Do Different Types of Bass Guitar Strings Make a Difference? | In the Shop Episode #29 | Thomann

Do bass guitar strings make a difference? Flatwounds, roundwounds, thick, thin??? Julia and Andy try out 4 different sets of strings to hear the differences and to see how the feel to play.
In The Shop is always here to help answer those difficult questions!
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Interesting bits and pieces:
Playing Starts 2:34
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[@dondacosta6712]

I'm a new bass player. I have a musicman stingray. It has strings on it , I pluck them, they make sounds , The sounds make me smile, the neighbors get mad ! .... That's pretty much all I know about playing bass so far after 1 month. Happy New year everyone !!😎🍀

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

That's probably my favourite comment of the day ! haha :) Happy new year and keep having fun playing your bass ! // Guillaume

[@darkySp]

You forgot the THICC strings. When i first got my bass 4 months ago, that string thickness game me a really good, hefty feel for it. And my bass came strung with .40 to .95, i want to go with .45 to .107 with the D'Addario EXL170BT

[@nick.raptis]

@@darkySp Do it. The Balanced Tensions are a dream.

[@darkySp]

@@nick.raptis I still have 2 of my cheap string sets to go through, but i'm definitely picking up the EXL170BT later when i get the need

[@nick.raptis]

@@darkySp They're not going to sound any different to the normal Daddarios. But I spent my first 10 years playing bass complaining that my D string was way too stiff and the A a close second. That's the feeling the balanced set fixes. Plus the 107 is great for occasionally drop tuning!

[@sacundim]

Those Ernie Ball cobalt flatwounds are some of the brightest, most untraditional flats out there, noted for sounding very much like rounds. As the manufacturer describes them: "Featuring a SuperBright Cobalt ribbon wrap, Cobalt underwraps and optimal hex-core to wrap ratio, the new Flatwound bass strings are the first flat that actually feels like a flat and sounds like a round." So not the best set for a comparison like this one that aims to educate people on rounds vs flats, although an excellent accidental showcase of how awesome those cobalt flats are.

[@billtackett8217]

Thanks for pointing that out. I definitely had a hard time telling much difference. Seemed like any difference had more to do with her palm muting than the actual strings, even when playing with a pick.

[@rome8180]

@@billtackett8217 yeah, if you try other brands you'll definitely get more of that dead "Jamerson" type of sound. I play the Fender 9050 flats and love them. They're also some of the cheaper flats on the market. But I've heard great things about La Bella, D'Addario Chromes, GHS Precision Flats, and TI flats. The TI flats are by far the most expensive. And the D'Addario are also on the brighter side.

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

Yeah thy didnt sound like true flats too me should have done some roto sound flats.

[@FrowinIckler]

Absolutely correct ! I use the cobalts flats for 2 years now and i love them. I would say, they are a hybrid between roundwounds and traditionell flats. If you have a bass with much fret noise the cobalts flats can also help.

[@bonnczech6974]

I feel a bit of joe dart

[@kijekuyo9494]

Flatwounds on a P-Bass is what I grew up with and what I fell in love with, and what brought me to bass playing.

[@crazeyjoe]

By playing mostly staccato notes, it makes it very difficult to hear the difference in tone between the different strings. Playing the notes full and open would be a better demonstration of this.

[@fidodido664]

Exactly. She is plain stupid.

[@crazeyjoe]

@@fidodido664 To be fair, there are far too many bass demos done by other folks that doing the same thing. I leave this same comment to all those who it applies to. Just pointing out the fact of that when the playing is just staccato/ palm muted, it is nearly impossible to hear any definitive dynamics and full tone. The purpose of my explanation are directed to those who question my reasoning of the comment :)

[@miguelmoreno-gd1zt]

Indeed not the BesT way of comparing them

[@gjh61261]

fidodido665 you can’t hear the difference, and she’s stupid? 😂😂😂

[@scandmaster]

Agree, 100 %. I don't know what this demo is good for. 😳🙄

[@semyonboyk0]

Thomastik flats + PJ Yamaha workhorse. Covers everything from jazz to sludge. Most importantly - Thomann, you have to keep Julia, she is extraordinary.

