Do flatwounds buzz less than roundwounds?

[Methaneman]

It always triggers me when I see fractions of an inch expressed this way, haha... it's not 4/64", it's 1/16".

I agree, but I go with .062

 

[el murdoque]

IMHO, the answer from a purely technical standpoint is usually yes. Flats (there are exceptions) are stiffer than rounds (there are exceptions), therefore they don't swing around as much and will allow for a lower action before fret buzz occurs.

However, since they are stiffer, the force needed to press the string to the fret can actually be the same or more. Our brain does not work with fractions of an inch, it works with muscle memory and how much work is required. So it is absolutely possible that a bass with stiffer strings and lower action feels harder to play than a bass with softer strings and higher action.

Not a flats vs. rounds example, but when I restrung a bass that was wearing LaBella DTFs with TIs, I had to raise the action, but still got a bass that was much easier to fret notes on.

 

[five7]

I just had to raise the action on my jazz 5 with flats. Notes were being choked. My bass with rounds has much lower action with no buzzing. So there...

 

[maturanesa]

They buzz different. Rounds buzz is more present, Flats buzz its like more laid back

 

[ReidK]

It always triggers me when I see fractions of an inch expressed this way, haha... it's not 4/64", it's 1/16".

Perhaps you need a trigger guard.

There's no rule requiring fractions to be fully reduced. 4/64 is a perfectly valid expression, and a common denominator makes comparison more intuitive.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

It always triggers me when I see fractions of an inch expressed this way, haha... it's not 4/64", it's 1/16".

Whilst I can visualise a 15' by 10' room I've no clue what 1/16" is. Apparently, it's 1.6mm, though, which I can and is a nice action if not buzzy.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

They buzz different. Rounds buzz is more present, Flats buzz its like more laid back

You sometimes get a click unfretting flats you don't get with rounds.

 

[Yahboy]

Curious if it's easier to get a lower action without fret buzz with flatwounds than roundwounds. I have a couple of Yamahas, both just over a couple of decades old. The one with flatwounds has been heavily used but I'm able to get the action to about 1.5mm on the B string (118 gauge) and dig in without any significant buzzing. The other one has hardly been used, has a 135 gauge B string and I can't get that lower than 2mm without too much buzzing on the lower frets.

So I'm wondering if the string type is playing any role here.

Less string vibrating on flatwound bass string are one of the reason , even lot ppl complain with the floppy.070 Ti flat ,but i have no fret buzz issue on my 1.40mm (17th fret check point) action with medium plucking hand.

All my basses has flatwound loaded and all of them hasy personal preference low nut slot setup, once I install roundwound bass string , even neck setup done , notice there are few back fret buzz ......

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Less string vibrating on flatwound bass string are one of the reason , even lot ppl complain with the floppy.070 Ti flat ,but i have no fret buzz issue on my 1.40mm (17th fret check point) action with medium plucking hand.

All my basses has flatwound loaded and all of them hasy personal preference low nut slot setup, once I install roundwound bass string , even neck setup done , notice there are few back fret buzz ......

1.4mm at 17th fret is pretty damn low. I'm envious

 

[Yahboy]

Well, there is a zing and a clank that is associated with roundwounds that you cannot get with flats.

EB cobalt flat can clank !

 

[Yahboy]

1.4mm at 17th fret is pretty damn low. I'm envious

This A string action are fine for me actually. 2P has Ti flat , 1P and 1PJ has EB cobalt flat, all of them has same neck relief /nut slot depth /action setup.


My ibanez SRMS 725 has NYXL MS set loaded, the B string action set 1.75mm , E string 1.6mm , A string 1.5mm till. 1.25mm on G string. No single fret buzz .