Flats or Rounds?

[DaveAceofBass]

Flats. I’m a contrarian. For a Precision Bass, there are two popular routes to go:
Motown/Vintage: LaBella DTBs or GHS Precision Flats.
Rock: D’Addario Chromes or Fender 9050s.

Exactly.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

It sounds like you need to try both before deciding.

Because PBasses tend to favor mids I usually use strings that do not accentuate mids. On a PBasses I use LaBella FL760's for flats and DR HiBeams or Dunlop Superbright Nickel for rounds. You gotta try.

 

[FenderBassist]

Just another vote for flats. I use Fender 9050s on two P basses and am very happy with the sound for the kind of material you're talking about.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If you were limited to just those two basses, I'd say keep the rounds on the jazz and put flats on the P. I am partial to GHS Precision Flats, but the La Bellas get a lotta love around here too (and for good reason). D'Addario Chromes are another great flat that are a bit brighter than GHS PFs and La Bellas.

 

[shughey]

I'd lean towards flats for the sound you're describing. You mention your sound w Elixir rounds being too harsh for a band doing Zeppelin/Hendrix blues-rock. From what I hear and see, JPJ was used flats for most of his career with Zeppelin, even though he now says otherwise. Billy Cox without a doubt used flats w Hendrix, Noel used Rotosound 66. The big difference between John and Billy's J bass sound w these bands is that Billy was really overdriving the Marshalls he played through. Live, he had a fuzz bass type tone going on which enabled his bass to cut through while still be warm. Flats can sound very articulate, and sometimes have more perceived high end than rounds (especially when played fingerstyle). If I were you, I'd try some of the more articulate flats: Dunlop, Chromes, TI, Sadowsky Blue Label, etc.

This is not to say you can't use roundwounds for this sound. I use roundwounds more often than not in these type of bands. I just let my rounds break in nicely and play through a vintage-type amp that is on the warmer side anyway. I've used broken in Rotosound 66 and got very vintage tones through my TH500 and DB112s. Dial the volume knobs and tone control back a little bit and I'm all set.

*Don't forget, you can always dial back your tone knob, play with your thumb or closer to the neck, play lighter, when playing tunes where you want your sound to be less aggressive. A lot of guys will palm mute and play thumb on ballads that don't require sustain from the bass so that they're not above the mix.

 

[jackn1202]

Screw strings, tort is where the real tone is.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Hello there

I'm going to be purchasing a Presicion type bass in the next few weeks, and I'm currently debating on whether I should put rounds or flats on it; I currently play in a blues/blues rock band, and use a Modern Player Jazz bass with Elixir stainless steel rounds on it, which has an amazing sound for rock/funk/fusion thanks to a combination of the strings and the pickups, but it does seem a bit aggressive sounding for the bluesy stuff I'm doing with the band (Which is one of the reasons I'm going for a P bass haha).

I am curious as to whether its better to put rounds or flats on it however; there are convincing arguments for both, and not all flatwound strings sound the same; the music is kind of 50/50 between standard electric blues sound and more hard edged Zeppelin/Hendrix sounding blues rock; my main concern is the flats being able to cover the heavier stuff as well as the more blues focused music. Its a three piece band btw.

What do y'all think?

- Sam

Rounds!

I stil have flats on my fretless but they are going bye-bye in the future, God knows I tried to get into them but just can't make it happen.

 

[jmlee]

Chromes would have enough brightness for what you describe with the tone control dimed and you could still roll it back for a more old school blues feel. The dense stainless wrap should also stand up to your hand sweat.

 

[Sam Farnon]

Okay this seems to be a very split crowd haha I kind of expected it to be anyways xD although I think the flats are ahead slightly; I've taken the liberty of adding a poll in as some of you have suggested.

I'd be interested to see which one is more popular round here in general actually

 

[Nickweissmusic]

Flounds are good, but so are rats... hope this helps

 

[4001]

Screw strings, tort is where the real tone is.

Tort sells beer.

 

[nerkoids]

You can get some strong opinions even among the different flatwound brands. You have some GHS boosters, like michael_t and myself. Lots of love for the wide assortment of D'Addario Chromes and Labella offerings. Not to mention the TIs.

Personally, you should first try out with the least expensive brands first to see if they're right for you. The least expensive are typically Fenders, GHS and SIT (the 20-26 dollar range). D'Addario, Rotosound, DR follow (28-35 dollar range). Labellas are typically in the 35-45 dollar range, with Optimas near the 50 dollar range, TIs above 60, and Pyramids are even a wee bit higher.

Flats last forever, so it's easier to justify the price.

However, the suggestion of Pressurewounds (or compressors) is a fairly solid one. It really is the Swiss Army knife of bass strings - very easy to modify its sound, and they have quite a bit of output to them too. Very easy to make them sounds like rounds - keep them undampened, tone all the way up, and with a pick, you got a great driving rock tone with lots of meat. For flats, add a little bit of soft foam at the bridge (you really don't need much) and you have yourself some very clicky flats with a very fat bottom end. Tone down a wee bit, and it's Motown and Wrecking Crew territory.

 

[micguy]

Start with nickel rounds. If too bright (after a couple of weeks), go flat. If too dark, go stainless. If just right, stay.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

But seriously, it’s a question of need, and personal preference. I would personally never use flats if I wanted to optimize dexterity and speed for hard rock or metal. Many producers and engineers would throw you out of the studio if there’s so much as an audible fret clank. Yet there’s Steve Harris, leading one of the highest earning rock bands in history. I’ve got some basses i always string with flats, some with rounds, and some, I’ll change up if I feel like it. I use rounds on my fretless bass ukulele, because that’s what it shipped with, and what the maker sells that fits it. They sound great to my ears, so I ordered some more. You just never know until you’ve tried. The only wrong answer is an absolute one.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Try flats on your Jazz.
I love the sound of flats on a Jazz.
It's cheaper than buying a new bass, too!

 

[zon6c-f]

Rounds

You can always dial back the tone

I prefer Rotosound Swingbass 66

When you can afford it get another precision string with flats
I use LaBella Jamerson Deep Talkin flats

Best of both worlds

Keep us posted

 

[rohi]

I love flats on a P. That's my jam.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Flats, last so much longer.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

E flat, A round, D flat and G round... Let me know how you like it...

 

[gitfiddl]

I say put flats on the P-bass and don't look back.