Flatwounds vs Roundwounds in 2025

[P. Aaron]

For a scant number of weeks I switched back from EBCobalt Flats to my old-favorite DR Low Rider Nickels on my Precision V. I ordered a new set of Cobalt Flats within about 15 minutes after installing the DR's. I got more percussion out of the flats where the music I'm playing right now needs it.

The flats, for the music I'm playing just work too well and there wasn't enough tonal distinction, I mean one could dial it in by knobs or playing style and, the wound strings slowed my hands down and created more laboring for the notes.

 

[BigBoneRed]

Are flatwounds still the go-to for jazz/funk

...For me, flats are more of a niche product intended for use in a specific application. They work fine on a fretless bass, or if you want to cop an upright kind of sound, but I wouldn't use the phrase "go to".

or are rounds creeping in everywhere?

?Creeping in!?
Rotosound broke that door down about 60 years ago....

 

[retslock]

Various rounds until about 15 years ago. Since then it's flats on everything. I like Chromes but La Bella 760FS-B are preferred.

 

[KohanMike]

I played guitar for almost fifty years, starting in 1965 when I was 15. I never liked the zing noise that rounds make, not just myself, but any player I listened to, so I put flats on my guitars after a very short time. In mid 2013 I switched to ukulele, which has nylon strings. A year later I discovered bass ukes that came with polyurethane strings, but they were a pain to install, stretched like crazy requiring trimming and reinstalling, and would get sticky in humid conditions.

Then Galli came out with flats for bass uke with a nylon core, 21 and 23 inch scale, and I went for it. I only use those strings on my bass ukes, which I've actually had modified by Eric's Guitar Shop, replacing the limited adjustable wood floating bridge and wonky piezo pickup with a high mass fully adjustable metal bridge, and mini humbucker neck pickup that, to both our surprise, works with the nylon core strings. I can't call them bass ukes anymore, they're really mini bass guitars now.

 

[Swerve]

My overall favorites haven’t changed much.

Flats: Dunlops
NPS: Fender 7250m
SS: Rotosound BS66

Right now I’m really into the P bass with rounds thing. I got flats on my J.

 

[jtg]

Yes to flats. Yes to rounds. Pick the strings for the bass and the bass for the gig, or the song. I probably have more basses with flats now, but it's more or less an even split. Most gigs get a p with flats and 5 with rounds.

 

[prndltech]

At the moment, flats on the Mustang and rounds on everything else.

 

[Pings Bass]

I used to only use rotosounds on electric, but since I'm playing more upright and less rock, I've been favoring flats on my 2 fretless bass guitars. I still have rounds on my fretted basses, but I rarely play them.

Play whatever gives you the sound and feel you like.

 

[HelpImaRock]

My favorite strings are LaBella LTFs, followed closely by Super Polished. So those are the basses I use in the band.

I have a bunch of sets of rounds, They go on my practice basses to keep my callouses strong. But I really don't like how rounds feel. Dunlop and Ernie Ball seem to be the "least offensive" feeling rounds I've played.

 

[MrAB4003]

Flatwounds or roundwounds — where do you stand? Are flatwounds still the go-to for jazz/funk, or are rounds creeping in everywhere?
Share your experiences, favorite setups, and any surprising discoveries!

Both! I have one Ric 4003 with D'Addario Chromes (flats) while my other Ric 4003 and my P Bass have D'Addario NYXLs (rounds). D'Addario became my preferred brand of strings starting in early 2024. I was a Rotosound guy for 12 years before that and I should have switched brands sooner. It's a long story...

Most of the songs on my upcoming album (recorded in 2025) feature my 4003 with NYXLs. But the 4003 with Chromes is on the album too.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I have one bass for each string type. My flat bass is a P (Chromes), my round bass is a Sadowsky Modern (NYXL). I use both in different gigs and can't see either replacing the other.

• Flats: Traditional Afro-Cuban, upright-ish jazz, blues, reggae, etc.
• Rounds: Modern latin, pop, rock, fusion, etc.

To me, those strings are like spoons and forks, serving different purposes.

 

[OldManNewBass]

I played guitar for almost fifty years, starting in 1965 when I was 15. I never liked the zing noise that rounds make, not just myself, but any player I listened to, so I put flats on my guitars after a very short time. In mid 2013 I switched to ukulele, which has nylon strings. A year later I discovered bass ukes that came with polyurethane strings, but they were a pain to install, stretched like crazy requiring trimming and reinstalling, and would get sticky in humid conditions.

Then Galli came out with flats for bass uke with a nylon core, 21 and 23 inch scale, and I went for it. I only use those strings on my bass ukes, which I've actually had modified by Eric's Guitar Shop, replacing the limited adjustable wood floating bridge and wonky piezo pickup with a high mass fully adjustable metal bridge, and mini humbucker neck pickup that, to both our surprise, works with the nylon core strings. I can't call them bass ukes anymore, they're really mini bass guitars now.

View attachment 7361300

Bro, you NEED a Daphne Blue bass with a tort pickguard...! ;^p

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have always used nickel rounds for my P basses tried SS but prefered nickel

For my Stingray Special gave Cobalt Flats a try and they are great and fortunately they don't sound like typical flats

 

[Stan_da_man]

Depends on the session.

 

[andronik]

I play exclusively D'addario Chormes flatwounds since they have stronger tension than other flatwounds.
Since I do not slap nor do I play B stringed basses and no metal I found no need for roundwound strings.
Also with flatwound there is much less finger noise on recordings and you do not have to change them often if at all..

 

[Makten]

I strongly prefer the feel and general playing experience of flats, but sometimes I want the sound of rounds. So I use traditional flats on some basses, and recently I discovered that EB cobalt flats are filling my "rounds sound" need, without the scratchiness and finger noise.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I am very happy with D'Addarrio light gauge chromes. I am able to get all the tones I want. I have been using them for years and won't play anything else.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I use 2 p basses with rounds, 1 p bass with flats, 1 jazz bass with rounds and 1 jazz bass with flats.

My 2 p basses with rounds are used 95% of the time.

I prefer the roaring of rounds on a p bass and my sound tech removes everything above 8k Hz when we use microphones and my finger noise disappears in the mix in live shows.

Flats are much more comfortable to me though.

 

[dbflats]

The only bass I play these days is while recording, and my $249 Spirit XZ 25, strung with 20-yr-old flats is great for this. Surprising amount of growl, bouncy slightly rubbery and WARM. These strings were offered back when by Status but are no longer available. I'm hoping that by reason of my advanced age-i'm 69-I may luck out and die before new strings are needed.

I'm always reaching for new guitar sounds while making my recordings but I don't worry about the bass. It will be punchy and authoritative.

 

[TheArchitect]

...For me, flats are more of a niche product intended for use in a specific application. They work fine on a fretless bass, or if you want to cop an upright kind of sound, but I wouldn't use the phrase "go to".

Pino and few others might disagree with that take....