Everything You Need To Know About Bass Strings + Shootout between Flatwounds and Roundwounds

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In this video we're discussing and comparing all the different types of bass strings- what they sound like, feel like and when you should use each one. At the end of the video I also do a shootout between all of them in several different styles so that you can hear the differences.
Special thank you to Chris Constantian, Andy Milburn and Hossein A. Dehdezi on Patreon for helping to make this video possible!
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[@TheBassWizard]

Get exclusive lessons by supporting me on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheBassWizard Special thank you to Chris Constantian, Andy Milburn and Hossein A. Dehdezi on Patreon!

[@Braglemaster123]

My mother’s maiden name is Feldman too ✡️✡️👍👍

[@LeMans512]

When you can play like that, everything sounds good. Great video.

[@jothanvirgil3035]

Facts!!!!

[@venusspacey9685]

Not really

[@BakouMOH]

My 2 cents: - flatwounds for a P-bass fingerstyle - Nickel round wounds for a P-bass slap or pick and for a J-bass - SS round wounds for a Sting Ray In other words, more basses is always the solution.

[@kongandbasses8732]

I just use nickel roundwound strings on all my basses, Precision, StingRays, Jazz style instruments... Except the EB Cobalt Flats on my 1964 Precision because you need a bass for vintage tones. Ah, and Thomastik-Infeld Spirocore on my upright.

[@thiagodeandradeneves4585]

The Stingray has an already aggressive sound, with SS rounds on it will be even more. Full aggression.

[@joshuaharper805]

No pick, that's illegal!

[@bccal5982]

@@joshuaharper805 I think Davie went a little bit far on making fun of picks...

[@McDoinky]

Dude flats with a pick are the shit

[@jayl5941]

Love the "Here Comes the Sun" tapping arrangement. Good comparison and I was actually surprised at how much I liked the flats for all but slap.

[@jayavey3114]

That tapping riff was unreal, very cool! Really it was all awesome.

[@BloodAndGutsTV]

This was very educational and helpful, thank you! The flatwound is my favorite because it sounds more bass but the steel really stands out

[@darthprawn2970]

Coming from slinky and super bright roundwounds, flatwounds are now my favourite. Like the video! Great, in-depth information :)

[@jamessmith-zk4co]

I actually like the flat wounds. I'm surprised because I've used rounds all my career, except on my fretless. Thanks so much for covering this topic. You're an incredible musician!

[@DenverStarkey]

i have used flat wounds almost exclusively since about 97 (only time i went back to rounds was when i couldn't get my rotosound flats). you want to try some flats with a brighter tone try rotosound's heavier gauge strings , there are two sets i prefer RS77LE (gauges 50,75,95,110) and of course waht i commonly get because oddly enough teh signature strings are cheaper usually and taht is Steve harris signature strings they are rotos sound model SH77 they are identical in gauge to the RS77LE's but i think thye are steel while the 77LEs are nickel (i could be mistaken on what material they are). but like i said i usually just go with the steve harris ones because they are usually 5-10 dollars cheaper than the RS77LEs. Both sets are worth trying out if you love flats. i will say this with both these sets you got to have some serious neck on your bass, they can have some high tension on your truss rod. definitely will need to adjust it if you try these strings on your instrument (if your instrument is a ric DO NOT TRY these strings on it those ric basses are made for light strings and these thing will destroy it's neck)

[@TheHermit72]

@@DenverStarkey How does the rotos 77 age? i've read they're more bright that other flats and more for classc rock sound, but flats are suppossed to get a better tone over time, don't know about rotos since they're monel and not staniless steel as the others.

[@DenverStarkey]

@@TheHermit72 they are very much similar to the Steve Harris strings in life span as well. Playing about 2 hrs a day 3 times a week they loose the "new" brightness after week and a half roughly. They get warmer tone than the Steve Harris ones though. So just depends on what tone you prefer.

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

I imagine having a reinforced neck would help, so some of the newer Schecters would be able to take the extra tension.

[@waltbas]

This is the best demo for bass strings by far. I mean there's no music to cloud the playing with different styles (other that simple rock lines) presented on the same riffs . This is definitely at Demo with the viewer in mind. Well done Sir!!

[@raphaeldukhan]

Flatwounds all the way!! sound good in every style. Great video as always

[@markmilner842]

I generally use tape wounds, since they have the smooth feel of flats, but some of the brightness of round.

[@oqsy]

Huh, I knew I liked flatwounds, but after this video I realize that I prefer them for EVERY method. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@pianorover]

Slapping on flatwounds doesn't make sense. But then again, slapping in general barely makes sense.

