Rounds vs Flats

[El_Charro]

Hi Everybody,

So...Still pretty new to bass and Goolged this question, but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for...

I play a lot of mainstream Metal- It's just me practicing in my basement for the moment so I'm not trying to "cut thru the mix" on a record or in a live setting.

I'm currently using Dr Black Beauty heavy gauge strings.

For the most part I really like them but I have considered giving flat wound strings a try.

What (if any) advantages are there for my preferred genre of music?

A few things I've read have said that it makes sliding easier and it's more conducive to playing quicker with your fretting hand- Not sure if that is really true or not, but it did make me wanna come here and ask.

From what I've read flats sound more "dead" than rounds.

I don't really plan on changing my strings that often, so maybe I should just wait for the DRs to wear down some more to sound more "flat-like"(?)

I'm using an active bass with EMG pickups so I don't know how that really factors into the decision (only asking that last question because I have seen a lot of people on this thread state that they like to use flats on a P which is typically a passive instrument).

Just curious how much it would alter my sound vs what I'm currently using and if I would need to change back to rounds if I ever join a band.

Thanks! \m/

 

[FenderP]

I'd post this in the strings forum.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Mr. Butler is the original Heavy Metal player & he is using what you have on there now:

https://www.drstrings.com/product-page/geezer-butler-black-sabbath

 

[Sean150]

No matter the genre the tone choice comes down to the tone you want; cutting through the mix is part but not all of it. I believe Steve Harris uses flats but many others use rounds for the brighter mid range. There are also many different types of flats with different characteristics.

Since you only have the one bass I would suggest letting the current ones die and then try a set of flats so you can make your own judgment.

 

[Gnal]

I’m no expert but from my experience flats give a more muted/fundamental tone, without all the extra harmonic content rounds provide. They are good for what they do, but seem more suited to Motown rather than Metal.

Regarding increased speed playing on flats... well anything is possible, but it’s not a magic bullet. The flats I’ve played were more “stiff” in comparison to rounds, I contribute this to a hex core (in some cases) and a square outer wrap. Since the string is not as flexible I was able to achieve a slightly lower action than on comparable rounds; which in essence allow one to play with a lighter touch and thus a potential increase in speed. My opinion though, speed is more of a technique issue than a rounds or flats issue.

Typically in the Rock and Metal genres you are going to want a bit more “zing” to help your attack come through and if you add any fuzz or overdrive I would think flats would hinder more then help.

If you want to try something different go for it, you may discover you like the feel and the tone, or one and not the other.

Personally, I like the feel of flats but the tone does not suit any of the genres I typically gravitate towards playing.

 

[jd56hawk]

Hi Everybody,

So...Still pretty new to bass and Goolged this question, but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for...

I play a lot of mainstream Metal- It's just me practicing in my basement for the moment so I'm not trying to "cut thru the mix" on a record or in a live setting.

I'm currently using Dr Black Beauty heavy gauge strings.

For the most part I really like them but I have considered giving flat wound strings a try.

What (if any) advantages are there for my preferred genre of music?

A few things I've read have said that it makes sliding easier and it's more conducive to playing quicker with your fretting hand- Not sure if that is really true or not, but it did make me wanna come here and ask.

From what I've read flats sound more "dead" than rounds.

I don't really plan on changing my strings that often, so maybe I should just wait for the DRs to wear down some more to sound more "flat-like"(?)

I'm using an active bass with EMG pickups so I don't know how that really factors into the decision (only asking that last question because I have seen a lot of people on this thread state that they like to use flats on a P which is typically a passive instrument).

Just curious how much it would alter my sound vs what I'm currently using and if I would need to change back to rounds if I ever join a band.

Thanks! \m/

My band is pretty much a retro rock and roll band...think New York Dolls, Bowie, Stones in the good years, etc, but we also have some heavier songs...and I get an incredible sound with GHS black tapewounds.
Just put them on my new Reverend Thundergun Saturday...ominous tone.

 

[2milehighspike]

A good compromise is the GHS pressurewounds, great flat like fundamental with a round like growl and pop without being too bright. They are well suited to active preamps and pups.

