight-pressed spring. Strings are made by wrapping wire around a core. Flatwounds use flat wire, roundwounds use round wire.

Some flatwounds have spacing betwen the wraps which can make them look kind of like rounds. The DR flats are the tightest wrapped strings I have seen.

[b4nny]

Flats also have a shinier look and more consistent shade over the string than rounds, because flats have a flat, smooth surface while rounds have a bumpy surface.