initial attack .
• Produces more treble and upper mids and surfaces more articulation .
• Generally more sustain and harmonic overtones .
• Commonly used in rock , funk , slap , and modern pop .
Flatwound Tone
• Warm , smooth , and more mellow with reduced brightness .
• Typically less sustain , evoking more of a percussive thump .
• Works well in vintage , Motown , jazz , and reggae styles .
• Reduced string noise because of less playing friction between hands and strings .
If you think about the aggressive , growly sound of Geddy Lee or Flea , that ’ s roundwound territory . If you prefer the fat , warm thump of James Jamerson or Paul McCartney , that ’ s where flatwounds shine .
FEEL & PLAYABILITY : THE HANDS-ON DIFFERENCE Beyond sound , the way strings feel under your fingers is another major factor in your playing experience .
Roundwounds have a ridged surface that results in more friction when sliding and shifting positions . This friction is even more accentuated when using stainless steel roundwounds as opposed to the ‘ softer feeling ’ nickel-wound roundwounds . Many players have a preference when choosing between these two types of outer wrap wire .
Flatwounds are much smoother to the touch and do not have nearly as much friction during movement across the strings or up and down the fingerboard . Some players consider them to be more comfortable to play than roundwounds in general , but experiences are subjective , and your results may vary .
Another consideration is string noise . However , I should point out that the amount of string noise you might experience is completely dependent on your personal hand technique and playing style . Roundwound strings ( especially when they are new ) tend to produce more finger noise if your tone includes a lot of high-end frequencies , especially when shifting hand positions . Flatwounds , on the other hand , can be described as potentially exhibiting a somewhat ‘ cleaner ’ sound because of their narrower tonal bandwidth . For this reason , some players prefer them in certain recording contexts .
DURABILITY & LONGEVITY : HOW LONG DO THEY LAST ? Roundwound strings start off bright but lose their crispness over time . Sweat , dirt , metal fatigue and playing style all contribute to the gradual dulling of the tone . Depending on how often you play , you might find yourself changing them every few months to maintain that fresh sound .
Flatwound strings , on the other hand , last significantly longer . Their smoother surface resists dirt buildup , and since they start with a darker , mellower tone , they don ’ t suffer from the same kind of tonal degradation over time . Many bassists keep the same set of flatwounds on their bass for years .
So if you love the piano string-like zing of fresh strings , roundwounds are the way to go — but if you prefer long term consistency that comes from a more mellow overall tone , flatwounds are an attractive choice .
WHICH STRINGS FOR WHICH STYLES ? While there are certainly no strict rules dictating what you should use , different styles tend to favor one type of string over the other . Styles like rock and metal , funk and slap typically utilize roundwound strings . But styles like Motown , jazz , blues and reggae contain more of the flatwound sound .
Of course , these are just basic guidelines . Some players go outside of the box — Jaco Pastorius used roundwounds on a fretless to get his signature tone , and plenty of rock bassists enjoy the warm , punchy sound of flatwounds . It ’ s all about what you prefer and how it inspires your personal voice on the bass .
Sometimes , the best way to understand the impact of string types is to listen to the basses of the greats and look at what string types they use . If you ’ re chasing a specific tone , checking out what bass and strings your favorite bassists use is always a great starting point .
FINAL THOUGHTS : WHICH STRINGS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU ? At the end of the day , there ’ s no right or wrong choice — just what works for your playing style and musical preferences . If you ’ re unsure , try both ! Although most of my main basses are strung with roundwounds , I keep flatwounds on a few instruments and use them when I ’ m looking for a genre or style-specific solution .
It should also be mentioned that there are modern bass string offerings that offer a happy medium . Half-round strings are fundamentally roundwound string construction , but the winding string surface is ground down to a flatness and friction level that is right in between roundwounds and flatwounds . They have a unique sound that a lot of players really love . If you ’ re looking to go even more mellow than flatwounds , tapewounds are worth checking out . They are made by wrapping a length of nylon tape around the outer wrap instead of a metal ribbon , giving them an even warmer and more mellow tone . They have the same flat and smooth type of surface as a flatwound string .
Remember , tone is in your hands as much as your gear . No matter which strings you choose , experiment , listen , and most importantly — play what feels and sounds best to you .
Until next time , keep it groovin ’!
Adam Nitti Nashville-based Adam Nitti balances his roles as a solo artist , sideman , and educator . He has filled the bass chair for Kenny Loggins , Carrie Underwood , Dave Weckl Band , Michael McDonald , Susan Tedeschi , Steven Curtis Chapman , Mike Stern , Brent Mason , Wayne Krantz , and Christopher Cross , while also releasing five solo CDs to date . As a Nashville session bassist he has played on multiple Grammywinning and Grammy-nominated albums , and is also the founder of ...
AdamNittiMusicEducation . com
February 2025 Subscribe for Free ... 77