I'm having issues finding a set of bass strings after changing from roundwounds to flats. I really like the smooth feel and lack of finger noise from the flats, but everything else about them feels 'yuk'.

I'm using a MIM Fender J which had, I'm assuming, a set of D'Addario rounds fitted as standard, judging by the coloured ball ends. I fitted a set of Rotosound flatwounds after the first year but even after a couple of weeks they feel...'wrong'.

I use the bass for a more 'melodic' style rather than 'rhythm' if that makes any sense, so I use long ringing notes and attempts at smooth glides between frets...mostly in the style of Mogwai, early Verve, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs and Caspian.

I figured that, since I don't do any 'slap & pop' riffs and the 'feel' of rounds is a bit rough, flats might work for me. Except, I really miss the clarity, sustain and 'bounce' of the rounds. Before going back to roundwounds, what other options are there? Do Groundwound/halfrounds offer the best of both worlds?

Or does the problem lie in my playing style? Since I was a guitarist to begin with, I'm wondering whether I'm trying to make my bass sound and feel like a guitar instead of accepting the fact that a bass is a different beast, and is bound to have a tone and 'feel' of its own.

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Guitar rig: CIJ Fender Jazzmaster/CIJ Fender Mustang -> TU-3 -> RV-5 -> OD-3 -> Magnetic Effects White Atom -> custom IC Muff -> PS-2 -> DD-3 -> Small Clone chorus -> RE-20 -> LS-2 -> Fender '65 DRRI & Mesa/Boogie F-50

Bass rig: Fender MIM Jazz Bass -> TU-2 -> RAT 2 -> Sansamp BDDI -> RV-3

"...So now you know the true secret to great tone: all the espresso you can handle."

The question without an answer.

If that is too cryptic then:

You put on the very best choice I could imagine in flat wounds.

Flat wounds do have much less 'bounce', punch and perhaps sustain.

Both round and flat are valid choices for bass guitar and effectively all playing styles.

Unless it is crippling your ability to play the instrument perhaps a longer trial period is a worthwhile option?

Only you can make that call. What ever works best for you is the right answer.

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My Gear , please wack with the side of your hand for normal service.
Bringing you EVIL VOODOO WAX MAGIC since 2009

If by "crippling your ability to play the instrument" you mean "I get so frustrated that I put it down and walk away" then yes - it's putting me off playing it altogether, and that on its own is I think enough reason to change something. I find myself checking my strumming hand to make sure my sleeve isn't muting the strings near the bridge; the muddy and 'dead' response I get from the flats really is that bad.

I'd go back to rounds with no hesitation at all if it weren't for the smooth feel and reduced string noise of the flats; which is why I'm curious about the half-rounds. Could this provide a way of combining the comfort of flats with the sound of rounds?

My other doubt lies in the fact that I've played bass for little over a year after a decade and a half of playing guitar. I'm worried that I've turned into one of those people who picks up a bass and gets all disappointed when it doesn't sound like the (fundamentally different) instrument they're familiar with. In that sense: is it me or is it the strings?

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Guitar rig: CIJ Fender Jazzmaster/CIJ Fender Mustang -> TU-3 -> RV-5 -> OD-3 -> Magnetic Effects White Atom -> custom IC Muff -> PS-2 -> DD-3 -> Small Clone chorus -> RE-20 -> LS-2 -> Fender '65 DRRI & Mesa/Boogie F-50

Bass rig: Fender MIM Jazz Bass -> TU-2 -> RAT 2 -> Sansamp BDDI -> RV-3

"...So now you know the true secret to great tone: all the espresso you can handle."

Yep that's 'crippling'.

Try half rounds. If they don't work go back to rounds and work around the difficulties.

Along the way look at your PU heights and other settings and see what you can do to 'fix' things.

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My Gear , please wack with the side of your hand for normal service.
Bringing you EVIL VOODOO WAX MAGIC since 2009

I'll just go out and say it depends on the kind of music you play, really. I personally think Billy Corgan's voice sounds like Pikachu on a combination of Valium and crystal meth, but it's brilliant for the kind of thing The Smashing Pumpkins does. I don't like the sound of flats and I don't care for half-rounds, but that's really 'cause I am limited to the kind of music I listen to/play.

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crew

Selling BOSS FW-3. I live in Brazil, mind you, so prepare yourself for $30-ish for shipping and waiting. Local pickup available, along with beautiful beaches and cheap bitches.

I've never been able to stand the sound or feel of flats... but then I like a bit of teeth in a bass sound. Rounds all the way I say.

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Crustaceo ergo sum