Roundwounds vs. Tapewounds vs. Flatwounds (AEB8 Acoustic Bass)

[@j.sparrow3265]

The string noise on the roundwounds made me physically flinch. Tapewounds are definitely a winner on acoustic basses.

[@xerospacious4024]

J. Sparrow. The strings aren't the problem his bass is terribly set up. I have literally no noticeable string noise with my cheap acoustic bass that I properly set up and ernie ball earthwood phosphor bronze roundwounds.

[@Christopherjazzcat]

@@xerospacious4024 what's wrong with the setup? Too low?

[@EJSjjh]

@@Kat_Haus I agree I have a shitty acoustic in desperate need of a setup and I hardly get any string noise because I'm used to playing with heavy distortion

[@mrbungle7586]

@@Kat_Hausgood technique is obviously important to help control string noise but if your bass is in desperate need of a set up, all the technique in the world won't stop some string noise.

[@WAOQVNA]

1) The Phosphor bronze roundwound strings: are the adequate ones, but too noisy, and hard finger feeling; 2) The Black nylon flatwound strings: have nice finger feeling, but without the punch sound that I like on a bass, and kind a toy-see sound; the winner for me is: 3) The Stainless steel flatwound strings: because have the best of both "worlds", good bass sound, and nice finger feeling. Thanks for the wonderful review!

[@tommarsh554]

Just ordered a set of LaBella flats for me AE.

[@CannotBeVerified]

Amazing review with maximised demonstration, limited talking. String review on an acoustic bass: exactly what I was looking for

[@bassworship50]

The tapewounds are warm and smooth but the flats had a bit more clarity to me. I use them both on my P bass but I prefer the flats. Thanks for making a really good string comparison.

[@theguitarnoobph]

This must be best video on this topic. Bar none. THANK YOU!

[@jeremypotthoff5915]

This is the best comparison I have found on youtube. Thanks a lot!

[@LZFILM]

Thanks!

[@SuperSukme]

I have the exact acoustic bass guitar and I went with the tape wounds suggested in the video details. Good suggestion and my first non acoustic bass strings. Super nice smooth feel on the fingers with low finger sliding noise during position transitions. It encourages more sliding. They're really warm while still having that springy-ness and life new strings offer. I like slapping and popping with them too. The pops are "deep" and mellow. I did have to adjust the trust rod by (relieving?) It. I turned it counter clockwise because I had buzz. I'll edit later if I can think of anything else to add as I'm breaking them in. **All of this is unplugged. The harmonics aren't as poppy, but that's okay because it fits the sound of the instrument. The new strings compensate for how thin the low sounds on this particular ABG.

[@Alchemist_X]

I am about to try flat wounds on the exact same bass thanks for testing for me

[@Jjosh1358]

Black nylon for sure. They may not be as bright as bronze rounds, but there's no fret noise and they sound fresh waaaaay longer. They dont go dull and dead sounding like all the others.

[@stephenlucas6038]

Just bought a Martin BCPA4 that came with old phosphor bronze roundwounds, and I cannot believe how loud it is to change fret positions. It doesn't seem as loud when you overpower the sound by using a pick, but it's still too much. Love this comparison. I also think the steel flats (acoustically) have the most depth and interest to the sound, but plugged in lost a lot of it. The nylon tape wounds were actually a little noisy when changing finger positions and didn't have quite as much interest or dimension. I think acoustic bass is just a completely different instrument than electric bass or acoustic guitar. Brian Ritchie leaned into that on that first Violent Femmes release and the results were pretty amazing.

[@willrobinson7578]

It just seems to me that the only thing gained by using round-wounds on an acoustic bass guitar is fret noise and squeaks.

[@ofsinope]

GREAT video, glad I watched it before buying ANOTHER set of phosphor bronze for my acoustic bass. It never occurred to me to use electric flatwounds on it... I use the Ernie Ball cobalt flats, think I'll try them on my acoustic bass.

[@LZFILM]

Thanks.

