Mixing flatwound and roundwound strings

[BlindtheCarrier]

I love the punch and tone of the round wound B string, but I hate how poppy the rest of the strings sound (I play with a pick), so I'm considering buying a 4 string set of flat wound strings and a single round wound B string. What do you think of this idea?

I've always thought the B string sounded much warmer than the rest of three strings anyways so the tone could match up nicely.


My other option would be to buy half rounds either in a 4 string set like I was planning with the flats or a full 5 string set, but I don't know if the B string would sounds as good.

 

[Tony G]

I see no reason to not try this, if you prefer it as you say. Upright bassists mix and match strings all the time.

Roundwound on the Low B, and flats for the rest? Why not? Give it a shot and report back.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I've seen this question asked a few times, but mostly regarding a round EA and a flat DG.

If it works for you, go for it.

 

[BlindtheCarrier]

What about string volume? Will the round wound drown out the flatwound strings?

 

[JimmyM]

it shouldn't unless you use a crappy string.

 

[mike salazar]

i use half-round E & A with flats on D & G for two different basses. works very well.

 

[smo]

I have mixed flats and rounds in the studio once before;
to try and tame the clack, when using foam mutes just isn't an option......
not my preferred choice but it can work.

 

[groooooove]

Upright bassists mix and match strings all the time.

yup. infact, its fairly uncommon for a professional double bassist to use a set of all the same strings.

 

[warnergt]

I love the punch and tone of the round wound B string, but I hate how poppy the rest of the strings sound (I play with a pick)...

I felt the exact same way about the E string on my 4-string bass.
Since then, I use a round wound for my E and TI flats for my A, D and G.
I've been using this setup for some time now and love it. I wouldn't
consider changing it. (FWIW, I don't play with a pick.)

 

[Rebecky]

For a while I used a round wound E string and flat wounds on the A, D and G on my cort. This was just because I'd had the same set of round wounds on for about 3 years and flatwounds were the only new set I had. But when I put the round wounds on the slap was rubbish, especially on the low E so I had to put that old one back on. It was better... But still not as good as round wounds really... So I boiled my entire old set of round wounds and slapped 'em back on LOL.

 

[RCCollins]

Rotosound flats gave me as much added harmonic content as I could ever want. In my book, they achieve what halfrounds wish they could. You should probably check 'em out.

 

[laklandplayer]

I use an Elixir B with a 4 string set of Labella flats and it sounds fine. The coated Elixir has controlled overtones that are in character with the sound of the flats. Its hard to find a good sounding flatwound B, believe me I've tried.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

I use an Elixir B with a 4 string set of Labella flats and it sounds fine. The coated Elixir has controlled overtones that are in character with the sound of the flats. Its hard to find a good sounding flatwound B, believe me I've tried.

I agree. I am experimenting at the moment with LaBella Tapewounds G thru E and a Circle K .142 roundwound B. My trials with real flats and Round Bs were not that great. The B strings were still too bright. The tapes sound great like this but look a little strange with the shiny B. Does anyone sell a single black coated .130 or larger B string?

 

[ffutterman]

On a related note, what are people's thoughts on doing the opposite? I'm thinking of doing flats for E and A and rounds for D and G.

 

[BlindtheCarrier]

So to give a bit of an update:
I ended up buying a 4 string set of d'addario chromes and an elixir roundwound B.

The chromes are not totally worked in yet so I don't have a final opinion, however I believe I may have to try some half rounds as the flats may be a little too far to the opposite extreme.

As for the elixir B, I HATE the sound of it. It seems to have no punch or character. I actually prefered the sound of the 3 month old factory string that came with the bass. Which is pretty irritating considering what the elixir cost. Should I expect this out of coated strings?

 

[Smit_Dogg]

I do the opposite with my 5string bass. I use Daddario Nickel EXL roundwounds E through to G and use a D'Addario XL Chromes Flatwound on the low B string. I love the depth/warmth and surprising brightness of the XL Chromes, the feel and also the tension the flatwound gives. Also i dont get any fretbuzz or clattery noises you quite often get from bog standard low b's.

 

[João Bourgard]

I know a guys who does this on his 5 stringer...
The picking tone he gets when playing chords is damn right awesome!!!!

 

[darkstorm]

So to give a bit of an update:
I ended up buying a 4 string set of d'addario chromes and an elixir roundwound B.

The chromes are not totally worked in yet so I don't have a final opinion, however I believe I may have to try some half rounds as the flats may be a little too far to the opposite extreme.

As for the elixir B, I HATE the sound of it. It seems to have no punch or character. I actually prefered the sound of the 3 month old factory string that came with the bass. Which is pretty irritating considering what the elixir cost. Should I expect this out of coated strings?

I feel the same about the sound of elixers. Bleh. Other coated strings sound better. Dr neons being my fave of coated strings.

 

[Sam Dingle]

On a related note, what are people's thoughts on doing the opposite? I'm thinking of doing flats for E and A and rounds for D and G.

I just did that and i think im gonna like it. I did it on my fretless bass so lets see what happens

 

[Buffalo ill]

Sorry for the necro, but I think I might try mixing things up as well. I replaced the flats (still good strings) with rounds on my Wunkay. I'm really not digging the brightness on the D and G.

Thankfully I saved the flats. I'll start with the G and work towards the E. I might end up just going back to a full set of flats, lol.