Hooray.
I can't stand how flat-wound strings feel. So, there ya go. Everyone is different.
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Can't stand roundwound strings?
- Thread starter BAG
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Hooray.
I can't stand how flat-wound strings feel. So, there ya go. Everyone is different.
I've played only flats for the last 2-3 years and I just got a new bass, so I thought I'd try rounds again. I got rotosound 66's and I absolutely hate everything about them. Back to flats I go
I've tried flats twice now. The first set, Rotos, were too sticky for me. I just couldn't slide around as easily. The second set, can't remember the name, were slippery but the extra tension in the strings was too hard on my hands.
That said, when I had the last set on I recorded a bunch of songs with the band in a full professional studio with all the best gear and a pro producer. The sound on playback was astonishing.
I've got to find really slippery strings. Any suggestions?
That said, when I had the last set on I recorded a bunch of songs with the band in a full professional studio with all the best gear and a pro producer. The sound on playback was astonishing.
I've got to find really slippery strings. Any suggestions?
My string preferences couldn't be more different!
I love rounds and flats, but the TI Jazz flats I use are essentially the opposite of my Roto 66's in terms of tension, feel and sound.
I think there's always a string you haven't tried. I used to hate flats when I only used chromes, but after trying LaBellas I eventually settled on TI's because of the ultra low tension.
Same with the Rotos. I was using EB Slinkies but they never made me say wow. Elixirs, GHS's and everything else just weren't my vibe!
I know the feel about expense, though. I'm in Perth so everything is even more than the eastern starts
I love rounds and flats, but the TI Jazz flats I use are essentially the opposite of my Roto 66's in terms of tension, feel and sound.
I think there's always a string you haven't tried. I used to hate flats when I only used chromes, but after trying LaBellas I eventually settled on TI's because of the ultra low tension.
Same with the Rotos. I was using EB Slinkies but they never made me say wow. Elixirs, GHS's and everything else just weren't my vibe!
I know the feel about expense, though. I'm in Perth so everything is even more than the eastern starts
i think roundwounds and solidbodies are a lot cheesier than flats and hollows. I think one of the reasons they are so popular is they are just brighter, and brighter and louder is always "better". But once I got on the flatwound, holowbody train, I don't like anything but them. They just sit in the mix much better, sound smoother and round and warm, like a bass should sound IMO. Rounds cut through the mix which is only a good thing if you are a bass player. if you are an engineer or producer/composer, nothing cuts thorough a mix, you're only looking for euphony and balance. If the bass needs to be prominent, you bring it up or eq it.
I only made love to a beautiful woman once.
If I want my strings dead I kill them myself, not pay double/triple for them. Just kidding, I know flats last longer (as does any string once you decide to keep using it despite being dead 
), I've even read stories of flat strings passing from one bass to another, surviving them, sick! I hate flats, of course. OTOH I might find some use for half-rounds in my Epiphone Viola. To each his/her owound.
), I've even read stories of flat strings passing from one bass to another, surviving them, sick! I hate flats, of course. OTOH I might find some use for half-rounds in my Epiphone Viola. To each his/her owound.
Well, I feel the other way around.
To each their own I guess.
Nice for you I guess that you know what you like though, that is a privilege for the lucky few not born with a sheep brain.
Feel grateful for that!
To each their own I guess.
Nice for you I guess that you know what you like though, that is a privilege for the lucky few not born with a sheep brain.
Feel grateful for that!
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I can play either or. I tend to like nickel rounds because they bring out that "sound" in several of my basses where my P has flats and my fretless basses are tapes. I like the rounds on my hollows because they already thump like an old BSA Gold Star and the rounds give them a little balance. Will try flats on a bass or two just for giggles look out @SLaPiNFuNK!
I've got rounds (sunbeams...Tony Franklin-style) on my fretless P and flats (La Bella) on my Motown P. They might as well be different instruments.
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I've converted back to flats, mostly, because the string industry has developed some great flatwound strings, TI's and La Bella, I find the latter just as good as the former. ... But, I can't say the rounds are history because, I remember back when rounds were a great option. ... There's also this 'nostalgic' swing to flats on P-basses but, remember this too shall pass and five years from now they'll be a push back to rounds on J-basses. ...
I have diAdario chromes on a few basses and the feel pretty slick to me. Another trick is using finger ease to live them a little. Just spray a little in a cloth and wipe the strings with it.
I think the opposite. IME rounds are the Chambers Concise and flats are the OED with a few pages missing... YMMV
I loved the feel and sound of flatwounds for everything except for the things I was actually trying to play. Was prepared to begrudgingly return to rounds, until I discovered pressurewounds.
Don't think I'll be going back to full rounds 'till fate commands otherwise, and even then, I'll fight it.
--^@
Don't think I'll be going back to full rounds 'till fate commands otherwise, and even then, I'll fight it.
--^@
D'addario Chromes are sticky, (really sticky), when you first put them on. After about 3 weeks they become fast, and slick. I don't know why that is, I've even tried rubbing alcohol on a new set, ...it did nothing, they were still sticky, play them a while, and they get real fast. Thr good thing (for me), is I don't change them for years, once they are on a bass.
I much prefer the feel of flats, but I also like the sound of rounds for certain things. (And GHS Pressurewounds may be my favorite 'roundwound' string...it's a shame they discontinued them in medium scale, otherwise, I'd have a set on my Hofner.)
Also, re: slippery strings, La Bella flats are super smooth and luxurious feeling.
Also, re: slippery strings, La Bella flats are super smooth and luxurious feeling.