[@TothLaszlo77]

@@pianorover why and why?

[@howes1960]

I have been playing for 3 months on a Hofner shorty and Musoo headless. This was very helpful. Thanks!

[@camilosalamanca3870]

I'm glad I came to this video, Marcelo, I found it very informative and I subscribed immediately afterwards. Keep it up and cheers!

[@barthvapour]

Great demo, really useful. Thank you very much. I can really hear the pros and cons of all of them.

[@stormbringer67]

I switched to flatwounds once just to give them a try. Never getting other strings anymore. They sound beautiful to me.

[@darrellwilliams6741]

I use roundwounds on my Jazz basses Nickle & Stainless steel and Flatwound bass strings on my Precision. Great Video .

[@tunesarms2586]

Nice video. History lesson and great description of each ! Super cool riffs too 🎸👍🏻

[@ethanlancaster76]

Stainless steel strings are much brighter out of the box but in a few days that quickly deadens and the nickel strings will be brighter and still retain their inherent warm bottom and deep fundamental as the brightness begins to even the overall tone and shape of the notes. SS strings project off the fretboard very immediately and I think it makes them the better choice for slap mainly for that reason. You have to consider that nickel strings are made with a SS inner core with a nickel coating on the outer layer and I think that’s what gives them more longevity and can even get a little brighter after they get a little time to break in and react to the oils from your fingers that wear SS strings much faster ime at least. And if I’m doing any recording I will usually have a J Bass with flats and a J Bass with rounds and depending on the technique I choose between SS for slap and I usually prefer nickel for finger style with the flats being my favorite for picking especially when palm muting is what the music calls for. So I think that you can think of them as being different tools in your arsenal for different applications but I definitely agree with you about the nickel strings being the best choice if you’re going to have only one bass to make sound good for all types of playing styles and musical styles for the studio and live situations. I think another very important part of the equation is the string gauge as well. I used to play heavier strings and over the past three decades I have gone all the way across the spectrum to extra lights 40-95 and 40-120 for 5 string basses and I have learned to play with less attack and more volume with the lighter strings and I actually get a little more bottom and a rounder shape then I did with much heavier strings believe it or not. That said everything is relative and the most important factor for achieving any tone is in your fingers. Great topic and I think you are spot on as usual 👍

[@WillWilsonII]

DR hi-beam was my string of choice when I was a guitar player. As a bass player I like my La Bella Flatwounds on my Mexican PJ special deluxe with active pickups

[@markbass354]

I use D'Addario nickle wound , because you play bass excellent all strings sounded great good video Marc thank you kind sir.

[@chillbro2275]

Wow this was an effective comparison. The demonstration was groovy too man. I can tell when I'd want to use either type of string now. But would mostly use flatwound.

[@jamescammack6720]

Really nice video man! Thanks for sharing those differences. I’ve had some thoughts about using much lighter’s gauge strings on different bases. I have friends that use a 35 gauge string on the G string And of course All of the other strings are in proportion...

[@itumac]

First off, your playing and this channel rock! After trying different strings, I prefer Rotosound Solos 45-105 stainless rounds on my P-Bass. I preferred the stainless sound to nickel on every shoot out except the pick. Hearing the flats on different the styles you played inspired me to try them out in the future. Thank you for this!

[@DenverStarkey]

try rotosound's flats , their heavy gauge flats are pretty bright for flat wounds especially the SH77 steve harris sig strings.

[@jamesmilton8765]

Well presented, and very helpful. Thank-you Sir.

[@victorygah]

Many many hhanks for this demonstration. So useful.

[@nickatnight_irl]

sick riffs at the end. thanks for the string knowledge

[@Lysdexia]

Well, for my part I like nickel round-wound's as I like the feel under my right *and* left hand. With Marcelo playing? My favourites were the flats, nickel and the steels. I have the impression a garden gate strung with chicken wire could be made to sound as if designed for the groove with Marcelo in control. Hugely informative video - thanks again!

[@MC-qe5qb]

Enjoyed your video, going to follow you. Instructive and concise. Thanks

[@ianjohnson4987]

Excellent demo - thanks. With the pick, the SS roundwounds really stand out

[@dmcauslan]

Excellent presentation, Thank you!

[@JarerodGibson25]

Though, they’re a bit more pricey & sometimes harder to find in store, I prefer the steels as well. Once you get passed the feel, they sound just great. In my opinion. But I’ve played flat wounds once and they definitely felt the best of the three.

