Flatwound vs. Roundwound Bass Strings w/

‪@patrickhunter‬ deals with one of the most controversial topics in the bass world:
flat wound vs. round wound bass strings! Also answering the question if you are even allowed to play rock with flat wounds! Let us know which bass strings you play in the comments!
Gear used: bit.ly/3M3Woss
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[@beepst]

The flatwounds sound really organic and “natural”. I love it. Soooo smooth.

[@blahuhm6782]

sounds great with a touch of distortion too, if more harmonics are needed

[@krinklebass8822]

This is the first flats vs rounds video i have seen where the tester plays actual basslines and not solo stuff. I mean most of the comparison videos are a bit misleading because solo-like stuff sounds almost always better with rounds. But in this case it is much more realistic so thank you for that. The only thing i would like to see before finally convincing myself to go to flat is to compare them in a real band setting (ie along with other instruments) and probably a comparison between rounds an flats that are both lets say 2 months old. I think the difference might be unnoticeable in that case but i am not sure. If someone has a video like that please share it with me :)

[@matt.fromtheinternet]

It really depends on what kind of music you're playing, but I tend to play like indie/singer-songwriter stuff on bass when I play in bands, and have sworn by flats for years (La Bella flats on my 1960's Kay short scale, La Bella tapewounds on my Hofner). They can fit into a mix very well both live and in a studio environment, and like the video says, you do not have to change them nearly as often (I went like 4 years before needing to change mine).

[@theroadhogs6227]

When you play flats in a band situation, that's when they really shine. They seem to sit perfectly in their own place. I used rounds for 30 years until I tried flats, and now I'm unlikely to ever go back.

[@eneribackwards]

@@theroadhogs6227 may i ask what to go for (rounds or flats) in the context of playing worship music in like a church band ?

[@quadrofenio]

@@eneribackwardsif you ain't soloing and shining too much, definitely flatwounds. unless you have to go full funk and slap, i wouldn't recommend rounds at all.

[@theroadhogs6227]

@@eneribackwards I have never played in this context, and I think either would work fine. I do notice though that a lot of these guys go for a very hi-fi sound with an active jazz bass and rounds.

[@deterlukehart5681]

Restrung my bass recently from rounds to flats for the first time just to try it out… I’m never going back. Love the tone, wish I would’ve done it 20 years ago.

[@noyourewrong599]

I recently did the same, I feel like I've been missing out for so many years xD

[@johnmclaughlin2392]

The main reason I would want to stay with round wounds is that it's easier to tone down their bitter growl if needed, and harder to add the bitter growl to flatwounds.

[@joymonger69420]

I like cobalt flatwounds. They have more mids.

[@johnmclaughlin2392]

@@joymonger69420 Cool ! Thanks for the input.

[@rmzxr4395]

Exactly what i was going to post.👍

[@minnesotajack1]

Yes. I have a set of flat wounds …by that I mean a set of round wounds with the tone rolled halfway back

[@NorberthCsorba]

@@minnesotajack1 I, too, have a set of flatwounds: half year old Elixir roundwounds 😆

[@PooNinja]

I like them rubber strings on bass ukes, flubby boomy rubber baby bumper sounds.

[@johnnyappleseed5029]

Yeah, I like that thumpy sound also

[@Ben-ic1ve]

If you’re looking for that, the closest thing is tape wounds

[@roger_mike_bass2991]

Rubber Baby Bunky Bumper Sounds are very instrumental for those Terminator tones

[@rexfmspu]

They should make them spaghetti strings for bass guitars Tell me if there’s anything other than a tape wound

[@Takkun1138]

I personally prefer big boy bonker bass strings. Really overemphasizes my thwomps

[@modestalchemist]

i haven't played bass in 15 years. tried a set of flatwounds at my friend's house for the first time the other day, and just dusted off all my old gear. They just feel so nice.

[@kimmossige263]

Thank you for mentioning Pino Paladino! For 15 years Ive wondered how he got that sound so full in John Mayer Trio, I never figured it out. But this explains so much!

