Flatwound Vs Roundwound

Zangetsu

Any opinions here? Only found out about flatwound strings yesterday, put them on. They feel weird but could help with my fingers being torn apart by long sessions. Haven't given they a proper go yet but I will at practice tonite...

How bout the rest of ya's?

Doctor J

Are we talking bass or guitar?

Zangetsu

I put them on my bass but I won't shoot anyone for talking about guitars too...

Doctor J

I don't like them. They're handy to have for a different sound but they lack the character and versatility you can extract from roundwounds. If sore fingers are an issue, try a set of Elixirs, the coating makes them much easier on the hands.

jarain

Have used them a couple of times, usually when accompanying a singer/singwriter or playing with a soul/blues band in the past, (a set of flatwounds and a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge and you can can get very close to the thump of an upright).

They have minimal string noise and can sound quite good but I agree with Doc J that they lack the versatility and the zing that you get with roundwounds. Rounds definately work best in most modern music.

Coated strings will definately help with sore fingers (if not there is always superglue!!)

Dord

I like flats, and I also like rounds, and I also like tapewounds. They each have their own place. But... do not just use flats as a means to get around a lack of finger calouses.

They're certainly a different sound and also feel to rounds. More of a thump, which not everyone likes. Personally, I think a Precision with flats is heaven bliss!

Darkstrike

I love both, and have a few basses with flats and a few with rounds.

Thats about all I can say on the subject.

Rigsby

Dord wrote: »

I like flats, and I also like rounds, and I also like tapewounds. They each have their own place. But... do not just use flats as a means to get around a lack of finger calouses.

They're certainly a different sound and also feel to rounds. More of a thump, which not everyone likes. Personally, I think a Precision with flats is heaven bliss!

I totally agree with this. String type is a very personal choice, depending on the sound/tone you want, and the music you play. For that "old school" Motown sound it has to be flats IMO. Flats last a long time (some people keep them on for up to five years), where as if you like the bright zingy sound, then it will cost you !

I personally like both. I have two basses, one strung with flats and the other with rounds. I like both almost equally, with the flats having the edge over the rounds.


EDIT : BTW give your flats time to break in ( a month or so ) before forming a definitive opinion.

Dord

Rigsby wrote: »

I totally agree with this. String type is a very personal choice, depending on the sound/tone you want, and the music you play. For that "old school" Motown sound it has to be flats IMO. Flats last a long time (some people keep them on for up to five years), where as if you like the bright zingy sound, then it will cost you !

I personally like both. I have two basses, one strung with flats and the other with rounds. I like both almost equally, with the flats having the edge over the rounds.


EDIT : BTW give your flats time to break in ( a month or so ) before forming a definitive opinion.

I had a set of flats on my Precision when it was fretted. They were on there for a year. :cool:

I think if you're not familiar with flats and want to try them out then the best ones to get are D'addario Chromes. These are a bit brighter than other flats initially so there'll be less of a "shock".

Rigsby

Dord wrote: »

I had a set of flats on my Precision when it was fretted. They were on there for a year. :cool:

Yes, IMO flats and a precision bass go together like salt and pepper ! :cool:

I use the TI Jazz flats which are fairly bright as flats go.

eoin5

I put a set on my jazz fretless to stop the rounds eating the neck any further and I have to say I really enjoy the combination. A nice deep thud.

fish-head

I really want to get some for my Epi Viola bass, it's a thumpy bass as it is. I think they'll really make it shine.

smellslikeshoes

Tried flats on a fretted bass once when I had a spare set for a 4 string and only had a 6 string fretless, was kinda fun for a while but they just seem to get too dull too quickly. Best left to the fretless in my opinion.

eoin5 wrote: »

I put a set on my jazz fretless to stop the rounds eating the neck any further and I have to say I really enjoy the combination. A nice deep thud.

You should always have Flats on a fretless, always always always.

Dord

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

Tried flats on a fretted bass once when I had a spare set for a 4 string and only had a 6 string fretless, was kinda fun for a while but they just seem to get too dull too quickly. Best left to the fretless in my opinion.



