Ernie Ball 2816 Slinky Flatwound 5-String Bass Strings

I have these strings on my Jazz bass Elite V, and my Bongo Bass. Fits just right, sounds great, and amazingly punchy for being technically a flatwound., even though you might detect the windings on your fingers ever so slightly. You can slap with these and it don't sound bad. Love these! Highly recommended.

Great tone, no finger noise

I switched from round-wound to flats a few years ago. I used to think flats would be too dark/dull, but after trying a friend's bass, it wasn't so bad. So I decided to give them a try. I went through a few different brand sets, some were bit too dark, or didn't last. The third set was these E.B. Slinky Flats, and I immediately thought: "Summit reached. These are IT." I've now been using these strings for several years, and absolutely love them.

Flat wound is the way to go!!! I am what some call a weekend warrior musician. So, my fingers are not as seasoned as other players. With the flat wound stings, the tone is full and the strings are not as hard on the fingers.

I switched to flatwound strings 2 years ago. I now prefer flatwound strings and they fit my playing style. I also prefer the tone of flats: warmer, mellow, etc. It's hard to find a set of flatwound strings that have enough mids and highs to cut through the mix, though. I play a Music Man Stingray 5 with a maple neck, so my instrument is brighter than most. I say all of this because: Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound strings are awesome. I think they fill a void in the market. They feel like a flat but sound like a round. I'd say these are the perfect strings for someone who plays roundwounds but wants to try flatwounds. The switch is often shocking. These strings are great in that situation. I, myself, am not sure about them. I think I prefer the D'addario Chrome Flats because (to me) they have a more-balanced low-mid-high out of the package. My bright instrument needs that. The Ernie Ball slinky flats have way more highs from the start. My Stingray's low end is purely based on the strings. Also, these strings definitely are slinky. If you hate fret buzz, find a good luthier or buy strings with a higher tension. This is another reason I may go back to D'addario Chrome flats.

I have these on both of my basses. The feel and sound are great. I hate the harsh fret clash sound of new round wound strings. The feel of round wounds can be harsh also. These strings still have round wound punch without the unwanted noises and are very smooth on the fingers.