Rounds vs. Flats

[Benj-jammin]

I recently bought a Squire 40th anniversary Jazz - decided to put flats on a bass for the first time in my playing life - yes, all 50+ years - put the EB Group IV's - really like them, such a wide range of tones, easy on the fingers. I know there are a boatload of others, but man, some of these are $$!

 

[jeff62]

I'd say give Ernie Ball Cobalt flats a try.

This.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If you don't like rounds, play flats.
That just about covers the subject.

 

[HHudson]

I’m sure this is a topic that has been debated to death, but I just needed a place to express my feelings about the subject, so please bear with me.

I like to play flats. They sound and feel better under my fingers, which in turn make me play better. The sound I’m going for in a current project works better with rounds. I’ve been able to dial in an acceptable tone, but I shaging hate playing rounds.

My question is do I keep playing the proper sound with the rounds I despise, or do I say shag it and dial in the closest tone with the flats?

There is no pressure either way- my bandmates are cool as all get out.

Which flats do you normally use?
Which Round Wounds are you currently using and what do you not like (e.g. just the feel)?

You can try getting closer by using more "modern" flats (e.g. EB Chromes as above, Roto 77s, Dunlop [100% price hike this year though] or Fender 9050s). If you try the EBs wipe them down well with a cloth dampened with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol before installing, gets rid of most of the production residues & stickiness which people often complain about (a couple of drops of body safe white mineral oil on a cloth or e.g. fast fret, protects them after the wipe down & helps a little bit as well).

GHS pressure wounds will feel smoother than most rounds, but do not feel like flats (Roto 55 pressure wounds feel smother than 66s at least, lol.. similar to the 66LDN nickle coated). Not all RWs feel equal, depends e.g. on the thickness of the outer wind, generally the nickle/nickle coated often feel smoother, but not always, cannot abide by D'Addario EXL 165SLs, but am fine with Fender 7250Ms.

I have tried D'Addario Half Rounds three times (same set), never liked the feel (like a fine rasp) or sound (dead to my ears) & pulled them again, but some people get on with & love them.

For the similar reasons I switched from flats (mainly Roto77s) to pressure/round wounds during covid for band use, you can adjust & get used to them with time & not notice.

 

[ELG60]

I also vote for trying the EB Cobalt Flats, but be mindful that certain body chemistries can cause corrosion.

Some of my favorite basses have them, but I use TI Jazz Flats and TI Rounds on my #1's. I like the complex mids of the flats.

 

[butterfingers1]

Tried my first flatwounds this year, late in life. Labella, Fender precision and Squier early 1950s single coil p. No downsides whatsoever, just positives.

Now the rounds on my jazz bass are starting to bother me, and I still have two unopened packs of DR Pure Blues to use up.

 

[bucephylus]

First, players should use whatever they like.

That said, learning good palm muting technique gets rounds close enough to what flats do for covering purposes. There are no techniques to get flats to produce the RW tones. FWIW.

 

[BismarckHerring]

Well, this sounds kinda there.

That's much closer than I expected, and much closer than Chromes or Brite Flats. Seems like a great option for the OP.

 

[G On Bass]

I use a variety of flats on my all-active 5 string basses, but mostly TI Jazz flats and Cobalts. EQ settings and running them through some pedals can help them sound more 'aggressive', but 99% of the time, they sound best as flats. Running them through a Fuzz or OD can really nail that vintage OD tone..
I don't mind light gauge stainless or nickel when needed, and the DR Pure Blues are a pretty silky feeling string.

 

[Element Zero]

I’m really not a fan of flats. I tried 4 or 5 different sets. TI Jazz Flats are cool but, couldn’t be me every day strings. Have a set of Cobalts on my Stingray (my wife plays it mostly) and they’re fine. Closer to rounds sounding than others I’ve tried. Have Chromes on a Blacktop P and at gig volume man it sounds good. Don’t even come close to the sound of rounds to me and I don’t dig the feel.

+1 for the TI Jazz Rounds. It’s what I have on my Fodera and they’re excellent. By far the smoothest rounds I’ve ever played though I wish they came in a larger gauge with considerably more stiffness. They’re unmatched IMO.

 

[scuzzy]

EB Cobalt flats are brighter and sound more like rounds than chromes or any other flats I've tried. chromes are bright, but to me, sound absolutely nothing like rounds.

 

[el murdoque]

If you like flats and dislike rounds,
and your bandmates are chill,
I don't see the problem.

I personally add a mild drive pedal that can push the treble content
if I need a bit of bite in my tone, and be done with it.

 

[MuseChaser]

Yeah, it’s censored. They want youth musicians to be able to access the wealth of knowledge on here..

One of the many things I love about this forum. I may be in the minority these days, but an opinion unable to be expressed without vulgarity is of lesser importance or value to me, and a question unable to be express without vulgarity is of lesser interest.

That is unfortunate for me, I realize..I probably do miss out on some expertise from those who rely on profanity in routine communication. The original question IS of interest to me, and I'm glad to read the responses and grateful the OP was able and willing to edit and post the question.

 

[MuseChaser]

Lots of great ideas! I use TI Jazz Rounds (...$$ but live-up to the hype), Dunlop SuperBrights (...will my inventory NEVER run out?!?), Cobalt Flats, and LaBella LTF's. Pass on the Dunlops but the other 3 are strong contenders IME. If bound & determined to stick with roundwounds, the Jazz Rounds feel great under the fingertips. The PressureWounds are a great alternative and more conservatively priced.

Riis

The answer is probably already in your post, but I still am so unfamiliar with the various strings available that I don't see it. Which ones are "the PressureWounds?" I didn't know TI made "jazz rounds" either... Have only seen mention of "jazz flats." Good to know.

I'm in the hunt for maybe a new set of strings for a fretless Epic5, currently strung w 30 year old mystery rounds... Which actually still sound good.

 

[Jefenator]

I find it's good - necessary even - to go outside one's comfort zone sometimes.
Out of all the things I've had to do to broaden my musical horizons, I'd say dealing with round wound strings has been one of the least difficult.
Savoring the distinct sound helps me get over it not being my favorite feel on the fingers.
YMMV

 

[RestlessBoom]

Which flats do you normally use?
Which Round Wounds are you currently using and what do you not like (e.g. just the feel)?

I’m using Dogal Hellborg flats on one bass, and I just replaced the TI Jazz flats on another with Dogal Hellborg rounds. They’re the first rounds I’ve used in like 15 years. I was using tapes for awhile, but I was getting way too much ground noise from those.

 

[SteC]

There is a 'grab bag' of flats in the classifieds as of last night Has a couple sets of cobalts which people seem to have been recommending

 

[mrcbass]

I'm kind of with OP regarding not liking rounds. But some tones (like slap) just require the zing that only rounds can bring. After being in a situation for the last couple of years that requires that zing, I've come to terms with rounds, but flats are still my goto if I can get away with them.

 

[logdrum]

Some noodling by moi that may give you an idea

Cobalt flats:

GHS Brite Flats

GHS PressureWound

 

[Zooberwerx]

The answer is probably already in your post, but I still am so unfamiliar with the various strings available that I don't see it. Which ones are "the PressureWounds?" I didn't know TI made "jazz rounds" either... Have only seen mention of "jazz flats." Good to know.

I'm in the hunt for maybe a new set of strings for a fretless Epic5, currently strung w 30 year old mystery rounds... Which actually still sound good.

The GHS PressureWounds we’re not included among the 4 I listed…they’re a whole ‘nother animal but worthy of consideration.

Riis