Detail 01
Flatwound
Smooth outer surface instead of textured winding. Glassy under the fingers and silent when you slide between positions.
Product detailSKU #1274034478000
D'AddarioECB81 XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings - (45-100)
1/6
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Flatwound bass set, 45-100. For players who want smooth feel and a dark, thumpy tone instead of roundwound growl.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Motown, reggae, and vintage soul tones
- Fretless bass, where roundwounds chew the fingerboard
- Studio work needing zero finger squeak
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Slap players wanting bright, snappy attack
- Anyone wanting modern rock or metal bass clarity
- Players who like light, low-tension strings
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
45-100 gauge
Standard medium-light spread. Familiar tension on a four-string, though flats pull tighter than roundwounds at the same numbers.
Detail 03
Chromes construction
Dark, compressed low end with rolled-off highs. The classic thump rather than a bright modern voice.
Detail 04
Four-string set
E-A-D-G only. No B string included for five-string basses.
Detail 05
Higher tension than roundwounds
Stiffer feel under the fretting hand. Bends take more effort; the trade-off is a tighter, more focused note.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Flats take longer to settle than roundwounds. Give them several days.
- 02You may need to raise action or adjust the truss rod for the higher tension.
- 03Do not cut flatwounds short before winding; they can unravel at the cut.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01How long do flatwound bass strings last?
Far longer than roundwounds. They start dark and stay there, so many players run a set for years rather than months.
02Will these work on a fretless bass?
Yes, and they are the usual choice. The smooth surface causes much less fingerboard wear than roundwounds.
03Do flatwounds sound dull?
They are dark by design: strong fundamental, rolled-off treble. That is the Motown thump, not a defect. If you want bite, use roundwounds.
04Will these fit my bass?
They fit a standard four-string. Check your scale length and whether your bridge is top-load or string-through before ordering.