[@dard4642]

Hell yeah! I play flats on an 1985 BB1100S. I can easily dial-in a vintage tone or a modern aggressive tone, all with my amp set to flat.

[@gradjegraatje1758]

Yeah! You know what you're doing, I play an ibanez 5 string bass. Really thick strings though, but the tone is great and versatile

[@Neodude991]

Yep Have them on my jazz bass and can play anything on them even punk!

[@GLCaver98]

I keep Thomastik Flats on my Fender PJ and it is a beast

[@szrnkabela]

It's 2021 and they did so.

[@0bm31770]

All those strings sound great when Julia plays them.

[@CS_Mango]

I hope we move away from the age where people simp for women. Even though it is done on the same level of performance as everybody else.

[@Tomversal]

@@CS_Mango My first thought too

[@dumpnutz756]

@@CS_Mango you beat me to the "simp" comment. Made my day lol

[@JimBob-vb8oz]

What a sleaze

[@zckls]

Careful- you've awoken the incels!

[@Leiria65]

Honestly those flatwounds sounded pretty much like rounds, minus extra string noises (which I guess makes sense since its what they're advertised as, but I wasnt expecting them to sound that close). Maybe there should have been another pair of flats in there that go for the traditional flatwound sound

[@heygek2769]

biggest difference in flats and rounds is how they age, flats just lose that initial brightness but then stay consistent, rounds will just die completely as they age

[@kingdeedee]

They sound like that brand new but once they're worn down they're the best sounding flatwound string on the market in my opinion. Only drawback is that they aren't as smooth and silky to the touch as other flats

[@DandyDoesIt]

I agree with the flatwounds. To my ears, they sounded best all around.

[@FoamSquatch]

Ever since I first tried the Ernie Ball Flats, I have not been able to enjoy any other strings. They sound great and oh man, are they comfortable to play.

[@yocraigst]

Love flatwounds for that bassy bass sound and I started playing bass on flats so they are kinda like home. Really though, you need to own two basses, one with flats the other with rounds.

[@jareks7881]

Cool, it seems to be Julia's first appearance on Thomann's YT channel. Julia, you're a star!

[@timbuktug3321]

Hello and welcome Julia, I’m currently learning the Bass Guitar 🎸 I got one for Christmas and I can’t wait to be part of the Bass Family😊

[@andysmith6156]

I’m new at bass. I’ve been plying guitar and singing professionally for forty years I’ve always had a band but now I’m doing a solo and recording my own backing tracks. This was very informative thank you for doing this. I am loving the bass and struggling with technique. All the best I’m from Louisiana home of some incredible bass players

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

If you grab any other companys flat wound strings dont expect em to sound like the ernie ball cobalt flats.. Traditional flats have a darker warmer tone not as much bite on the top end as round wounds. And cheers

[@Terrible_Peril]

Lurk around (use the search function) the talkbass.com forums to get a lot of info FAIRLY quickly. And carrots.

[@chrisjs6123]

I took up bass about a year ago after playing guitar. Best advice is to try Scott’s bass academy. I wish I had had something like that when I picked up guitar. Brilliant resource.

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

I have flats on my acoustic bass and I love them, really like this Testing by Thomann..

[@Seguel72]

Hi, Julia! I play an Active SDGR Ibanez. My favourite strings in this video are the Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound 45-105. I play rock. I started playing bass guitar some months ago for my recordings so I thank you for your videos and demonstrations and Thomann in general. You make it look easy but I understand that, although being the bass a guitar all the same (I am singer and guitarist) it is a whole lot different concept, which I think it's great since I like exploring new lands! Love and good playing 😘☕🎸!!

[@Dobroz99]

So much to take in in such a short time. Thanks

[@frankortega4280]

My favorite strings are the Labella Deep Talking Flats. Also surprisingly I found the Fender Flatwounds to be quite good for a lot less money.

[@martijnlie-hap-po9611]

Hey Julia! love your way of playing! good ear and feel!

[@LH-zv2zq]

Julia, an excellent video about the different playability of those strings. I don't have the money to make choices, so you've really helped me with making a selection. I play round wound D'Addario's, but now hearing you play each string type, I really enjoyed the livelier tone of flat wounds. Thanks for clearing a lot of mystery and anxiety for me when buying strings.