[@lowendthrasher9297]

I mostly play metal, and use flats exclusively. They feel better, and have a way punchier sound if you’re an aggressive player like I am with my fingers. My issue with rounds is they are way too clanky and zingy to my ear, to the point where I have a hard time hearing what notes I’m playing. True, I can tame those highs, but that round character is still there, not to mention the smooth feel of flats just is not there on rounds. The only time I’d ever consider rounds is for slap, even then I’m not a fan of slap in the least. Rounds can die and sound kind of like flats, but they still don’t have the liveliness in their sound flats have. Currently, my oldest set of strings is just over three years old and sound amazing. My sub genre of choice is death and thrash. Overall, it’s always fun and interesting to see what works for us and others, regardless of what we play!

[@jamcam9]

Noice! What flats do you use? I use TI jazz flats on fretless for death/prog (and jazz and blues).

[@blooter6360]

Totally agree

[@lowendthrasher9297]

@@jamcam9 I use Ernie Ball Group 2 Flats and Fender flats. Killer strings for what I play!

[@jamcam9]

@@lowendthrasher9297 I started off with Fender flats and while I mostly liked the sound, there wasn't enough upper mids for my liking and I really didn't like the string tension, especially compared to the TIs. I haven't tried EB flats, but if I get another bass I'll try them out.

[@jkf9167]

I'm with you on flats. I play punk rock on Fender flats. The attack of a pick on a roundwound string has always felt like a big mess to me although most of my favorite punk players play that way and sound great. I like the way that you can dial in attack on flats without too much mess.

[@BassicPlaying]

I started out my bass journey playing mostly metal but now play a bit of everything and I loved flats then and I still love them now. One big advantage with flats is how much you can beat them. I mean you can really abuse a set of flats and they’ll hold up where I feel like rounds would break, especially with how long I leave strings on before changing them! Although they’re not perfect, sometimes depending on your settings using a pick with flats can just sound awful whereas with rounds and a pick always sound great. Another thing I love about flats is their tension, they’re great for down tuning to C for example cuz they still have enough tension to not feel or sound “floppy” whereas if I was playing in C with rounds I would definitely want a higher string gauge. At the end of the day like you said there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to strings. I just really love my flats!!!

[@leopbass]

I changed time ago to flats, and i don't regret. I love them. What i like most is that they make much less fret and string noise. I play in two bands: one rock/blues type of music and in a cover band (blues, rock, hard rock) I've found that fender's flats are really light tense, like roundwounds, i use that ones, 45 - 100

[@allrequiredfields]

And keep in mind that almost literally everything before like 78 was flatwounds, so most of the stuff you're playing, flats are going to sound more at home. Even though SRV's bass player played rounds, I always thought that the band would have sounded much better with flats on the bass - those high frequencies of roundwounds just fight with guitar frequencies. If you want low tension, try out a set Thomastik strings - they're expensive, but once they break in, they're like nothing else. They're the only set of bass strings that I can call out just on sound alone, they're THAT nice (I personally can't use them live because I play too aggressively and need loads of string tension).

[@franktomisich8982]

Love flat 6:37 Thomastiks on my jazz bass they are at least 10 years old and used in in a rockabilly band also depends whether you play with a pick or fingers but then compensate with your amp, pref 150 watt Fender Rumble . Having said that my round wound Rotos on my Hofner violin bass are cool too.

[@thefool2007]

Love my Fender 50‘a flats. More top end than the D’Addario Chromes. And when picked, have a near roundwound top end.

[@DavidMarquesbass]

Post videos man! Everyone needs to see this!!!

[@LucaDigioia83]

Beautifully explained! Got awhile ago a couple of sets of both round and flatwounds from Thomann! Keep rocking guys

[@4brens]

Thanks for the comparative demo. Good job. The flat wounds sound so much better.

[@Caprese7777]

Thank you for the excellent overview and comparison, and you make them both sound great!

[@Ultrauraken]

So far after many years I came to : you need a JB with round and a PB with flats and mainly you can play any song and any genre available.

[@TheRip72]

I agree that flats better suit a P bass than a J bass. So I find it ironic that Rotosound market their flats as 'Jazz'.

[@brcmiami]

Great demo of the differences! 🔥

[@jkf9167]

I play punk rock and use flats exclusively. I mostly play with a pick, and I like the attack of a pick on flatwounds. I use Fender flatwounds, which are fairly bright for flats, on a PJ bass. I like the more streamlined vibe and the feel. My strings are about a year old and I'm considering replacing them with a new pack of the same strings for a little more brightness, but realistically, it'll be at least a few more months before I bother. There can be a really specific percussiveness to flats as a result of their more focused attack and reduced sustain.

