Flats with the playability of rounds?

La Bella Low Tension Flats (42-100) would provide you with the traditional flatwound tone with roundwound-like playability. So, would GHS Precision Flats 45-95.

 

I have TI Jazz Flats on my Precision. TI JF344 are .043 - .056 - .070 - .100.

They are much easier to play than the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Roundwounds I have on my single coil bass.

 

DNE

But you can get TI flats. They are lively enough that you can slap/pop without the thud. That’s the closest I’ve ever come. I use flats and rounds on different basses and if I’m practicing on the TI basses I don’t immediately feel like I have to change basses when I change techniques.

I’m not a “flats or nothing” guy. So that’s my position. Rounds and flats are made for different reasons and there is a valid reason why every new bass ships with rounds, but flats have their own magic too. And TI Jazz Flats do a good job splitting the difference. Not cheap. Worth it.

 

TI also last a very long time so even though they cost more, it’s a break even. Not trying to sell them. I use LB flats on a fretless too. But the TI have a brighter tone. Chromes are quite lively when they are new but after a week or so they mellow. Great flats, high tension. But don’t sound like rounds after they break in.

Another option is TI Jazz Rounds, they have a smoother feel so less fret noise. But round wound.

I will try any set on any bass. So I’ve played a lot of brands. Have fun.

 

Labella Low Tension will have a similarly easy feel as TI's (from what I've read) but are less-expensive and have more of the traditional flats thud than the more lively TI's (again, from years of hearing about them, not personal experience.

I've really enjoyed the LTFs on my Stingray, but am curious about TI's at some point for a little more mid-presence.

 

The D'A Chromes are known for their stiffness, so if you want to try them, you might want to go light, ie 40-95, which would probably have the same stiffness as the XL Nickel 45-100. Also, their tonal character is less traditional than La Bella.

 

Yep, price. Larger companies go with what string they can buy in bulk for the best price. Those aren't flats.

Smaller companies rely on price to a point; they understand the end user is most likely going to put on "their brand" of strings as soon as they get the bass. So, why spend the extra for a set of flats if the end user doesn't use them?

Some boutique companies will offer you a choice, but not many.

 

I have chromes on my bass, you might consider using those, but playing in D standard (D-G-C-F) tuning. Lower tension and lower notes

 

Labella FL’s

 

Absolutely. I just put some medium gauge Chromes on, and they are some CHONKY boyz. TIs are much floppier with solid mids. (Too supple for me, but I have a "dig in" problem.) Labella low tension flats will give you that vintage thump in a more forgiving action as well. The GHS flats get a lot of love around here, but I havent used them

 

Cobalts. I personally prefer fender though. But, cobalts really do sound like rounds.

 

Oh, you want the feel. Ghs pressurewounds. Just wear them in a bit.

 

I think the OP wants the traditional flatwound tone with the playablility (stiffness/flexibility) of rounds. Both the Cobalt Flats and the Pressurewounds may be too roundwound in their tonal characters.

 

I was going to suggest the GHS Precision Flats 45-95 also. They are really easy to play and sound great! Have not played the Labellas, so can't compare.

 

Just buy lighter gauge ones and see how it works.

 

I read this and thought of an off-topic question - do flats generally cost more because they are more expensive to make, or is it more of a scalability issue? Just curious - thanks Jon!

 

Yeah, maybe you're right.

 

Yeah whatever flats you try, OP, go lighter gauge for more flexibility since that's what your goals are.