Should I get flatwounds?

[BrandonBass]

Here's the situation, I prefer a bright sound that can cut through but im not a rich guy so I usually change a set a strings only after a very long time. Like say more than 6months at least...and I normally use steel strings and by then the sound hav already detoriated by quite alot...

So my question is, should I start using flatwounds if i intend to keep my strings on for a long time? I heard that flats hav longer life. Also, will the flats cut through the mix? I play rock and sometimes metal, I play with my fingers and I boost my mids.

[Jazzin']

I suggest DR HiBeams or DR LoRiders. Theyre both bright roundwounds which last a very long time. I don't think there is a need for you to switch to flats.

[war_n_peace]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Here's the situation, I prefer a bright sound that can cut through but im not a rich guy so I usually change a set a strings only after a very long time. Like say more than 6months at least...and I normally use steel strings and by then the sound hav already detoriated by quite alot...

So my question is, should I start using flatwounds if i intend to keep my strings on for a long time? I heard that flats hav longer life. Also, will the flats cut through the mix? I play rock and sometimes metal, I play with my fingers and I boost my mids.

I would think that if you prefer a bright sound that you
stick with Roundwounds.

Flatwounds cost more money anyways.

Nickel plated strings seem to last me
at least 6 months.

[nad]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

I prefer a bright sound

Don't get flats.

[KeithBMI]

No. Stay away from flats! They last forever, but that's becasue they come pre-dead sounding.

If you like bright steel strings, stay with bright steel strings and wipe them off after you're done playing. Try the DRs like someone posted.

Flat wounds are mellow as heck, and while there are some bright sounding flats, none can get as bright as a real round wound string.

[bassmonkeee]

Originally Posted by war_n_peace

Flatwounds cost more money anyways.

Not necessarily.

The only flats that are significantly more expensive are Thomastiks.

LaBella, Fender, D'Addario, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, etc all make flats that are priced about the same with their roundwounds.


That said, I don't think Brandonbass will benefit from flats. If your rounds are already lasting 6 months, you won't gain anything by switching to flats. 6 month old flats will not be the least bit bright.

[BaldBass]

I use nothing but LaBella flats, but it's because I like the sound. If you like bright tone you don't want flats.

[Fuzzbass]

I was once in your shoes. Stick with the rounds! Tips for long string life:

Wash your hands before you play. Wipe your strings with a dry cloth after you play. If you gig, wash your hands before each set, and wipe your strings after each set!

If it's a hot and your hands become sweaty during the set, dry 'em off between songs if you can.

Try a coated set of strings. I use Elixir Nanowebs. They cost a lot more than uncoated strings, but IME they pay for themselves, especially over the course of hot outdoor performances.

Finally: when uncoated rounds die, clean 'em. Some people boil 'em, others dip 'em in alcohol. Either will give you a little more life out of your strings. Do a search here to learn the best ways of doing this. Good luck!

[Puru]

I'm not into super-bright, but I've got a set of D'addario nickel-rounds over a year old. I've given them an denatured alchohol soak a couple of times, wipe them down often, they still sound pretty good. Brandon, do a search on "soaking in alchohol". Soaking might bring some new life to your strings. Works for me.

[PaulMacCnj]

I was just thinking about this earlier this week. My bass needs a new set of strings and I was very close to trying flatwounds. Then I did a search on the Talkbass archives and learned that the sustain is much less with flats. Being that I purchased a through-neck bass mainly because I like a long sustain, I decided that I'd be defeating the purpose with flats. With that said, I still might try a set of flats on my bass with the bolt-on neck. That should give a nice thumpy sound for the songs that don't warrant a long sustain.

Paul Mac

[BrandonBass]

thanks man, i guess ill just stick to rounds

but one question, why doesnt steve harris' sound sounds mellow at all?

i heard that james jamerson keeps the strings forever yeah? which type does he use

[Vandelay]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

i heard that james jamerson keeps the strings forever yeah? which type does he use

BrandonBass, you crack me up. This is the 2nd thread in a week where you've asked about Jamerson as if he's still alive.

Can James Jamerson play 'The Trooper'?

I'm guessing that it's just your style of English to use present tense instead of past tense?

But anyway, Jamerson played Labella flats when he was alive. And yes, it's said that he never changed them.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by Vandelay

BrandonBass, you crack me up. This is the 2nd thread in a week where you've asked about Jamerson as if he's still alive.

Can James Jamerson play 'The Trooper'?

I'm guessing that it's just your style of English to use present tense instead of past tense?

But anyway, Jamerson played Labella flats when he was alive. And yes, it's said that he never changed them.

yeah man, i phail my engrish. but i thought its common knowledge that jamerson is gone.

[Vandelay]

No worries, man. It's cool.

[BaldBass]

It is a fact that many flatwound players (including Jamerson) seldom if ever change/changed strings. I have a set of La Bella's on my Jazz bass that are well over a year old. I like the thump so they are perfect for me. I do keep my Aria Pro (with active pups)
strung with rounds for the times I want a little more brightness in tone. If you like bright ringing sustain, then I would stay away from any flats. Now just to complicate things there are some hybrid crosses to consider, like ground wounds as an example, that sort of bridge the gap. my advice to you if you have an interest is to try a set, you can get a set of Fender 9050's for under $25 bucks, if you don't like them you aren't out much. If you find you like flats, then you can shop around to find the best string for you. This is by no means an endorsement for fender flatwound strings, it's just that they are good strings toward the low end of the price scale, and a good starting point.

[BrandonBass]

How does steve harris cut through 2 guitars with flats?

[jady]

BrandonBass: I have Chromes on my Warwick, I use a Compressor and get sustain for days. I have no problem cutting through and actually flats have a much more focused fundemental and a bigger sound IMHO.

That being said, They are very useful for jazz and Blues and old school R&B, if you are playing Rock maybe but if you are planning on doing any serious metal flats are not the sound you are looking for. They sound good but not "right" for metal.

As a matter of fact, I am thinking of changing back to rounds myself to get a more "lively" tone.

[wpkg]

Harris cuts through because he is Steve Harris...

[JimmyM]

Harris cuts through because of two reasons...1. As already mentioned, he's Steve Harris, and 2. He uses new Rotosound steel flats, which when new, have a very bright sound, almost as bright as roundwounds. But you have to change them after every show or two to keep them that bright.

[FL Knifemaker]

I just put a set of TI Jazz Flats on my fav Jazz bass. First impressions, I'm in love with the feel and the slighly lower tension. Second, playing around with various settings on my XT Live, I really don't see where brightness or lack their of is an issue They do have a warmer and somewhat different sound than rounds but all things considered, I'm buying 4 more sets