 

[El_Charro]

I’m no expert but from my experience flats give a more muted/fundamental tone, without all the extra harmonic content rounds provide. They are good for what they do, but seem more suited to Motown rather than Metal.

Regarding increased speed playing on flats... well anything is possible, but it’s not a magic bullet. The flats I’ve played were more “stiff” in comparison to rounds, I contribute this to a hex core (in some cases) and a square outer wrap. Since the string is not as flexible I was able to achieve a slightly lower action than on comparable rounds; which in essence allow one to play with a lighter touch and thus a potential increase in speed. My opinion though, speed is more of a technique issue than a rounds or flats issue.

Typically in the Rock and Metal genres you are going to want a bit more “zing” to help your attack come through and if you add any fuzz or overdrive I would think flats would hinder more then help.

If you want to try something different go for it, you may discover you like the feel and the tone, or one and not the other.

Personally, I like the feel of flats but the tone does not suit any of the genres I typically gravitate towards playing.

--------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your response...This comment: "They are good for what they do, but seem more suited to Motown rather than Metal. " is essentially my question.

I may have this wrong in my mind, but from what I've read- Rounds typically resonate with a little more "bite"/frequency articulation in the mid range.

Just curious, but would you mind expanding just a little bit on this comment?:

"if you add any fuzz or overdrive I would think flats would hinder more then help."

Not questioning you- Rather checking for my own understanding here- Do you say that bc flats produce a tone that's a little more "dead"/muted so adding in distortion only makes it a garbled sounding muddy mess? I really like some Doom Metal bands, but as a general rule I'm not attempting to create quite that big of distorted mess on songs I typically play.

As a side note- Since I'm a newbie I'm using a whole lot of distortion at the moment (mostly to mask how much I completely suck).

That disclaimer aside- Distortion/overdrive sounds awesome in my book given the kind of music I listen to so to your point- I would think that I would want something that doesn't hinder those effects.

Appreciate your response.

Thanks! \m/

 

[El_Charro]

Mr. Butler is the original Heavy Metal player & he is using what you have on there now:

https://www.drstrings.com/product-page/geezer-butler-black-sabbath

View attachment 4107812

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Yep, that was what made me wanna try those strings out to begin with- I like them overall, just wanted to see how using a different type of string might impact my sound.

FWIW- The fact that those are his signature line make me hesitant to switch since that was their selling point for me, but wanna make sure I'm not missing out on something simply by not being open minded (if that makes sense).

Thanks! \m/

 

[bobyoung53]

Flats actually have their own sonic space below guitars for the most part and don't clash with the guitars so you can play louder and fill in much better, they also sound great with a pick. They're much cleaner sounding and less noisy, there are brighter and less bright flats out there. Fender flats are fairly bright, La Bellas aren't really bright once they're broken in but really fill in. I use flats on most of my basses. There is much more to flats than the Motown sound, depending on how you play and how you set your tones they can sound just as bright and present as round wounds without the obnoxious twang that irritates guitarists. I'm not anti round wound just that a lot of people over do it. Steve Harris uses Rotosound flats. It's a myth from the old days when amps weren't up to the task that flats can't cut through a mix.

 

[Gnal]

@El_Charro I didn’t try the flats with any distorted tones, my comment was based on just what I heard through a relatively clean sound.

 

[zoonose]

Flats can work for metal, and IME are excellent with fuzz & distortion. Whether they'll work for YOU is entirely subjective; give them a shot and find out. FWIW, black Beauties are my go-to, but I like Chromes and TI Jazz flats quite a lot.

 

[wishforbass]

Hi Everybody,

So...Still pretty new to bass and Goolged this question, but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for...

I play a lot of mainstream Metal- It's just me practicing in my basement for the moment so I'm not trying to "cut thru the mix" on a record or in a live setting.

I'm currently using Dr Black Beauty heavy gauge strings.

For the most part I really like them but I have considered giving flat wound strings a try.

What (if any) advantages are there for my preferred genre of music?

A few things I've read have said that it makes sliding easier and it's more conducive to playing quicker with your fretting hand- Not sure if that is really true or not, but it did make me wanna come here and ask.