[@jeepdannyv8]

I have been playing the ErnieBall Cobalt Flatwounds for about 2 years now and I am absolutely thrilled with them. Sound great and last a long time.

[@RogerBaysinger]

I am very partial to the RotoSound rounds. I love the warm tone and they have perfect tension. I use RotoSound flats on my fretless p-bass. I love the sound and finger-feel.

[@bcinnamonclark8301]

Flatwound Ernie Ball Slinky Flats .45-.130 feels comfortable and there's no zing sound as you move around the neck. Also the smoothness of the strings is great on your fingers

[@demidevil666]

My favourite strings by far are the Elixir nickel roundwounds. They stay crisp sounding for ages and keep a very nice "gnarl" all throughout their lifespan.

[@tgsiii2179]

Just a day or two ago, in Julia's segment on short scaled basses, I asked if she had made any comments on flatwound vs. roundwound strings.....and HERE IT IS! I'm just two years late. Thanks! I still prefer flats on my basses, but I still enjoyed the information. Thanks, Julia.

[@rodshop5897]

I use Fender flats on my Jazz, Pyramid Gold flats on my short-scale P-bass, DR Black Beauties on my PJ TUNE bass, GHS Halfwounds on my fretless, Stringjoy balanced medium nickle roundwounds on my 5-string, Stringjoy custom light roundwounds/D'Addario custom lights my 8-string, and stainless roundwounds on my Warwick Corvette $$. I grab whatever bass and string combination I think will best suit the music. And hello to Julia! I really like the different licks you used for this test. Very nicely controlled and smooth.

[@ronvolk2802]

Hi Julia ! I’m 69 retired and started taking bass lessons 20 months ago. James Jameson ,Duck Dunn,Rocco Prestia are my top 3 bass players. My favorite is Ernie Ball flat wounds standard thickness because of Motown and Stax.

[@fcb9950]

And what do you want? A scooby snack?

[@lelejane]

@@fcb9950 this was 2 years ago and it’s just a nice comment from a 69 year old…. would u like a sticker for being weird on the internet ? ^__^

[@grantkoeller8911]

my top three bass payers are stanley clarke, jaco pastorius, and Jeff Berlin

[@grantkoeller8911]

@@fcb9950 a$$ hole comment

[@nicks3821]

I've been playing DR flatwound Hi Beams for about 10 years. I love them! Very much prefer flats to rounds.

[@DMSProduktions]

Oh, & Julia ROCKS! Really groovy bass playing Juls! \m/

[@mattiasjp]

I really like D’Addario Half Rounds, they are a very good alternative if you want a bit more vintage tone, but still want to be able to access some growling pick sounds too. Very underrated string choice, I think.

[@francesnieznay6623]

I agree been using them for over 40 years,past 10+years on a G&L 2500.

[@rossieculpepper3522]

@@francesnieznay6623 what a co-inkydink: I have the same bass, and use the same strings. That is a great, underrated bass. Very balanced and versatile. I love my 78 jazz frankenbass, but the l2500 has the greatest palate of tones.

[@robbounds4868]

Love the half rounds. Went to them years ago when Dean Markley stopped production of the "Ground Rounds" those were the best I ever played and would still be using them.

[@joesasser4421]

My string of choice from this selection was also the fllatwounds. They are my preerred strings on all but 1 of my basses. However, I prefer Thomastik-Infield flats for both my 1984 Rickenbacker 4003s, and 1967 Höfner 500/1. My 1999 Fender Precision wears Smith brand roundwound 30 gauge, and 2007 Fender Telecaster Bass is wearing the LaBella “1954 original” (James Jamerson/Carol Kaye strings_, but will most likely be switching to Thomastik-Infield flats with my next order from Thomann. Thanks from Texas!

[@carlpianotech]

I play a 1973 P bass with normal gauge round wound strings which I bought back then. Julia you are the bomb. Spectacular playing but with so much positive energy but always feeling the groove.

