Bass Strings: Flat vs. Round

When it comes to bass guitar strings, there are a number of options to choose from: different alloys, different coatings, different windings, etc. One choice in particular has been the subject of debate for decades — should I be using roundwound bass strings, or the flatwound variety?

The differences mostly boil down to personal preference, and have an effect on three primary aspects: tone, feel and durability. We’ve put together this handy guide to help point you in the right direction as to which option may be the best for you, including our Slinky Flatwound bass strings, which provide the sound of a roundwound string with the feel of a flatwound.

Tone

Tone is arguably the most important aspect of any instrument strings. Regardless of what they feel like and how long they last, if they don’t sound good its a moot point.

Here’s a breakdown of how tone tends to be affected by the winding style of the string:

Roundwound

Brighter

More sustain

More of a ringing, open sound

Traditional Flatwound

Mellow, softened

Similar to a stand-up bass

Less finger sliding noise

Slinky Flatwound

Expressive

The tone is shaped by your fingers; how you play determines your sound

Feel

Feel can be just as important as tone for certain players. We’ve probably all had the experience of playing poor quality or heavily worn strings; it’s not entirely pleasant. Finding the type of string that feels best for your hands and your particular playing style can make a world of difference in regard to your overall playing experience.

Here’s a breakdown of how feel tends to be affected by the winding style of the string:

Roundwound

More texture

More precision and control

Most flexible

Traditional Flatwound

Smooth texture

Easy slides

More rigid, takes more effort to bend

Slinky Flatwound

Similar texture to traditional flatwound

Medium flexibility

Durability

How long a set of strings lasts can make an enormous difference, both in regard to the cost of playing your instrument as well as the way the strings sound once they are broken in and start to wear.

Here’s a breakdown of how durability tends to be affected by the winding style of the string:

Roundwound

Tend to wear more quickly than flatwound

Less costly

Traditional Flatwound

Tend to wear more slowly than roundwound

Silk winding over ball end and tail to protect instrument and hands from sharp edges of ribbon

More costly

Slinky Flatwound

Tend to wear more slowly than roundwound

Silk winding over ball end and tail to protect instrument and hands from sharp edges of ribbon

More costly

Conclusion

As with so many aspects of playing bass, choosing the right style of strings ultimately comes down to personal preference. As a general rule, roundwound strings tend to be brighter sounding, more flexible and less expensive; traditional flatwound strings tend to be warmer sounding, smoother feeling and more durable; and our Slinky Flatwound strings tend to be a great middle of the road option for those who don’t find that either traditional roundwound or flatwound strings meet all of their needs.

There’s no right or wrong answer, so test drive each type for yourself and experience all that they have to offer.

Watch our Flatwound Strings in Action 

Mike Herrera of MxPx demonstrates the Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound electric bass strings. Flat feel. Round sound. Famously Slinky. Try a set.