Flats or Rounds on Fretless Bass?? // Addressing the Debate!
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Among the bass community, the subject of round wound strings vs. flat wound strings on FRETLESS bass has been the subject of much debate. There are many who insist the sound of rounds works better, while an army of others maintain that flats have the correct character for a fretless instrument. Recently, I started to wonder which type of string I would like better on fretless, which began a lot of research. In this video, I share some of my research and provide demos to decide for myself which I like better, and hopefully help you get closer to choosing your preference as well. More info...
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// Chapters:
Intro comparison demo - 0:03
Introduction - 1:36
The debate... - 3:27
Tone comparison demo - 6:53
Mix comparison demo - 11:42
My verdict... - 14:18
Conclusion - 16:19
Endscreen - 17:09
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On this video, both flats wounds and round wounds sounded great!!! I couldn't decide what I liked better.
Awesome!!
My speakers say the flats sounded better in this demo.
I’m definitely on Team Roundwound with this one. I think the zing is part of the “signature” fretless sound.
Yeah, it definitely is a classic sound you can only get with rounds.
I like the sound of the flats better, plus they won't chew up a rosewood fretboard as fast
Agreed!
Ernie Ball Cobalt flats singing similar to the rounds wounding the fretlessboard 😊
brand new to bass after forty years acoustic fingerstyle _own four bass now , fender P squire J and two active ibanez one a five and the other a spilt & single coil mix , [and now I have to consider getting a fretless☑] ; Thanks for talking 'clearly'😊 enjoying your channel tons ❗>> subbed ; [probably won't be changing up the factory d'addario _sound real good to me ❗🤓
Congratulations on getting started! You’ll enjoy fretless for sure.
Dan, I just got a new Rickenbacker 4003 with rounds. I've heard that a lot of people put flats on them. Are they the general preference for these, though?
Standard string choice for Ricks has been rounds for quite a while.
Ok because that’s what I have on mine.
I believe rounds are the usual as Roy said. But I’d say you do whichever makes you happier! Congrats on the sweet bass.
Are lighter gauge strings preferred for a fretless bass?
I can’t speak for everyone, but I think a slightly meatier gauge delivers a better sound for fretless.
Yes , more whaa/ sing with lighter gauge rounds
I have rounds on mine because I like that singing quality. But in your demo, the flats sounded surprisingly bright and could also sing quite nicely! I totally agree that strings can make a huge difference, and that, before looking for a new bass, you should try different strings first. But I'm also lazy with changing strings, so my main bass has Elixirs, my old Aria RSB P-style has flats (which don't age nearly as fast as regular rounds do) and my Fretless still has the regular rounds that I bought it with. And they're sounding quite dull already. I was about to replace them with Elixirs, but maybe I'll try flats! I'm not too worried about rounds damaging the fretboard, although I can see some tiny marks of the strings on it. But as long as you don't wiggle the strings up and down for vibrato like on a fretted bass, it'll be fine.
Heck yeah man! Great stuff. If you do try flats, let me know what you think! I just put some La Bella’s on this one.
I don't play fretless, though I do have one on the way so i've been doing a bit of research... I have came to the conclusion that a set of low tension flats such as TI's would work better for fretless than Labella DTF's or other traditional flats, which could have too much tension to reliably produce the "mwah" sound.... A lower tension flat would be loose enough to vibrate against the fingerboard giving more "mwah"..
Roundwounds are generally lower tension than traditional flats and lend themselves well to vibrating off the fingerboard and producing the "mwah" sound.. However due to the drawbacks of pitentially damaging the fingerboard and the cost of replacing rounds every 8-12 weeks. I think I'll choose TI's for this application.
Gotta go with the round on this demo. I think both are great choices if they fit the sound you are going for. Same as what amp is right, what pedals are right, pick or fingers. They are all good.
I prefer the rounds. Maybe it's simplistic. Still, to me, the diff is modern vs old school sounds. Thus, if you are playing more modern tunes the rounds usually sound more natural and thus sit better in the mix.
Indeed, what struck me is that because the background music was generic and the bass line featured, your string choice literally made the diff between the music sounding old fashioned or more modern.