[@jaymichael4604]

Very well done! Hadn't used flats for decades. Decided to give it a go, just for kicks. Research and decided on the EB Cobalts, 50~105. Was playing 50~105 on my nickel plated steels for several years, so the higher gauge D and G was a given. Love, LOVE the Cobalts. So much so that I ordered another set for another bass. THE brightest, "round wound sounding" string I've ever heard! Incredible clarity, articulation and solid fundamental tone, with out the ringing overtones and scratchy finger noise. Superb results with the EB Cobalts. Plus, I'm about 30% faster on flats. And that's okay by me! lol

[@Dobroz99]

I want to learn to change strings that fast! Thanks for the demo. On my IPhone they all really sounded good. Have to listen again with the head phones.

[@jdmarino]

I started playing bass a year and a half ago. I have 2 Yamahas: a TRBX 147 (PJ config) and the TRBX 604. I really like flatwounds: so smooth and thumpy. I mostly play rock from the 1960s and 70s, with a little blues now and then.

[@mariebass502]

I really do love the feeling flats provide and that great mellow tone🤤🤤

[@h-dawg969]

I think I liked the first strings best Soundwise, obv can't tell by the feel. I've recently started getting really into playing my bass, and am really enjoying it. Finding so many sick videos on KZbin of solo bass performances, and it's so interesting seeing the bass do it's thing in the spotlight, rather than hidden away next to the drummer as we usually tend to be haha. Really interesting video as I want to try n get my bass sounding a bit nicer, so this comes in handy. Epiphone Toby Tobius IV is what I'm using at the mo, & with what ever strings it came with bought new. Seems good for rock/metal but I wanna get a squier jazz bass 70s classic vibe soon hopefully. (Can no way afford a fender yet, and the squier are nice to play) Love the Daphne blue with red(ish) scratch plate. Wicked skills Julia has brought to Thomanns KZbin presence. I recognise her from being dressed as Rey in the funk Star Wars jam on here a few weeks ago. Keep up the good content & happy New year to all low end lovers!!!!

[@chazstewart4865]

Yeah..... I'm a guitarist who tries to play bass.... mainly for recording (too scared to play bass live). I have tried black nylon strings in the past and was very surprised by them and would like to try flat wounds just to compare. When it comes to round wounds I like to use 40s so those heavy gauge monsters will be giving me nightmares just thinking about trying them, ha ha. Always enjoy your playing, Julia....... Your a good bloke too, Andy. All the best.

[@robertkerr9738]

Looks like such an amazing shop. Hope to visit one day!

[@modernwarfare2405]

Finally a review that utilizes multiple playing styles for the full range tonality of each string type.

[@Rick-ob1cg]

Thanks, Julia for your videos. I, too am a fan of flatwounds. I recently put some LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass 760FS (45-105) on my (Carvin) fretless and am REALLY liking them. I think I want a set for my P-style fretted bass. For fretted J-style basses, I my favorite is the RotoSound Swing Bass 66. I don't even mind the sound when they lose that "zing"

[@sinprelic]

Very useful vid guys. Keep them coming! I think it would be a great idea to put a small list of string/gauge/pickup combinations that are being tested in the corner of the video for context and the ability to trace where we are in the scheme of comparison. On my J-bass I have flatwound TI strings; thumpy, yet articulate. Versatile with great playability. Rumour has it that it also helps somewhat to have a good bassist playing them.

[@modernmusicsucks578]

Got flats on my wal 5 string... it's awesome!!!

[@tomsumner7746]

hybrid slinky bass strings are my go to, I really enjoy that gauge. I've been using the roundwounds cause they're cheaper but I aim to buy the flatwound version when possible. I play hard rock/doom and it helps get the lows I'm after but gives a punchy clarity when using the higher strings, helps cut through the mix. I prefer the sound of flatwounds for that more vintage sound also.

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

As a bassist that has been doing this for a decent amount of time i have about 9-10 sets of strings for my bass on hand..(one of the few in this world that actively changes my strings once they sound too far gone unless i dont touch the bass that often.. ) Dr strings currently have fat beams on my spector Q4 Pro 45-65-85-105. My old peavey Grind ntb has high beams 30-45-65-85-105-125. And my spector euro lt 5 has high beams same as the sixer but no 30(high C).. Been using dr strings high beams fat beams dragon skin black beauties for the better part of 20 years now and have always loved the tone and how long they last.. This all being said give em to a bassist that doesnt get to change there strings as often as i do... Feel the groove

[@shmobbie1]

La Bella Gold White tape wounds! I play them on the exact same bass that you played in the video.

