A little advice for flats lovers...

[u84six]

If I like something, it must be better than what you like.

 

[king_biscuit]

I can cop a flatwound sound from a set of rounds

Not really You can make a set of rounds boomy/dead/bassy, but they do not thump like flats, and the high strings/notes do not have the body.

 

[bluesblaster]

heed thee sinner and come into thy flock, lest ye be smoted in thy ethernet universe of perpetual controversy

 

[capnsandwich]

Not really You can make a set of rounds boomy/dead/bassy, but they do not thump like flats, and the high strings/notes do not have the body.

No, I can EQ it to get the mid bump and low end like flats produce with round wounds. I've done it and people have been happy. It helps with mutes under the strings as well.

 

[eaf27]

Flats are OK, but I prefer busty.

i second.

 

[wraub]

I like flats.
I like rounds.
I like carrots.

I would not attempt to convince anyone to do as I do.
That way lies folly.

Except, maybe, for the carrots.
Supposed to be good for some things.
But not everything.

Just like flats.
Or rounds.

wraub

 

[bobba66]

String cheese is good, too. It can be a bit binding if you eat too much, though.

 

[eaf27]

all in all i feel it's silly to pit one variable against another, especially when i know we're not comparing actual functionality and utility under non bias guidelines which shouldn't have any place in the art of playing music a subjective medium. even when keeping the same amp, the strings are compared using one persons technique which may be suited for one string over the other. so the whole thing boils down to what works best for you, because you're the one using them.
bah bah bah 8x10 is best NO! 1x15 combo is best!! flat!! round!! red!! CAT!!! nope both right both wrong, (except for the cat part) each has their place and each can sound like the other under given circumstances so i feel both sides should stop being so preachy and enjoy the sound you get out of what you choose to play, and if someone asks you "how'd ya get that tone man!?" then happily and freely give them the rehearsed speech and the world of bass playing shall not be imposed upon.

 

[Balog]

heed thee sinner and come into thy flock, lest ye be smoted in thy ethernet universe of perpetual controversy

Awesome Sig worthy material right there...

 

[Mr L]

I have flats on my fretless and rounds on my Jazz...

I agree that the whole flats vs rounds thing is kinda beat to the ground... Do whatever you want,

But don't you dare go using a pick!

 

[sigmafloyd]

Not everybody loves flats. Quit recommending them to people who don't like and aren't interested in flats.

Must have missed the thread where someone asked for only round wound suggestions and got bombarded with flats.

 

[MICKUSS]

Not really You can make a set of rounds boomy/dead/bassy, but they do not thump like flats, and the high strings/notes do not have the body.

THIS.

 

[AuntieBeeb]

If I had the know-how, I'd totally go and invent square-wound bass strings, then sit back and see if the internet explodes.

 

[NickyBass]

One of the issues on TB is that people argue based on their own expiriences. It never made any sense to me. An indie bassist and a merengue bassist arguing about which gear is better. Better for what? There are so many variables involved that it makes blanket statements unreasonable and unfounded.

Generally, if someone prefers something different than me, I say congrats on finding something that makes you happy.

 

[PazzoBasso]

Finally somebody said it.....

I thought I was missing out - with all the flatwound praise...

Tried some Fenders on my USA Jazz (Jaco sig) - they sounded like flatwounds (they'll end up on my P eventually)....

Got some TI flats (thought the secret was to buy something more expensive) - guess what - THEY SOUND LIKE FLATS TOO.

I get that some dig the flatwound sound & I like having a bass or 2 strung with flats - but they're not the holy grail - SS ROUNDWOUNDS ARE!!! TRY THEM & buy the most expensive ones you can find...

Now look what I gone & done - made a recommendation...

 

[bluesblaster]

If it looks like a duck.... sounds like a duck

Its a bass, with strings of some variety or another, the average joe in the audience could really care less as long as it looks like a bass and sounds like a bass

 

[JimmyM]

If it looks like a duck.... sounds like a duck

Its a bass, with strings of some variety or another, the average joe in the audience could really care less as long as it looks like a bass and sounds like a bass

While somewhat true, I could never use that as an excuse to do anything pertaining to music. I've always felt it was a little disrespectful of the audience.

 

[Marial]

Hmmph. Dead Sunbeams for me.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

We're talking a set of strings here, aren't we? I mean, I always recommend players just try them for awhile.

 

[MegaSwing]

I agree with Jimmy. There seems to be an almost evangelical fervor around here among flats players. But if you've spent the bulk of your playing career playing rounds, it's a huge adjustment to make. In my case, I started out with flats many years ago and went with the tidal wave into rounds and didn't consider going back to flats until about five years ago. They have a lot of charm, but they still don't fit my ear 100%. I keep trying with them, though. Someday I hope they'll feel totally comfortable to me. They definitely sound big, which is much of their appeal.