From what I've read flats sound more "dead" than rounds.

I don't really plan on changing my strings that often, so maybe I should just wait for the DRs to wear down some more to sound more "flat-like"(?)

I'm using an active bass with EMG pickups so I don't know how that really factors into the decision (only asking that last question because I have seen a lot of people on this thread state that they like to use flats on a P which is typically a passive instrument).

Just curious how much it would alter my sound vs what I'm currently using and if I would need to change back to rounds if I ever join a band.

Thanks! \m/

Nice question !
Well to be honest you can use both.There is a huge difference between them ,round has more clunky sound and can cut throw heavy mixes easier.Flat has a more bass side sound and you can hear it better in songs with lighter mix.
One this you should consider is your own instrument and pickups.If you have a modern instrument with pre amp I highly recommend use round because it is the best for metal and it works much better with drive.
If you have p bass then maybe the special sound of flat work for you but still much far from the norm of metal bass sound.
If you tune lower than E standard ,round sound better because it has more crystal clear sound.
Flat can sound nice but it is more old school when metal sound is more into more modern side.
Metal market is now into more clear bass or drive sound than more old school and vintage sound.
you can give the flat a try and see if you like it but overall metal is more into round wound.
If I wanted to change string for metal I would try nickle vs steel string vs cobalt instead of flat vs round .

Also remember EQ is the key some metal mixes get much better after a little bit mid boost.

 

[Funk With Me]

If you’re still pretty new to all this you owe it to yourself to try some. You need to learn these things so give it a go and see. Most if not all of the Van Halen records sound like Mike was using flats so there’s an example for you.

 

[PBass4string]

Played bass in metal bands for 30 years. 20 years in I switched to Rotosound 77s flats. It was the best sound I ever had. The fundamental of the note just pounds. I played American P basses on a Mesa boogie stack. I would boost the mids a bit and cut through anything. To me flats removed all of the sounds I perceived as noise. I changed strings often to keep some brightness and have an aggressive picking style.

Just my experience. Your milage may vary..

 

[cdef]

If you're after an aggressive tone with top end for a big, dynamic, compound guitar sound, go with roundwounds. I can recommend DR Lo Riders.

For a more subdued expression, with the bass grooving down low and not intruding into guitar territory, flatwounds like e.g. La Bella LTFs are the ticket.

But those are generalities. Nothing says you can't make flats or rounds work for whatever you play. It's up to you, and whatever technique you develop in whatever context.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

You can always try chromes. They are very comfortable on the fingers and fretboard. They will give a bright sound and also a retro vintage sound if needed. Just adjust the EQ to what you want. Technique will help as well. Good luck.

 

[El_Charro]

Played bass in metal bands for 30 years. 20 years in I switched to Rotosound 77s flats. It was the best sound I ever had. The fundamental of the note just pounds. I played American P basses on a Mesa boogie stack. I would boost the mids a bit and cut through anything. To me flats removed all of the sounds I perceived as noise. I changed strings often to keep some brightness and have an aggressive picking style.

Just my experience. Your milage may vary..

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Thank you for weighing in- My next major purchase (I hope) is going to be a Mesa Amp and Cabinet so I will keep what you said above in mind.

I'm currently only playing thru a 100W practice amp so I may notice only a marginal difference at the moment, but your comment about running it thru a Mesa stack is encouraging since I'm hoping one of those is in the not too distant future for me...

Thanks! \m/

 

[The Deep]

Strings are a very personal choice. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

The only real way to find the strings that are exactly right for you is to spend some money and experiment.

The question you posted only encourages most respondents to post the strings they like best for their own personal application and style, not necessarily yours.

 

[cdef]

You can always try chromes. They are very comfortable on the fingers and fretboard. They will give a bright sound and also a retro vintage sound if needed. Just adjust the EQ to what you want. Technique will help as well. Good luck.

IME, Chromes sound OK, but are too stiff. La Bella Low Tension Flats have a similar smooth surface feel, but are much more supple and pliant. I wager we can look forward to a D'Addario analog soon enough.