P-Bass Players - Flatwounds or Roundwounds (POLL)

[michael_t]

Now I'm sad again because I only own one P-bass.

And I'm even sadder as I own no P bass at the moment. (I was stupid enough to sell the one and only P bass I ever owned.)

My eventual goal is to own at least two P basses - one with flats and one with rounds. But if I only had one P bass to work with, it would wear flats as I do own a J I can put rounds on if I need to.

 

[Pandastylebass]

Even thought I have P's with both flats and rounds, my personal preference is flats.

 

[bassrich]

Been playing roundwound for years and this year I switched to flatwound. Don't know why I ever used roundwounds just better for me all around

 

[Hopkins]

I am actually surprised by the poll numbers in this thread. Talkbass is either definitely not a microcosm of the average bass playing community as a whole (at least the part that I have seen) or more flats guys hang out in the strings section of this forum and are more likely to vote in a poll. The very vast majority of bass players that I know and have seen use rounds.

 

[Iwalkedin]

I started out with rounds but then I heard people on here saying flats where the only way to go on a P-bass so I tried it and I think they're right.

 

[aproud1]

I have one with each but prefer the rounds.

 

[StevieMac]

Some problems are so easily solved. Obviously you NEED one p with flats and one with rounds and don't let anyone tell you differently ;-)

Personally if I could only have one P it would have pressure wounds on it.

 

[grrg63]

Ive had certain basses (including different Pbasses) that sounded better to me with one or the other, and some that sounded good with either. I think the pickup and type of body/neck wood are big factors. Same with half rounds which I also like.

 

[elBandito]

Always come back to rounds. I could never keep flats on long enough for them to break in.

 

[KeithPoker]

I dig all strings on Ps. If pressed, I'll take flatwounds (especially TIs) followed by nickel roundwound roundcore like Sunbeams for a vintage crunch.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

don't like flats, never have.

 

[Need Gigs]

For a time I used to think I needed RWs on my P in order to be heard. No way. Good flats, keep your tone pot full on, and amp flat. Currently using TI's but have used most othere flats.

I had that thought too, but then I put GHS flats on and got a great tone. Not versatile, but fitted in everywhere!
I defretted my P and I now prefer rounds. For the moment....

 

[cnltb]

I like old roundwoulds

 

[michael_t]

I put GHS flats on and got a great tone. Not versatile, but fitted in everywhere!

If you can have one great tone that fits in everywhere, isn't that the very essence of versatility?

 

[Need Gigs]

If you can have one great tone that fits in everywhere, isn't that the very essence of versatility?

Oh snap!

 

[Rick48195]

Flats

 

[bumperbass]

I tried to like flats. Tried Sadowsky BL, Chromes, then GHS Precision Flats (on 2 very different P-Basses). I think that's enough wasted dough to make me just
give up and stick with rounds

 

[Duckwater]

I actually prefer steel rounds on a P bass, but flats or tapes on almost everything else. With flats I like a bridge pickup to dial in more growl and top end along with the percussive thump.

 

[tastybasslines]

I am actually surprised by the poll numbers in this thread. Talkbass is either definitely not a microcosm of the average bass playing community as a whole (at least the part that I have seen) or more flats guys hang out in the strings section of this forum and are more likely to vote in a poll. The very vast majority of bass players that I know and have seen use rounds.

Totally. I have been playing bass since 1996 and didn't even know flats existed until 2010 when I joined here. I just played, and I've never changed strings too much, mostly cause I'm cheap. But since I had heard the TB flat fanatics sing their praises, I tried them. I loved the feel but not the sound at first, I think mostly from having a "sound ego". Now, I love them and they fit in perfectly with the classic rock cover band I'm in.

 

[CfoScoop]

Speaking of P Basses, has anyone used flats on a Squier Classic Vibe P bass?