[@eneribackwards]

what does sustain mean ? sorry im new to this stuff.

[@jkf9167]

@@eneribackwards it just means how long the note continues to ring after you play it. It's not necessarily a good thing on bass, but it can be.

[@eneribackwards]

@@jkf9167 i see. i dont mean to bother but would flats be good for someone playing at a church that usually plays soft rock/gospel ?

[@jkf9167]

@@eneribackwards yeah, you can do anything with flats. I'm not really a church guy, so I don't know what your frame of reference is. If you do a lot of slapping and popping, you might want brighter strings than flats, but aside from that, they'll do great. They have a lot of definition in the lows and lower mids, so they can make you sound cleaner and tighter without adding any high end. Try em. You'll either love them or not. You also never have to change them!

[@eneribackwards]

@@jkf9167 i think im also getting a pbass as well but im not the biggest fan of how clanky/rattly it sounds when the tone is set to full. do flat wounds eliminate a bit of that clank ?

[@Livemusic1800]

I have never used flats on any on my basses. 😯 got me thinking about it now. I shall try them.

[@jamcam9]

I have rounds on my HH stingray, but my #1 bass is my fretless jazz with Thomastik Infeld jazz flats. I'm an at home hobby musician, so I don't know how they would do in a mix but I love those strings. I jump between metal, jazz/bebop/hardbop/fusion, and blues and those strings on that bass feel like they fit all three genres well. The string tension feels way lower than other flats I've tried, and they have stellar low end clarity with a midrange growl on the fretless - I don't even miss the high end brightness because of how well situated the mids are.

[@joannalewis5279]

I have one bass with flats and one with rounds and I love them both. The rounds are on my active bass

[@stewartcohen7683]

I've listened to a few shootouts, and I felt this sonically one of the best, so thanks. I can't get away from feeling that flatwounds just have a bit more bass sound--not just because they are less bright. I'd love to see a frequency analysis sometime! But I wonder if it might be because there is simply more metal there? For two strings of the same gauge, all those gaps might subtract from body? Hmmm, who knows...

[@DorianKYounger]

I switched to LaBella flatwounds a while ago. Use them on my main ax, which is a jazz bass and on my Classic Vibe telecaster p bass...Also use flats on my Hofner...Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing roundwounds, but my technique, which borrows heavily from Jamerson and McCartney, is suited for flats. I get all kinds of compliments on my tone these days. This is a great video and the best I've seen here on YT discussing the distinction between the two type of strings.

[@TedinLasVegas]

Thank you, the direct comparison was very interesting. I play a 5-string, use gold-plated, round-wounds, that start at 130.

[@lovannie]

This video is very useful, thanks !

[@blackcatjazzin]

Thanks for this demonstration, helpful to me,,,,,,😊

[@hunterknecht2240]

i love the sound of flats, so smooth and melodic. unfortunately i often have to play on rounds for the kind of music i'm playing right now, but i've tried tapewounds and they really work for me as a middle ground

[@sepherus]

You should give the Slinky Flats a try. They're almost a round wound in brightness.

[@cavanray6742]

Ernie ball cobalt flats. They sound almost exactly like a round when new, but koose the zing and fill out nicely with age and it's a lively punch rather then a dead thump, with all the growl and grind intact. Mine are 9 months old, Low B is still articulate and growly as hell, just sounds woody and full rather then zingy and hollow.

[@allrequiredfields]

You know what's a cool workaround if you need the top end of rounds - use low tension strings and crank the top end - you get that awesome, chaotic Black Sabbath Geezer Butler sound and it can totally work with metal that isn't trying too hard to sound exactly like modern metal bands.

[@allrequiredfields]

​@@cavanray6742 Totally - and people don't realize that Iron Maiden/Steve Harris always played flats - the low end is just so much more solid and ballsy.

[@cavanray6742]

@allrequiredfields my cobalt flats are on an active 5 string with emg 40jax pickups and a wenge neck. With a modern flavoured drive like darkglass I can get a very similar grind to all the players with their roundwound strung dingwalls and other modern basses, it just sounds fuller and more focused. I feel rounds have a missing frequency and the bottom end sounds anaemic and disconnected from the attack. I've never ever heard the zing either on record or live, so no idea why so many players think they need it. Zing literally does nothing for your sound.

