Let me go down the list:
Fender P Bass Special "Cowpoke": GHS Precision Flats
Ibanez SRX705: GHS Precision Flats
EB SUB Ray 5: GHS Precision Flats
Ibanez SR506: GHS Precision Flats
Dean Exotica Ash AEB: D'Addario tapewounds
Ibanez SRF705 Portamento: D'Addario Chromes (factory set)
Hofner Club 500/2: TI Jazz Flats
Hofner Ignition 500/1: Pyramid Flats
Squier Cabronita: EB Cobalt Flats (very bright, an experiment)
Squier CV 70s P Bass: GHS Precision Flats
For what I do, this is what works.
Many used and just about all new instruments I've acquired have come strung with some generic flavor of roundwound string, which never seems to feel or sound right. I used to play rounds all the time, especially through the late 1980s and 1990s. Things changed when I started getting calls to record and strung one of my basses with Rotosound flats just to have an alternate sound standing by if needed. That sound eventually became my norm, and one by one flats were added to the rest of my collection. Having that smooth string surface along with much lower action than possible with a roundwound was a game changer and an eye opener for me as a bass player.
Now, this is just me and my personal preferences here, coupled with the relationship between my instrument, my ears and my fingers. I promise not to bad mouth anyone who loves their rounds (Pyramid makes some of the nicest rounds, BTW). But if anyone asks why I like what I like, I'll speak up, absolutely. I expect my reasons are as valid as anyone else's -- and if they provide a little insight into a sound and a feel that another player hasn't yet considered, then so much the better. There's nothing lost by trying something new, and everything to gain in terms of variety and experience.
Well said and very true. I think everyone should try them and I know that some will discover their sound or feel etc and completely change over from rounds, while others with have both and some only rounds. I tried so many times cause I really, really want to play them, and did so for good lengths of time as well. One thing that kills me every time is that smooth surface you speak of; well, it is like glue or something to my fingers. When I ran flats I had to use fast fret or similar multiple times during a gig as my fingers would just absolutely stick to the strings and cause almost a friction burn - I tried Sadowsky, Chromes, TI. Even worn in, cleaned with alcohol etc. stick, stick, stick - particularly during hot humid weather. I have saved my last set of Sadowsky flats if I get a chance to do some recording to compare though, that is one thing I have not been able to do with them.