You should always have Flats on a fretless, always always always.

Super fail on this whole post! :pac:

Flats are supposed to sound "dull".

And roundwounds on a fretless is amazing. Many many bassists use them, myself included. Regarding the issue of fretboard wear, this will happen regardless and it will take a long time before it has any negative impact on the basses playing. Even still at that stage you can have the board planed.

Check out this clip of my fretless with roundwounds on it. It has a little bit of delay and a small bit of chorus too. Excuse my playing, it was my first day with a fretless when I recorded it. I was trying ever so hard to play something relatively in tune and no fretlines made it harder.

Click here for the clip

Royale with Cheese

Don't like flats at all. Too dull for me. That bright zingy sound does indeed cost a fair bit though.

Darkstrike

Dord wrote: »

Flats are supposed to sound "dull".

I would say deep and growly, with thump too.:cool:

Dord wrote: »

And roundwounds on a fretless is amazing. Many many bassists use them, myself included. Regarding the issue of fretboard wear, this will happen regardless and it will take a long time before it has any negative impact on the basses playing. Even still at that stage you can have the board planed.

They do indeed, a beautiful sound, if the player can use 'em right.

I prefer TI Jazz Flats on a fretless, great flat sound, but still can do the mwah enough for my tastes.

Dord

I had some Roto rounds on my fretless and it had too much mwah! :eek:

Rigsby

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

Tried flats on a fretted bass once when I had a spare set for a 4 string and only had a 6 string fretless, was kinda fun for a while but they just seem to get too dull too quickly.

So, they are doing "exactly what it says on the tin" !

Darkstrike

Dord wrote: »

I had some Roto rounds on my fretless and it had too much mwah! :eek:

I don't doubt it, they would have been steels, no?

Dord

Darkstrike wrote: »

I don't doubt it, they would have been steels, no?

Nickels, still very bright though.

Zangetsu

Tried them out last night, blew me away, adds alot more BOOOOOOOOM to the sound, I think I'll be sticking with them for the moment. I can only imagine they'll sound better after they're broken in

Darkstrike

Dord wrote: »

Nickels, still very bright though.

Hmmm, suprising, nickels...... heh, learn something new every day!

Zangetsu wrote: »

I can only imagine they'll sound better after they're broken in

Yes, yes indeed. Espcially if they're TI's, what brand you using?

Zangetsu

D'addario .45 I think, only ones they had, much difference is there?

Darkstrike

Ah, Chromes, good flats, I have 'em on three basses right now!

Zangetsu

I'm thinking about putting flats on my telecaster now... I LOVE the feel of tele's but strangely enough I hate the twang. Flats might just be what I've been looking for to mellow out the sound.

mmmmmmmmmm

spoonbadger

Zangetsu wrote: »

I'm thinking about putting flats on my telecaster now... I LOVE the feel of tele's but strangely enough I hate the twang. Flats might just be what I've been looking for to mellow out the sound.

mmmmmmmmmm

Expect a lot of surf mojo from a telecaster with flats. And you'll sacrifice quite a bit of quality in your overdrive tone (or so i've heard with) with 'em.

Dord

spoonbadger wrote: »

Expect a lot of surf mojo from a telecaster with flats. And you'll sacrifice quite a bit of quality in your overdrive tone (or so i've heard with) with 'em.

Yeah, that's true. Flats aren't great with overdrive or distortion. The worst for this are tapewounds on bass, absolutely dire with any kind of dirt.. They sound unbelievable clean though!

smellslikeshoes

Rigsby wrote: »

So, they are doing "exactly what it says on the tin" !

Obviously, but after the first few weeks they are just too dull for anything other than noodling about.

Dord wrote: »

Super fail on this whole post! :pac:

Flats are supposed to sound "dull".

And roundwounds on a fretless is amazing. Many many bassists use them, myself included. Regarding the issue of fretboard wear, this will happen regardless and it will take a long time before it has any negative impact on the basses playing. Even still at that stage you can have the board planed.