[@Cap683]

I was badgered into putting flatwound strings on at least one of my basses. I put Dunlop flatwounds on my two Precision Basses. To my surprise, the sound was more articulate. The Dunlops have somewhat lower tension and are not super dark. They are a good starting point.

[@AriaPro-II-SB-1000]

I really enjoy playing with D'Addario XL 45-100 Chromes flatwounds. Really smooth, great tone, and haven't had to change them for well over a year of regular play.

[@lucasgama5616]

best video to compare the difference!

[@robsantorobass]

Great video man, keep it up! I like both but preferably roundwounds. I have two bass, a Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 (passive pick ups with an active preamp) and a Schecter CV-4 (just passive) I use roundwounds on my 5. It’s my main bass and an absolute workhorse. (45-130 Ernie Ball) For my 4 I’m currently using Ernie Ball Hybrids roundwounds (45-105) but wanna put a set of flats on it just to have the option of if/when I have a gig that calls for it plus just something to try out as well. As far as gauges go I’ve read that with flats the tension could be a bit higher just due to how they’re made so I may go 45-100 or 40-95 on my 4 for flatwounds and 45-105 for roundwounds.

[@HappyChillmore]

Great demo thanks

[@Atezian]

Great comparison, thanks.

[@theguitarnoobph]

Thaaaank you!!

[@wieslawirzyniec4527]

now that's a comparison i needed to make up my mind if i want to try them :) thanks :)

[@SerasBassPlayer]

good job patrick!

[@danadane2501]

First off, I have to say this is my favorite flats vs rounds vid I've seen. To answer your question. I play primarily straight up Rock N Roll, Heavy Metal and Punk Rock. Favorites era would be 1980's-1990s. Also I've never played anything but Round wounds. My all time favorite are D'addario 40-95. Use to play heavier gauge but the thinner strings stay brighter longer and cut much better in the mix IMHO.

[@jimcady9309]

I have rounds on three basses, and flats on one. The one with flats is the P-bass copy I learned on when younger. I wasn't playing it, and wondered if I could do something different with it. Now it's my primary jazz axe! (I also put a hunk of foam under the strings next to the bridge. Real old school sound! Maybe I'll defret it some day).

[@Wombatmetal]

Steve Harris uses flats, but they are Rotosound Monel flats, which are a pretty modern flat and have a lot of high tones in them. He also changes them before every concert so they are always zingy. A far cry from James Hamerson who used LaBella flats and never changed them. I have 4 basses; a Schecter Corsair Semi-hollow body with LaBella 760 flats 45:105 gauge, for a more vintage sound. I have an ESP LTD Stream 204 with EMG P4X/CSX pickups with LaBella Low Tension flats 42:100 gauge. This bass sounds very metal. I also have two Charvel Sam Dimas IVs. The first is stock, with Dimarzio Modek P/J pickups, and Rotosound 77 Monel flats 45:105, same strings Steve uses in a lighter gauge. This bass has a lot of brightness. This would be my "pop rock" bass. My final bass is also a San Dimas IV P/j, but it has a Dimarzio Sixties P/Area J pickups with a Darkglass Tone Capsule for the preamp. Also using the same Rorosound 77s. This bass has an enormous amount of presence and is good for rock/metal I don't have rounds currently but I can play any kind of music on flats. I can fit in any mix.

[@AussieMysteries]

I play Rotosound Steve Harris flats on a Spector Euro series and through an Ampeg or Ashdown, dialing up the mid a little gives a really nice bright tone. You need to use a bass with a bridge pickup to get that tone

[@SrTubular]

I use D'Addario Half Rounds 50-105, they feel great, not as bright as regular roundwounds but still close enough for classic rock

[@jagerking7020]

Perfect happy medium

[@drewjonespdx]

Thank you

[@slimkickens]

I've got two precisions, a 70s CV with rounds and a MIM with flats. 99.9% of the time, those two can cover everything I need in studio

[@UncleT-wo2ny]

ive played flatwound for years and they last forever. also i run my bass through a behringer v tone so i can practically get any tone i want. also flatwound doesnt rub against your fingers so much so they are good for sliding up the fretboard. and i get very easy vibrato with flatwound.they tend to be more flexible than roundwound.

