Flatwound VS Roundwound Bass Strings - 5 Tone Tests

In this bass guitar lesson, James will show you Flatwound VS Roundwound Bass Strings - 5 Tone Tests. You'll get more insight into what makes each string type sound great!
→ Start Your FREE 14 Day Trial For The Bass Lab PLUS Membership:
ebassguitar.com/trial/
→ Get Your FREE Bass Player's Action Pack here:
ebassguitar.com/bass-players-...
→ Want the Blues Book? Click Here:
ebassguitar.thrivecart.com/es...
= = = = =
Love this lesson? Make sure you check out these lessons too:
How To Play Blues Walking Bass
• Walking Blues Bass gui...
3 Blues Fingering Patterns
• 3 Important Blues Bass...
= = = = =
Inside the Bass Lab PLUS Membership, you’ll get instant access to all the eBassGuitar step by step courses, interactive masterclasses, and resources. You’ll also get access to personal coaching from James in the eBassGuitar Coaching Community and connect with bass players from all over the globe, that will support and encourage you to supercharge your bass playing... once and for all!
This unique bass guitar lessons program contains a complete syllabus design exclusively for the beginner to intermediate bass player.
= = = = =
About eBassGuitar
Hi, I’m James Eager, a professional musician & online instructor. Over the past 15 years, I’ve taught 1000s of students.
eBassGuitar is the only video bass guitar lessons website dedicated to helping startup & aspiring bassists develop into the musician of their dreams.
#eBassGuitar #bassguitarlessons #bassguitarstrings #flatwounds #roundwounds
www.ebassguitar.com

[@Phaidrus]

Excellent, thanks!

[@gautierc146]

BIG BIG THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MERCI

[@RayJayJrUke]

Thanks for this James. I'm a beginner and when I got my bass I didn't like the feel of the roundwounds it came with and traded them for flatwound before I really played very much. I've thought about trying roundwound strings again but this video has convinced me that for the kind of music I usually play flatwound is the way to go.

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that! Glad you get something useful out of this video! All the best!

[@jeffreykornspan9053]

I've been using Dean Markley SR 2000 on my Lakland44-02 and love them. I also play them on my '82 P bass. But I recently threw a set of Flats on my p bass and are really liking them too. I play mostly all R&B music through a 2-10& 1-15 bi amp rig with 800RB. Thanks!

[@flatwoundfisker]

I have La Bella low tension flats on my p bass, amazing! Nickel round wounds on my Music Man and j bass. The low tension flats were a game changer for me.

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for pointing that out, Christian, great share! All the best!

[@svenjansen2134]

Thanks! Gonna put flats on my fretted just to sound different and put rounds on my fretless to cut through the mix.

[@ronfletcher6170]

Flatwounds on my Westone Thunder 1A - love the smooth tone, especially for worship songs.

[@stephendallison1465]

Yeah I got same bass and agree with you but as I have 5 other basses it's a case of horses for courses to what your playing at the time. As long as you feel the groove

[@PaulDukes-qc5yq]

11:58 Thanks James. Great video again. Exactly what I wanted. I' using Rotosound flat wounds on my Fender Jazz , short scale, bass. Gives me a deeper , richer sound and is smoother to play. I don't use a pick . I tried black tape wounds but found they stained the neck and didn't last too long before they started to shiw signs of wear. Maybe it was just a bad set ? Anyway, thanks again for the video. Great job. Regards to your family and staff. Keep Rocking mate. Paul Dukes

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks Paul! I’ve never tried black tape wounds… so can’t unfortunately comment!

[@bradfordwolfenden3528]

D'addario Half Rounds have served me well on both 4 & 5 Strings basses. They have the smooth feel, punch of flat wounds, also containing some bright tone in the higher notes.

[@ebassguitar]

I tried them once... must explore them again!

[@niallsbasstones9713]

Brilliant Video. I was surprised at how good the Flats sounded. I’ve tried Rounds & Flats and have a preference for Rounds. I’ve tried tons of brands and my all time favorite Strings are Fender 7250M’s Nickel Plated Steels 45/105. They project an honest and rocky tone and last for ages 🎸

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that, Niall! Cheers!

[@jonniegibbins]

I keep a set of flats on my fretless Jazz, tape wound on one Jazz and rounds on another. I love the snap of the tape wound, but the rounds are far more versatile. The flats just sound great on the fretless - a lovely double bass kind of sound (I keep the action fairly high).

[@ebassguitar]

Hey Jon! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@elducko1951]

Happy Birthday, Early!!

[@BriNbigD]

Love my American Professional P Bass with flats! All the sounds I want and sits in the mix perfectly. Once I learn to slap with my thumb I’ll use rounds on my MM Sires!

[@ebassguitar]

They work great in the mix!

[@ceessmit3902]

I use flatwounds an a J-Bass and black nylon strings on a P-Bass. love the black nylon ones !

[@ebassguitar]

Fantastic! I appreciate you sharing that here! Thanks!

