Going with flatwounds

[carlosjrf]

i currently play rounds gauges 50 - 110. I play those because it gave me a bit fatter tone. I want try flats but not sure if i should stay with the same gauge on go down to 45-105, mainly because i think it going to be a bit harder to fret. Is that right?
Now if i go down in gauge, would it be an issue at the nut?

 

[GrapeBass]

Probably go down. You're also going to need a setup (truss/bridge) also. Just remember, depending on the type of flat you're going with, it will probably take a LONG time to break in and settle (unless you're going with take wounds). So, be patient and you will be rewarded. Good luck!

 

[michael_t]

i currently play rounds gauges 50 - 110. I play those because it gave me a bit fatter tone. I want try flats but not sure if i should stay with the same gauge on go down to 45-105, mainly because i think it going to be a bit harder to fret. Is that right?
Now if i go down in gauge, would it be an issue at the nut?

Any specific brand and model of flats in mind? I ask because flatwound sets in today's market can vary in terms of overall stiffness and playability.

That said, 45-105 would be a good place to start if you're used to using 50-110 in rounds. And no, going DOWN in gauges shouldn't cause any issues with the nut slots.

 

[carlosjrf]

Any specific brand and model of flats in mind? I ask because flatwound sets in today's market can vary in terms of overall stiffness and playability.

That said, 45-105 would be a good place to start if you're used to using 50-110 in rounds. And no, going DOWN in gauges shouldn't cause any issues with the nut slots.

To be honest with you im still figuring out which ones to get. one reason i want to try flats is to go warmer, less brightness. From what the internet says, ghs precisions and la bella deep talking, but not sold on either yet. At $40-50 per set dont want to experiment too much. Need to research a bit more. Any recommendation?

 

[carlosjrf]

Probably go down. You're also going to need a setup (truss/bridge) also. Just remember, depending on the type of flat you're going with, it will probably take a LONG time to break in and settle (unless you're going with take wounds). So, be patient and you will be rewarded. Good luck!

Yes I saw that. I usually give strings 6 months break in. I've strings on for 3-4 years.

 

[michael_t]

To be honest with you im still figuring out which ones to get. one reason i want to try flats is to go warmer, less brightness. From what the internet says, ghs precisions and la bella deep talking, but not sold on either yet. At $40-50 per set dont want to experiment too much. Need to research a bit more. Any recommendation?

For "warm and woody with focused low-mid punch", I would go with GHS Precision Flats. CM3050, 45-60-80-105, would be a good choice for something nicely balanced across all four strings and "medium" stiffness. Only $27!

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[carlosjrf]

For "warm and woody with focused low-mid punch", I would go with GHS Precision Flats. CM3050, 45-60-80-105, would be a good choice for something nicely balanced across all four strings and "medium" stiffness. Only $27!

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I guess we have a winner.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Fatter tone. Hmmm, don't know about that. I would characterize flat-wounds as more "atonal": more drum like. That is an exaggeration, but hopefully you see my point. Maybe more of a thump?

Rounds, with the tone/treble down can still sound "fat".

Ever try a compressor?

I love my La Bella DTFs, but also am learning to appreciate rounds in my "old-age"...

 

[carlosjrf]

Fatter tone. Hmmm, don't know about that. I would characterize flat-wounds as more "atonal": more drum like. That is an exaggeration, but hopefully you see my point. Maybe more of a thump?

Rounds, with the tone/treble down can still sound "fat".

Ever try a compressor?

I love my La Bella DTFs, but also am learning to appreciate rounds in my "old-age"...

Interesting. Never hear flats described like that, but i think i understand what you mean.

 

[FunkHead]

I have the slightly heavier GHS set(Precision Flats Medium M3050 set) on a P-Bass. Wow do they sound great. The E String is super fat. They are pretty bright but I think they'll mellow with time. I really love them.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Interesting. Never hear flats described like that, but i think i understand what you mean.

It is much easier for me to hear pitch with round-wounds. After not playing flats for a while, for whatever reason, I just played a C scale, but the B and C sounded almost the same. Had me look down to see what fret I was on!

Back in my youth, with flatwounds, since I tend to cut the highs, I can remember "butchering" bass-lines - playing wrong notes - but it still sounding OK as long as I had the right rhythm. I guess my take on bass was sort-of like a tuned bass-drum. Always used 15" speakers.

 

[BarfanyShart]

It is much easier for me to hear pitch with round-wounds. After not playing flats for a while, for whatever reason, I just played a C scale, but the B and C sounded almost the same. Had me look down to see what fret I was on!

Back in my youth, with flatwounds, since I tend to cut the highs, I can remember "butchering" bass-lines - playing wrong notes - but it still sounding OK as long as I had the right rhythm. I guess my take on bass was sort-of like a tuned bass-drum. Always used 15" speakers.

There are fewer overtones on the flat string, so your ears and brain have to work harder to identify the pitch. But the pitch is definitely there, and you can jack up the upper harmonics of the signal with bigger pots, active eq, piezos, etc.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

There are fewer overtones on the flat string, so your ears and brain have to work harder to identify the pitch. But the pitch is definitely there, and you can jack up the upper harmonics of the signal with bigger pots, active eq, piezos, etc.

Sadly, I am a hobby bass-player that has trouble hearing the fundamental on low notes (with flats). Always have.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Sadly, I am a hobby bass-player that has trouble hearing the fundamental on low notes (with flats). Always have.

I think everybody has that problem on the low string sometimes. My low string right now is a short-scale low C that is particularly timpani-like, and sometimes I think the intonation is way off until I play the octave and realize it's fine. It makes you feel crazy when the tuner is telling you something different than your ears.

 

[Killing Floor]

Very unlikely you would need to worry about the nut. You might need to check the intonation. This is because flats might seat over the witness points differently than rounds. Simple. The fretting is the same, only think you might notice is more or less tension. And that some flats feel “sticky” when they are brand new. Doesn’t last but a few days of playing. You might actually notice a little less fret noise. Have fun. Good luck. Don’t buy into the nonsense that it has to be a specific brand. Try a few. That way you’ll find what you like instead of what I like.

 

[bherman]

I’ve tried about every flavor of flats out there, my #1 is Pyramids but they are expensive. My # 2 are LaBella Deep Talking Flats regular gauge 45-105. I just put a set on a short scale Gretsch and they sound fantastic! Not a fan of GHS, to me they’re not as smooth feeling and stiffer. Tried them a few times on my P bass and didn’t like them. But everyone has different preferences.

 

[iiipopes]

"Harder to fret" may be a function of flexibility as much as of overall tension, depending on the strings. If the rounds you play have a hex core and are tightly wrapped, then they may be no more flexible than a round core traditionally wrapped flatwound. On the other hand, overall tension is a function of mass, not of diameter. A traditionally wound flat usually has more metal for the given gauge with the rectangular ribbon wrap and doesn't have the gaps between the windings as conventional rounds, so more mass, and therefore more tension. So it is most likely that one gauge lighter flats will have the same or similar overall tension as the rounds you have been playing.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

105. Ive played 110 flats and they are cool but unnecessary unless youre tuning to drop B

 

[C Stone]

Ghs precision flats on my Fender parts give me clean clear thump!
Perfect strings for that...

Fender flats have a warmer, rounder tone with the ability to get a little brighter if I want that, they also feel better than ghs flats (IMO) both affordable...

I go one gauge lighter than what rounds I use when choosing flats.

 

[220_Hz]

I use D’addario chromes 105-45, they sound pretty nice and feel GREAT to me. I’ve let them sit on the same bass for over two years though, they get way better with age