[@willschwabenbauer2577]

the thump n pluckin' with flatwoumds sounds damm good

[@jimcady9309]

The inventor of the technique, Larry Graham, was of course using flats when playing with Sly and the Family Stone.

[@NoName-fo7mz]

No it dosent

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

I have always had a bass with each type of string depending on what music the band was playing. Early British Invasion, Motown, old pop calls for flats. If we played Who,The Move or other rock stuff I used round wounds. My Hofner Club ? I use tapewounds.

[@TheQuesoJC]

nice video man

[@terrymcdonaldbassguitar]

As awesome as rounds are - the bass comes into its own when strung with flats. Like that old comfy couch. I keep a g&l sb-2 bass (fender p style) strung with flats at all times now next to my others.

[@Tropico1020]

I got an Ibanez sr300edx with rounds which is nice and agressive. I also recently got a gorgeous AV II 60 P bass with flats and it sounds deliciously smooth. I use it to play reggae mostly

[@Schorlebu]

I like flats- and tapewound.

[@joermnyc]

Noticed that flats also feel less “floppy” in tension. I’m currently thinking of switching from D’Addario flats to LaBellas since they claim to be brighter and I already have them on my Squier Bass VI, but they are definitely pricier. I’m playing short scale (34” scale is not comfortable for me as I also play guitar) .45-.105 gauge.

[@jamcam9]

LaBellas? Pricey? I'll be over here cradling my murdered credit card from buying Thomastik Infeld jazz flats.

[@joermnyc]

@@jamcam9 yeah, I looked at half-rounds… and the price decided for me that I need to stick with Flats.

[@malcopops4]

the annoying thing is i'm thinking of going to flats to try and emulate upright for walking bass lines. so i actually don't want to lose that floppiness. i use a short scale (mustang) too.

[@daniva]

i love flatwounds, but i played flats in a band and i can-t hear it well, but with rounds my instrument is more present with a full band, so i like it better, my ideal string its a well used roundwound that has no zing but still has the growl

[@cavanray6742]

Ernie ball cobalt flats are amazing at this. They start out sounding exactly like a set of rounds but they age like a fine wine. Mine are 9 months old. No zing, sustain has reduced to a lively punch, growl and grind still intact, even on the low b. I have them on an active 5 string, and the two pickup and active eq is not wasted on these, which fully maintain the harmonic character of your bass. Still more focused sounding and keeps the bass from muddying up the guitar. The best of both worlds.

[@jorgepm443]

I started playing on a bass that came with flats, so i grew up with that specific tone, 2 years later i tried rounds for the first time, but soon came for flats again, i just love their sound, it sounds as a bass should sounds

[@catboyzee]

The cool thing is with this knowledge and a couple of instruments, a bass player can better tailor and fine tune his sound to meet the needs of the music he has to play the same as a guitarist with a Strat & Les Paul, or a keyboardist with a rig featuring a piano, Rhodes, B3, and synthesizers. #respect

[@Heathaze813]

Half rounds. Best of both worlds D'Addario Love em.

[@boomerbassmeme]

I like both! I switch what bass with what type of strings and gauge depending on what is needed for the music I am working on. I play all genres both solo, and with different people. Whatever serves the song the best! 😊

[@bobbyzig3879]

Flats + Darkglass Alpha Omega with a Pbass. My current set up

[@WarriorforChrist8601]

Me too bro 😂

[@HeadCannon1776]

Metal, roundwounds, medium gauge but I tune to drop C on a long scale bass. If I was using a short scale I'd use lights and probably not go lower than drop D. But I also like my action stupid lower and my next stupid flat, without any kind of shimming of the neck. Would love to get a 37-40" bass that's a 4 string just to tune down to a low F#. GHS boomers btw.

[@thomasdeshais]

La Bella 105 flatwounds on my Dingwall Ng3 ...🥰

[@brentheathersimons7042]

'Arry from Iron Maiden does fine with them! :)

[@willistaylor4077]

Another reason, to have more than one P-style Bass... 😂❤❤

[@svenjansen2134]

Thanks for mentioning a different sound works inspirational. Gonna put flats on my fretted. Get that plucky plunky motown chop. It will give ideas. Roundwound is becoming too flashy, too metallic. But what to put on a fretless? Go Jaco?

[@seunpeter_olanrewaju]

I have used both Flatwound and Roundwound. However, I still preferred the Roundwound strings.

