Best flatwound bass guitar strings

Steve Romanoski Avatar
Steve Romanoski
Last Updated: Oct 11, 2022

In this article, we've compiled the best flatwound bass guitar strings one can find out there. We've analyzed about 63 of flatwound bass guitar strings and selected the 35 top options by Yoklili, String Swing, FIFINE TECHNOLOGY, Costzon, Legere. Read on to find out what exactly made us choose these ones.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Rotosound RS775LD Jazz 77 Monel Flatwound Long Scale 5-String Bass Strings
#TOP 1
Rotosound RS775LD Jazz 77 Monel Flatwound Long Scale 5-String Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9
PBM Score
D'Addario Bass Guitar Strings
#TOP 2
D'Addario Bass Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9
PBM Score
Fender 7250 Bass Strings
#TOP 3
Fender 7250 Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9
PBM Score

Top 35 Best flatwound bass guitar strings Reviews 2022

#TOP 1

Rotosound RS775LD Jazz 77 Monel Flatwound Long Scale 5-String Bass Strings

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • .045-.130 Five-string Electric Bass Guitar Strings
  • Flatwound (045-065-085-105-130)
#TOP 2

D'Addario Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario bass strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and powerful durability.
  • BESTSELLING SET – Our best-selling electric bass strings, revered by players for their reliable performance and versatile tone.
  • EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Nickel bass sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
  • TIGHT, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, tight bass sound, great for a variety of musical genres.
  • MADE IN THE USA – XL Nickel bass guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
#TOP 3

Fender 7250 Bass Strings

Fender

Features

  • The result is a string with bright highs and a thunderous low end.
  • They are particularly good for rock, funk, and any style in which the bass needs to cut through.
  • Fender super bass 7250's are an excellent all-purpose bass string. String Guages: .045-.100. String Ends: Ball End
  • Fender super bass 7250's combine the high output and dynamic sound of steel with the smooth feel of nickel.
  • Super bass 7250's are installed at the factory on all Fender us and Mexico basses.
#TOP 4

D'Addario ETB92 Tapewound Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance
  • Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches
  • String Gauges: Wound .050, .065, .085, .105
  • Engineered to provide optimal tension and gauged to fit properly on standard bass saddles and nuts
  • Flattened black nylon wound for a warm, deep tone
#TOP 5

La Bella 760FS Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings

La Bella

Features

  • LONG SCALE LENGTH – The 1st (G), 2nd (D), 3rd (A) strings are 38” from ball-end to silk/taper. The 4th (E) string is 36 ¾” from ball-end to silk/taper. Only the silk portion of the string should wrap around the tuning post or else the string will break. NOT SUITABLE for basses that require strings to be strung THROUGH the body.
  • PACKAGED WITH MAP TECHNOLOGY – MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) This technology prevents tarnishing and ensure the freshness of your guitar strings that produces greater aural transparency and sound projection.
  • MOST POPULAR – Pursue your passion with La Bella's DEEP TALKIN’ BASS Stainless Steel Flat Wounds. They have been the choice of professional bass players and continue to be the standard for the best sound.
  • MADE IN THE USA – La Bella leverages centuries of string-making experience and advanced computer-controlled winding technology to bring you the most durable, consistent and long-lasting guitar strings. Made in the USA for the highest quality and performance.
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • STRING GAUGES – .045, .065, .085, .105
#TOP 6

Ernie Ball 6-String Short Scale Bass Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball

Features

  • Manufactured with small ball ends like guitar strings, not large ball ends used on traditional electric bass stings
  • Bright, balanced tone
  • Most popular bass string alloy
  • Made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire
  • Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials
#TOP 7

D'Addario Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – D'Addario flat wound stainless-steel strings are expertly “ribbon” wound onto a complex series of interlocking under-windings then precisely polished for an ultra-smooth feel with virtually no finger noise.
  • STRING GAUGES – The gauges in this electric string set include: Plain steel .010, .014, and Nickel Wound .020, .028, .038, .048.
  • FOR JAZZ AND MORE – XL Chromes deliver a round, full low end without losing punch, making them the ideal strings for traditional jazz, rockabilly twang, R&B and some pop/rock styles of playing.
  • MADE IN THE USA – D’Addario leverages centuries of string-making experience and advanced computer-controlled winding technology to bring you the most durable, consistent and long-lasting guitar strings. Made in the USA for the highest quality and performance, only D’Addario strings are sealed inside and out.
  • LOVED WORLDWIDE – Pursue your passion with the world’s most popular flatwound strings, D’Addario XL Chromes electric guitar strings. They offer the perfect balance of smooth feel and warm, mellow, fat tone. Corrosion resistant packaging ensures your strings are always fresh.
#TOP 8