[@jonathanchevallier7046]

Thank you for this comparison. I will follow Julia's advice and try this cobalt flatwound ;-)

[@thorstenposer]

Hi! I play Cocco .45 - .105 Stainless Steel. They has a warm, round Sound. Roto Sound "Swing Bass" i play, when the Sound must clear in the Middle. I love this two :-)

[@MOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOM]

Thank you julia😘

[@MrBombom25]

I play a Fender Squier jazz bass. And I prefer roundwound mediums. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Another cool vid, very informative! String choice can make all the difference :)

[@hugoduval6004]

I love very thin strings, such as 35 or 40 ! They have a wider vibration than thick strings and it inspires me more :) Great vids, keep on bassin' !

[@Phaidrus]

Same here. I'm playing D'Addario NYXL 4095.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

I like 45-105s, because you can get such gnarly, funky staccato tones with them, but I also enjoy playing basses with light-gauge strings when I get the chance. It's fun to be that fast that easy, haha!

[@mikebonora2238]

very nice video you have made, as a seasoned bass player(46yrs now i am 62), I play in a 50's and 60's band and do have ten basses in my collection, 2 are 5 string basses. My preference in strings are medium flat wounds. rock and roll music back then was going from the upright bass to electric bass. so to get that upright bass sound I have found that flat wounds are more of that upright bass sound, especially when played right over the end of the neck. Every bass player has their own sound what they want depending on the music they are playing, from slap to heavy metal, that is where round wounds come in to play. I don't degrade any bass player who uses a pick either, it is a preference, I myself use my fingers, so rock on to all you low end lovers and play that bass the best you can!

[@SimonDarkel]

Totally agree!

[@graemegourley7616]

Hello Julia! :) I am a big fan of those Ernie Ball flatwound. I think they sound fantastic and like the way they play, even though like Andy I'm a guitar player that just attempts to play bass ( though I'm playing it more and more over guitar lately)

[@khizerbm1765]

Thanks Julia.. Now I know I put the right Bass string on my PJ Greco Bass guitar.. it's like a short scale Bass.. Nice advice.. God bless you Julia I hope I see perform live here in the Philippines..

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

There is some really nice basses in there, wow! Talk about a nice guitar store!

[@amandarita1]

What shop is that?...A bass players dream come true!!

[@emil-cz2vp]

@@amandarita1 Thats the Thomann Shop in Treppendorf, Germany. Truly an astonishing experience, If you ever visit Germany, don't Miss out on that

[@66numero]

@@emil-cz2vp I agree this is on my "to do list" for years. Probably the biggest shop in Europe.

[@afonsoscarpelini5120]

Recently replaced strings to GHS Precision Flats 45-105. Bass is a Squier American Standard Precision Bass. Wonderful sound!

[@kingstumble]

When I first started playing 100 years ago there was only one option---flatwound. Round wound strings didn't exist----or if they did I never heard of them. I have tried all sorts since and eventually I went back to flats. I find Fender stainless steel light gauge are as good as any, and relatively cheap too.

[@rome8180]

Yeah, I use the Fender 9050 flats. I don't know why these don't get more love on "best flatwound bass strings" lists. I liked them better than the D'Addario Chromes I tried and they're like $12 cheaper.

[@justincase3360]

You started playing 100 years ago? Are you Yoda?

[@kingstumble]

@@justincase3360 I am whoever you want me to be! I think it's called poetic licence.

[@justincase3360]

@@kingstumble LOL

[@my2cents370]

Sorry, got you beat!! Been playing 200 years now. I know what you speak. Tried alot of things, but at least I've found a gauge I got on all my basses and that's EX light 95's of any brand, cheap or expensive. YES as in Chris Squire and Mr. Entwhistle were the first to bring roundwounds into the spotlight Early 70's with their distinct sound. Guys were putting them on RICKENBACKERS and chewing the crap out of the frets almost immediately. Used GL BRITE FLATS back then on my 4001 and still never replaced frets and got that 73' to this day, with flatwounds on it. Very cool sound. Also, newly acquired HOFNER BEATLE bass will recommend EXTRA LITE FLATS for sounding like PAULY'S. SO many to choose, Just make yourself happy, there's no way you'll make anyone else!! ENJOY THE BASS. WE ARE SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT TO ANY KIND OF MUSIC.

