Flatwounds on a Jazz Bass

[GalardiGrooves]

I got a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass with Custom Shop 60s pickups swapped in.

I got some LaBella flats to put on it, would it make much sense to do it? What kind of sound should I expect out of it if I do?

 

[michael_t]

I once tried the La Bella 760FL (43-104) on my Highway One Jazz, and didn't like them the way they seemed to suck the J-bass character out of the J. It tended to get lost in the mix.

Fender 9050L is what that bass wears now and they sound much better with their stronger midrange character.

 

[BGroovy]

slap them on and try them, only you'll know if you like it. Plenty of people run LaBellas on Jazz basses.

I dig some brighter flats on my Jazz personally, currently running DR Legends on the Jazz. LaBellas on my P Bass and Hollowbody Hagstrom

 

[Killing Floor]

There’s no best string. You should try what you can and take notes as you go. Find your favorite.

 

[lowplaces]

What kind of sound should I expect out of it if I do?

It will sound like a Jazz Bass with flats.

 

[silky smoove]

I have a Jazz I’ve never bonded with. This is from someone who’s primary bass has been some variety of Jazz since 2002, almost without exception.

On this bass I’ve tried La Bella DTFs, TI flats, back to La Bella, Dogal flats, back to La Bella, and now have La Bella black nylon tapewounds on it. I’ve always loved their black nylon tapes but currently don’t dig them on this bass either. The only strings I’ve ever really liked on this bass are GHS Balanced Nickel rounds. I can’t speak for all Jazz basses, but this one doesn’t seem to like anything but rounds.

 

[MrAB4003]

I got some LaBella flats to put on it, would it make much sense to do it? What kind of sound should I expect out of it if I do?

La Bella flats are the epitome of old school, dark tones. Them and GHS Precision Flats represent the extreme dark end of tones. The other end of the spectrum are brighter flats are D'Addario Chromes and EBMM Cobalt Flats. Fender 9050s and Roto 77s are in the middle of the spectrum.

So it really depends on what kind of tone you're after and what kind of music you are playing.

 

[butterfingers1]

Flatwound strings (LaBella anyway, they’re all I know), sort of take the jazz bass gurgle out, but add a little precision bass presence in. But I’m one of those who never appreciated a jazz bass for what it is.

 

[bassicmike]

I have flats (D'Addario) on both my jazz bases. I love the tone.

But I have flats because of the feel. I don't like rounds.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I got a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass with Custom Shop 60s pickups swapped in.

I got some LaBella flats to put on it, would it make much sense to do it? What kind of sound should I expect out of it if I do?

Smooth and soft bottom. They are more percussive but tend not to ring out like rounds.

 

[wboyd68]

I put Labella 760s on my American Pro Jazz and love the tone.

 

[LowendG]

Flats on a Jazz is one of the classic bass sounds. I have two Jazzes so I can have one with rounds and one with flats (Labella 45-105). I use the flatwound one the most--Americana, reggae, pop, classic funk soul, indie/alt rock, you-name-it. Sounds killer with fingers or pick. I never slap, I don't work for artists or bands that do music that calls for it.
I also have two P's, one with rounds and one with flats. The Jazz with flats and the P with flats are two different things, but I'd say they're sonically closer to each other than the P or J with rounds comparison, at least with my basses.

 

[onda'bass]

I am a jazz bass lover and flats on them is fine with me. My sadowsy has 9050’s and my xotic xj 5 has SIT flats. I love chromes but have tipped my toes in other brands to see what’s up lately. Any are a great choice to me.

 

[C-60 Bass]

When I played a Jazz it was with 760FL's or 9050's.
Much preferred it with flats than roundwounds

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Here’s my 65 Jazz with Labellas. Lovely combo.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I'm a recent convert to flats on Jazz.
Depends on the particular bass and what you want.
My buddy is all LaBella DTFs, and they work great for him - but I'll stick to Ps for the LaBellas (and Olinto)

Ernie Ball Cobalts work well as a round substitute.
I just brought Chromes back into the mix (actually 1st time on a Jazz, and they work well)
Dunlop Flats also are a great fit and can still sound "modern".
But my favorite is the TIs.

(the list above is in descending order from the brightest on down...
Olintos and LaBellas would continue toward the "old school" side of the spectrum.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

I got a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass with Custom Shop 60s pickups swapped in.

I got some LaBella flats to put on it, would it make much sense to do it? What kind of sound should I expect out of it if I do?

Flats on a J are great. However I could never get the La Bella low E string to work for me. Always lifeless compared to the other 3 strings. My Fav flat is Gibson, and also appreciate Chromes.

 

[shirojiro]

I have tried various flats on Jazz basses, and find that I like other people's sound on a Jazz with flats more than what I can coax out of them. That said, I like Cobalts and Chromes best on a Jazz.

I think Meshell Ndegeocello uses/used a Jazz with flats a lot especially early.

 

[75Ric]

I like flats on jazz basses. I have Pyramid Gold flats on both of my jazz basses, but I am planning to replace one with Olinto flats. My pbass has La Bella 760FS.

 

[JumboJett35]

LaBella Gold Flats are bright to my ears. They also look cool and we know that's what really matters. Going on 2 years now, these strings sing!