Flatwound vs. Roundwound poll

[Duckwater]

I switch around strings every few weeks on my main player for fun, but ultimately I prefer flats(even for my 15 notes per second double thumb wankery).

 

[Maz]

Rounds most of the time, but I keep one bass strung with flats. Wouldn't want to not have that option.

 

[shrimpflea]

I only play flatwounds...are roundwounds a new kind of string?

Flatwound String Reviews

 

[Flyingfrets]

I have LaBella flats on my Rogue violin bass and Rotosound rounds on my Ric.

The way the basses are strung makes the inherent tonal characteristics of each much more pronounced.

Not only covers a lot of sonic ground, I just can't get the Ric "clank" & "honk" with flats.

Works for me...

 

[fr8ghtrain]

Love this! Flats suit me better too.

 

[robboy]

I love flats for the way they sit in a track on on my 66 Jazz on certain kinds of music. They seem to have a stronger fundamental note that cuts well yet sounds round and fat. That said, they have more tension and so are less fun to play. Also, there are styles that require roundwounds. So, one bass has flats and the others get roundwounds. Use whatever works for the music.

 

[phillybass101]

Man I slap. I don't want no stinkin flatwounds. I'm not James Jamerson and it's 2014 not the heyday of motown

 

[Solarmist]

there is a conception here like... you are so cool, so groovy, so "bassist" if you play flats, believing flatwounds have a kind of magic mojo...

I find them useless for almost anything...

Weed Eater?

 

[gregmon79]

I prefer rounds. I've used flats and I do like the way they sound with certain types of music. But I'm a rounds guy all the way. I like aggressiveness plain and simple. I've heard some guys get some aggressive tones with rounds, but not me. I like the clarity and clank of rounds. I like flats for blues and some other genres though. That's just me though.

 

[theduke1]

LaBella Black Nylon tape wound flats on all 5 of my basses

 

[Gaolee]

Weed Eater?

Weed wackers. String up up, and slap away! We are talking about upright bass, aren't we?

Oh, we are talking about planks? Well, then string up the plank with weed wackers, too. Be a real man.

 

[Milk]

Roundwounds exclusively. I don't slap either. I want punchy and metallic.

 

[Tom Howland]

I use both. But over the last 3 years have gone more flatwound.

TI JF344 flats have changed my life. They just have become my sound. Regardless of the bass.

I also dig DR Sunbeams, and Ken Smith Compressors.

 

[SolarMan]

After a couple of years of mucking around with flats - I'm back to rounds. Flats just sounded to mushy for me when recording.

Stainless Steel Rounds!

 

[Jbassrockboy]

I am back to nickel rounds as of last night after trying flats for 3 months

 

[Kubicki440]

Flatwounds are a myth ... they do not exist ...

Hehe. I never cared too much for Flatwounds, they don't exist on any of my basses. To each their own.

 

[adi77]

i hv three basses, american dlx jb dot inlays with semi flat strings.
a mexican passive hvly modded with chrome flats and a musicman hh with round wounds
i just came to this setup after years of playing dif strings and cant really remember the process. i think experimenting with diff strings will help find your tone. its where it begins

 

[interp]

It's a tool, people. Use whatever tool suits your needs and preferences. Sheesh!

 

[Basstardus]

I use nicker rounds 45-105
but I do loooove flats and prefer, I just don't find them now in my two current bands.

 

[GregT]

I agree with the Thomastik JF344. Today I am going to pick up a 1970s Memphis bass but it does kinda irk me that the strings are going to cost me more than the bass because I always restring with flats. I don't use them to be cool. I just like the way they feel and sound. Is there a "I use flats and I am older thread"? It is just the sound I grew up with.