Roundwounds, Flatwounds and Groundwounds.

[Wintermute]

These are the three main types of string available for use on a bass. I'll go through them one by one, explain the advantages and disadvantages.



Roundwounds

http://saitenkatalog.de/catalog/images/roundwound.jpg

If you're unsure what each of the types of string are, odds are good yours are Roundwounds. They're by far the most common type of string.

Advantages
- Bright sound
- Easily available

Disadvantages
- Relatively short lifespan
- Can cause (largely cosmetic) damage to fretless basses



Flatwounds

http://saitenkatalog.de/catalog/images/flatwound.jpg

Advantages
- Long lifespan
- Don't damage fretless fingerboards
- Less noise from sliding fingers along string
- Warmer tone

Disadvantages
- Tend to cost more
- Warm, slightly boomy tone may not suit all styles of play.

Flatwound strings are most popular among fretless players - the warm tone they give tends to accentuate the classic fretless 'mwah', and as many fretless players tend to do less slap and tap playing, the loss of high end is worth it. As fretless players also tend to slide more, the reduced sliding noise is also appreciated.



Groundwounds

http://saitenkatalog.de/catalog/images/briteflats.jpg

An odd breed - Groundwounds are an attempt to mix the advantages of Roundwounds in with the advantages of Flatwounds. They're less abrasive to fretless fingerboards, without losing quite so much of the the bright tone of full roundwounds. They have a longer life than Roundwounds, but not so long as Flatwounds.

They do tend to cost a little more, and be harder to find than the other two main types of string.

[brokentoy3mz]

You wouldn't happen to know which type of string is most common amongst bass players who actualy pluck rather than pick? For instance, Cliff Burton (r.i.p.) or Flea do some serious finger shredding. Is Flatround more favorable, or does it all really depend on the indivisual.

[kilian]

^^On the person. Because I like a warm and mellow tone, but Burton might have liked a more bright tone. :thumb:

[Wintermute]

You wouldn't happen to know which type of string is most common amongst bass players who actualy pluck rather than pick? For instance, Cliff Burton (r.i.p.) or Flea do some serious finger shredding. Is Flatround more favorable, or does it all really depend on the indivisual.


Roundwounds are more common for every style of play except fretless. A fair few people never even find out that Flat- and Groundwounds exist.

As for which would be better for you personally, well, that's just experimentation. :)