[@waytoohighrn201]

I'm going with flatwound! Cheers

[@LZFILM]

Thanks!

[@luifranco1457]

Thanks for this! I ended up getting Black Tapewounds on my AEB10E thanks to your video!

[@LZFILM]

Thank you!

[@spadstick]

Excellent vid, and very informative! Thank you for taking the time to post this up!

[@hongscave]

Though I'm not really into the bass guitar nor strings choice, I'm really amazed by the efforts of changing all these strings to make a clear demonstration. Job well done sir!

[@heyou429]

Really a quality video, thanks for making it. Also, nothing like having some fingerscraped roundwounds piped right in through the headphones. :-)

[@wellhausen]

Hallo Lars, wieder ein super Video von dir! Sehr interessant die doch sehr unterschiedliche Simmung der Seiten , als direkten Vergleich zu hören. Mir gefällt der Satz von Stainless Steel (3020) am besten. Aber es kommt ja auch sehr darauf an, welche Musik man spielt. Ich wünsche dir ein schönes Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Rutsch! Liebe Grüße! Andreas

[@LZFILM]

+Andreas Wellhausen Wenigstens dir kann ich noch antworten, bei mindestens fünf YTern funktioniert das schon nicht mehr. :-/ Ich danke dir!! Du hast ganz Recht, von der Musik, die man spielen will, und der eigenen Technik hängt es ganz entscheidend ab, was für Saiten die besten sind. Für funkige Stücke haben die Phoshphor-Bronze-Saiten ihre Berechtigung, aber mir persönlich liegen die Flatwounds aus rostfreiem Stahl am meisten, die erzeugen für meine Ohren den "bassigsten" Klang... :-)

[@michaelvereecken2644]

Very clear demo, this is de info I wanted. Nice job.

[@LZFILM]

Thank you!

[@Whysker_Musik]

Schön gemacht! Die Einblendungen zwischendurch sind super. Ich bevorzuge Phosphor Bronze :)

[@LZFILM]

+Willis Musikbude Danke sehr! Phosphor-Bronze-Saiten ziehe ich auf Western-Gitarren auch vor, aber auf dem Akustik-Bass klingen sie mir zu wenig bassig. ;-)

[@Whysker_Musik]

Hmm, stimmt auch wieder :)

[@cassiano378]

Perfect video, thanks for doing it, I was checking new strings for my acoustic bass, the bronze roundwound is giving me nightmares.

[@nathanwahl9224]

Thanks, exactly what I needed right now, I just picked one up yesterday.

[@nathanwahl9224]

Now where can I buy new "old" strings? Despite the others' comments for what it's worth I'm going with the same Fender stainless flats I use on all my basses, just love that round, mellow, full rich tone.

[@LZFILM]

Thank you. Luckily the "old" flatwound strings are still available nearly everywhere. :-) The flatwounds used in this video are strings for normal long scale electric basses, as the AEB8 is a medium scale bass, the strings have to be shortened a little bit...

[@evenseb7574]

Nice comparision. I regret that I bought Bronze for my Olympia (great ac.bass!). Will now searche for tape wounds. Bronze have way too much treble and picks up unwanted noise!

[@janetowens7288]

I have a Tacoma Olympia as well. For the past twenty years I have used Labelle tapewound strings exclusively. These strings really give this bass an amazing deep tone with good unplugged volume. When you plug into a decent amp that great unplugged tone remains, just louder. Good luck.

[@JunoXL]

Dude! Super helpful video! Great job..

[@TheAdrift]

The envy on that tapewound setup is TOO REAL! I literally have that exact bass, same color and everything, and I bought this fancy-schmancy, super-nice set of tapewounds for it... in the wrong gauge 😑 lesson learned the hard way, lol.