My fretless keeps flats on all the time....I'm satisfied,but the rounds sound interesting
Round or flat wound also FEELS different. And because of that I also PLAY different. In the end round wounds suit me better (both on fretted or fretless).
Maybe oddball but flat don't sound half bad
I agree!
I think it depends on. the bass. I have a master built Warwick Corvette fretless and flats didn't work on that bass. It sounds best with bright rounds. My fretless Precision sounds much better with the flats. Every bass is different so its impossible to say one is better IMO.
That is true. It really does vary bass to bass.
Great video! I agree with you after hearing the flats in the mix with the tone on 10. Nice mix of thump and clank. I've never played Dunlop flats. I wonder if the plastic feeling will go away with time. I like D'Addario Chromes, but it takes well over a year for them to start sounding how I like. I like both flats and rounds well broken-in. My latest trick is to keep strings lubed with "butcher block" mineral oil. Seems to be cutting down break--in time by several months, maybe because it widens string excursion. Interestingly, this is also touted as a trick to bring life back into strings that are "dead," as it might dilute some of the gunk between the windings and help shake it loose while playing...
I do like the Chromes. They were the first flats I ever tried, and I’ve had a couple sets over the years. They’re a really nice balance! I think the Dunlops would do best on like a fretted J bass or something that could use the snappy feel / vibe they have. I gotta check out the butcher block!
I actually have Ernie Ball flats on my Ibanez GSR20 and love them.
Awesome!!!
Great video! I switched to flats a couple of years ago and love my Chrome XL Custom Gauge on my Precision. I found particularly when you dropped the flats into the mix, not only do they sound a little smoother but they sit a lot tighter than the rounds. Just picked up an Ibanez SR340 fretless and looking forward to trying flats on that.
Great views man! Thanks. I now have La Bella’s on this bass, and they are perfect for it. I have a somewhat aged set of Thomastick-Infelds on my Precision, and love those.
Hmm 🤔 I’m gonna go with rounds on this one. But I like the flatwounds too. I guess it’s on the application your using it for. Hard choice to make 😂
Indeed it is!!
I find that fingerboard material and finish make a difference in the tone as well. I have 2 basses with flats and 1 with rounds and they all vary in fingerboard material. All 3 have very distinct tones.
That’s interesting!
great video idea and presentation as always! My fretless preference is the ibanez srh500f with labella tape wound strings, but I'm after a more upright tone.
Awesome! Thank you.
I want to add that Mick Karn and Percy Jones both preferred round wounds as well and so do I.
Mick's rounds weren't changed for years, as far as I know.
Love the tone of rounds but flats make me feel less afraid that I'll damage the fingerboard
I get it!!
I use nickel halfs
I have never played fretless. I own 24 basses. My favorite string has always been Fender Pure Nickel 7150's, or even nickel plated steel hex core 7250's made by Fender, actually all Fender strings have the colored ball ends, so that proves they are really made by D'Addario.
Isn’t that interesting!
24 bass guitars and not 1 fretless? That's almost weird lol. I have 1 fretted and the next will be fretless. Saving up already. Keep on keeping on!
Great video Rumblin man ,really inspiring to hear.
For me it would be flatwounds every time or tapewounds.
Theirs such a choice of brands of flatwounds these days, Dean markley were great flatwound strings , but unfortunately theyre not made anymore, so its fender flats for me these days after trying Ernie ball , la bella Ernie ball coblots and ghs.
Keep up the great work 👍
Thanks so much! Have you tried La Bella?
@RumblinMan
I tried La Bella low tension flats ,I liked the sound and feel of the strings, but I didn't like the gauge of the strings.
I picked up a used, inexpensive Rogue fretless that had tapewounds on it. I'm not sure if I like them or not. What do you think?
I’ve tried tapes before, but not on a fretless. Personally, I think I like flats better. But wouldn’t mind trying tapes again. If you’re not diggin them though, I’d say change it up!
Try flats and/or rounds.
Hey man! Nice to see you Daniel
Hey bro!! Same to you my friend.
Yes
Sup bro!!
Rounds are better
@@txp6073 for real?!?!?!?!
Fashhooooooo
@@txp6073 well oh well!! Wait til you hear the next vid, with some better flats!!