What is the difference between the various types of strings?
The short answer [J.M.] There are basically three types of strings currently in use on electric basses: 1) Roundwound strings 2) Flatwound strings (a.k.a. flats) 3) Groundwound or Half-wound strings Roundwounds, which were invented in the 1960s, are generally the most popular because they offer a bright sound with a lot of high end (sometimes described as “piano-like”). Flats give a mellower sound prefered by many blues and some jazz players. Fl ats are also easier on your fretboard and frets (which is an issue especially of relevance to fretless players). Groundwounds and/or half-wounds are hybrid strings which try to capture some of the brightness of roundwounds while being easier on the frets and fingerboard. Strings come in two scale lengths. The scale length is the distance from the the bridge of your bass to the nut. You will find strings in long scale and short scale. Longscale is for basses with a 32″ or longer scale lenght. Short scale strings are for basses with shorter scale