[@Berolinus]

Ein dicker Daumen für die flinken Finger. welche die Bassläufe akustisch vorüberfliegen lassen. Sehr gut! Erstaunlich auch die Klangcharakteristik der unterschiedlichen Seitensätze. LG

[@LZFILM]

+Berolinus Herzlichen Dank! Auch bei E-(Bass-)Gitarren haben die Saiten durch ihre Stärke (und damit Masse), aber durch durch das Material selbst und dessen Textur einen hohen Anteil am Klang. LG

[@AcoustyCasper]

I'm considering converting my Ovation acoustic bass to a fretless, and wondered how I would string it after the conversion. I assumed I'd go flatwound (still leaning that way) but now I must consider tapewound thanks to this video! Any further comments/suggestions for a fretless bass string?

[@grizelda4526]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you! I love to play chords and I hate the screech of the roundwounds.

[@cthlos]

I too, own that bass. Thanks for the helpful video. It's time for some new strings.

[@Casual_Shots]

Have the same bass! Incredible acoustic bass for an even more incredible price! I might have to put some Tapewounds on after watching this.

[@pussycat6469]

I bought one to i love it

[@QueenAliceToys]

Wonderful video! Enjoyed it so much. Have a great day tomorrow!

[@LZFILM]

+Queen Alice Thank you! I wish you and Alisa a wonderful day tomorrow!

[@mv9787]

This was a very good string review

[@LZFILM]

Thank you!

[@bailey.matthewr]

This was really well done. I'm putting some flatwounds I have lying around on my acoustic bass. I will be getting some nylon tapewounds soon for sure!

[@the_nondrive_side]

Very similar architecture of a bass to my Denver DB44. Making this a great video for me to help decide. Thinking halfround D'addario 50-105. Lol I also have a MICROBASS a Teal stripe with an active 8" sub about 4 feet below since it's on a stand. Planning on using a magnetic pickup.. The humbucker-mic blend for now until I decide to permanently add either a double blade or a dano lipstick..

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

startin at 30 seconds in is my kinda riffing my friend. Love that rockabilly stuff.

[@fossaccio]

Why on earth are you using short scale strings (3020) on the Ibanez AEB8E-BK. Please explain.

[@DanielPerez-vt5ez]

I like the flat wounds. Clean and not squeaky.

[@TravelsWithPhillip]

Excellent performance! Thanks my friend:-) Have a lovely weekend!

[@LZFILM]

+Travels With Phillip Thank you!

[@JoseTormentor]

Hi there, I really liked the sound of the ghs flat wound stainless steel strings but I can’t seem to find them. I can only find them for electric bass. Can I know where you purchased your flat wound strings. Thanks in advance.

[@alexstewart7348]

These are electric bass strings on an acoustic bass

[@eaglesong9919]

Great playing, enjoyable music, thanks for sharing. Wish you a wonderful day full of love and happiness. ♥♥ ~ Maggie ~ ♥♥

[@LZFILM]

+eaglesong9919 Thanks a lot!! :-)

[@TravelsWithPhillip]

Great work, Thanks, my friend, Merry Christmas :)

[@LZFILM]

+Travels With Phillip Thank you very much!!

[@fahadabrar399]

Great video!

[@riffdigger2133]

Stainless steel flat wounds sound great

[@xerospacious4024]

You'd think that but nah, bronze all the way for acoustic.

[@riffdigger2133]

xero spacious Thank you

[@jd87fierogt]

Black tapewounds, but D'Addario ETB925s are the way to go.

[@ronnyraygunz8718]

best comparison. thanks!

[@AnkesWorld]

super my friend, thanks

[@LZFILM]

Thank you!!

[@Oliy92466]

Great video, my dear friend Lars!! Beautiful! Olga ... Hugs! :-)

[@RollingBilbao]

Excelente sonido de Bajo acústico, Un gran Like¡¡¡: Javier

[@LZFILM]

+RollingBilbao ¡Muchas gracias!

[@johngoins1902]

Flats for sure

[@samuelgroce6299]

Great comparison! I like 3020s.

[@ZoiPana]

Excellent!!

[@LZFILM]

+Danai Moraiti (danai2014) Thank you!! :-)

[@ZoiPana]

***** ✿✼❤ฺ

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

LZFILM The Great thing about Flatwound Strings is that they won't scratch the frets.