[@Andyanddiana467]

I love Flats - I only use Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats, specifically. 85% of the brightness, but much smoother. Last way longer, too.

[@sepherus]

I've switched over to these on both my basses.

[@matthewwingren7967]

They last forever if you do it right

[@cavanray6742]

@@joedecker3900 they age beautifully with time. Those qualities you list allow them to be lively and dynamic in a year and not dead. They combine the good parts of rounds (growl, grind, dynamics) with the good parts of flats (focus, fuller sound, more percussive sustain, sits in the mix better). You need to give them time, they are way too bright and hollow sounding at first.

[@christocr]

I typically do not like the sound of flatwounds at all for most things and almost all of them are way too high tension for my taste. But a couple of years ago I tried the Ernie Ball Slinky (Cobalt) flatwounds. They give me enough high-end and clarity for most of what I like to hear and the lightest gauge 40-95 feel really good under my fingers. And the voicing of the strings do not have that huge low-mid bump that most all flatwounds have (and that is the thing that used to bother me most about flatwounds, not necessarily the lack of high-end--I just do not like that really "middy" sound of most flats). I still use rounds a bit, but most of my basses have the EB Cobalt flats on them right now. So for those of you who do not like either the sound of flats or the high-tension, give the EB Slinky (cobalt) flats a try. They have their own sound that to my ears is somewhere between a flat and round sound. Also the tension/feel is way better if you are used to lower tension rounds. They also last a long time, but do lose some of their brightness. I love the way they sound when they are new, so I change them quite often. Downside is that they are a little pricey.

[@rainermichaelcom]

i play fender flats on all my basses. they are not that expensive and work very well in our rock band.

[@jamcam9]

I couldn't get used to the tension on those, always felt like I was fighting the instrument. I find that TI jazz flats have just enough resistance to make me oay attention to ny right hand and just enough give that I can play quickly. How do you find the Fenders cmpared to other flats?

[@rainermichaelcom]

@@jamcam9 i tried a few others but could not feel big differences in tension. the feel of the surface is more an issue... for example those black tapewounds look cool but feel too soft for me... i have the tension issue with shortscale basses. fender flats are fine because they are inexpensive, last long and sound aggressive with a pick and warm when played with fingers... so i dont have to dial the tone between songs...

[@olivergold5398]

I ❤ flats on the p bass for rock and blues-rock. But there is a huge variety of differences between the different types of flats. I like chromes 45 to 100 most. GHS precision flats for example sound too dull for my ears.

[@colinmalu]

Just got a set of Flats love them much much better

[@oldmanwinter63]

I've always used round wound strings, but I recently bought a used Sterling by MM that came with flats, and I really like the difference! No idea what brand or guage they are so I'll have to look at what's out there if I ever replace them..

[@mihailmilev9909]

Maybe you could ask the person who sold it to you lol. I think it's definitely worth a try if it'll let u preserve or know the tone

[@TheMukenukem]

You don't have to replace flats ;)

[@terrymcdonaldbassguitar]

I have some mystery flats on a used bass i got .. never change em. Sound great.

[@allrequiredfields]

Tell me what kind of sound they are or what you're looking for; I spent the two years of lockdown buying literally every brand of flatwounds to see what I liked for each of my basses. I've got a near encyclopedic knowledge of them now and have played flats exclusively since '97 two years after I started playing.

[@Blueguitar007]

​@@allrequiredfieldsdo you have a bass vi?

[@Mr-Coffee]

I'd be very interessted in how the different type of strings sound with serveral effects that you might find in lets call it "prog" genres. So putting a distortion on flats or setting up a flanger, or just an echo / delay / hall effect. Since some of these effect really profit from the brighter sounds BUT sometimes its too much. And cutting off the bright sounds and flatten them could create really weird and also amazing sounds

[@DopeShow]

First of all thanks for a great video! What is that song the first one you play? I’d love to play that! I usually use La Bella RX-N4D RWNP .45-.105 - I love the rich sound from them but this video really made me want to buy flats. Never played in any but that is about to change! Thank you 💙

[@chrislaarman7532]

For /my/ styles of music I prefer flat-wound bass strings. I promised myself to keep round-wounds on my Harley Benton MJ-4EB, so I eventually bought an MJ-5EB and again a set of flat-wounds (Thomastik JF345). I'm wondering if I "need" an additional acoustic bass with round-wounds. For comparison: for my guitars I default to round-wound strings, but I have one solid-body guitar, one western and a 6-string banjo equipped with flat-wounds (Thomastik JS110). I'm glad I did, but I expect to keep flat-wounds a minority among my guitars.

