Flatwounds?

[koogie2k]

OK. I see the different types of strings for basses. Flatwounds, roundwounds, etc. Not being familiar with them (Flatwounds).....can someone give me a brief decription of them....

I use the Hybrid Slinky Bass strings....roundwound is what is on the orange package....

Just curious about the differences and why peeps prefer them over others.

 

[Aussie Mark]

In simple terms, because of how they are constructed, flats are "smoother" feeling strings, which for starters means there is less string noise while playing, and you can slide up and down the strings with ease (and no finger noise). Secondly, flats are generally not as bright as roundwound strings, and their construction also gives them more fundamental bottom end, or "thump" than rounds. One tradeoff is less sustain than rounds.

I prefer them because the sound and feel of flats suits my playing style and my preferred personal tone. They also last forever, and are kind to your fingers, frets and fingerboards.

The sound of flats is not to everybody's liking, but if you like the sound of the bass on funk, classic rock and Motown tunes, that's what you're hearing with flats.

Here's a couple of recordings of a fretted Stingray with D'Addario Chromes, to give you some idea of the "thump" that flats give ....

http://deayton.com/band/aroundandaround.mp3
http://deayton.com/band/whiteroom.mp3

 

[Alvabass]

Rounds vs. flats:

 

[AnthonyD]

The significant design difference is in the wrap. Great illustrative pictures showing the ridges in the round-wounds vs. the smoothness of the flats.

When I was young, I actually believed flats were round-wound strings that were "flattened" and somewhat oval in their overall cross-section. I never could understand how you'd install them and keep the "flattened" string surface parallel with the fretboard.

 

[bovinehost]

I never could understand how you'd install them and keep the "flattened" string surface parallel with the fretboard.

Well, that would be tough.

 

[Big Poppa]

dont listen to these dinosaurs...roundwounds are king!

 

[Lazybite]

I found flats hurt my fingers.......

 

[Father Gino]

dont listen to these dinosaurs...roundwounds are king!

That which was old shall become new again.

All that is trebley is not gold.

That which sustains us is sometimes quick decay.

In the name of the One, the Four and the Five… Amen

 

[tkarter]

I started with rounds. Wasn't very good at playing bass. I went to flats. 9050 fenders to be exact. I found my sound.

I tried the red bound flats and found something in between the rounds and flats and found my sound again after hearing Steve Marshall playing an SR5.

I have came along way since then. My basses both of them EBMM sport flats.

BP is right about most things. But if anyone thinks everything he says is right we need his wife posting on this board just to level the playing field.

There is plenty of flat string players left in this world. Some of us play the basses that sound good with flats or rounds or any damn string you put on them.

That would be EB basses. Any one of them.

To me the 5 stringers speak. To BP the 4 stringers speak and that is okay with me.

I love what the folks at SLO do.

tk

 

[midopa]

Aussie Mark's pretty much nailed it. I like both roundwounds and flats. I've got EB flats on my Bongo and they sound and feel great.

 

[koogie2k]

Thanks for the info fellas! Alvabass, the illustration was most excellent. I'll stick to what I am using, it is working for me....but, I might try the flats on my Lava Pearl just to see what they are like.....my Stealth stays as is. As always, thanks for the input.

 

[Big Poppa]

I started with rounds. Wasn't very good at playing bass. I went to flats. 9050 fenders to be exact. I found my sound.

I tried the red bound flats and found something in between the rounds and flats and found my sound again after hearing Steve Marshall playing an SR5.

I have came along way since then. My basses both of them EBMM sport flats.

BP is right about most things. But if anyone thinks everything he says is right we need his wife posting on this board just to level the playing field.

There is plenty of flat string players left in this world. Some of us play the basses that sound good with flats or rounds or any damn string you put on them.

That would be EB basses. Any one of them.

To me the 5 stringers speak. To BP the 4 stringers speak and that is okay with me.

I love what the folks at SLO do.

tk

Jeez just a little jokin...heres the scoop roundwound worldwide is 95% of the bass string sales. I think even you knuckleheads can figure out that Flats represent 5%
I think that you really need both in you arsenal...(plus that way you have to buyanother bass! I also actually love five string and sometimes play it but it gives me joy to tweak you guys. I do However hate going to see a guy that is relentless with his low b infactation....He might as well be playing a one string

 

[tkarter]

I know BP. I am sure you sell more rounds than flats.

Us dinosaurs are hard headed though.

tk

 

[tommyindelaware]

Jeez just a little jokin...heres the scoop roundwound worldwide is 95% of the bass string sales. I think even you knuckleheads can figure out that Flats represent 5%
I think that you really need both in you arsenal...(plus that way you have to buyanother bass! I also actually love five string and sometimes play it but it gives me joy to tweak you guys. I do However hate going to see a guy that is relentless with his low b infactation....He might as well be playing a one string

so......
to sumize.....
for each model u use .......
u need a ebmm 4 string bass w/ rounds
u need a ebmm 4 string bass w/ flats
u need a ebmm 5 string w/ rounds
u need a ebmm 5 string w/ flats

that's the way i see it.......
got any ole black nylons layin around ????? (strings)

 

[AnthonyD]

Wow! 95% vs. 5% in sales!?

I wonder how it's split based upon player usage though, realizing that rounds are changed often to keep 'em bright while flats are kept close to forever...

And to your point BP, I plan to have one of each!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Wow! 95% vs. 5% in sales!?

I wonder how it's split based upon player usage though, realizing that rounds are changed often to keep 'em bright while flats are kept close to forever...

As I see it, 95% of people are spending a lot of money on strings to subsidise the other 5%, which is cool by me. Of course, BP has no reason to talk up flatwound strings, since the more of us who use flats, the slower it takes for BP to earn his next $million

 

[russinator]

Back in '65 (last century!) when I got my new F*nd*r Jazz bass it came with flats. When I went to get new strings 20 years later the store didn't have any flats and they had rounds, so I got them instead. Didn't even know there were rounds for basses!

 

[tkarter]

You really shouldn't have had to replace them after a mere 20 years.

tk

 

[stretch80]

I tried flats on my SR5, but missed the ring and the extra growl and went back
I like medium slinky rounds after they are a month old!

Changing strings is a good way to experiment if you don't have the $$ to collect basses Can make a lot of difference.

 

[midopa]

...(plus that way you have to buyanother bass!...

I'll say! I really dig these EB flats, but I also like the high-end, tic-tac zing of roundwounds for playing some slap n pop wankery every once in a while. I keep thinkin, "It'd be a lot more convenient if I didn't have to keep switching these strings on and off..."