[@jonathonmccue7271]

I had enjoyed your playing!

[@markjohnson1864]

I use rounds on my Thunderbird, root rounds on my 69 Jazz, I bought brand new, and the Slinky’s on my short scale double cutaway. I have used the roto rounds for many years. I even had to have frets replaced on my 69 Jazz. I also use the roto rounds on my Fender Jazz Squire 5 string.

[@Domino81]

im utterly in love

[@mattlantiere6518]

Love flatwound .045 ... Used to play a Japanese Hoffner knock off 50 years ago... Still have the guitar. Put flat wound .045 on that guitar every time out. Now have a Yamaha and a Gibson Les Paul Jr that I also have same flat wounds Ernie Ball. Great video comparison thank you

[@crocholiday]

D'Addario Chrome flats are my current favorite. Warm and round but able to get a good bright slap tone out of them as well. Silky smooth and slick too. Using them to play country at the moment but would work for pop, funk, reggae. Second favorite would be my old go to, Light gauge GHS Bass Boomers. Loved the tone I got from those with a pick for rock. They have a great slap tone as well.

[@jas2819]

Yep, D'Addario flatwound son my Gibson SG bass. Plays great, sounds great. 👍

[@shanecabbage2187]

I just switched out my 1 year old stainless Rotos for the (45 65 80 100) set of the EB cobalt flats. Now given the fact that the old strings were, well, old, these flats were definitely brighter and carried plenty of overtones; I am totally digging the sound. And the feel is so silky and smooth under the fingers. I did see comments about string friction for those who play fast, but since I am not at that level, I have not noticed any "stickiness" or other negatives. Ok, perhaps one negative might be that since string noise is almost gone, I might get lazy and not pick my fingers up when moving around the neck, creating a bad habit. So, I guess I'll just have to keep playing flats. I am curious how the overtones will hold up as time passes. Time will tell. Thank you for the review, and God bless.

[@ianbirk1816]

Those flats are slinky flats they are basically made to sound like a round would great string but not right for this comparison

[@michaelweinman9051]

I like both the hosts. Bravo!

[@RogerBaysinger]

Hello Julia! You are fantastic!

[@jmaguilarr]

i love rotosound flats , I love Iron Maiden so, Mr Harris has this super sound

[@jimlloyd1854]

I am just learning on a Squier PJ bass, and thought I'd like the darker sound of a thicker flat wound. But, I really preferred the Ernie Ball Round Wound Super-Slinky 40 series... at least, with the presented guitar, amp and recording equipment. Thank you for posting this video!

[@benmaguire4098]

cool I like flatwounds & round wounds also But when I changed roundwounds on my short scale Eb 1 Epiphone to Flatwounds I really had to change the action . I decided I need 4 bass' 2 short scale & two fullsize with both types of strings & then I got the chance to try a friends Acoustic Bass .. Kind of somewhere in between short & full size .. But so nice to have the option . Glad you got the gig at Thomann .. But for you I wish in the future much more . keep on being cool .

[@justincase3360]

I generally pick the strings to fit the bass, tone-wise. I've found, in general, that Ernie Ball strings are the brightest rounds and Roto Sounds are the warmest. For flats, I play Labella exclusively- the tone is perfectly balanced. I have medium slinkys on my stingray, medium La Bellas on my Gretch knock-off, drop-tuned Rotos (BEAD instead of EADG) on my Jbass, heavy La Bellas on my Pbass, medium Rotos on my ESP, and La Bella tapewounds on my acoustic electric Alvarez. I would never recommend up tuning a B string to an E. My heavy-gauge strings made me tighten a truss all the way as it is! Have fun experimenting!

[@Oilid]

Flat wounds: to save all the edits in the DAW made to remove the noises between notes!