GHS Strings 4 Precision Flats

GHS Strings

Features

  • Medium Gauge: 045-065-085-105
  • Unique cross-winding process offers a deep percussive tone.
  • Flatwound Stainless Steel on a Hex Core
  • Polished Stainless Steel Flat Wire Wrap
  • Model: M3050
#TOP 9

D'Addario ECB81S Chromes Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • String Gauges: Wound .045, .065, .080, .100
  • Ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • Short scale version D'Addario's best selling flatwound bass guitar set
  • Fits short scale basses with a string scale length of up to 32 inches
  • ECB81S, a short scale version of D'Addario's best-selling Flatwound bass strings, are known for their warm, mellow tone and smooth polished feel. Chromes deliver a deep, rich low bottom end which makes them the flat wound choice of Jazz, R&B and Pop musicians. Fits short scale basses with a string scale length of up to 32 inches. D'Addario Chromes Bass strings are wound with flattened stainless steel ribbon wire which is polished to an incredibly smooth surface. Delivering a distinctive damped, but tone-rich sound that only flatwounds can produce, D'Addario Chromes are the world's most popular flatwound strings.D'Addario, the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, is known as The Players Choice with a reputation for unsurpassed quality and consistency. D'Addario's innovative, environmentally friendly packaging reduces waste and provides protection from corrosion. All D'Addario strings are manufactured in the U.S.A. using proprietary, digitally controlled, state-of-the-art machinery for unmatched performance, set after set.
  • Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance
#TOP 10

D'Addario ECB81 Chromes Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance
  • ECB81, D'Addario's best-selling Flatwound bass strings, are known for their warm, mellow tone and smooth polished feel. Chromes deliver a deep, rich low bottom end which makes them the flat wound choice of Jazz, R&B and Pop musicians. Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches. D'Addario Chromes Bass strings are wound with flattened stainless steel ribbon wire which is polished to an incredibly smooth surface. Delivering a distinctive damped, but tone-rich sound that only flatwounds can produce, D'Addario Chromes are the world's most popular flatwound strings.D'Addario, the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, is known as The Players Choice with a reputation for unsurpassed quality and consistency. D'Addario's innovative, environmentally friendly packaging reduces waste and provides protection from corrosion. All D'Addario strings are manufactured in the U.S.A. using proprietary, digitally controlled, state-of-the-art machinery for unmatched performance, set after set.
  • String Gauges: Wound .045, .065, .080, .100
  • Ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone
  • Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches
  • D'Addario's best selling flatwound bass guitar set
#TOP 11

Fender 9050 Bass Strings

Fender

Features

  • Fender stainless steel flatwound 9050’s are anexcellent choice for jazz, country, r & b and reggae.
  • By the way, the stainless steel construction also givesyou longer life, and the flatwound construction reducesfinger noise.
  • From smoky jazzclubs to r&b venues, from reggae parties to countrymusic halls, 9050’s have you covered.
  • The first electric basses were made byFender, andthose basses came with flatwound strings.
  • Today, manyplayers use stainless steel flatwound 9050’s to add adifferent character to their tonal palette.
#TOP 12

SIT Strings DE45105L Nickel Plated Bass Guitar Strings

SIT Strings

Features

  • Nickel plated steel over hex core
  • Made in U.S.A.
  • Round wound strings for bright sound and great tone
  • David Ellison Signature Series
#TOP 13

La Bella strings for electric bass guitar (BELLA-750N)

La Bella

Features

  • Made in USA
#TOP 14

760FL-S Deep Talkin' Bass Flats

La Bella

Features

  • 760FL-S Deep Talkin' Bass, Flat Wound - Light 43-104, Short Scale
#TOP 15

Rotosound SH77 Steve Harris Monel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings (50-110)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • Finest quality materials
  • High quality music strings manufactured in england since 1958
  • Superb tone,feel,power and volume
  • Legendary british tone
  • Long life strings
#TOP 16

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt Bass Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball

Features

  • Made in California, USA with the freshest and finest materials
  • Cobalt produces a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available
  • Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
  • Cobalt Slinkys are also soft and silky to the touch, making string bending a breeze
  • Patented technology brings a new definition to “low end” capabilities
#TOP 17

Rotosound RS88LD Black Nylon Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings (65 75 100 115)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • BLACK NYLON FLATWOUND 65 75 100 115
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
#TOP 18

Rotosound RS885LD Black Nylon Flatwound 5 String Bass Guitar Strings (65-135)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • High quality music strings manufactured in england since 1958
  • Finest quality materials
  • Superb tone,feel,power and volume
  • Long life strings
  • Legendary british tone
#TOP 19

DR Strings Bass Strings

DR Strings

Features

  • Gauge: Medium (5-string)
  • The wrap wire is coated before the string is wound
  • Signature crisp tone, clarity, and volume of dr's traditional handmade strings
  • Hand-made with black polymer coat
  • This coating includes a corrosion inhibiting lacquer for extra protection against damaging substances such as perspiration, dirt
  • Extended string life
  • Super-thin coating on the plain strings and on the wrap wire
#TOP 20

D'Addario ENR71 Half Round Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • Brightness and tension similar to standard round wound strings with smoother feel
  • 45-100 gauged set with the benefits of an exclusive "Half Round" manufacturing process
  • Fits long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches
  • Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance
  • ENR71's combine the playability of common 45-100 gauged sets with the benefits of an exclusive "Half Round" manufacturing process. This set is fit for long scale basses with a string scale length of up to 36 1/4 inches. D'Addario Half Round bass strings are wound with pure nickel, then precision ground, leaving the outer surface smooth and semi-flat while retaining the flexibility of round wound strings. D'Addario's exclusive heat treating process ensures that Half Rounds retain their round wound brightness and sustain.D'Addario, the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, is known as The Players Choice with a reputation for unsurpassed quality and consistency. D'Addario's innovative, environmentally friendly packaging reduces waste and provides protection from corrosion. All D'Addario strings are manufactured in the U.S.A. using proprietary, digitally controlled, state-of-the-art machinery for unmatched performance, set after set.
  • String Gauges: Wound .045, .065, .080, .100
#TOP 21

0760M Deep Talkin' Bass

La Bella

Features

  • 0760M Deep Talkin' Bass, 1954 "Original" Style, Stainless Steel Flat Wound
#TOP 22

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball

Features

  • Slinky Flatwound bass strings bring together the smooth feel of traditional flats with the power of Cobalt
  • Gauges: 50, 70, 85, 105
  • Cobalt alloy wrap wire delivers added clarity and output without the finger noise of a roundwound string
  • Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials
  • Optimal core-to-wrap ratio ensures comfortable tension and playability
#TOP 23

Fender 9120 Bass Strings

Fender

Features

  • Fender 9120's are a string with a black, flat nylon cover.
  • Great tone, great feel and long life are what you get from these unique strings.
  • Fender 9120's nylon tapewound are an excellent choice for jazz, reggae, and blues.
  • The result is a comfortable, smooth feel, with a rich, warm tone.
  • Try them on a fretless for a great tone.
#TOP 24

Rotosound SM77 Monel Flatwound Hybrid Bass Guitar Strings (40 60 80 100)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • Finest quality materials
  • Superb tone,feel,power and volume
  • High quality music strings manufactured in england since 1958
  • Legendary british tone
  • Long life strings
#TOP 25

D'Addario XL Half Rounds Bass Guitar Strings

D'Addario

Features

  • REDUCED FINGER NOISE - Pure nickel wrap wire is finished with a centerless grinding process to provide a smooth feel, reduced finger noise, and tone comparable to round wound bass strings.
  • HEX-CORE - Like all D’Addario bass guitar strings, XL Half Rounds are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
  • HALF ROUNDS - Half Rounds bass strings are an innovative combination of round and flat wound strings, providing benefits of both.
  • EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Half Rounds sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • MADE IN THE USA – D’Addario bass strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
#TOP 26

DR Strings Bass Strings

DR Strings

Features

  • It offers bass players a superior black coated string without sacrificing the crisp tone, clarity
#TOP 27

Dunlop Flatwound Short Scale 45/105 Medium 4/SET Bass Guitar Strings

JIM DUNLOP

Features

  • Four (4) string set
  • Stainless steel flatwound bass strings
  • Model Number: DBFS45105S
  • Short Scale
  • Made in the USA
  • Medium Gauge | 45-105
#TOP 28