[@jdmarino]

Flats on my P bass for old school, rounds on my yamaha double humbucker for when I need a "modern" sound. (You're both right: it's a dessert topping and a floor wax!)

[@kraigompls]

Where did that 13 hole anodize P-Bass pick guard come from? I had to search _HARD_ to find one and in the end a guy in a suburb of my hometown was making them. It was the only source I found for one though. Everything else was 10 holes because that's how they made them in '57 - '58 when Fender was using anodized pick guards. I'm curious if it was stock with the bass or if it's aftermarket.

[@mauricebibriesca7297]

I have LaBella flats on my Pbass a TS808 and a compressor pedal = the ultimate bass sound

[@acdover]

Never knew the difference in sound ...until now. 😲

[@vassili87]

I used to play Punk Rock, so 045-105 round for me for the longest time. Ernie Ball was my playground. Used to change brand from time to time. But eventually I felt inspired to look for new sounds and I started my journey (cobalt, nickel plated, coated, half-rounds, Elixir, D'Addario, ErnieBall Cobalt Flat) 050-105 at times. I still don't know what to try next.

[@cavanray6742]

The Ernie ball cobalt flats are the pinnacle of modern, tight flats that maintain growl, grind, and definition while still placing the bass in its own lane as all good flats do. I keep them clean with GHS fast fret after every gig and rehersal. Even the low b is as growly and grindy as ever 9 months later. Best flats for an active too as they have the sonic content to take full advantage of multiple pickups, active eq, coil switching, etc.

[@vassili87]

@@cavanray6742 they are my choice for the best bass I own. StingRay Special (Active), I wanted to tame the pre, if needed, but still retaining the qualities usually rounds have.

[@Lultschful]

I have a P and a J bass, got flatwounds for the first time, thought I'd equip one with flats and keep rounds on the other. I was so blown away by flats, I'm wondering if I might not go flatwounds on both :D

[@StewartBrand85]

The thing about a comparison like this is that people will think rounds are clanky and flats aren't but no one will ever be playing just bass with a really quiet drum beat. When the bass is at the appropriate level and mixed in with the other instruments both types of string sound totally different - a lot of that clanky sound gets masked on rounds.

[@chippsterstephens6800]

The thing with flat wounds in the context of a mix, is that it actually sounds better due to more limited frequency response, the kick/snare compete for…. and the midrange of the guitar, when the bass is distinct, and well defined frequency wise, it will actually stand out more, than a bass that sounds great on its own , yet the mix engineer needs to compress and cut with eq. And it never sounds as good as something that did not need as much processing to begin with, and yup this holds true in a barroom as well, it’s just not under the microscope like a studio is. Just something to consider. Many other instruments this also holds true, like a j45 acoustic VRs a big Martin dread, the little slope shoulder will just flat out sound better, bigger and fuller than the huge sounding Martin that gets again eq cuts and compression so it doesn’t crowd the other instruments. Anyway…..for me flat wounds for the win, regardless of music style.

[@m.f.3347]

I play really loud noise rock but flats (D'addario Chromes specifically) are my weapon of choice. Their smooth tone is the perfect canvas for fat synth sounds and disgusting amounts of fuzz. I prefer to leave the high-end to the guitar

[@basszercsajszi]

I am obsessed with flats - especially for city pop and French variety but you can also make it work for indie rock. I just started to use rounds on my other bass for slapping but missing the flats so much already. Question: what kind of flats do you guys use? I tried coated strings but right now I think the stainless steel ones are much better.

[@Andyanddiana467]

I love the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

[@jamcam9]

I use Thomastik Infeld jazz flats and I absolutely love them on my fretless jazz. Not as bright as the EBs but they have more low end clarity and a midrange growl on the fretless that I like.

[@Skorpp13]

Fender flats, they're not expensive and have a certain bite that you shouldn't expect from flats.

[@teresaravenshaw5477]

Rotosound RS77, standard gauge.

