Should I switch to flatwounds?

[FJBass82]

I have two Fender MIA Fender P-Basses: one a 2005 and the other a 2006. My 2005 P is strung with GHS Bass Boomers rounds and the 2006 P has D'Addario flats. Since I began playing bass back in 1999, all my basses had been strung with rounds, so it was a feel that I was used to.

I bought my '06 P used back in September of last year and it was already strung with flats. It felt strange at first, and I wasn't too thrilled about the feel of flats. But the more I played it the more I got used to the flats. So I figured, cool, I'll leave one P strung with rounds and the other with flats, for versatility.

Now I think I might like the flats better than the rounds, as far as feel and tone. With the treble rolled back a little ways, I get a growl with the flats that sounds really nice, vs. the same setting of the treble with the rounds. Plus I like it that there is no string noise when sliding my fingers on the flats.

So I've been doing some research on flatwound strings and what bass players like and dislike about them, vs. roundwound strings. LaBella ranks up there as favorites, along with TI's. And there seems to be the opinion that it's OK to have all your basses strung with flats and none with rounds.

BTW, I'm in a cover band that plays classic rock, modern rock, along with a little bit of country. I also have a 1986 Yamaha BB300 strung with GHS Bass Boomers roundwounds, and if I switch my other P to flats, I may just keep the Yammy as is.

Opinions? Advice?

 

[RoadRanger]

Yep

 

[michael_t]

So I figured, cool, I'll leave one P strung with rounds and the other with flats, for versatility.

I have a P with flats and a J with Pressurewounds (semi-rounds) for two different tonal flavors.

Different tools for different tasks, it's always good to have options.

 

[FourBanger]

When the Boomers get old they will out-flat the flats. Trust me, keep them.

 

[zontar]

So you mean swich to all flatwounds on the same bass? And not a combination of flat & roundwounds on the same bass?

 

[mdogs]

Flats are a TB anomaly, still used in the real recording world, but rare in the wild. You need the rounds to cut in a live situation...no matter what you read in here..,

 

[Klonk]

I have three basses, all with flatwounds. The reason is I prefer flats over rounds (I like the feel better, and I like the focus on the fundamental in the tone). I have opted for three different flats, which gives me a wide enough range for my bands, classic rock, blues and c/w.

TI flats doesnt sound much like GHS Precision flats, and LaBella flats doesnt sound like D'Addario Chromes flats. Etc. Find your favorite(s)

 

[shawshank72]

Just like with rounds there are different flats for different sounds.
Figure out what your aiming for sound wise and decide from there.

 

[michael_t]

Flats are a TB anomaly

Right! If it weren't for TB, I would still be stuck with D'Addario Nickel Rounds. Thanks to TB, I now have a few different flavors to enjoy instead of just plain old vanilla.

 

[JMacBass65]

Yes

 

[JMacBass65]

Flats are a TB anomaly, still used in the real recording world, but rare in the wild. You need the rounds to cut in a live situation...no matter what you read in here..,

Complete and utter nonsense.

 

[Klonk]

Flats are a TB anomaly, still used in the real recording world, but rare in the wild. You need the rounds to cut in a live situation...no matter what you read in here..,

I agree with the part about flats being more popular on TB than in the real world, although I think that's also due to the fact that many non-TBers simply don't know they exist.

However, if the second part were right, I guess Steve Harris or Pino Paladino didn't get the memo. To mention a few.

 

[michael_t]

You need the rounds to cut in a live situation...

There are times I need to cut through the mix, and there are times when I simply want to find my proper place to SIT IN THE MIX. Having two basses - one with flats and one with pressurewounds - lets me do both.

Just imagine what would happen when everyone in the band tries to "cut through" all the time. There won't be a mix any more to talk about.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Question is, what are your needs? If you are bringing two basses to a gig, is it to have a different tone, or as a backup? If door #1, different P, different strings. Door #2, same.

I like flats for certain music (such as jazz). But rounds are more versatile.

 

[Blah114]

I don't quite "get" flatwounds.. I switched once.. and I had problems in the mix. rounds with treble turned down ARE flatwounds.. in my opinion. a great player can make either sounds great. my problem with flats was hearing in the mix. it truly depends on what music you're playing as well. for a dance cover band, for me, flats weren't aggressive enough. when I say "dance, " I mean Michael JAckson, Pink, Lady Gaga, etc.. with some Commodores etc mixed in. when the strings were too aggressive as rounds, I backed off the treble.

 

[tallboybass]

I know several players that use flats here in Tulsa and they're not on TB.

Use what you like.

 

[FourBanger]

As you can see, the counter argument to being limited to rounds by ignorance before TB is limiting yourself to flats by ignorance after TB.

 

[Robroy]

Complete and utter nonsense.

Actually, I was about to post what Mdogs posted and was able to just like his post. I wouldn't have worded it exactly the same, but he captured my feelings about it.

Few bass players use flats. Few basses come with flats. I've put flats on two of my six basses because I was looking for a particular sound. One is a five string fretless. The flats are tapewound as well. Part of the reason is that I don't want to cut up my neck. The other is a four string acoustic-electric. They help it to sound very much like an upright.

The other four use standard round wounds. And as someone pointed out, they will sound more and more like flats as time marches on. For must purposes, rounds are best. And for any kind of bright sound, they are pretty much required. But flats bring their strengths to the table too.

But to the main point, outside of TB, there is not much talk about flats.

 

[Scott Lynch]

For some of the styles you mention, it seems prudent to maintain instruments with both flats and rounds. I can certainly imagine myself wanting the option of both tonal palettes in that situation.

 

[howlin]

Love LaBella Low Tension flats. Head & shoulders above TI's IMHO. But, after my last gig, they came off and the GHS Pressurewounds went back on. No matter what I did - steel wool, isopropyl, etc. - I found my hands would get hung up several times a night making transitions up & down the neck or just going for a note and missing it. My hands don't even perspire that much either. Disappointing. Those strings are the $h*t as far as I'm concerned.