[@luciferchristian]

Incredibly helpful video. Thanks. 🤘

[@shiningcut7]

Nickels sound more versatile for any genre.. But I want to try flats on my bass. Flats have less sustain than the others

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Great video, cool stuff! Keep the videos comin'! :)

[@toddwalker4301]

My favorite string is whatever one you are playing on. You are amazing!

[@crystaltaylor8986]

This was a good video. I can hear the difference between the strings. I play 5 string. I definitely like the flat wounds.

[@codyjumper5019]

Great video! I definitely liked nickle rounds the best.

[@kelvinedoesesequarshie755]

Great video Sir 🙏 can I suggest you make a video on pick ups(types) ... Not necessarily the configuration but the types and tones you can get...

[@TarasKuznetsovMusic]

Thanks dude! Very nice playing! Awesome job

[@theuso.educacaomusical]

Ótimo vídeo! 🤘

[@robertostrihon4529]

Flatwounds for fingerstile definitely

[@churchbass3]

A very versatile bass like my Sire Marcus Miller basses can add just enough brightness and still have the great feel of flatwound strings. I'm not a slap player. Fingerstyle is my flavor

[@RootsBassCanada]

Very nice comparison. Love flats.

[@iqi616]

Good video. I think the pickups make a big difference too. My Kimbara has Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups and even Swings sound plenty warm for me. My Aria is active and has a lefty-P and J so I use Pro Steels and get a great piano tone on slap.

[@enzolrvdrummer]

Flatwounds sounds awesome tbh for calm fingerstyle ! But the others sounds so heavenly 🤘 and this bass is a gift

[@BriggsBackingTracks]

Well done! Used to love me some older Fender Stainless but I think they changed the recipe... The newer ones don't feel the same...

[@RockerProf]

Very informative!! Like the historical perspective. Thank you.

[@akindeleadegoke]

Awesome video by the way

[@marklowe7431]

Excellent balanced advice

[@bassnsax]

I'm a BIG fan of Ernie Ball's Cobalt strings - I've got their Slinky Cobalt (roundwounds) on my 5 string Sting Ray and P-Bass, and the Slinky Flatwound (cobalt) on another P-Bass and my fretless J-Bass. Also a set of D'Addario Tapewounds on a Yamaha RBX A2, and D'Addario Zyex Lights on my upright 😁 They have a lot (but not as much) of the brightness that Stainless Steel has, while having the warmth and roundness of Nickel. Plus, the Slinky Flatwounds get pretty close to the sound of roundwounds, too!

[@TheDp1965]

I've got Nickel RotoSound 66 on my 71 Fender P Bass and Ernie Ball Super Slinky On my EB StingRay34. Great Video.... Keep on Keepin ON! Cheers.

[@ThorRavnsborg]

Flatwounds for me. The feel and lack of wear on your fingers and instrument make them my preferred choice. I agree that they are tonally more ideal for some styles of playing than others but they do everything I need them to (sometimes with a little help from tone controls and effects). Might give tapewounds a try at some point though.

[@Grumdot]

Tried flats on my PJ for about a year. I like them for that old school 60's sound. For my 6-string jazz I use Med/light nickel. Steel strings are just too harsh. And DR Sunbeams, Dunlop super brights, or Stringjoy are the manufacturers I use.

[@mi2cents265]

Just my bass! But must learn the basics, good video ty!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This was so informative. As a guitarist ( who just bought a bass ) I'm really enjoying your content. I hit subscribe. I prefer the roundwounds, but I'd bet the flat's would sound great for Reggae music? oNe LovE from NYC

[@davidroygodden]

Nice review

[@lu2661]

Thanks man!

[@vwasic]

Thanks Marc!

[@StratBurst92]

Very well done.

[@lovepeppersG]

Good explanation. I personally like nickel Roundwound. 10 years ago I used ErnieBalls on Bass Guitar

[@MFx88]

great vid, helps a lot :)

[@bccal5982]

Good video. I think you can also add the types of cores the strings have too.

[@gregropp1003]

I like the flat wounds for finger and pick but you really hear the difference between flat and the nickle and stainless steel wounds when playing slap or tapping.

[@davidj.duvall9254]

I've always used nickel but you've converted me to the flatwound for sure but I mainly play Haggard style of music

[@guyviola5359]

Rotosound Swingbass 66 stainless steel (40-95) are my favorite!

[@FuriousImp]

I've ordered flatwound cobalt. Supposed to have a nice crispy high end 😁

[@basscoup]

EB cobalt flats on stingrays - kind of a hybrid sound, not as bright as round wounds, but some bright tones and smooth feel.

