For those that use rounds and flats..

[jutty17]

I have basses strung with both, but if I could only have one, I would choose rounds. It's much easier to coax a flat-like tone out of rounds than the other way around, so in terms of versatility, rounds win for me.

 

[Crispus]

EB Cobalt Flats just barely beat TI Jazz Rounds because they have more tuning options below E. But then again, maybe not. One of those two, I dunno. I guess I would keep both around?

 

[groovepump]

Flats
I have a jazz with rounds, for pop and rock. My other two jazz wear flats. Flats feel better to me , no finger squeak either. The audience doesn't care which strings I use. If I had only ONE bass, it would be fretless or DB. So...flats

 

[wboyd68]

I first tried flats in the early 2000s and I have never been able to enjoy rounds since. My favorite strings are Labella 760FS. I have them on both of my Ps and on my Jazz. I've always played in original bands and and no one ever complains about my tone.

 

[ra0ulduke]

Since I first tried flats, I've never seen the need to use rounds again. They're perfect for all the styles I play. I primarily use LaBella 760FL. In the unlikely event that I needed rounds again, I would resort to the RS66 or Elites Stadium. I've always been very satisfied with both.

 

[blacktocomm]

Depends on the bass.

 

[TomB]

Thank goodness it’s a choice few of us need to make!

 

[Moredator]

I would use TI jazz flats.

Btw, many people mention Cobalt flats, do they really rust easy? I don't live anywhere exotic, but scared to try them as I've seen couple of bad looking photos.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I would use TI jazz flats.

Btw, many people mention Cobalt flats, do they really rust easy? I don't live anywhere exotic, but scared to try them as I've seen couple of bad looking photos.

I’ve used about half a dozen, or so, sets on various basses (currently a set on might short scale) as well as seeing others use them. I haven’t seen any issues thus far. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but never to myself personally.

 

[Moredator]

I’ve used about half a dozen, or so, sets on various basses (currently a set on might short scale) as well as seeing others use them. I haven’t seen any issues thus far. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but never to myself personally.

Thank you. Short scale is what I am especially interested in myself. Have TI Jazz on main bass, chromes on second and thinking what to throw on the short scale and they sound cool.

 

[ljazz]

95% percent of what I do is on a P bass with 9yr old Sadowsky Blue Label Flats..... so I vote Flats. But the Blue Labels sit in the mix so well and the mids have a great singing quality, making them great all around. I couldn't do that with Labellas. Chromes are just too dead sounding and lose theor mid focus once fully broken in. TIJF's can do it, but the extreme flexibility and not being able to dig in rules them out for me. I haven't tried the EBCF's though.... and don't really have the desire to..... but from the descriptions here on TB, they might be a contender for a one and done string.

 

[keyofnight]

It depends on the bass. Out of the few basses I have, it would be the Yamaha BBP35 with some kind of half-rounds.

 

[Stan_da_man]

If you only had one bass, which would you choose, and why?

A brighter flatwound; EB Group flats or Fender 9050s.

How do I know? EBs on my P, 9050s on my J.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Since posting my earlier comment, I’ve actually gone back to rounds on 2 of my main electrics. Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky’s in both cases.

If I had to pick one string to rule them all? I’d probably go EB Cobalt Flats. Then again, my mood changes constantly. Sometimes I love the crunch of a set of dead/well broken in rounds. Other times I want the thump of La Bella flats.

 

[2strings2frets]

D+R DDT’s, 45-105s they are finding their way onto more and more of my basses.

 

[Aussie Player]

Passive bass - flats (chromes)
Active bass - rounds (GHS Balanced Nickels)