Supposing(and I mean JUST supposing)...

[MultiScaleMale]

You’ll have two basses with rounds when you buy the other bass. Play them both and decide which you prefer the sound of the rounds and the other bass gets the flats.

 

[sxaxsx]

If James Jamerson and Steve Harris and Larry Graham on early records all used flats, I don't understand why so many people think you can't play flats in all genres. I don't have rounds on any of my basses.

 

[Lowendchamp]

Very interesting. Thanks. What kind of music are you playing.

I find myself playing mostly blues funk and jazz these days. The only genre I've tried to play that flats didn't really work for was punk. I do firmly believe that most of your tone is in your technique as I have had to change my technique to accommodate flats as they do sound different but like I said they just feel so good on my fingers. I also found that cobalt flats are brighter than regular flats. I have yet to try LaBellas but Ernie Ball Cobalt flats and the Rotosounds I put on my short scales are great.

 

[two fingers]

When you get the second bass, simply keep the one you like the most strung with the strings you'll need the most. In other words, if you'll play rounds more often than flats, keep rounds on your favorite of the two.

 

[Pilgrim]

Flats ARE the nuance of using flats. And the older, the better. The sound will change over the first few months and settle in as you go.

To me, Labella Deep Takin' flats in light gauge are the answer to most questions about flats.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Flats ARE the nuance of using flats. And the older, the better. The sound will change over the first few months and settle in as you go.

To me, Labella Deep Takin' flats in light gauge are the answer to most questions about flats.

Truth.

 

[chris_b]

I play everything with flats on a P bass, even Stranglers songs. They're good songs and I never liked JJ Burnell's sound anyway.

I'd suggest you put flats on your best Precision and decide what to do with that set of used rounds later.

 

[el murdoque]

I get a cheap second P. Which would you suggest I put flats on, the cheaper bass or my main P. I play everything I can in the way of styles incidentally.

What's your first P?
Six hundred quid could get you a used Mexican Fender with enough money left to upgrade the pickup to basically anything (Aguilar Hot 60, Duncan Quarterpounder, EMG Geezer) which would result in a pretty decent bass.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Neither.

 

[CallMeAl]

I’d keep the main bass as-is, and experiment with the new strings on new bass. Get to know the new setup, then you can think about switching them (or not).

 

[Ryan in PDX]

I’d keep the main bass as-is, and experiment with the new strings on new bass. Get to know the new setup, then you can think about switching them (or not).

Exactly my view as well.

 

[40Hz]

I’ve got flats on a Fender PB. Tapewounds on a Squier CV. And rounds an a franken PJ. Those strings are on the basses they’re on because I thought that’s the bass they each sounded best with. The name on the headstock and what I paid for each bass had nothing to do with my decision.

So I’d suggest you experiment and try rounds and flats on each bass - and leave them on whichever bass they work best on.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I have flats in my Affinity squier and that thing never fails to land the gig

 

[Bullitt5135]

It takes less than 5 minutes to swap strings. As long as you don't cut them off the bass with wire cutters, just buy a couple sets of strings and experiment.

 

[skycruiser]

Put the flats on the cheap bass. Then...switch the flats to the better bass and put the rounds on the cheap bass. Then....get a different set of flats for the good bass. Then....switch them again. Then.....get a different set of rounds and try them on both basses. Then...get a P/J and start over. Eventually....get a Jazz and put rounds on it. Then try flats on the Jazz. Then.....

Are you stalking me or something? Creepy...

 

[Gustopher]

If James Jamerson and Steve Harris and Larry Graham on early records all used flats, I don't understand why so many people think you can't play flats in all genres. I don't have rounds on any of my basses.

Because they don’t work for some genres. You just can’t get the same sounds. You can come close, but why come close when you can have the best of both?

 

[micguy]

If James Jamerson and Steve Harris and Larry Graham on early records all used flats, I don't understand why so many people think you can't play flats in all genres.

Try playing something by John Entwistle or Chris Squire. You'll get it...

 

[RayDawg]

I find myself playing mostly blues funk and jazz these days. The only genre I've tried to play that flats didn't really work for was punk. I do firmly believe that most of your tone is in your technique as I have had to change my technique to accommodate flats as they do sound different but like I said they just feel so good on my fingers. I also found that cobalt flats are brighter than regular flats. I have yet to try LaBellas but Ernie Ball Cobalt flats and the Rotosounds I put on my short scales are great.

I have some cobalt flats on my fretted bass and they are definitely brighter sounding than the flatwounds on my fretless p-bass. But they're still being broken in and the p-bass strings are 15 years old by now. This fretted bass is intended to be a no gimmicks, versatile workhorse and the cobalts have fit the bill so far.

 

[sikamikanico]

I’d start with flats on the cheaper bass, but really the answer is: it depends on the bass. And strings. Flats and rounds are very different from one model to another…

 

[GrapeBass]

I get a cheap second P. Which would you suggest I put flats on, the cheaper bass or my main P. I play everything I can in the way of styles incidentally.

I was looking for a Precision to have for a 'punk/hard rock' bass but ironically came across a 'cheap' Squier VM Amber Precision (maple board) that was already wrapped with old Chromes (p/ups were already changed to unknown), I fell in love and it's become one of my go to basses. I kept my eyes open for another Precision and was lucky enough to find another Squier Precision (Arctic white/black pickguard/rosewood board) for a great price that was stock. I wrapped some Rotosounds on'er and away I go! I may, or may not, change the p/ups from the 'Duncan Designed' to something better and also might upgrade the electronics but for now, I'll leave it as is.

Flats work for 'most' but you will crave rounds for certain genres including funk, punk, new rock etc.

My advise is to choose a good set of flats (ex. Chromes or TI) and give them a few months to brake in, the clankiness will subside nicely. Good luck