As someone who has been dabbling in fretlesses since the late 80's I can tell you right now that putting roundwound on a fretless is full of fail, its grand if its a throw away instrument but if its a bass of a decent quality (especially if neck thru or set neck) putting roundwound's on would be the equivalent of going at your sports car with an electric sander. Good luck replacing the neck when you have destroyed it.

68 lost souls

I just changed the strings on my bass for the first time since I bought it, 2nd hand, and probably the first time they were ever changed. They had roundwounds on them and so I put a new set of roundwounds on and it was horrible. There had been so much grime on them that they felt real nice and smooth but didnt sound to good and were a bit of an eye soar. I kind of regret changing them though. Im hoping that flatwounds will get me somewhere closer to the feel of years of grime on a set of roundwounds but give me a nicer sound.

Rigsby

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

Obviously, but after the first few weeks they are just too dull for anything other than noodling about.

It takes a few weeks for them to play "normally" i.e. when they have been broken in. Obviously, flats are not for you, unless you try out a few different brands.


It just seemed funny to hear you complaining of flats being..... well... flat !

Rigsby

68 lost souls wrote: »

Im hoping that flatwounds will get me somewhere closer to the feel of years of grime on a set of roundwounds but give me a nicer sound.

While round wounds will never be the same as flats, if you liked the tone and feel of those old grimey rounds, I'd say you should be happy with flats.

yevveh

I never really knew anything about flats before a few weeks ago, but thanks to this thread I shall be buying a set to stick on my fretless. Cheers for your opinions

Darkstrike

yevveh wrote: »

I never really knew anything about flats before a few weeks ago, but thanks to this thread I shall be buying a set to stick on my fretless. Cheers for your opinions

For fretless, if you can get Thomastics, expensive, but incredible, and get better with age.

Rigsby

Darkstrike wrote: »

For fretless, if you can get Thomastics, expensive, but incredible, and get better with age.

+1 on those.

yevveh

Darkstrike wrote: »

For fretless, if you can get Thomastics, expensive, but incredible, and get better with age.

something like these?
http://www.elderly.com/accessories/names/thomastik-infeld-jf344-electric-bass-set--JF344.htm
http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/guitars/index.html

if you've any links, throw em my way... I might look at a slightly cheaper set first as my fretless hasn't seen much action in the last while.

Rigsby

Yes. They are the Thomastiks I use. I buy mine here.


http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html

Darkstrike

Rigsby wrote: »

Yes. They are the Thomastiks I use. I buy mine here.


http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html

Thats about the best price I've seen for 'em.:cool:

yevveh

Rigsby wrote: »

Yes. They are the Thomastiks I use. I buy mine here.


http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html

Awesome, cheers! I'll order a set after exams, and I think I'll be saving a few bob on ordering from these guys on my main bass strings too

Rigsby

Darkstrike wrote: »

Thats about the best price I've seen for 'em.:cool:

Yes. It's the best price I could find, plus it's free shipping for orders over 30 euro I think.

Darkstrike

Rigsby wrote: »

Yes. It's the best price I could find, plus it's free shipping for orders over 30 euro I think.

Nice! I must remember them, next time I need TI's.:cool:

Rigsby

Darkstrike wrote: »

next time I need TI's.:cool:

As we both know, that'll probably be a looong time !

WESTY.LANCE

In my humble opinion i believe flats r much nicer to play, now ur guitar will be more dominiant in the mid frequencys rather than highs(not as bright as rounds). Generaly used for jazz like. plus you wont gt half as much fret sliding noise which i hate.

Bass i always use flats aswell , sound particulary great on a fretless.

Double basses use flat wounds mainly(they are different to both but closer to flats) .

I seriously recommend these, just try em, music is about experimentation dudes!

Darkstrike

Rigsby wrote: »

As we both know, that'll probably be a looong time !

Hahaha, true enough!:D

Seziertisch

I don't think you can really talk in absolutes when it comes to flat and round wound strings. There is for example a big difference between D'Addario Chromes and something like Pyramid Golds, although both are flatwounds.