[@robertbuffone5207]

I have been at it for quiet a few years. Roto Sound 66 is my choice for the music I play.

[@bassman108]

The flats sounded great!

[@jud62]

Man those flats sound great!

[@williamcalfee7571]

I prefer the feel and sound of nickelwounds,especially on a crisp sounding bass like a Spector. My MIM Fender Jazz 5 changed from a thin,glassy,piano type sound to an entirely full,clear and throaty modern sound after a bridge replacement,new nickelwound strings,and a pro setup. Later I installed new tuners,a brass nut,and EMG Noiseless 5 Jazz Pickups. It was better than new.

[@pwhite102]

Dunlop has a very cool bright nickel set. I want to try more varieties of bright nickel. I've also been gravitating toward ernie ball because they are everywhere and affordable. That said I love stainless steel. They have a piano-like quality, but I found them extremely stiff under my fingers.

[@vitaliano1978]

Thanks for the great video! What Bass model/Pickups ist this?

[@dansadiqui]

You do some badass videos! Very informative and creative too. I am very new to the bass, I even have a Fender Squire P-Bass. I know I want a really deep, deep sound. I also like GHS Strings as my brand of strings. I think by watching this video I want the Nickle type of string. So, what I would like to know is what gauge or type of strings will give me that super deep rich sound? I would like to get the deepest sound I can get. What is the answer I am looking for??? I am a subscriber too now. Please let me know what I need to know so I can keep learning the bass!! Thank you, brother!!! God Bless!

[@bobbylight5875]

Thanks for the video. I use ghs nickel round wound.

[@AtypicalPaul]

Thank you very much! I've decided for me flats. Advice on brand?

[@drydreams8513]

Good stuff man. I love two different steel strings rotosound funk masters and rotosound swing 66 both are stainless steel. The funk masters are super light gauge 30,50,70,90 but really pop n snap at the slightest touch and the swing bass 66 are heavy gauge 50,70,85,110 they have a nice full body hard hitting bass sound I like both and they are hard to slide around on for sure but I manage to do it . Dunlop sells this string cleaner but I use it as a lubricant for my slides more than cleaning a little trick I learned, I do alot of slides with my playing I love it and I know the people who are watching us play love it too great video man. Ur right though nickel is a smooth bass string I’ve tried them before I liked them when I did have them might have to mix it up and go back to some sweet nickels soon anyways take care man have a good one

[@chriszbodula1894]

Great comparison video. There was only a slight variation between the nickel and SS but the SS with the pick really sounded crisp. Definitely agree the nickel are best overall. Back in the day they made ground round wound. Do those still exist?

[@jayda.mei_]

From what I can hear the flat wound string gave a more darker and richer sound like you would hear in older baselines while the other two were brighter and what you would imagine in modern processed music

[@crimfan]

Interesting that you like the feel of them. I really don't. I usually play with coated rounds on my fretless, which have fewer zing and don't chew the board as much, but they still have that tactile grip.

[@Charles-xw1wt]

Hello Marcelo! Very nice video. Very informative. I was wondering if you can make a shoot out between flat wounds and half round strings? Cause I like the classic sounding bass sound that flats produce. But I like feel and versatility of round wounds. That’s why I have very old round wound strings on my 5 string. I’m trying to get the best of both worlds because of that. And I’m thinking of getting a new set. So, I’m debating on flats or half. 😂Thanks in advance

[@chillsmith9622]

Thank you

[@MrEddySanders]

I'm playing a sire Marcus Miller v7 with Dr highbeam stainless light gauge with a hartke 1*15, when I star slapping it sounds like the bottom falls out/no volume, do you think nickel strings might fix that?

[@trance9158]

I use to use GHS boomers when I started playing 5 and 6 string bass I switched to DR DDTs and haven't changed brand's or type in over 12 yrs

[@TheBassWizard]

I actually haven't tried those yet, but heard great things about them!

[@trance9158]

@@TheBassWizard I love them but I'm strictly a progressive and hard rock musician and use their drop tuning capabilities to down tune up to a whole step on my 5 and 6 stringers . I'm considering going back to Boomers on my passive Spector Euro 4 stringer or maybe trying Dragonskins or Cobalts on it.

