Do you play faster/easier with Flats or Rounds

[logdrum]

Aside from the sound preference, do you feel it is faster or easier to play with flat strings or with rounds. Think also of comfort

The keyword is easier. And you can qualify it in your responses, like punchier, clearer... etc.

For me, I think flats with the equivalent tension may actually be faster, but the quality of the flat sound makes it appear as if it is slower. The difference is slight to notice. With a pick, it seems faster if I am honest.

Or it could be neither.

 

[Kyle_S]

Flats are definitely easier (using a lighter 100 - 45 set helps), but not any faster. The neck is what really makes a difference for me when it comes to playing fast passages.

 

[4StringDave]

I voted rounds, simply because flats can get sticky in hot weather, but the more I play them the less the gap between them.

 

[Killing Floor]

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I play much faster/easier with rounds. Rounds feel much better, flats feel sticky to me. It might be because there's less friction with rounds because there's less contact with the skin, IDK. I like the sound of flats for certain things, you can't beat that tone, but I much prefer rounds feel wise, and tone wise in general.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Flats tend to get sticky as the night goes on. They definitely slow me down, which isn't bad in itself. There's something to be said about letting big sound do the job.

 

[Camaro69]

I use a pick, not sure it changes much for that aspect

 

[Discount Bassy]

I voted beets. Thanks for the option.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I’ve become very accustomed to the feel of flats. When I play rounds, I really notice the roughness and really miss the flats.

 

[Swerve]

Faster with flats. With sufficient stiffness I can get the action super low and play with a light touch. Fingers fly. BUT that's only when noodling at home. I rarely play anything live that requires much speed so with flats or rounds its a wash. With rounds I do have to be more aware of string noise though.

 

[J Wilson]

I have no clue a) where this question comes from, and b) any earthly idea on how to answer it.

Maybe it's just me.

Can you throw some eggplant on alongside the carrots?

 

[SpiderBass1965]

Setup for either is a must plus technique for speed and accuracy. Flats for me plus lots of practicing.

 

[Slade N]

it depends, for me slapping is easier on rounds, chords and string skipping easier on flats as I can get lower action, rounds "grip/drag" more so feel "slower" but have easier articulation as they generally have less tension, flats having more tension/feel but are smoother and having less drag/grip feel easier to play but require more strength...in the end they probably are a wash.

 

[logdrum]

I have no clue a) where this question comes from, and b) any earthly idea on how to answer it.

Maybe it's just me.

Can you throw some eggplant on alongside the carrots?

All them fusion and lead bassist seem to only use rounds. Me myself, when I play my 6 or E-C 5 for soloing ideas are also rounds. But Ive been playing around with synth and lead pedals and I noticed that I can execute my ideas faster and cleaner with flats. Yeah, yeah, just stay on the money registers, but in my bands I am expected to solo and I noticed that I played faster with the the flats. Also with 16th note funk that I have been working on. Just less work on the right and left hand. It's a new thing for me - I have setup one bass as flats only. And enjoying the facility on doing fast things on it. But I still like the attack and the tone of rounds.

Bab Ghanoush coming right up!

 

[LowendG]

Flats (and in particular combined w a glossy neck) can definitely get draggy in some situations, but not enough to warrant not using them if that's the sound needed. I mean, how fast do you need to be playing anyway?

 

[jamro217]

It depends (stock answer) on which bass is wearing the strings. Some instruments get along with a certain type of string better than others. The instrument itself plays a major role in playability. Are the flats in question light and flexible or heavy and stiff? That has a lot to do with it. I use TI flats and light gauge rounds. Both seem fine. Actually, never gave it much thought until this thread posed the question.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

With a fat, 3mm, sharp jazz pick, I can fly with flats.

With a 1.5mm, sharp shield pick, I can fly with rounds.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Aside from the sound preference, do you feel it is faster or easier to play with flat strings or with rounds. Think also of comfort

The keyword is easier. And you can qualify it in your responses, like punchier, clearer... etc.

For me, I think flats with the equivalent tension may actually be faster, but the quality of the flat sound makes it appear as if it is slower. The difference is slight to notice. With a pick, it seems faster if I am honest.

Or it could be neither.

Rounds. Flats are stiff and sticky. Rounds are smooth.

 

[mrperkolator]

View attachment 5349129

team beets is currently… beeting your carrots 4 votes to 0.

edit: could this be the start of more veggie jokes? Beets me. I have no idea ok I’m done.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Aside from the sound preference, do you feel it is faster or easier to play with flat strings or with rounds. Think also of comfort

The keyword is easier. And you can qualify it in your responses, like punchier, clearer... etc.

For me, I think flats with the equivalent tension may actually be faster, but the quality of the flat sound makes it appear as if it is slower. The difference is slight to notice. With a pick, it seems faster if I am honest.

Or it could be neither.

It’s a neither here. Of course it’s been 47 years since I’ve ownded a bass with flawounds.