How long do you keep flats for?

[geoham]

I currently have a P-bass strung with round-wound strings and a J with flats (Chromes). I'm going to switch them around - I have some brand new rounds that are going on the Jazz, but am considering just reusing the flats.

So - how long do you keep flats for? I know rounds sound their best when new, but to me flats don't degrade in the same way.

Ideally I'd have two Ps and two Js - they both sound great with both types of strings. Until such times that I have a bigger house and pay-cheque , I'll need to make do with what I have!

[paul_5]

I've had a set of flats (dunlops) on my fretless for just under a year, they're just about worn in.

It's not unusual to have a set of flats on a bass for years. I'm about to put some pressure wound RS55s on my fretted Jazz. I don't expect they'll last as long as 'proper' flats, but I'm interested to see how long they stay 'zingy' for.

[Beer of the Bass]

Many people say forever. Personally I haven't found a set that still sound good to me beyond about 2 years use.

[grandad]

I never change mine, had 1 set for 10+ years.

[3below]

Longest set: 35 years, Rotosounds (Black nylon tapewounds - so a sort of hybrid) on an EKO fretless acoustic. Plenty if life in them. Second longest 8 years: TI flats, still going strong.

[AndyTravis]

Set of Thomastik's about 4 years

[wateroftyne]

Mine will probably outlive me.

[Number6]

Ha! I never change round wounds either.....unless they break of course.

[FinnDave]

I used a Precision strung with flats for my gig tonight, first time I'v used them at a gig. I've had the set of Chromes about 8 years, but only put them on a bass last week!

Never like them when I played finger style, but now I have to use a pick, they take out some the natural twanginess and make a good round sound. I may have to buy some and string some of my other basses with them.

[Yank]

Never change 'em. I keep a spare set for each of my two basses an there they sit.

[SH73]

I don't gig. Had flats on one P bass for over 18 months. The other p bass under a year.
J bass had round wound rotos on for a while.I prefer roundwood on j bass, it gives the growly sound.

[Crawford13]

It all depends on the sound I am going for. On my p bass I prefer the dead thud so a set of chromes will last a couple of years. If you still want a bit of a brighter tone and you are recording I would be changing them just as often as round wounds. But it's totally subjective.

[Spike Vincent]

Only got flats on one bass ( Burns Sonic) and had them for 24 years so far, and they weren't new in the first place.

[dannybuoy]

About 7 years on my TI's on my P so far, no intention of changing them yet!

Must suck to be a flatwound string manufacturer, roundwounds are where the money is!

[acidbass]

TI and Roto flats on my basses til they break (which did happen once!)

[Coilte]

I had a set of TI flats on for about five or six years, before I felt the need to replace them.

[Marvin]

Once they're on they stay on...

[MoonBassAlpha]

I'm curious, what is the perceived deterioration in flats? I've had a set of Status flats on for about a year and not noticed and difference in sound or feel. Unless the frets wear the winding out, I can't see how the strings would change. Enlighten me please, this is my first experience of flats.

[Telebass]

On my Precision, TI Jazz Flats are well over two years old and just nicely broken in. Chromes on Yamaha BB are a year and a bit, and are still plenty zingy and growly.
Will probably consider some new strings around 2022, out of boredom, or if I get a new bass at some point (unlikely).

Edited February 12, 2017 by Telebass

[geoham]

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1486913531' post='3235452']
I'm curious, what is the perceived deterioration in flats? I've had a set of Status flats on for about a year and not noticed and difference in sound or feel. Unless the frets wear the winding out, I can't see how the strings would change. Enlighten me please, this is my first experience of flats.
[/quote]

I suppose it's possible that whatever oils or others substances come from your hands could have a effect on the string.

I'm on my 2nd set of flats (first set sold with a bass). I've had these Chromes on my Jazz for about 2 years. The definitely did sound a bit brighter when new, but I'm still perfectly happy with how they sound!

Edited February 12, 2017 by geoham

[ead]

I'm just about to change a set of TIs that are about 4 years old.

[eddiehoffmann]

I've been using D'Addario Chromes on different basses for a few years now. Sold a bass with Chromes that were almost 2 years old and still sounding great. My current gigging P Bass has the same set of Chromes for 1 1/2 years now and still has plenty of clarity and definition in them too. And this bass has been played a lot! I thought about putting a new set on just for the sake of it, but... I think I'll see how far they can go.

[MoonBassAlpha]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1486936932' post='3235773']
I'm just about to change a set of TIs that are about 4 years old.
[/quote]
Why? Have they gone off somehow? Or is it more of a precaution against fatigue breakage or something?

[lojo]

I brought a second hand p bass in 2010 which had old flats on it and I still use it with them on , to be fair it's not my main gigging bass but when I get to pay music that suits old flats , it's perfect and a joy to play

Edited February 13, 2017 by lojo

[lownote]

Nick Davies, a pro I know, swears by La Bella 760 FLs and says they get better and better after 2 years. OTOH Berkeley teacher Danny Mo Morris has had a set of Thomasticks on his P for 16 years and to my ear the result is a dull muted thud - might as wel be a drum.

Edited February 14, 2017 by lownote12