I like Fender Flats...what else might I like?

[thunesBARROW]

I currently use Fenders flats, but have also used Ernie Ball group flats and like them as well.

I used to use Chromes, but switched once I tried other strings. The Rotos are cool too but not really my thing, and I never really liked TIs.

The Chromes sounded best on my Jazz, and I use the Fenders on my fretless Precision.

 

[bassdude51]

Needless to say, strings are a trial and error effort.

Even one brand of flats can come in 2 to 4 different gauges with each having a different sound.

What someone recommends may not agree with you.

You like the Fenders. Quest over.

 

[michael_t]

Yep, they do!

That means you have post-2010 Fender 9050 Flats. The silk used to be darker green than the current ones. Otherwise the same strings.

 

[DonaldR]

Don't know anything on flats but I like the Ernie Ball Group V on my Jazz 5-string.

 

[micguy]

Almost everyone who likes Fender flats also likes bacon.

 

[logdrum]

From the land of tango - Magma Ultra Flats - thread here

 

[Laurent]

Almost everyone who likes Fender flats also likes bacon.

And fries!

I like Thomastik flats, I have them on two basses. Fender, Dunlop and Ernie Ball Group III, La Bella are also good.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Do they have color-coded ball ends, Gold-Red-Silver-Green (E-G)?

Yep, they do!

That means you have post-2010 Fender 9050 Flats.

Yeah, the "dark green" threw me off.

The silk used to be darker green than the current ones. Otherwise the same strings.

Do you mean the current-current (white sleeve with the big G-string gauge number) have even lighter green silk than the 2010 ones (green sleeve, big F)?

 

[michael_t]

Do you mean the current-current (white sleeve with the big G-string gauge number) have even lighter green silk than the 2010 ones (green sleeve, big F)?

Current ones are more like surf green while the older ones were green-green.

I can post pics when I'm home tonight.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Current ones are more like surf green while the older ones were green-green.

I can post pics when I'm home tonight.

So, to clarify: when you say "older" you mean the big-F package ones from 2010 and subsequent years? Because mine were from that era, and surf green already.

 

[michael_t]

So, to clarify: when you say "older" you mean the big-F package ones from 2010 and subsequent years? Because mine were from that era, and surf green already.

I'm not sure if the change in the silk color from the green-green to lighter green coincided with the change of packaging.

All I'm saying is the ones I used around 2014-2016 had darker shade of green than the ones I just got.

 

[logdrum]

Almost everyone who likes Fender flats also likes bacon.

I like tofu. I order my green chile burrito with bacon on the side and and my buddy who I have early Saturday breakfast gets extra

 

[onda'bass]

@michael_t is right, these are easily 20 years old and darker green

 

[HaphAsSard]

I'm not sure if the change in the silk color from the green-green to lighter green coincided with the change of packaging.

All I'm saying is the ones I used around 2014-2016 had darker shade of green than the ones I just got.

OK, so it's not like you've confirmed it across multiple specimens. Might it just be another case of "it happens sometimes"? OTOH, I've read multiple post mentioning pre-2009 Fender flats having forest-green silks (at the bridge), which is why this sub-thread was confusing to me...

 

[HaphAsSard]

@michael_t is right, these are easily 20 years old and darker green

View attachment 5409815

Couple things:
- as I said, AFAIK Fender flats didn't have tuner-end silks at all, 20 years ago. If these in the pic have colour-coded ball ends, they can't be older than early 2010 ( = 14 years at the most)
- mine have about the same shade of green; is that dark to you? or do you mean you've since got ones with even lighter-green silk?

 

[tpaul]

Have you tried pizza?

 

[KellyC]

TI Jazz Flats.

And before someone replies they're not exactly the same it's still the best and final answer. You can get them now or you can keep looking and get them later.

I have never played the TI Jazz Flats, why are they almost universally praised as the GOAT flats?

 

[BassJuju]

May have been said, but if you have found what you like, stop looking.

 

[logdrum]

There's no best.
I use LaBella DTF flats on fretless because I want a little more tension and "fight" that works with how I play.

TI Jazz Flats.

And before someone replies they're not exactly the same it's still the best and final answer. You can get them now or you can keep looking and get them later.

Yeah - that's definitely clear

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I have never played the TI Jazz Flats, why are they almost universally praised as the GOAT flats?

Mwwuaww, plus the noodly tension, plus the longevity, plus the feel, plus the consistency. Only string really like it. People call Michael Jackson the king of pop too, but I would rather listen to punk.