Flats or Round?

[riffer]

So I'm new to bass strings after playing guitar for 5 years and now deciding to switch over to bass, I've always just played whats on them but I need a new set now.So can you guys explain to me the tone qualities between flat and roundwound? I play mostly metal if that helps.

Thanks

 

[JimmyM]

Flats---deeper tone, thumpy and fat
Rounds---brighter tone with more sustain

I like both for completely different reasons.

 

[jayarroz]

+1 on Jimmy

and flats get better as they get older, so I never buy new ones!!!

 

[Bassbasixx]

I vote for rounds I love them after a slight break in , but I have been told several times round wounds are a no no for a fretless bass and will chew fret boards. As for Metal and low tuning, 430, drop D, drop C ect, a heavier gauge can be a big + on a 4 string

 

[SubXero]

it seems that most metal players I know usually use rounds. I'm personally a flats guy myself but I think it really depends on your own tastes as well. Flats are smooth and feel a lot different than rounds, they sound much warmer and punchier, rounds sound much brighter and sometimes even twangy. they are sort of opposites but you can always try both and see what you like.