Mixing flatwound and roundwound strings

[iiipopes]

Be careful that the roundwound you use for a B string has a similar winding structure and wrap metal as your other strings so there is consistency of tone, not just brightness. I do this on my Rick 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3"): Progressives E105-A80-D60 with a Pressurewound G44. The Pressurewounds have the same "Alloy52" wrap wire as the Progressives, so the overall tone is complimentary. The Pressurewound has a little less top end which keeps the G string from twanging.

OTOH, I tried a coated B string with my white tapes, and it was too zingy, so I went back to a white tapes B string.

Double bass players have done this for years, one of the more common mixes being to use a Spirocore E string, which has great definition and response, along with just about anything else on top. Everything goes with a dead Spiro E string.

 

[rollyolly]

What do you think about mixing a DR Sunbeam E & A with a TI Jazz flat D & G? What gauge sunbeam should I use for balanced tension and tone?

 

[tobynjake]

Know this is an old thread but I just acquired a 5 string Xotic jazz and although I use D’Addario chrome flats on my other basses,a Fender P and a Stingray,I actually prefer the clearer sound of the low B roundwound it came with.
Xotic make great basses by the way..

 

[alleyonemusic]

so, on a stock fender bronco bass with mustang bass neck flats e and a, rounds d and g...
a total opposite mashup... m)

 

[Iristone]

Some strings are remarkably consistent across the whole set, such as Rotosound 66. I don't recommend mixing and matching it with Roto 77 flats, though, which are MUCH lower output than any other good quality strings.