Flat Wound Strings

Marcus.W · October 30, 2020, 3:11am

I’m considering changing to flat wound strings for a deeper sound. Any reasons why this us the right/wrong choice?

howard · October 30, 2020, 3:20am

If you just want a deeper sound, have you tried playing with the tone settings/EQ and pickup balance on your bass first?

I don’t know if I would describe flats as sounding deeper. I would describe them more as thumpier and less bright. If that is what you are after then they might help.

boogieman · October 30, 2020, 4:36am

i’m my (limited) experience, round wounds sounds both deeper and brighter, flatwounds have more midrange emphasis and sound compressed in comparison.

howard · October 30, 2020, 4:41am

Yeah that’s a good description. Rounds definitely sound to me like they have a larger harmonic range than flats. They might not, but they definitely sound that way.

russki98 · October 30, 2020, 2:02pm

Probably not a nice word to hear but the best I can use to describe the flat wound sound is “dull”. If round wounds sound bright, flat wounds to me sound dull, like really old round wounds. Maybe good for that “vintage sound”.