Flatwound strings for acoustic bass?

[Bilbo]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for the above? Or confirm whether 'ordinary' sets will work on an acoustic bass guitar (for the record, I have used the same electric bass guitar strings sincs 1986. Acoustic strings are a new area for me).

[paul_5]

Yup, you’ll be fine. Big standard strings will work on an acoustic, as the pickup is a piezo, and picks up physical vibration, instead of using ferrous metal strings to generate power (hence acoustics always have a preamp), so you’ve got more choice with regards to string material (phosphor bronze etc) with an acoustic.

I had a short scale acoustic a few years ago and loved the sound of it with flats. 
I’d stay clear of high tensions strings though, as I was never keen on the idea of wrenching the truss rod up on an acoustic, other BCers with more experience may Pooh Pooh thus though.

[Delberthot]

When I had a Fender acoustic a few years ago the first thing I did was remove the scratchy sounding bronze strings and stick on a pair of Chrome flats. I think that they were 40-100 gauge but could very well have been 45-105.

Much better sound IMO and none of that horrible bronze screech

 

[jazzyvee]

i use labella nylon coated flats strings on my acoustic which sound much better than the clattery bronze ones.

[TheGreek]

3 minutes ago, jazzyvee said:

nylon coated flats

This would have been my first thought too. 

You'll definitely get a mellower tone from tapes.

[AndyTravis]

I’ve recorded ABG’s with nylon tapes to achieve a double bass type sound. Worked well.

[pete.young]

54 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

I’ve recorded ABG’s with nylon tapes to achieve a double bass type sound. Worked well.

Bilbo has a double bass - why would he need to do that?

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I have TI flats on my acoustic bass - they work very well

[AndyTravis]

15 minutes ago, pete.young said:

Bilbo has a double bass - why would he need to do that?

Because folk look at you funny when you get on the bus with a double bass?

[meterman]

I wanted black tapewounds for my acoustic bass, like on the old Eko fretless acoustics, but couldn’t find any at the time so I settled for a set of D’Addario chromes. They felt and sounded great, waaaayyy better than the bronze strings that came with the bass. Although my acoustic bass was just a sub-£99 cheapie it recorded brilliantly once I’d changed to Chromes on it. Can recommend 👍

[Chiliwailer]

GHS Precision are the best I’ve had on mine. Nice warm tone with some punch. 

[Telebass]

On my Feneder Kingman bass, I just used a set of 40-100 Fender flats. Sounded great!