Once you go flat, you never go back

[G On Bass]

Flats are my preferred string, and I have a few different brands in rotation. I usually keep a bass with stainless rounds for that tone when needed. But since I'm not doing slap or hard rock or anything aggressive, I find myself using rounds less and less unless the project/song calls for it. Flats just sound right to me and support the band/sit in the mix so well and the bands I've been in often comment positively on the tone even though they don't know diddly about bass strings. So I'll really only use rounds when I have to. Even then, I keep rounds on for at least 4-6 months.

All this being said, my basses are active, so I can get a bit more versatility from them than on a passive bass.

 

[707GK]

I went to flats, and came back to rounds multiple times.

 

[growlypants]

I went to Chromes a few years ago (from Alembic rounds...) on my newish 5-er, and absolutely have never looked back. On my particular bass, which tends to be extremely bright sounding, they're perfect.

 

[richwag]

I went to Chromes a few years ago (from Alembic rounds...) on my newish 5-er, and absolutely have never looked back. On my particular bass, which tends to be extremely bright sounding, they're perfect.

Do you find the chromes have sustain similar to rounds? That was my biggest compliant. It may depend on the type of music you play too.

 

[EchoEcho]

Flats have many advantages such as longer lasting, keeping the tone for longer, less harsh on the fingers, and minimising string noise for bad technique. But I still overall prefer rounds for the sound, lower price, and lower tension.

 

[theduke1]

I play flats and Nylon tapes for three reasons
1 no string noise on slides
2 rounds are too bright for my taste
3 easier on my fretboards
This is not right or wrong just works for me
Be well my friends
Duke

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I'm somewhere in the middle... GHS Pressurewounds. Love 'em!!!

 

[GrapeBass]

It all depends on what the player likes/prefers, what's appropriate for the material and on the bass being used. As an example, a classic P-Bass sounds amazing with flats or rounds as does a Jazz.

 

[Altitude]

I prefer the sound of roundwound strings on a bass. But I love having a P-bass strung with flats. It's a singular sound you can't get any other way.

It's not the sound in my head, but it's a sound a lot of people want and a lot of people use right now. So, as a bass player, I want to be able to provide it.

 

[Danny E]

Am i right or what guys ?
flatwound > roundwounds

I play Ernie ball cobalt flats. Wbu guys ?

I mainly play Rotosound rounds, but I have a few basses strung with Rotosound RS77 Flatwounds 45 65 85 105

 

[Thumpin6string]

I would never put flats on my basses. Heck, once my rounds start sounding like flats, they get yanked. Can't stand the dull thuddy sound of flats or dead strings.

 

[TNCreature]

I use flat and round wound different strings on different basses. I like the variety.
To the poster above me, not all flats sound "dead", but "dead" roundwound strings do!

 

[StatesideRambler]

I’m not going to revisit ten pages of replies but I’ll point out that it depends heavily on the music you play.

 

[Gary Stevens]

Am i right or what guys ?
flatwound > roundwounds

I play Ernie ball cobalt flats. Wbu guys ?

I use Daddario Chrome flats. Easier on the frets. Less string noise. Great feel. Nice tone. Lasts forever.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

You’re wrong... but I do have 2 basses with flats on them that’ll I’ll never change unless they break. On my other 2? Rounds forever.

You do realize strings wear where they hit on the frets?

This is not true and there are too many example to note. Rounds do not ‘sing better, nor mix better’ nor sit in mix better by any stretch. They only 'sit better' in the mixes for the music in which they are appropriate for. Overall, flats ‘mix better’ and sit better as they stay out of the way of non fundamental bass frequencies easier. They are also preferred by many engineers as they have less string noise. Flats in many ways are ‘ready to go’ to mix well in an ensemble.

I understand phrases in music tone can be ambiguous and clumsy, the ‘dynamic tonal range’ might refer to timbre? Is that what you mean? The range doesn't change whether you are using flats or rounds. The lows are not ‘lower’ and the highs are not higher (frequency wise). The timbre is different though. The 'color' is different. The upper order harmonics are free to ring due increased string vibration in rounds (Maybe that is what you mean?) They can sound crisp like a piano note which is not often the desired timbre, effect or intent in certain genres, styles, ensembles, sessions etc. Thomastiks JFs are an exception IMO. They have their own timbre and cut through exceptionally well in the lower mids.

Sorry. Totally disagree with the first paragraph. You are most welcome to your flats however.

 

[AudioTaper]

I’m not going to revisit ten pages of replies but I’ll point out that it depends heavily on the music you play.

I was thinking the same.

 

[funk generator]

I had flats on my main bass for more than a year. I put rounds on it because the buyer of said bass wanted me to. After playing it I immediately regretted selling and went back to rounds. I still keep a dedicated flats bass.

 

[bassliner50]

I tried flats. I like my RWs better.

 

[Jakeman]

Rounds for 20 years, Flats for the past 5. TI's changed the game for me significantly.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I'm big of flats, but I also have basses with rounds. I use Fender flats, Ernie Ball cobalts, GHS Precision flats, Chromes and LaBellas on various basses, and I want to try TIs on my Rickenbacker 4003S.