[@chachabass]

Excellent job explaining the differences in strings. For what it's worth, I prefer flats with the treble on the amp and bass boosted for some zing... I just can't get over the screech roundwound strings make. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard! 😖

[@treesmasher823]

Very cool

[@ebassguitar]

Cheers!

[@markmilner842]

I have d’addario half rounds on my CV 50s style p bass; nickel round wounds on my MIM p bass; nylon tape wounds on my jazz bass. I used to use flats (chromes) on my p- basses, and may switch back - or to all tape wounds - at some point. I find round wounds can be a little noisy, although the tension on flats can be very high. Tape wounds have the smoothness of flats and the flex of rounds, and a warmth I think is unique to them.

[@ebassguitar]

Great observation, Mark! Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@leonardpoindexter5289]

I use Erie Ball slinky flats on the only bass I own a Fender fretless P Bass. When I need to make it sound like an upright I use a Nordy mute which give a quick attack and fast die-off.

[@ebassguitar]

That’s a great one! I’ve also seen use piezo pick ups too for the upright sound

[@quietstorm7826]

Flatwounds for me.. love the sound and feel

[@ebassguitar]

Definitely! Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@sickinthahead6557]

I have EB cobalt flats on my Ibanez for funk and disco, but they sound good playing New Order or Janes Addiction too.

[@ebassguitar]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that! Cheers!

[@mobymick1]

Currently have round wounds, but am interested to see which I should use from your youtube vid. :) Cheers Mike

[@ebassguitar]

Hey Mike! Hope you get something useful from this video! All the best!

[@anthonyelectric6045]

I use Nickel round wound. Very smooth and easy on the fingers.

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@bj.bruner]

NGL, the slapping the flats actually sounded pretty good 😅 I have rounds on my bass at the moment, but I'm really itching to try flats once I can afford a set

[@DruEllz]

I thought that too. Especially for a passive.

[@ebassguitar]

There’s definitely a certain sound to it which works in certain situations...

[@rudymcwilson4955]

Thankz for your information. Im just knowing that. 😅

[@ebassguitar]

Glad you are getting something useful out of this, Rudy! Cheers!

[@karenclarke8340]

Have roundwounds on 3 of my 4 basses but my Vintage reissued p-bass has flatwounds on for a more retro sound.

[@ebassguitar]

That is great Karen! Thanks for letting us know!

[@michaellowe121]

Great job as always!

[@ebassguitar]

Appreciate your kind words, Michael!

[@truchero11]

Great video. I’ve been playing w flats ( Chromes) for about 3 years now. Now every time I pick up one of my basses w rounds. I can’t stand the string friction noise. I would need to modify my left hand technique to play rounds again. How do you cope w the difference?

[@sorenedzen]

I couldn't choose. I use both. It depends on what tunes I'm playing.

[@ebassguitar]

Definitely - Each has their unique characteristic!

[@blueplateradio2]

What flats are you using and what gauge? Thanks!

[@santanajackson6160]

I actually like the roundwound strings . I akways used ernie ball regular slinky strings . but I would like to give the roundwound strings a try . I just hope they sound good with my active EQ

[@ebassguitar]

That would be great, Santana! Thanks for letting us know. Cheers!

[@Gareth-Harrison]

On my main bass a MIM Fender p i use Rotosound swing 66 strings on my squire p i use flats

[@ebassguitar]

I bet that squire P sounds good with flats

[@PhillipAlcock]

Depends what music you play. In other circumstances most of my playing is with a small swing band, and flat wounds sound just right! D’Addario black nylon tape wound to be precise on both fretted and fretless jazz basses,

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@MichaelSengers]

Interesting to hear so many flatwound lovers here. I though roundwounds are the most popular. I switched to flatwounds for the first time only recently and I'm not sure yet if I prefer them. For slapping I'm missing the typical sound. But else they sound very nice

[@ebassguitar]

Great observation, Michael! Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@elflakeador09]

Is their a compromise set on the market?

[@stephenhodgeman6496]

I'm a round wound guy, but for a fretless, flats are great, and I like tape wound as well for them.

[@ebassguitar]

Yeah, I used to play a fretless with flats on the Queen show we will rock you...

[@rogerdshrubber6557]

D’dardio chrome lites. Cuz they fuzz smooth and warm. No noise while sliding around neck. Like fingers are ice skating

[@ebassguitar]

Wow! Thanks for sharing that, Roger! All the best!

[@spacesloth6496]

Any one tried played with 2 strings flatwound and 2 strings round wound on bass ? And are there exsisting half round wound flatwound string ?

[@Bass.Player]

I played flat wounds for the first twenty years of playing, then in about 1985 I moved to Dean Markley rounds at that time and until about 1975 flats were all that was available. Even though flats are smoother feeling after about the third set they start to get grabby and I would have to use a product called finger-ease (around since 1963) sprayed on a rag and wiped on the strings, this is not an issue with rounds... Flats sit in the mix very different from rounds, they have a certain definition that is hard to describe. I like them but only have them on one fretless 5 now...

[@horseheadnebula1310]

Rotosound had round wounds in 1962

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that! All the best!

