What you read was an opinion. Probably several of them.
My opinion is that I like roundwound strings on fretted instruments, and I like flats on fretless. And I could explain why, but really, that's just more opinions.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
No flat wound strings allowed with fretted basses?
- Thread starter CaribooBass
- Start date
My opinion is that I like roundwound strings on fretted instruments, and I like flats on fretless. And I could explain why, but really, that's just more opinions.
My P-bass keeps a pair of flats on where my three 5 strings wear rounds. They're all fretted.
On the other hand.. with fretless I'd imagine more people gravitate towards flats because they're less likely to damage the fingerboard where rounds will eventually start leaving grooves in the fingerboard wood.
But.. that doesn't stop some people from playing a fretless with rounds. It's all personal preference.. not something that is demanded by our instruments.
Moral of the story.. buy a set and see how you like it. We can't answer that for you.
On the other hand.. with fretless I'd imagine more people gravitate towards flats because they're less likely to damage the fingerboard where rounds will eventually start leaving grooves in the fingerboard wood.
But.. that doesn't stop some people from playing a fretless with rounds. It's all personal preference.. not something that is demanded by our instruments.
Moral of the story.. buy a set and see how you like it. We can't answer that for you.
I play rounds because I prefer the much lower friction of the roundwound edge versus the maximum friction of a flat string, and because I often, but not always, prefer the tone of rounds. However I do get bloody tired of rounds wearing out within weeks of hard playing....
pros and cons. If I was rich, I'd have an endless supply of the best rounds, and someone to replace them for me every week without me having to think about it.
But... I can barely afford the roof over my head.
pros and cons. If I was rich, I'd have an endless supply of the best rounds, and someone to replace them for me every week without me having to think about it.
But... I can barely afford the roof over my head.
Just do it. Strings aren't permanent.
Some guys will use flats to get more of a vintage sound, which typically isn't part of the Warwick vibe. Lots of guys use them on fretless because they're afraid of damaging the fingerboard....on a bass that mostly collects dust.
Some guys will use flats to get more of a vintage sound, which typically isn't part of the Warwick vibe. Lots of guys use them on fretless because they're afraid of damaging the fingerboard....on a bass that mostly collects dust.
Every classic guitar and bass designed before the early 60s was designed with flats in mind: Fenders, Gibsons etc.
Rounds came along later and very little was changed in those instruments: modern Strats have a different pole piece stagger to accommodate the louder unwound G strings, maybe pickup output and EQ were also adjusted, necks got thinner.
Rounds came along later and very little was changed in those instruments: modern Strats have a different pole piece stagger to accommodate the louder unwound G strings, maybe pickup output and EQ were also adjusted, necks got thinner.
You should talk to Roger Waters, John Deacon, Steve Harris and ask them an opinion.
The guys working in music shops in the 90s definitely had the idea that "flats are for fretless". I don't know where that came from, but it was around.
These days I have flats on my fretted bass and brighter half rounds on the fretless.
These days I have flats on my fretted bass and brighter half rounds on the fretless.
I've been curious about flats for years, but I've always heard descriptions about "dead & lifeless" tone, so I was reluctant to try them (even though I enjoyed my rounds really broken in).
At some point I received a used set of Chromes, tried them and never looked back due to the tone & feel. Now every bass I own has flats, and I wouldn't describe any of them as "dull or lifeless".
YMMV, but if you can afford to experiment, then do so; there are valuable insights to be had from doing it.
At some point I received a used set of Chromes, tried them and never looked back due to the tone & feel. Now every bass I own has flats, and I wouldn't describe any of them as "dull or lifeless".
YMMV, but if you can afford to experiment, then do so; there are valuable insights to be had from doing it.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,444
- 4,402
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I wouldn't want to live in the world described in your title. Flats have made a couple of my fretted basses come alive in a way rounds couldn't.
Your perception may not correspond with reality
i would guess that’s what happens when you take things out of context
I play a fretted P with flats. I'm sure many people do, might not be their main but anytime you want to channel Jamerson and give your index finger arthritis, flats on fretted will please the ears.
The guy who bought my old Warwick FNA Jazzman 5 now has a set of Labella Deep Talkin’ Flats on it. He was considering buying a Precision V, which I have, and asked about trading basses for a short time so he could try out a P V. I know him well and we work together, so I had no problem with that arrangement.
My old Warwick sounded fantastic. Where the bass zigged, the strings zagged (to borrow a phrase from Audiokinesis’s Duke LeJuene) and the combination worked really well, especially with the Warwick in passive mode. Flats might seem like an odd choice for that kind of bass but I love it. I was already using flats on my Stingray and L-2500 for a couple of years at that point, so my I was expecting to like the sound of a Warwick with those strings. And I did.
My old Warwick sounded fantastic. Where the bass zigged, the strings zagged (to borrow a phrase from Audiokinesis’s Duke LeJuene) and the combination worked really well, especially with the Warwick in passive mode. Flats might seem like an odd choice for that kind of bass but I love it. I was already using flats on my Stingray and L-2500 for a couple of years at that point, so my I was expecting to like the sound of a Warwick with those strings. And I did.
IMHO, no flatwounds on any bass.
Rounds on fretted = punch and clarity.
Rounds on fretless = maximum mwaa.
Rounds on fretted = punch and clarity.
Rounds on fretless = maximum mwaa.