[@bassinblue]

I love flatwound strings, but I've always had this issue, where it's difficult to mix with other instruments. Flatwounds create this boomy problem, where it's hard to dictate where it lives in a mix. If you want a fat bassy club track, the bass notes wouldn't be audible anymore because you're sacrificing the hit of the notes for a well rounded sound. My solution to this was get flatwounds but light gauge strings (40-100) and this is the perfect sweet spot, if you're a session musician who records with other bands and groups, get the lighter gauge strings and the mixing engineer will thank you for it!

[@ianrichter3765]

Tone is a personal preference but in reality the only time rounds are best is when slapping. Glad you mentioned Steve as well!

[@blendernoob64]

I actually prefer flatwounds not because they sound better, but because they FEEL so much nicer than round wounds. I can slide my hands up and down the neck so much faster with flats, and they don’t dig so much into my dry fingers as fast as round wounds.

[@djsangre]

I just got a (preowned) very cool but weird P bass: 70s jazz neck and flats on it. I mean: it sounds and plays fantastic (!!!) at home. But I'm not sure at high volume with my band. Let's see.

[@sigwarts5251]

I prefer flats for all genres except slaping. The important thing for rock/metal is that the amp is driven, like e.g. Steve Harris does. Sounds a bit strange in solo at first but perfect in the mix. I wouldn't want to miss the playability of the smooth flats anymore. With the volume potentiometer you can take something back, then the flats sound clean again (as in your examples)...

[@williambradley8004]

Slap is not a genre.

[@sigwarts5251]

@@williambradley8004 I know, but it should ;o)

[@jazzybeeff]

Feels of them are very different. I tried flats for the first time and i feel like i’ve just started to play. I use it in same gauge in my rounds but flats feel more heavy.

[@jquill6]

I love flats on a p bass but I find they can really start to lose their sustain after a while, especially on the E .

[@willistaylor4077]

Flats, and Tapewound strings for me. And, a good ol' P Bass. ♥️♥️🎸🎸😃

[@cunetero81]

Nice video... But nicest Squier ❤ Next time? flats on my pbass

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Bernard Edwards from Chic used flats, and he's well regarded :)

[@jasonjump6019]

@PatrickHunter what brand and gauge flatwounds are you using?

[@BassRacerx]

next experiment. different string gauges with flats?

[@xbman1]

I like the sounds of the flatwounds cuz it feels so good on my fingers.😂😂😂

[@Andrew-kg9yo]

As a guitarist I much prefer playing with a bassist who uses flats. A good guitarist knows to not set up his sound with too much bass, as to not fight sonically with the bass. I always thought it funny how some bass players then want to impede into the guitar’s sonic range by using rounds.

[@malcopops4]

yup. what sounds good on a youtube video of someone playing alone is different from what sounds good with the rest of the band!

[@ZeusKitty1]

D'Addario Chrome Flats here. Not only does that rich P-bass sound come out, but they have a bit of a brighter sound than some of the others. I just really don't like how hot rounds sound. I'm sure it's great for some... Just not for me.

[@Bahimo3154]

With this video I've just fall in love with Flatwound strings 🔥 Also 1 question : Pino paladinho had a nails on his right hand ?

[@MG-vo7is]

Pino Paladino played with a band called Nine Inch Nails. (Trent Reznor)

[@jeffallmond5030]

Man oh man... There is so much I have to learn about a bass. I do know I like the sound of the flat wound strings vs the round.

[@whocaresofusername]

I went with Slinky Cobalt Flatwounds, now I can't stand the clank of a roundwound anymore. These flats are bright enough but they are also a lot "cleaner" and feel more balanced eq wise. They cost an awful lot but they last very, very long fortunately.

[@diegoramirez4921]

How is the sound of cobalt flats? Are too bright as a roundwound or sounds more deep? Im thinking use the cobalt flatwounds or stainles steel by Ernieball,still can't decide

[@scotiushobius]

I heard a lot of flatter purists like not to change their strings for ever if possible. I might be one of the few that I like the sound of really warn out rounds. I haven't changed mine for years. But I do use lighter Guage too. It's not the best of both worlds technically, though to me the light and warn out allows dreamy stuff to my tone.

[@BathtubBass]

I can't make my mind up with strings. I got flats on my Rickenbacker, tapes on my Hofner, rounds on my Iceman and rubber on my uke lol