[@bolt4694]

Tape wounds. The rest are terrible. I have a Guild acoustic bass with black nylons. Sounds great.

[@Χριστόφορος-ξ2η]

Thank a lot

[@ballas4lifeyes437]

Very nice guitar

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

The flat wounds sound the best, but not in this review as the dummies think that having too short of string ( The cotton taper is past the nut destroying the tone of the string ) is an example of how they will sound.

[@thetoonraider]

I was about to buy some flats for my Fender Acoustic Bass but was worried the tension would damage. What gage did you use?

[@LZFILM]

I use regular light gauge: 45-65-80-100. I compared the top around the bridge of my two acoustic Stanford bass guitars, on the fretted model I've been using flats for more than two and a half years now, and there is practically no difference to the fretless model on which for more than four years I use nylon tapewounds (50-65-85-105) that have less tension than the "normal" phosphor roundwound strings, so I would say it seems to work fine with these cedar tops...

[@thetoonraider]

LZFILM cheers, getting some 45-100

[@davidfarmer2193]

I want to put them on my hofner violin bass. :)

[@danieledanny9625]

i tried so do i too many strings,but i understood that i can play just with phosphor bronze roundwound in aocustic bass,better sound for me ;)

[@DarthCiliatus]

How loud are the different strings unamplified?

[@tomkristensen3919]

I have several ABG's and they all have either flats or nylon. Phosphor bronze sounds horrible, thin & trebly, and the sting noise, as others mentions too, is unbearable.

[@LarryShone]

Those stainless steel flats sound best

[@benbenpotato]

From your experience, do you prefer a fretless acoustic bass or fretted?

[@LZFILM]

A fretless acoustic bass is more challenging to play, so it depends on the circumstances: to play on the fretless can produce a lot of joy, but also stress.

[@benbenpotato]

@@LZFILM thank you!!!

[@aman-nx1ns]

What is the second song he's playing

[@GrrrJr]

is the fret buzz normal with acoustic bass?

[@gringoonthabeat]

A little, but this one is excessive

[@chazz-j1994]

Why is the nut shimmed dude?

[@funkpill]

what's the name brand of the guitar strap?

[@LZFILM]

The brand name's "Levy's Leather", but it's a nylon strap. They are made in Winnipeg, Canada.

[@funkpill]

thanks

[@-processdrone-]

¤º°º¤,¸¸,✪:THANK YOU✪,¸¸,¤º°¤, This is EXACTLY what I needed to know!

[@chipmuellemann7901]

The Phosphor Bronze strings would be unrecordable. Way too much finger slide noise. Tape-wounds are just dull.. Stick with nickel flatwounds. Stainless flats are too harsh. A lot of that noise is your fingering.

[@paulcoverdale8312]

First one sounds like a Arabic Oud mate!

[@MrArtrock]

Tapewounds on EAB say no more.

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

You sound like a guitar player

[@gringoonthabeat]

Right. Play the thing like a bass..

[@gymmonkgaming2290]

Nice upload :)###

[@LZFILM]

+Gym Monk Thanks!

[@narthex2603]

Way less noise on the flats

[@xerospacious4024]

There's something horribly wrong with the setup on that bass

[@LZFILM]

You are right, the string action was very high, and when I made the video I hadn't dared to file down the saddle yet, only recently I did, and because of it, the sound has improved and the rattling noises while pushing down the strings has been reduced.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Nice walking.

[@TritoneJazzCamps]

Sounds like you're intentionally trying to make the phosphors sound bad.

[@alessandromonteiro3765]

Round Wound Electric Bass strings are better.

[@wilfordgrimley4339]

Sounds like you only play guitar

[@LNVACVAC]

I hate this buzzing some basses do.

[@bolt4694]

Scratchy, noisy strings are cringeworthy. Tape wounds, the ONLY way to go.

[@fordprefect4345]

Far to much Fret noise............. Guitar set up and playing technique needs vast improvement.

[@Knight_Boxx]

Terrible playing.