[@Ben59910]

Hahaha most definitely

[@Oilid]

@@Ben59910 ;)

[@645jessie]

Hi Julia, i enjoyed the segment on string comparisons. I have both a P Bass and a Getty Lee J Bass and I play half rounds on the PB and rounds on the JB. I play blues, blues/rock (mostly) and recently I have switch my JB to half rounds. I love the feel of these string smooth silky feel, but with the “halfs” I them to be just a little brighter. My technique is not such that I can slap or pop the strings confidently so the smoother and warmer which suits the style and genre of music I play.

[@divisionpally8671]

i love the sound of flats and i love playing metal music

[@darpope2752]

You left out testing the nylon coated steel strings. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!!!

[@andrewcole6309]

I have a 5 year old set of Cobalt flats on my third-string passive Fender JazzV and they sound and feel very good. That said my USA Custom Shop fretted Washburn XB925 and fretless Carvin LB75 both have old sets of Thomastik-Infield Jazz Flats and they are the perfect string. They’re expensive but just keep improving with age. They get softer feeling, the tone gets richer while not losing brightness. I use them for everything from rock, jazz, and blues to classical depending on the gig. They’re perfect.

[@JAY123R4]

I'm a guitarist that dabbles within the bass world. I've played a *Squier P-Bass* for about 12 years now in *pop-punk/heavy rock* bands with *D'Addario XL Nickel Light (45-100)* strings. I never really thought much of it. About a year ago, I purchased a short-scale *Fender '64 Reissue Mustang* bass which came set up with a fresh set of *D'Addario XL Chromes Medium (50-105)* strings already on it and it has changed *EVERYTHING*. I used them for playing a musical, I've used them for home-recording, I've used them for *Rock, Pop, RnB,* and they both sound and feel great. I love the tone I get from them on my mustang. I still keep the long scale P-Bass for when I want to play heavy rock/metal and use round wounds on that, otherwise, I'm purely on the mustang with the sweet-sounding flat wounds!

[@alessandroc.6876]

I use 45 100 flatwound for vintage sound (great match with p bass) and roundwound for modern. Nice video ;)

[@tanukibrahma]

Nice demo. I'd chosen Thomastik-Infeld Power Bass round wounds for my P-bass, but after hearing this I'm leaning toward the Slinky cobalt flats. Think I'll give them a try.

[@lone-wolf-1]

If I see Andy, I smile and instantly click like😃👍 Edit: I actually liked the sound of the thickest strings the most (on neck-pup) I felt so tightly warm embraced in the groove!! Second: the EB flatwounds- with a (unexpected) pleasant brightness👍

[@byronbuenano86]

Flatwounds are my favorite kind of strings I used them in my Ibanez sr500 and now in my musicman.

[@johnstraley9057]

Hands down, the tone and feel of the Ernie Ball Slinky flatwounds really stood out. Very articulate, yet warm. Using either fingers or a pick can really cut through and sit very well in the mix.

[@zetaminor77]

my favorite strings were the flatwounds. I play flatwounds, too (standard gauge) :)

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

If you play colbalt flats they are not a traditional flat wound and sound super bright when compared to something like rotosound flats or la Bella flats.

[@coopah1]

Hello Julia, you have great taste in bass guitars and a good ear for using the right strings for the right job (gig).

[@joeghacker]

TI Flats are my favs. I have them on a Jazz, PBass, and a P/J. I also have various roundwounds and tapewoiunds on other Basses.

[@marcusparnell2403]

I've tried several sets of rounds over the past few years on the Sire V7 I bought from Thomann but got hooked on flats as soon as I tried the Thomastik Infeld Jf344 (43-100) set. These have a clear and bell-like tone and are super-pliable and easy to play. I eventually swapped these onto my pbass where they really shine. I now have a great set of Labella 760fl (43-104) flatwounds on the Sire - which I highly recommend. Tone is smooth and fat and the highly polished feel under the fingers is the best of any flats I've tried. Having said that, those Ernie ball Slinky Cobalt Flats (45-105) that Julia was playing sound like you can get the tone of a roundwound with the feel of a flat. Would love to try those! Please stay at Thomann Julia, your enthusiasm for the bass really comes across in these videos and you're a real asset to this channel.

[@ThePostOffice3]

hey i have a question, do you have adjust the intonation at all switching between gauges

[@LOLDOG5000]

I use Daddario NYXL (45-105) on a Sandberg California TT4 (jazz bass); perfect balance of tone, volume and feel/tension. Which is why they work for anything from jazz to metal.

