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Difference between Strings: Flats or Rounds?

#2
As long as the strings produce a nice note when plucked and amplified - you're good to go. :bassist:

Look around the strings forum: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/ and see what people love and hate - a lot of it depends on the instrument, how you play and what kind of sounds you look for.

No single choice will do it all - but one or two can cover a looooot of ground.

If you have two basses It might be wise to string one with flats and one with rounds. I did this as it takes a few weeks for flats to even begin to 'break in' . . . and switching strings back and forth often is a pain, and weakens the strings at crucial points :(.

This is a fun journey. Do you have a particular tone you want to get - or a feel you want? Step 1 should be figuring out where you're starting from - that means playing as many different basses as possible to find a good 'fit' - then trying one or two string types to see what tickles you the right way!

Here's a straightforward demo that gives you some idea of flats and rounds . . .
 
#9
The differences are they sound different, and feel different. I am one of the guys who believes there is no definitive answer for "which one is better for..." but these links might help you. They have audio recordings of different genres of music, with a flatwound and a roundwound recording for each genre.

Jazz bass demo: Invalid Link Removed
P-bass demo: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#11
Pichy said:
Why this way and not the other way around? The reason for my question is that I have been told that flats are better for Jazz; so to me it made more sense to put the flats on the GL Jazz.

Remember, I still have so much to learn!!!

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

It's all subjective to what each individual likes to hear. That is the very first thing to learn, right off the bat.

I personally dig flats on a Precision because of -

1.) all things Jamerson

2.) early Geezer Butler

3.) Steve Harris

Three very different sounding bassists, all using a P w/flats. Consequently, three of my favorite tones all wrapped up into one simple instrument.

I also like rounds on a Jazz because of -

1.) JPJ

2.) Timmy C.

3.) Geddy Lee

Same logic as the P. Hundreds of other bassists and examples for both basses, but you get my drift.
 
#12
Pichy said:
Why this way and not the other way around? The reason for my question is that I have been told that flats are better for Jazz; so to me it made more sense to put the flats on the GL Jazz.

Remember, I still have so much to learn!!!

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

The key here is that Jazz Bass is just a name. It was introduced as a companion to the Fender Jazzmaster guitar.
 
#14
Steve Harris is a little misleading in that list, since he essentially uses a new set of flatwounds every day. They'll sound fairly bright when fresh - needed for that rollicking tone of Maiden's - so my hunch is that he prefers flats for his fingers and to reduce rubbing string noises, allowing his gallop and fretnoise to define the tone.

As for me - I'm experimenting with all kinds of strings at the moment. I like the feel of flats and for some music I dig the thump they give you, but I have a feeling I'm going to settle in on being a half-rounds guy since I prefer a little extra zing available to me and I can't afford a new set of strings every day like Harris. They're not as good at either extreme of the tonal range as rounds or flats are, but my sound needs don't go to those extremes anyways and I can truly dial in any sound I need with half wounds (or ground wounds, depending on whose doing the talking). The flat surface also keeps string noise to a minimum.

They key is to experiment, and if need be, get a few different sets. This can be expensive when buying new, so check out the classifieds on here where guys are selling or trading strings for this exact reason. Last week I bought four sets for $25, which is essentially four for the price of one.
 
#15
MarkoYYZ said:
Steve Harris is a little misleading in that list, since he essentially uses a new set of flatwounds every day. They'll sound fairly bright when fresh - needed for that rollicking tone of Maiden's - so my hunch is that he prefers flats for his fingers and to reduce rubbing string noises, allowing his gallop and fretnoise to define the tone.
Click to expand...

Point well taken.
 
#17
meatwad said:
Put flats on the Precision, rounds on the Jazz, and you are all set!
Click to expand...

Having tried both, I still prefer nickel rounds on a P Bass. Then you can get thump or grind and a lot in between just by turning your tone control. More versatile than some think!
 

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