[@abbysiegel1637]

I use roundwounds on my PJ bass and flatwounds on my Beatles bass. The flatwounds growl while the roundwounds are much cleaner tone.

[@ebassguitar]

Hey Abby! Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@darrylfranklin3479]

Diadario chromes are bright and smooth

[@ebassguitar]

Nice - will try!

[@paulmansfield8222]

Use flatwounds on my Precision. Tried several different brands but found Thomastik Infeld have a little more sustain than the others.

[@Bass.Player]

Really expensive strings...

[@paulmansfield8222]

They are expensive but well worth it in my opinion. Think I paid about £50 for them. I love the warm clean tone. They’re perhaps more like half rounds.

[@mikebatt2651]

I use tape wounds. I hate the finger noise you get with rounds. Used to use ground wounds but changed to tapes a few years ago

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for sharing that, Mike! Cheers!

[@jeffberkeley9656]

My style involves a lot of sliding so I find flatwound strings suit me best. That being said, when I work on slap-and-pop techniques, only roundwound strings give me the results I want. To me, flatwound is a warmer sound, roundwound is brighter.

[@ebassguitar]

I love the feel for sliding too!

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

Tone comparison starts at 03:47

[@ebassguitar]

Cool

[@chriscantor6852]

James, thanks, that's helped me decide to stick with roundwounds and not to try flatwounds. The early decay of flatwounds is not for me. For the flatter sound I'll rely on my tone controls. Each to their own though.

[@ebassguitar]

Totally - it’s personal choice. In disco music I definite prefer roundwoulds

[@keithhollis1739]

I like both. So I'm rebuilding an old P-bass for only the Motown sound.

[@ebassguitar]

That would be great, Keith! Keep us updated!

[@WDXash]

When I first spotted this comparison I was hoping that it would include tape wounds, too.

[@martinheath5947]

Flatwounds = tapewounds Same thing!

[@WDXash]

Sorry, should’ve made myself clear... tape wound, as in the nylon tapewounds. I thought that would have been obvious, though. A few searches show comparisons of roundwound vs flatwound vs tapewound, so all is good 👍

[@murpsman]

Roundwound for sure for slapping.

[@ebassguitar]

Great share, Richard! Thanks!

[@GlenLeBlanc]

MIJ Fender Jazz - Ernie Ball Cobalt Roundwounds MIA Fender Precision - Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds Ovation Magnum III - D’Addario Tapewounds All bases covered, pun intended.

[@ebassguitar]

Great set up you got there, Glen! Thanks for sharing, cheers!

[@shamusmcfly2010]

I have a passive 5 string strung with flat wounds.

[@shamusmcfly2010]

And my active bass has round wounds.

[@ebassguitar]

Nice!

[@iwasntfeelingcreative]

i use 2 year old black beauty rounds on my stingray sub

[@ebassguitar]

Still sound good? My elixires can last ages

[@freidnavolge]

I use a flats

[@ebassguitar]

Fantastic!

[@rogvoyce4014]

What about tape wounds?

[@ebassguitar]

We can so them at point!

[@rogvoyce4014]

Thank you James, they are well worth considering the tone you get is somewhere in between cromes and flats! Bass on!@@ebassguitar

[@orsimarco3686]

round

[@bcinnamonclark8301]

I use Flatwound strings because they sound better and you can play your bass for longer periods of time without damaging your finger tips which is something that can happen with round wound strings

[@ebassguitar]

People do say that :-)

[@bcinnamonclark8301]

@@ebassguitar I have been using Flats for years and I have never had finger tip blisters

[@siemekkisiel8963]

Flatwounds, Flatwounds, Flatwounds!

[@ebassguitar]

I’m lovin them too

[@RealMNeutral31]

Round Wound all day for me. If I had a fretless bass I might use flat wounds.

[@ebassguitar]

Great idea! thanks for letting us know. Cheers!

[@68Goldfish]

Not a fan of the labella's. The E string is too thudy and the D string just sounds lame. Definitely the rounds between these two for me.

[@gdefombelle]

Round strings because of hamonics

[@ebassguitar]

Very true

[@hoangkhanhtruongnguyen8197]

Flat all the time. Never look back.

[@ebassguitar]

I’m lovin them too

[@stormbringer67]

Ok so we are at 3.45 and then the comparison starts?? Why you have to talk so much man? Get to the point! It's so annoying!

[@ebassguitar]

Because students need context and in the early days many don’t even know the difference... so the first 3 mins is essential in my view.

[@ruthfrye9181]

No contest.... Roundwounds by far. In the hands of a good player, the flats can sound good, but they will never sound great !!! Flats sound so one -dimensional, dull and uninteresting to me. Rounds have better character, harmonic value, bite ( in a good way) more definition and, as a drummer, easier to play along with. Flats just sound old and worn-out without any punch. Roundwounds let you play with more articulation and dymnamics. Flats limit this in a big way, you have to play according to there inherent limitations.

[@nesjo7777]

Overtalk....

[@ebassguitar]

Thanks for the feedback Johan. Still hope you got something good out of the video!