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What's your take on flats?

I couldn't say. I just bought a set of Labella White Tape Wound flats. They are the first flats I've purchased in about 40-years. So far I like them, but I've only had them on my bass for day. Have a rehearsal tomorrow where I'll be able to hear them through some normal bass gear instead of just through headphones on my computer. Looks like the golds are not tape-wounds, but a golden alloy for the flatwound layer.
Yeah, I seen that they were nickel with "gold alloy" wrap and not 24k plate. I'm thinking it's probably more like a color option on these strings, instead of actually playing gold like I'm used to with the rounds I use.
 
Just like their description says, they have more mids. They’re smooth sounding when I play light and grind my when I dig in. I love how they sound.
They are my next purchase then. Like I already said, I don't like flats. But, with so many options out there, I'm constantly trying new things. Can't knock it til you've played it.
 
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They are my next purchase then. Like I already said, I don't like flats. But, with so many options out there, I'm constantly trying new things. Can't knock it til you've played it.
They are nice strings. I bought some back in September of ‘17. They sound a lot like La Bella DTFs w/a little more clarity in the mids. The tension is beautiful, and they eventually smell like pennies.
 
I don’t get this. I hear a lot of people talk about dull thud but, my bass has sustain for days with flats. Now, if I had a foam mute in, I can get a dull thud. It’s simply not the case though.
I think flats bring out the natural voice of the bass. And, with this dull thud business, would these same people claim that an upright has a dull thud due to flats?
 
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Yeah, I seen that they were nickel with "gold alloy" wrap and not 24k plate. I'm thinking it's probably more like a color option on these strings, instead of actually playing gold like I'm used to with the rounds I use.
Even real gold is used as an alloy if they want it to last 24K gold is super soft and almost rubs off. 14K gold is used in jewelry that doesn't usually rub a lot of places. If they want to put it in something like a large ring (like a class ring), they usually use 10K gold so it doesn't smooth over and lose all the definition of the lettering. I'm sure the strings are just a golden coloring as they call it a "golden alloy" and not a "gold alloy", which are two very different things.
 
Even real gold is used as an alloy if they want it to last 24K gold is super soft and almost rubs off. 14K gold is used in jewelry that doesn't usually rub a lot of places. If they want to put it in something like a large ring (like a class ring), they usually use 10K gold so it doesn't smooth over and lose all the definition of the lettering. I'm sure the strings are just a golden coloring as they call it a "golden alloy" and not a "gold alloy", which are two very different things.
No, I play on pure 24k gold plated round wound strings. They last a good year and a half (as long as you keep them clean) without rubbing off at or losing almost any tone. I had a pair on for 2 years once, replaced them, and didn't notice a whole lot of difference besides looks. But see,
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Real gold. Now chrome plating on the other hand, wears off very quickly. These don't.
 
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No, I play on pure 24k gold plated round wound strings. They last a good year and a half (as long as you keep them clean) without rubbing off at or losing almost any tone. I had a pair on for 2 years once, replaced them, and didn't notice a whole lot of difference besides looks. But see,
View attachment 3024174 View attachment 3024175 View attachment 3024180 View attachment 3024181
Real gold. Now chrome plating on the other hand, wears off very quickly. These don't.
Oh, that's the same set of strings, by the way. Taken from one, and put on the other a few months later.

I just put them back on my SR, and got some ghs pressurewound for the talman. They still look exactly the same.
 
It seems to me that a great majority of TB'ers love flatwound strings. In the basses forum, a lot of folks seem to comment how much better a bass would be if it were strung with flats. Yet, it seems like just about every bass found in the wild has roundwounds on it.
I'm not biased in any direction. I think either type has their merit, but I'm curious if you feel flats or roundwound strings are superior to another and why.
If you're a working bassist, you need to have at least one bass in your arsenal with flatwounds on it.
 
Love flats, had a 2-year spell between 2012-13 where I used nothing but flats, then got a wild hair one night and tried rounds again, and everyone with an opinion greatly favored rounds, so I use rounds for pretty much everything now except my Realistic violin bass.
 
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