Flatwound strings

[6stringslinger]

I have only played on roundwouds for the last couple of years I might try out some flatwounds. What is the major difference as far as feel and sound of flatwounds? Are flatwounds good for slap? :wave:


I read that they have higher tension? Will this mean a truss rod adjustment? If I use the same gauge?

I also read the make less string noise, which is good for me.

[bleeding_fingers]

They basically sound like dead roundwounds. Flats have like a coating or something that's wrapped around the string to give it a thumpy kind of sound.

[Chaos]

I put em on my spector, and I didn't like it after a while. I might try it again for more experimentation with tone.

You can slap with flatwounds but one of the reasons I took mine off and put roundwounds on again was because I think you can slap better with roundwounds.

[Ian]

Flatwounds have a very mellow, thumpy tone. Good if your going for like an old-school motown or 60's rock type sound. No twang or brightness to them. They are easier on your fingers, flats are smooth without any 'ridges' like roundwounds. It feels like there is a little more tension, but not to the point were youd need a neck adjustment. I didnt need to on my bass at least.

They are NOT slap strings...you can do it but you would have the most dull and dead slap tone.

[Zetora]

Flatwounds have a very mellow, thumpy tone. Good if your going for like an old-school motown or 60's rock type sound. No twang or brightness to them.

I agree with the mellow thumpy tone, which is just brillient. But you can get some brightness out of them with the right settings.

They're still fine for slap, I actually prefer them on occasions, of course rounds do suit it more but then that depends on the situation.

Definately give them a try, I loved them when I first got them, but still like the flats for slap.

Give em a try, you wont regret it unless you only slap (I would imagine)

Zet.

[Down'd Angel]

Flats have like a coating or something that's wrapped around the string to give it a thumpy kind of sound.

i believe this is wrong...flats are not coated with anyting...they are wrapped like rounds but then they are compressed or basically "squashed" for the smoothness...

i just added flats to my fretless and love em...they are really different from what i am used to playing, but its fun...slapping with them is sort of dead of a fretted due to the deeper tone from them them...

[vashts80]

Flatwounds imo are better for playing with a pick. I've never liked the sound that you get off the bass (NOT through the amp) if you play with a pick on rounds, the scratchy sound annoys the hell out of me.

Flats imo are horrible for slapping since they don't give off much twang. Flats are bassier/thumpier while rounds are brighter

I prefer flats for fretted or fretless playing, although I'm willing to experiment with rounds on my fretless if I had the cash to buy a new set of flats and a set of rounds

[muthafunkabass]

They basically sound like dead roundwounds.
that is totally ignorant. if you think that is how they sound, get a ****ing hearing aid.

[kilian]

^^hmm pwned ;)

Flatwounds, you've got to check them out yourself. It basically gives more thumb and a bit smoother tone. Although that changes from string to string. They do not sound like dead roundwounds.. I think they are the underdogs in strings, many players think: oh flatwounds. BOO.

Give them a try if you feel attracted to them.