geoham Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Many people say forever. Personally I haven't found a set that still sound good to me beyond about 2 years use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I never change mine, had 1 set for 10+ years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Set of Thomastik's about 4 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Mine will probably outlive me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Ha! I never change round wounds either.....unless they break of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yank Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Never change 'em. I keep a spare set for each of my two basses an there they sit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford13 Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 TI and Roto flats on my basses til they break (which did happen once!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 I had a set of TI flats on for about five or six years, before I felt the need to replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Once they're on they stay on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 (edited) [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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 I'm just about to change a set of TIs that are about 4 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiehoffmann Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 [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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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