[@benniejohnson81]

Very interesting and helpful comparison. Thank you. I was a little surprised that I liked the flat wounds more than I expected. The most insightful part though was that Julia sounds like… Julia (which is great, of course). A seasoned musician can change instruments, strings, and amplifiers, etc. - but the player will make small and subtle adjustments in playing position and strike, etc., in an effort to have a sound return to them that feels like home. Changes in guitars, amps and strings obviously makes a difference. But the biggest factors are the soul, the fingers and hands.

[@billydecker9396]

I'm really loving the DR Strings nickel roundwounds (Sunbeams) on my Fender Jazz.

[@SevanStick]

Those flats sound awesome. (ordered)

[@bassman108]

The Flats sounded brighter then what I would have expected. I usually use 45-65-85-105 D’Addario XL. I play a mix of music jazz, rock, funk, R&B to name a few. I just picked up a set of Ernie Ball Hybrid slinkys 45-65-85-105 to try. Haven’t used Ernie Ball strings in years.

[@massiveraid1950]

I'm playing modern metal, groove metal and some pop stuff with 45-128 EBS strings without 4th(105) string on my both four strings basses (both tuned to drop C).

[@dansaghin1]

the best strings and I use them on all my basses are Elixir nanoweb 45. I also used some decent strings in the past like DR Marcus Miller but I`m excited to try the new Mark Bass strings as I put my hands on them for a brief moment and they felt and sounded great...

[@tomasposleman6450]

Ernie Ball Extra Slinky are the best for me! I have them on my Marcus Miller Sire V3 and it just resonates with a really good punch and bright style

[@jamesalfaro3155]

Hi Julia and Andy, Happy 2020 for both !!! Just saw your video today, January 10. And very sad to know about Neil Peart (R.I.P.). I heard some interesting of some strings , unfortunately through the tiny speakers of my cellphone. Well, I’ve been playing bass since I was 12. My 1st love: a Höfner. At the beginning I put nylon strings but I really didn’t like the sound of them, then I switched to Ernie Ball 45-65-85-105 or to 40-60-80-100. The sound was much better, considering that the bass is semi-hollow body. 2 years later a Rickenbacker 4001 arrived to my hands. I kept using the same prescription on strings and the sound is like keying lower notes in a piano..... great sound !!! I tried once thicker strings but adds to much pressure to the neck. 50 years later, with all the improvements of technology, certainly I’d like to try different strings on both if I’m lucky enough to win. All the best for you guys !!!!

[@rikmcrae]

I play Rotosound 66 Funkmasters on a 1978 P bass. They are really thin roundwound strings. 30 50 70 90. I used to play the 606 piano-wound version, which tapered so just the core wire passed over the bridge. They were my favourite. So much feel and sustain. You can really ‘play’ the instrument, not just thump out a basic rhythm.

[@RJ-pb1qx]

Ernie ball super slinky bass 5's on my warwick corvette right now, clarity + that growl = bliss

[@andyk5357]

Ernie Ball EB2834 Super Slinky (45-100) for Alternative Rock and some Jazz. I love the bright growly Sound of them! Plus they are lasting way longer than other String-Companies ;)

[@TRtribal]

A little late to the party, but I primarily play 5 string basses using Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky so the low B is a lighter gauge. On my fretless basses I tend to use flatwounds, and on my 53 p-bass I use the black tapewound strings and they sound amazing. On pretty much all of my guitars I tend to run Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10s, with exception to my acoustics, which get Martin Silk & Steel. My cello gets a mix of Larsen and Spirocore. That's pretty much it.

[@philipmelanchthon2440]

Hi Julia, I wish soon you'll be a legendary Bassist., I use GHS Flat wound on PJ bass. I love their tone..

[@AS-rc1lv]

Great video and comparison! 👍🏼And very nice playing too! 💪🏼 I was really surprised about the Rotosound strings. They sound really nice and fat to me. Especially for that price. Will definitely try them out. Because I only started to learn bass recently witj a Hagstrom FBX-530 bass from 2013 and a Godin Z1 bass from 1988 some new strings maybe not too bad. 😉