When you’re picking up replacement bass guitar strings, you need to think about the sound you’re looking for. Your desired tone will dictate your choice of strings.

Do you want a brighter, more punchy bass sound? Do you play rock, pop, funk, or punk music and need a relatively balanced tone? In that case, you probably want roundwound strings. These are considered the “default” bass strings, so most bass string replacement packs won’t list them as roundwounds. Instead, you’ll probably just see them sold as bass strings.

If you want a thumpy, more muted sound that emphasizes the low end, you’ll probably want to reach for flatwounds. Flatwound strings are constructed differently than roundwound strings; there’s no space between the wraps. They’re popular in genres like jazz, R&B, and reggae.

Because flatwounds are built differently, they also feel different. Roundwounds feel rough on your fingertips due to the gaps between the wraps; you’ll notice that there’s friction as you move your hands on the strings—and with that friction comes string noise. Flatwounds lack those ridges, and so they feel smoother, almost slippery.

If you’re used to playing with your typical bass strings, transitioning to flatwounds can be a bit of an adjustment. Some players love the slick feeling; others miss the friction of their roundwounds.

The best way to decide? Play them both for yourself. There’s no hard and fast rule about using specific bass strings for certain genres. Whatever sound and feel you like is fair game.

To give both string types a chance, pick up a pack ahead of your next bass guitar string replacement. We offer roundwound (Brite Wire) and flatwound strings for short-scale and long-scale basses, as well as roundwounds for 5-string instruments.

With the right set of strings on your bass guitar, you’ll be ready for every jam, show, and solo performance. You’ll feel the difference that Gibson strings make, and your audience will hear it. And that makes any amount of experimenting worthwhile.