Going back and fourth between flats and rounds?

[csc2048b]

my fingers like rounds. dead rounds to simulate flats.

 

[Doner Designs]

I go between dark-sounding La Bella flats and brighter-sounding Fender flats and Chromes. Does that count?

That's me. I tried going back to rounds once and could not get past the finger noise. I cut them off after about a week.

I had LaBellas on my whole lineup for awhile then switched to Ernie Ball (similar to Chromes) so I could compare the four basses with same strings. Now they are strung with four different sets of flats to accentuate the differences between the basses (Pyramid, LaBella, Daddario and Ernie Ball).

 

[rtslinger]

Do any of you go back and forth between rounds and flats?

If you are asking during a show? yes I have two of my basses that are strung with flats and the other 11 all have rounds for the blues and 50's and 60's songs I use the flats 70- today I use the rounds Classic Rock music

 

[Slevage]

Do any of you go back and forth between rounds and flats?

I have a Squier P5 with flats and one with rounds.

I also have a boutique (Elrick NJS5) that is currently strung with flats because I just did a recording session with it----- It used to have rounds and I am considering putting rounds back on it for "general use" now that I have a dedicated (P5) bass with flats.

 

[mdlewis]

I go back and forth depending on what's required. I have two very similar feeling basses strung differently and make a point of practicing each of them on alternate days. It's helped immensely, but certain songs are just played easier on one string type over the other. So I always practice these songs on the more difficult string set. That way they feel like a breeze when I actually need to play them.

It's also not just string feel for me...my technique has to change to accommodate the different sonic properties of the strings. I'm not one for too many choices but as I as generally use any processing in my signal chain (no pedals except tuner), having the option of different sounds is quite useful.

 

[40Hz]

I pick what I consider the best string set for the bass in question. So no two of my basses have the same strings.

I'm currently moving back and forth among: flats, rounds, half-rounds, and nylon tapes.

Whatever works best, I'll use.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I want to get to where I have the option of using both rounds or flats but I have a dilemma. I have rounds on a American Elite Jazz and I recently bought a set of TI Jazz Flats to use on this bass. I was planning to change the strings but I'm holding off for now since the rounds that are on it still sound great and I really like the tone from this bass and don't want to lose that. The rounds on that bass are the original strings it came with. I've only this bass for two months so far and I thought they would be dead by now.

I also have a Kubicki Ex Factor with Ex Factor rounds which may just be rebranded Fender strings in a custom length. I believe Phil Kubicki designed the Kubicki for 45-105 rounds. I tried a set of D'Addario 40-100 but they didn't sound as full as the Kubicki strings.

Since the rounds are working well on both of these basses I think I may need a third one so I can leave these two with rounds and have a third bass (maybe a Precision) with flats. Or should I just put the TI Flats I already have on the Jazz and be done with it?

 

[michael_t]

If you are asking during a show?

If @PeaveyPlayer is asking about switching back and forth during the same set, then my answer is no.

 

[JRA]

i'm currently going back and forth, but: between different types of rounds. i have recently 'experimented' with different strings. my basses are fretless, and although i've used rounds (roto swing 66) for years i am trying DR coated on a couple and TI jazz rounds (which feel like flats to me!) on one bass. i'm ambivalent about the experimentation: sometimes i think i like the coated and the TI's, sometimes i'm not sure.

I don't need anything complicating the process anymore than it is.

i agree with this, for myself anyway: so i'm also not sure where i'm headed with the string experimentation thing...

i think i've played the roundwounds for so long that i've become 'dependent' on the feel, sound, etc. i tried flats years and years ago (in an attempt to compensate for no proper calluses!) and didn't like the sound. i'm sure i didn't give them a proper trial.

Do any of you go back and forth between rounds and flats?

so, no: i don't do that, per se, but i'm currently going back and forth between round-types. is your question based on your own 'ambivalence' between the two general types?

 

[nerkoids]

Nothing but flats at the moment.

 

[SongySan]

I just priced those....what gives?

They're hand-rolled on the thighs of Cuban maidens...

I use TI flats. They're expensive, but they last forever, and I'm no longer buying strings monthly to find the ones that play and sound right. They wound up being cheaper in the end, for me at least.

 

[john_g]

I go through phases with my 4001, flats for a while then DR Fat Beams for a while and back to the TI's. Sounds wonderful with either one.

I do that with my 4003 except its HiBeams and Chromes. I have decided that I will just go with what I feel like at the time and not stick to one or the other all the time. If I feel like taking the flats off after a couple of days, then I do and vice versa.

 

[Remyd]

I just priced those....what gives?

Maybe the TI people need a new yacht. Or two.
Maybe they figure since everybody loves 'em, it will be your last set, and so should be expensive as hell.
Maybe they think that doubling the price of flats will triple the mojo

If it helps their DB strings are $250 and up. That makes it better, right?

 

[ZenG]

I've gone back and forth between rounds and flats so many times.

 

[Remyd]

I do that with my 4003 except its HiBeams and Chromes. I have decided that I will just go with what I feel like at the time and not stick to one or the other all the time. If I feel like taking the flats off after a couple of days, then I do and vice versa.

Do you find that there's metal fatigue when switching like that? I seem to remember my teacher saying you couldn't take strings on-and-off more than a couple of times without bad effects.

 

[john_g]

Do you find that there's metal fatigue when switching like that? I seem to remember my teacher saying you couldn't take strings on-and-off more than a couple of times without bad effects.

I am sure it could and it can screw with your neck so I usually adjust the truss rod if needed. I havent had any break down of a string..yet anyway.

 

[bobdabilder]

No. That makes me a sad panda.

Maybe the TI people need a new yacht. Or two.
Maybe they figure since everybody loves 'em, it will be your last set, and so should be expensive as hell.
Maybe they think that doubling the price of flats will triple the mojo

If it helps their DB strings are $250 and up. That makes it better, right?

 

[micque]

Just flats, thats it.

 

[_godspeed_]

two p-basses, one with flats(TIs) and one with rounds(XLs) and done!

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I'm a fan of setting up my basses differently in terms of strings. I have three passive Fender basses, one with a dark sounding flats (La Bella) and a foam mute, one with a bright sounding flats (D'Addario) and no mute, and one with roundwounds. I do the same thing with my upright basses; one has a modern string while the other has gut. Sometimes it can take a little while to adjust after making a switch, but it's cool to be able to select the right tone for the gig at hand.

- Steve