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Why do bass strings have flat wounds?

Why do bass strings have flat wounds?

Flatwound strings have reduced high end, giving them more emphasis on mids and lows. Bassists playing rock, punk, and pop styles often choose roundwounds for their enhanced presence in a busy mix. For reggae, R&B, and jazz, the smoother, warmer sound of flatwounds is often more appropriate.

Who uses flat wound bass strings?

Traditionally used for jazz and blues styles of music, they’re now popular in the indie world and bands who are chasing the classic sound of 50’s Rock n’ Roll. Roundwound strings are wound with wire, giving them ridges and grooves, whereas flatwounds are wrapped with tape, meaning that the surface is smooth.

How long do flat wound bass strings last?

These strings usually last me 5-6 months. I usually play on average 2-3 hours/day but I have a very light touch, don’t sweat much and do only a little bending. My only reason for changing is the bass strings seem to get a little dull after 5-6 months.

Why are flatwound bass strings so expensive?

Craftsmanship. Another thing to consider is the amount of processing that must go into the fabrication. This is why Flatwound or nylon tapewound strings will generally cost more than a typical roundwound string especially if they are hand wound (which is rare these days).

Can I use electric bass strings on an acoustic bass?

Using electric flatwound strings on an acoustic bass guitar is not recommended unless you will be playing with an amplifier, since acoustically, they will sound very dull. If you are changing the strings on your acoustic bass for the first time, you may want to stick with regular acoustic bass guitar strings.

How long should bass strings last?

So bass strings last from roughly 1 month to 5 years. 😉 As some people have said already it depends on how you want to sound. Depending on how often you play your strings will sound a lot more dull after some time. I personally think that if you’re slapping, newer strings sound much better.

Can you slap on flatwound?

Yes, flatwound strings, on the bass, that’s cool! Some of them are even suitable for slap bass!

How long should you boil bass strings?

If you are boiling bass strings, leave them no more than fifteen minutes. Once the boiling is complete (five or fifteen minutes depending on the type), carefully remove strings from the saucepan. Use tongs for this, and be careful not to hurt yourself.

What kind of strings do I need for a slap bass?

Best Strings for Playing Slap & Pop on Bass Guitar (updated for 2021) –> When bassists pop and slap they want to produce a percussive sound that is loud, bright, and crisp. Popping and slapping allows bassists to create distinct, zingy tones that otherwise can’t be produced by plucking or picking the strings.

When did flatwound bass strings become the new standard?

In the 1970s, use of flatwound strings began to dwindle as the crisp bite and increased sustain of roundwounds became the new standard for bass tone. Their extended frequency response pushed technological development from one end of the signal chain to the other, also inspiring new musical approaches like slapping and harmonics.

How does action affect the tone of a slap bass?

Action is the distance between the strings and frets and it has a huge effect on slap tone. In fact, it may be the most important factor. Lower action puts the strings closer to the fretboard, making it much easier to bounce them off the frets. Using less force, you’ll be able to relax your hand more, play faster and add articulation to your sound.

Who are the best slap bass guitar players?

Best Strings for Slap Bass Guitar. 1 Les Claypool: 40-55-75-95/100. 2 Flea: 45-65-85-105. 3 Larry Graham: 40-55-75-95. 4 Mark King: 30-50-70-90. 5 Marcus Miller: 45-65-80-105-130 (5 strings) 6 Victor Wooten: 40-55 -75 -95.