Why are flats more expensive than rounds? I am thinking of switching to flats on some of my basses, but want to try out like 5 different sets. One set is $27 (Chromes), but the rest are all around $40-$45 bucks for a 4-stringer set. 
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Flatwound Prices
- Thread starter saxnbass
- Start date
Try the Status flats, very reasonably priced, and very good sounding strings.
They're also, as far as I know, the only ones available as double ball end.
They're also, as far as I know, the only ones available as double ball end.
I want to re-animate this zombie because it was never answered.
Any takers out there?.....057912
Any takers out there?.....057912
I’ve always assumed the manufacturing process was more time consuming. Time is money.
Or because many of us prefer them-but still a smaller percentage than roundwound players, flats are produced in smaller volume=higher price.
Or because many of us prefer them-but still a smaller percentage than roundwound players, flats are produced in smaller volume=higher price.
How many sets of bass flats do you believe are sold in a year? Now divide that number by 20. If you want flats you have to be willing to buy them from someone willing to sell them.
I’m saying this as a daily user of flatwound strings.
I’m saying this as a daily user of flatwound strings.
You posted this back in 2006. Have you been able to try those five sets of flats in the last 16 yrs? How did they work out for you?
He hasn't been seen for 8-1/2 years so... good luck getting an answer.
_____
I want to re-animate this zombie because it was never answered.
Any takers out there?.....057912
^ This.
I've always assumed that flats simply require more raw material for the same gauges. Anyone know more about this?
Over time I think it balances out...flats last a LOT longer in useful condition.
Well, you not only need to figure in that more players use rounds than flats,
you need to also figure in that those who use flats install them on their bass and that's the last you hear of them for a decade while the people with rounds come back to buy a new set every other month.
My main players have flats installed and I have not made a string purchase in the last two years.
you need to also figure in that those who use flats install them on their bass and that's the last you hear of them for a decade while the people with rounds come back to buy a new set every other month.
My main players have flats installed and I have not made a string purchase in the last two years.
More labor goes into making flats. Less flats are sold so manufactures lose economy of scale. The cynical reason they cost more? They last so much longer the string makers need to make more up front because they know they won’t see another sale for a while. My experience shows that I save money in the long run buying expensive flats. I burn through rounds on most of my basses, while my p bass sits there and says, “nah, I’m good.”
Yeah, ^^this^^ Been playing basses with flats almost exclusively since 1968, mainly because I don't like the way round wounds feel. I have a wood rasp already, thank you; I don't need to buy more. I also don't like the way they sound. The finger noise is really annoying, too. And, finally - I have much better things to spend my old person fixed income on, than trying to keep 26 basses in new round wound strings. And much more funner things to do with my time, too. Even my guitars wear flats...
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I emailed David York at Stringjoy who echoed exactly what you said:
His Quote:
"Flat wound strings are much more labor-intensive to produce, and therefore that labor is reflected in the cost.
However, flat-wound strings do last much longer than normal round-wound strings, so there is a benefit to that as well...."
He also said that Stringjoy will be making flats in the future....057912
