Flats that sound like rounds?

[PennyroyalWe]

+1 for cobalt flats. I have a set on my fretless foundation, and it growls like nobodies business. I’m seriously considering getting another set for my telebass. If you do go with the cobalts, be aware that you have to wind them differently than normal strings. They come with instructions on the package.

 

[jdjk7]

I love playing with flatwounds, my artist fingers are probably more made for it. I play sometimes with and sometimes without a pick. But aggressive rock doesn't sound right with normal flats.
Tell me, which flatwounds are the closest to roundwounds in terms of sound? What can you do to change the sound with distortion or something similar in the direction of roundwounds?

I think if you adjust your expectation a little, aggressive tone is possible. I use La Bellas, and changing up my technique makes up for pretty much all of how tonally un-versatile the base string is. If you want a more aggressive sound, attack the string harder. Technique, and pedals. Rock bass really demands just a touch of tasteful overdrive, at the least.

But yes, flats will tend to be bright for a short period before being broken in. There's no real way around it.

 

[Rnr..........4]

I use LaBella flats and just turn up the treble on my amp if I need a little more zing from them.

 

[jdjk7]

Some have recommended Cobalt Flats. I played them for a few months, but the E string actually broke... fairly certain it was the string's fault, because that's the only time I've ever broken a string playing. They sounded okay. They also tended to leave a weird odor on my fingers, I've never encountered that before in a string. I assume it's related to the cobalt... or something.

 

[Real Soon]

I'm a GHS-friendly cat, and think maybe the GHS Precision flats in light gauge might give you an initial tone close to a set of fairly worn-in rounds. If you're really married to the finger-feel of flatwounds.

Or, there's the Pressurewounds, which are technically roundwound but have a texture like silk compared to standard rounds....and a tone like mellow, broken-in rounds right out of the box, and even mellower ones once they're broken in.

 

[Cowboy0071]

I've tried GHS Brite Flats in the past, they might work for you.

 

[andare]

Fender flats may be clanky at first but after a couple of months they mellow out and sound like flats. I find them dull and undefined, just the opposite of rounds.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I've tried GHS Brite Flats in the past, they might work for you.

They might but most people seem to hate them and it's also worth noting that they're not really flats. They are "groundwounds", meaning they start out as roundwounds and are ground down to a smoother surface (but very grabby when new!).

If strings that aren't really flats but have a smooth surface are an option it would perhaps be worth checking out the GHS Pressurewounds instead. They're not my personal favourite but lots of people love them, unlike the GHS Brite Flats which are almost universally disliked.

I still think the only true flats that will sound even remotely like roundwounds are the Roto 77s. Personally I find them very stiff and uncomfortable but they sound amazing! Great mids!

This is how Roto 77s can sound like when played with a pick:

I can't think of any other flats that will provide those grindy, roundwound-ish mids. You can find other flats that are "bright" of course but they will be very different to Roto 77s. Both D'Addario Chromes and TI Jazz Flats can be considered bright but they won't sound even remotely like roundwounds. Roto 77s can get pretty close (they won't "feel" like roundwound though, not even close!).

Roto flats won't stay bright for very long though and the tone across the strings will get a bit unbalanced with age. E+A will stay bright for weeks, or even months, but D+G will mellow out pretty fast.

 

[lunarpollen]

I have a set of Chromes on my Yamaha bass... With the pre-amp engaged, if i turn up the lows and highs all the way and leave the mids in the middle at neutral, it's like roundwounds without the string noise. But if you don't have an active Yamaha, the Transmission pre-amp pedal from Master Effects is the next best thing.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Dogal Carbon Steel Jaco Flats

 

[monkeyfinger]

Dunlop Flats
Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats

Not exactly flats: GHS Pressurewounds

 

[mcnach]

I love playing with flatwounds, my artist fingers are probably more made for it. I play sometimes with and sometimes without a pick. But aggressive rock doesn't sound right with normal flats.
Tell me, which flatwounds are the closest to roundwounds in terms of sound? What can you do to change the sound with distortion or something similar in the direction of roundwounds?

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Without question. Nothing gets closer.

They're not really rough, they feel smooth to the touch, there's no finger noise when you slide your fingers on them, etc. They are most definitely flatwound in feel.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I love playing with flatwounds, my artist fingers are probably more made for it. I play sometimes with and sometimes without a pick. But aggressive rock doesn't sound right with normal flats.
Tell me, which flatwounds are the closest to roundwounds in terms of sound? What can you do to change the sound with distortion or something similar in the direction of roundwounds?

Cobalts

 

[MustangWally]

I'm gonna plug GHS Pressure Wound strings - love 'em. Not as dead as a flatwound and not as twangy as a roundwound. Easy on the fingers too - what not to like?

 

[sonojono]

X1000 on Ernie ball cobalt flats

just watch out for your arm hairs

 

[soundsupport1]

Ernie Ball cobalt flats. Most Zing for flatwounds, IMO.

Much more than Daddario Chromes, which I also tried.

Peace,
SoundSupport

 

[sean_on_bass]

I'd recommend EB Cobalts but they got a weird tarnish when i used them previously which turned me off. Using TI now and they are brighter than Chromes plus super comfy to play. I think i am home with TI.

 

[Hounddog409]

PS: I agree that "rough textured" is unforgivable for a flat. I love the 'touch and feel' of flats.

Cobalts feel nothing like rounds.

I am new to flats. Bass came with Fender flats. Played them a few months, then put on the EB Cobalts. Sound more like rounds than the fenders did. Feel the same to me.

Not sure which i like better, but feel will not be a facter.

 

[Hounddog409]

I'd recommend EB Cobalts but they got a weird tarnish when i used them previously which turned me off. Using TI now and they are brighter than Chromes plus super comfy to play. I think i am home with TI.

Takes 5 secs to wipe off with alcohol prior to installation.

 

[Hounddog409]

I must not have worded my assessment correctly,then-I didn’t mean it to sound favorable.
I wouldn’t recommend these strings if you have any interest in a flatwound sound or feel.
DR Pure Blues (roundwounds) are smoother, and sound better. I think they’re way better in all regards to Cobalts.

Wow. I have used these DR. I have cobalts currently.
I cannot disagree more, and rather shocked by this assertion.
Cobalts are nowhere near the DR. They are not rough at all. Feel like a flat wound. Sound is objective, so whatever. But saying the DR is smoother is nuts