P-Bass Players - Flatwounds or Roundwounds (POLL)

[Bass1965]

Flats!

 

[jonnyJazzBasd]

I have tried flats flats on my P-bass and J-bass but never got into the tone. I'm a rounds guy through and through.

 

[king_biscuit]

I prefer flats when practicing in the bedroom but old (played in) steel rounds when playing out.

 

[soulman969]

I've always used flats on a PBass and rounds on a JBass. I think the Pressure Wounds I'm using now could probably do equally well on both but I'd probably still use flats on the PBass just for the "thump factor".

 

[faulknersj]

Surprising poll results. Flats are really on the rise. I think the same poll 5 or 10 years ago would have tipped in favor of rounds.

 

[jaywa]

78 P-Bass.

GHS Precision Flats for the last 3 years up till 2 weeks ago.

Now running GHS Pressurewounds (sort of a flat/round hybrid). I switched cause I was having trouble getting through the mix with the P-Flats, and I needed more sustain.

 

[ahc]

Both. Your poll needs modification.

 

[G On Bass]

Both. Your poll needs modification.

+1.

Flats on my P, Nickel rounds on my P/J. If I ever got a second straight P, one would have flats, one would have rounds. I must always have one P with flats. Always. It may not always be the 100% perfect sound, but it's rarely the wrong one.

 

[dmac1961]

Surprising poll results. Flats are really on the rise. I think the same poll 5 or 10 years ago would have tipped in favor of rounds.

Yep, a few years ago I would have said round too, but not now. I have a '65 P-bass and it has always sounded great with rounds, but flats are what came on it originally, and man what a sound. I still keep a bass with rounds though, just to cover all the bases, tonewise.

 

[hotbass57]

I had Chromes on for 3+ years. I had an accident and broke my hand and couldn't play with the tension on those strings. Talked with Jason at BSOL and switched to DR Sunbeams. I really love the tone and the tension. I did love the chromes and probably would still be playing them, and may switch back when my hand is fully recovered.

 

[rodl2005]

I voted flats, but I've got tapes on it now & had really old rounds on it prior.
Loved the sound of the dead rounds. They're a li'l spongier than flats, without the brightness of newer rounds. A bit like older tapes.

 

[chadds]

Rounds.
I can get a flat sound out of them but can't get a round sound out of flats.
I enjoy the enthusiasm for the old school tone.
I don't have it because flats were all we had. A new sonic vista appeared when rounds came to the market.
Even then only some folks dialed up that Entwistle Rotosound sound.
For recording flats are cool but live rounds help the bass project and be more forward in the mix.
This was important because amps stayed the same for a while.

 

[BullHorn]

On TalkBass, the majority use flats for posting on the forums.

In real life, the majority use rounds for playing the bass.

 

[cnltb]

This poll is simply to see how many P-bass players use/prefer flats, and how many use/prefer rounds. Post your thoughts as to why if you like. Flatwounds seem to be a very popular choice for a P, but how many stick with the roundwounds?

Both work fine.

 

[Linnin]

Thomastik-Infeld Flats on my '76 Precision. Nothing Better On The Market. Expensive, but well worth it. Perfect Sonic Soul Mates. Believe It!

 

[Root 5]

Flats! Although if I were playing some punk or aggressive rock I'd definitely be reaching for some SS roundwounds. I like that sound too.

I go for GHS Precision flats and Labella Orignal 1954s

 

[needmoney]

Thomastik-Infeld Flats on my '76 Precision. Nothing Better On The Market. Expensive, but well worth it. Perfect Sonic Soul Mates. Believe It!

I am back on these strings. Nice and buttery feel!

 

[Ric5]

I don't always play p-basses ... but when I do I use roundwound strings

Link Removed

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

I have just converted from rounds to flats

 

[vin*tone]

Don't know that any flats would "sparkle' after 10 minutes to be honest. Chromes have an upper mid brightness which you might like... but seriously with what you describe I'd stick with rounds.

.... er.... the post above just disappeared. Sigh.