[@CyrilViXP]

Nickel roundwound sounds like perfect middle for me. And tapewound in in the perfect middle in between flatwound and roundwound

[@ShadamAran]

man I keep swapping between daddario nickel rounds and fender flats on my pbass. They're both great for different things, but if I am just gonna hold down the groove and play fingerstyle all night, which is what most cover gigs call for, let's be honest, it's the flats for me. The thump is second to none, and sits beautifully in a mix in live and recording sessions, regardless of genre. I like the super gritty bright round tone a lot, but i'd encourage anyone playing rock music, especially with multiple guitars to give flats a good long try, especially if you are having trouble hearing yourself ;) they are also AMAZING for hip hop. Every time I play a gig live the sound guys are always surprised when i tell them i use flats. I'll never say never when it comes to any string type tho, and rounds have more than proven their worth to me, but something about the thump that flats have is ridiculously satisfying. Also flats with a good fuzz sound when you can blend your wet and dry signal is really something special

[@asere135]

good video

[@uncletom-e4461]

Have you tried Ernie Ball "Cobalt" Strings ? They (to my ear) have both a brighter and fuller sound across the spectrum...

[@rfuriati]

I will get Flatwound . Never used because allwaysw looked for Bright Slap And Finger sound , now i’m thinking that is little B.S .. now i love this punch and clean sound from FWounds

[@marcionobrega5117]

Gostei do vídeo 👋👋👋

[@willistaylor4077]

I have Tapewounds on my short-scale Fender PJ Mustang, Flatwounds on my Squier Classic Vibe 70's personally modified Precision Bass with a Fender Pure Vintage 64 precision bass pickup, and the Roundwounds on my brand new Fender 75th Anniversary Precision Bass. I absolutely Hate the feeling of the Roundwounds, and am seriously considering putting on Flatwounds on the new P Bass, simply for the Comfort Factor.

[@bernardm3066]

Hi. Nice demo. Which pickups are you using? Are they the Seymour Duncan SJB-3?

[@thecoolestdad]

I play flats and half rounds. Half rounds are smooth like flats, but with a bit more punch like roundwounds. I have flats on my Paul McCartney violin bass, and halfrounds on my Jazz bass. Oh and I'm a lefty, but I play a bass strung up as for a right hander. I learned on a right handed bass and can't play a lefty strung bass. Go figure. LOL.

[@rd40082]

The 3 Type Of strings sound great in your hands.

[@MartirosHakopianMarHak]

I liked the Flat wounds ... They seemed to be more clear sounding no extra noise. Got a Sire bass and I think they come with Steel wound and since I am a beginner for base I get a bit of string buzz which I don't like . Maybe in future when I will be more fluent on the instrument I will try other choices ... What do think of Nylon string bass strings >

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

Nylon wrap strings are supposed to sound the most old school and boomy, good for reggae, ska and an upright sound.

[@kirkefond6929]

What about string length? Should only the silk portion or the tail of the string wrap the tuning post? i see a lot of you tubers wrapping the wound portion of the string around the tuning post. A new set of La Bella string I just bought says " only the silk port of the string should wrap the tuning post "on the package.Which way is correct?

[@jimcamp2423]

I'm trying to find someone that will talk about the scale length differences for the various strings. Can you use medium, standard and long scale bass strings on a 28.6 inch or even a 30 inch short scale bass. Any intonation issues ? I have a 28.6 scale Jackson, what are the repercussions ? I mean the 28.6 is a rarer oddball scale length from the 30, 32, 34 and longer scale bass guitar necks.

[@JasonTeach]

I'm still waiting for them to ship, but I'm going to try out the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds. They are supposedly a lot brighter than normal flats. Before I sold it I use to run DR Legends on my pbass and loved the sound.

[@TheBassWizard]

Haven't tried those yet, but they sound interesting. I like the idea of a brighter flatwound!

[@kongandbasses8732]

I can only say good things about EB Cobalt Flats. They are not as bright as roundwounds, but have a nice top end I like a lot on my Vichodyl P5 and my 1964's Precision. And they have a lot of output due to the highly magnetic material they are made of.

[@DenverStarkey]

@@TheBassWizard try the rotosound steve harris sig series string they are bright as hell.

[@mentula3784]

We only needed the samples at the end of this vid. I mean, great vid and all but I'm sure "James Jamerson used flat wounds because that's all there was" is now burned I to my brain I heard it that much. Killer playing btw, serious skill ❤️

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

Would you not love to go back, meet the man and show him the bass technology we have now? Wouldn't it be interesting to see what James Jamerson in his prime would go for now? There you and he are in a Guitar Centre or somewhere and he's checking out the Warwick's through a Gallien Krueger amp with a Line 6 Helix at his feet.