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I love my flatwound strung P. It works great for certain things I do. Other styles, not so much.
If I HAD to only have, one bass, though, it would have to be strung with rounds as they are more versatile. Rolling the tone knob off on a round-equipped bass certainly isn't the same as having a set of flats on there, but it can get me more in the ballpark, IMO, than trying to get a set of flats to sound like rounds.
Thankfully, I've got a bass with flats and others with rounds, and plan on keeping it that way.
If I HAD to only have, one bass, though, it would have to be strung with rounds as they are more versatile. Rolling the tone knob off on a round-equipped bass certainly isn't the same as having a set of flats on there, but it can get me more in the ballpark, IMO, than trying to get a set of flats to sound like rounds.
Thankfully, I've got a bass with flats and others with rounds, and plan on keeping it that way.
nobody ever said you'll have to commit to one type of string for the rest of your life. Okay, maybe somebody HAS said that, but I respectfully disagree with them. Flats are great within a certain context, but unless you play exclusively in that context, you might as well get rounds and roll your tone knob down a bit - it's definitely not the same, but it'll get you in the ballpark.
I didn't read the whole thread, but I'd say a second bass is always acceptable. 
or third or fourth, maybe fifth. However, I play TI flats, I am guessing not the first time this thread has heard those words either. Love them. With a J or now a D, I can dial in the tone that I want for the song. I also have a set of EB slinky flats on a P/J bass and they are incredibly bright and crisp. I don't think they are equal to rounds, but I think rounds are very clanky-- like playing a big spring, so I am probably not the one to ask on that point.
or third or fourth, maybe fifth. However, I play TI flats, I am guessing not the first time this thread has heard those words either. Love them. With a J or now a D, I can dial in the tone that I want for the song. I also have a set of EB slinky flats on a P/J bass and they are incredibly bright and crisp. I don't think they are equal to rounds, but I think rounds are very clanky-- like playing a big spring, so I am probably not the one to ask on that point.
I had a bass dedicated to flats. After not playing it on any gigs for almost a year, I gave up trying to like flats, and that bass...OK, it was disssasembled and the hardware used on another bass due to GAS on another font and a twisted neck, but THAT bass has rounds.
I'm firmly committed to strings in the middle - everything from pressure wounds to round core nickel wounds to hex core nickel rounds. No flats, no stainless rounds. The bass tells me what it wants to wear. Somehow, none of them ask for flats.
I'm firmly committed to strings in the middle - everything from pressure wounds to round core nickel wounds to hex core nickel rounds. No flats, no stainless rounds. The bass tells me what it wants to wear. Somehow, none of them ask for flats.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I've gone back and forth with Flats (chromes). I love the sound, but the I start missing the tone and edge of rounds, so I switch and am happy to have that tone and the texture of rounds again.... only to start missing the flats all over again. I'm not much into having multiple basses. I have always liked the idea of finding a nice instrument you really like and sticking with it for the long haul (haven't found that unicorn yet though). Just found a brand new, factory fresh American Std P Bass with case and all for $800 (burst, tort, rosewood!) and am selling my MIM classic series 70's jazz and '80's MIJ Jazz Special. Now I am really screwed because this bass has a fresh pack of chromes calling my name!
WOOT!
Just keep your Mexi Jazz in rounds. You can probably sell your Japanese Fender for a tidy profit and easily pay for your new American Standard Precision. Plus you'll have one of the last American Standard Precisions ever produced. 
Plus you'll have one of the last American Standard Precisions ever produced.
I'm seriously considering putting this in a time capsule just the way it is right now with all the plastic and tags and seeing if I can pay for my grand kids college in 40 Years
It will be worth more if you play it, and the neck will stay in playable condition. Unplayed guitars deteriorate and necks can warp and twist irreversibly.I'm seriously considering putting this in a time capsule just the way it is right now with all the plastic and tags and seeing if I can pay for my grand kids college in 40 Years
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Flats are stiffer because there is more contact area between the wraps. They normally loosen up some after a couple of months. In general, where rounds are at the end of their life after two months, flats are just getting warmed up. Also, I find the proper setup for flats is much lower than rounds. I like them almost sitting on the fretboard. So it takes very little left hand movement to fret them. Similarly, a light right hand can really get the most tone out of them. The thing that makes flats so gorgeous in the right circumstances is the pronounced attack with short decay. This is not the case with rounds. With rounds you grow accustomed to digging in more to get a nice thumping attack. You need to adjust this technique for flats. Let the string do the work for you.
BTW, my fav flats are the new Dunlop flats. They are a little more flexible than most flats. They have a tone and feel similar to rounds when they are getting close the end of their usefulness. Thumpy, but with sustain, strong mids and a very soft high-end.
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BTW, my fav flats are the new Dunlop flats. They are a little more flexible than most flats. They have a tone and feel similar to rounds when they are getting close the end of their usefulness. Thumpy, but with sustain, strong mids and a very soft high-end.
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It all depends on what kind of music you play. But keep in mind that flatwounds with a pick (think Sir Paul) sound great. That's also how Carol Kaye (legendary session bassist) played. If you can afford it, get a second bass.
Well, after tons of experimenting I stuck to flats but specific ones: Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats.
They have a lot of flatwound fundamentals but also have a lil touch of round harshness and lot of space in sound (not sure how to call it) that rounds have. They sit really cool in the mix, have a nice round-like tension despite D'addario, Dunlop and La Bella flats and - well, I can talk a lot about those) Kinda pricey - but don't cost as much as TI Flats (that wish I could find in Russia).
My strongest recommendations for those who can't decide what they like the most)
They have a lot of flatwound fundamentals but also have a lil touch of round harshness and lot of space in sound (not sure how to call it) that rounds have. They sit really cool in the mix, have a nice round-like tension despite D'addario, Dunlop and La Bella flats and - well, I can talk a lot about those) Kinda pricey - but don't cost as much as TI Flats (that wish I could find in Russia).
My strongest recommendations for those who can't decide what they like the most)
What do you mean? Is Fender going to stop making P basses in the United States?Plus you'll have one of the last American Standard Precisions ever produced.
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I have a set of those on my P/J and I agree, they are a nice merging of flat and round characteristics.
The Fender American Standards as a stand alone series is gone. Precision; Jazz, and Jaguar. The scuttlebutt is a new American Professional series has been designed and on the way. We'll know for sure at Winter NAMM 2017.
All Fender Standards will continue to be manufactured in Fender's Ensenada, Mexico facility.
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Have you heard anything about what kind of changes they are going to make for the American Professional Series? My guess is they won't be too major. In other words, a P Bass will still basically be a P Bass, right?