Ernie Ball Group III Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball

Features

  • Ernie Ball bass strings are played worldwide by aspiring artists and legends alike
  • Ernie Ball Custom Gauge Flatwounds deliver solid low-end with reduced finger noise
  • Flattened stainless steel wrap wire on a hex-shaped tin-plated steel core
  • Super smooth feel with warm, rounded tone
  • Gauges: 45, 65, 80, 100
#TOP 29

Rotosound RS77LE Monel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings (50 75 95 110)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • Legendary british tone
  • Superb tone,feel,power and volume
  • Finest quality materials
  • High quality music strings manufactured in england since 1958
  • Long life strings
#TOP 30

Rotosound RS77M Monel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings (40 50 75 90)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • MONEL FLATWOUND MEDIUM 40 50 75 90
#TOP 31

DR Strings Flatwound Stainless Steel Round Core Bass 45-105 Strings

DR Strings

Features

  • Gauges 45, 65, 85, 105
  • Hi-Beams require much more time, care, and extra steps to make than other bass strings
  • The extra effort DR expends making Hi-Beams results in a bass string that is highly flexible, musically warm and renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency, and string-to-string balance
  • They don't eat your frets
  • Not long scale strings
#TOP 32

Pyramid Gold Flatwound Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings 40-100

Pyramid

Features

  • Short scale 76cm / 30"
  • Gauges: .040, .055, .070, .100
  • Tension: Medium Full Set Material: Pure Nickel Winding: Flat Wound Core: Hex
#TOP 33

DR Strings Hi-Beam Flats

DR Strings

Features

  • Hi-Beam bass strings require much more time, care, and extra steps to make than other strings
  • DR flat wound Hi-Beam stainless steel bass strings are built on a round core, unique in the industry
  • The extra effort DR expends making Hi-Beams results in a bass string that is highly flexible, musically warm and renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency, and string-to-string balance
  • Flatwound Legend 5-String Bass Medium
  • They don't eat your frets
#TOP 34

La Bella 760FS-CB Deep Talkin Bass Flatwound Bass Strings

La Bella

Features

#TOP 35

Rotosound RS77EL Monel Flatwound Extra Long Bass Guitar Strings (45 65 85 105)

ROTOSOUND

Features

  • Country Of Origin :Wales
  • Product Type :Instrument Parts And Accessories
  • Package Dimensions :16.2 Cm L X16.0 Cm W X2.8 Cm H
  • Package Weight :1.0Lbs

The Buying Guide to the Ideal flatwound bass guitar strings - What You Must Know

Why do people boil their bass strings?

Boiling guitar and bass strings is a method of cleaning within their windings, between their outer layer and their core. The boiling water expands the winding and removes dirt from within the string, offering a deeper clean than surface-level wiping or applying string cleaning products.

How often should you change flatwound bass strings?

So how often should you change flatwound strings? If you are looking to retain some brightness in their tone, somewhere between every 4-6 months depending on how much you play. If you are looking for a warm and smooth tone, a set of flats can last for decades as long as they don`t snap.

How do you revive a dead bass string?

Reviving Old Bass Strings: A New Approach
  1. Detune the string. Get it nice and loose.
  2. Grab the string, pull it away from the neck and slap it against the fretboard several times.
  3. Check the string and compare with the others. If it still isn't bright or new-sounding, keep slapping.

Can you reuse old bass strings?

Just soak your bass strings for 12-24 hours in the denatured alcohol, wipe them off and they're like new. You can clean them as often as you like. Each time they are like new. Over time they will wear out from frets chewing into them.

Editor's Notes

A considerable amount of time and effort was put into this research. We took the time (over 77 hours to be exact) to deep dive into the topic, analyzing at least 1249 customer reviews. As a result, we came up with a list of the most top-rated models with an average rating of 323. The products you'll find in this selection are available at $1324 on average (as of 03-10-2023).

Steve Romanoski Avatar
Written by

Steve Romanoski

Steve loves music. Steve Romanoski and his wife live in Alaska. They are always on the go, exploring new places and trying out new products (especially those which can help them enjoy the great musics even more). When he's not writing about products, Steve Romanoski enjoys reading books about history and science. He likes to think of himself as a renaissance man, but his wife would probably say that he's just a big kid at heart.