Dilemma: on which bass to put rounds?

[Raman]

I have a 5 string set of Fender Super 7250's.

I have 2 basses:
A Precision
A G&L L2500

Both basses currently have flatwounds on and I'm pretty happy with them.

I'm curious. Which bass would you more naturally pick to switch to roundwounds? Which would benefit more in your opinion?

I'm leaning toward the P.
The G&L is very aggressive and can take some taming from flats. Whereas the P could use some grit and bite from rounds... So my thinking goes.

 

[michael_t]

I'm leaning toward the P.
The G&L is very aggressive and can take some taming from flats. Whereas the P could use some grit and bite from rounds... So my thinking goes.

You've just answered your own question. No dilemma here.

 

[lomo]

No dilemma 'cause both can sound great with rounds or flats. That said, I hear you. My L2K is currently wearing La Bella LT flats and I love it.

 

[Lobster11]

Just because you have a set of strings doesn't mean you need to pick a bass to put them on -- at least not now. Don't let the tail wag the dog. You said you were "pretty happy" with both basses as they are, so I say don't fix something that ain't broken.

 

[mpdd]

i have the flats on my LB100, because my vintage mahogany L2000 was almost sub sonic with flats

haven't tried them on my 2024 okoume L2K yet, but it sounds much less dark than my old one

 

[pbass2]

Which bass do you use for what?
P w flats is the classic P w flats sound in your quiver. But a P w rounds is also classic and undeniable. How do you use the P--genre, etc.?
An L2500(and I've had a few with flats and rounds) its own own thing. And, it's a fiver, so...when do you use that bass? What strings would be the most useful with your one five string bass?

 

[Uncle Ernie]

I had a similar, although opposite dilemma. On which bass to put flats? Fixed by getting a second P!

 

[basslust]

I personally think rounds lean into the naturally aggressive / powerful sound of the L2500 more and so that would be my choice. Also, I'm a flats guy myself, and the P with flats combo is not something I'd want to give up.

 

[Element Zero]

Rounds on both silly

I’m not a flats guy though I understand why many are.

 

[logdrum]

My philosophy is that the bass with the widest frequency range should be fitted with strings that have the widest frequency range, the brightest rounds you can get and the more focused bass tonally should get flats.

Put those rounds on the G&L so you can explore those sounds and keep the Precision focused by retaining the flats .

 

[Raman]

Hold the press!
I stupidly solved the problem.

I ended up installing the rounds on my P. I set up the neck and everything. Then, I overstretched the strings and... broke the G.

...Because I'm stupid.

Good news is I'm back with my Fender steel flat strings. And I still love them.

"Don't fix it if it ain't broke"
It's a lesson that just cost me 40$

 

[Luckydog]

My philosophy is that the bass with the widest frequency range should be fitted with strings that have the widest frequency range, the brightest rounds you can get and the more focused bass tonally should get flats.

Put those rounds on the G&L so you can explore those sounds and keep the Precision focused by retaining the flats .

Logdrum the reasoning you presented for string selection seems very simple and actually pretty genius. I think I use the same method, but just subconsciously.

 

[BassBrass]

I would put them on the L2500 and be open to using the Tone Control on the bass or preamp or amp if it's too bright.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Hold the press!
I stupidly solved the problem.

I ended up installing the rounds on my P. I set up the neck and everything. Then, I overstretched the strings and... broke the G.

...Because I'm stupid.

Good news is I'm back with my Fender steel flat strings. And I still love them.

"Don't fix it if it ain't broke"
It's a lesson that just cost me 40$

I had an E string exploding in my face as I was tuning with a drill and didn’t pay attention to the tension so welcome to the world of stupids !

 

[J Wilson]

Flip for it ?

 

[Tommy Sparks]

Another vote for the P.
I have one with flats and one with rounds and like them almost equally as well. I think the one with rounds wins out and gets the most play.

 

[micguy]

I have a 5 string set of Fender Super 7250's.

I have 2 basses:
A Precision
A G&L L2500

Both basses currently have flatwounds on and I'm pretty happy with them.

I'm curious. Which bass would you more naturally pick to switch to roundwounds?

Both. The Precision might get nickel plated, and the G&L stainless, but they would absolutely both get rounds. Some of us just can't live with flats.

 

[GIBrat51]

I have a 5 string set of Fender Super 7250's.

I have 2 basses:
A Precision
A G&L L2500

Both basses currently have flatwounds on and I'm pretty happy with them.

I'm curious. Which bass would you more naturally pick to switch to roundwounds? Which would benefit more in your opinion?

I'm leaning toward the P.
The G&L is very aggressive and can take some taming from flats. Whereas the P could use some grit and bite from rounds... So my thinking goes.

You've just answered your own question. No dilemma here.

Well...
Sorry, but you lost me at "5-string bass". And, none of my large "Bass Herd" wears round wounds; only flats and tapes. So, I'll defer to michael_t on this issue. But, as the owner of a "vintage" P-Bass, and a couple of G&L basses? I also think that you may have answered your own question...

 

[ElectricBass72]

With those 2 basses, it doesn't matter. Certain flats will sound good, so will stainless steel or nickel rounds.

The only bass I have currently that flats don't really fit is an Ibanez ATK 5-string.... it was born for rounds.

 

[tom-g]

I don‘t see a dilemma. Rounds on both problem solved. I‘m with @micguy “Some of us just can't live with flats.“