Need help choosing flat wounds

[HeyBartenderman]

So after reading through many posts, I'm trying to decide between two flat wounds:

-Fender 9050ML Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale Electric Bass Guitar Strings - Medium Light

-Rotosound SM77 Monel Flatwound Hybrid Bass Guitar Strings (40 60 80 100)

I have a Nate Mendel Fender P Bass with round wounds, so these I will be putting on my Fender American Standard P Bass. Are the strings extremely similar? Worth the price difference for the Rotosounds?

 

[michael_t]

-Fender 9050ML Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale Electric Bass Guitar Strings - Medium Light

-Rotosound SM77 Monel Flatwound Hybrid Bass Guitar Strings (40 60 80 100)

If I were you, I'd try the 9050L (45-60-80-100) first, which is better balanced than the ML.

The Fender flats are one of the best values as "middle-of-the-road all-purpose flats" for less than $30.

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[woodyng2]

Fender.
(Full disclosure, not a fan of any Rotosound strings.)

 

[Barton Lee]

I've used both of those and like them about the same. If price matters, go with the Fenders.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

If I were you, I'd try the 9050L (45-60-80-100) first, which is better balanced than the ML.

michael_t, since you're the king of string tension figures of this forum, what would be the most stiff (as flexible to fret/pluck), Fenders 100 or Roto 100 ?
Nowadays my Matt Freeman is stringed with the 9050L, which I think it sounds kinda generic, and it's on the upper limit (stiffwise) on what I feel confortable to play; just tried Roto flats in the short scale version, (and at least in my dano) their tone is much more appealing than Fenders.
But always heard that Rotosound flats (long scale) are bridge cables, maybe the 100 gauge would be less stiff than the 9050L ?

 

[michael_t]

michael_t, since you're the king of string tension figures of this forum, what would be the most stiff (as flexible to fret/pluck), Fenders 100 or Roto 100 ?
Nowadays my Matt Freeman is stringed with the 9050L, which I think it sounds kinda generic, and it's on the upper limit (stiffwise) on what I feel confortable to play; just tried Roto flats in the short scale version, (and at least in my dano) their tone is much more appealing than Fenders.
But always heard that Rotosound flats (long scale) are bridge cables, maybe the 100 gauge would be less stiff than the 9050L ?

I have no personal experience with the Roto 77 flats so no comment on how they actually FEEL. That said, based on what I've read, I would say the Fender 9050L (45-100) and Roto 40-100 are similar in terms of stiffness and overall playing feel. The main difference between the two would be the tonal character.

When people talk about the Roto 77 flats being "bridge cables", they're usually referring to the Steve Harris set (50-110) or maybe the standard set (45-105).

 

[Rocket Queen]

michael_t, since you're the king of string tension figures of this forum, what would be the most stiff (as flexible to fret/pluck), Fenders 100 or Roto 100 ?
Nowadays my Matt Freeman is stringed with the 9050L, which I think it sounds kinda generic, and it's on the upper limit (stiffwise) on what I feel confortable to play; just tried Roto flats in the short scale version, (and at least in my dano) their tone is much more appealing than Fenders.
But always heard that Rotosound flats (long scale) are bridge cables, maybe the 100 gauge would be less stiff than the 9050L ?

Roto SM77s (40-100) are 178.6 lbs, which I think is relatively light for flats.

 

[michael_t]

Roto SM77s (40-100) are 178.6 lbs, which I think is relatively light for flats.

Tension (as in pulling weight) is one thing, stiffness (playing feel) is quite another. I think @Bobbadfinger is more concerned about the latter.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I like Roto 77s but these days have Thomastik Jazz Flats on most of my basses. Always worth considering La Bella Deep Talking Flats or Low Tension Flats. I tried Fender flats and didn't like them.

 

[edencab]

I always say "Fenders on a Fender"....they are a great place to start the flats journey....love the Fender flats

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Flats.

 

[DwaynieAD]

The only string I hate more than fender flats are boomers.

Dr legends flats

 

[DwaynieAD]

The only string I hate more than fender flats are boomers.

Dr legends flats

 

[g-dude]

TI Jazz Flats.

This. Absolutely this.

 

[gstaats]

This. Absolutely this.

The only flats I have now are TI jazz flats. Great strings, they last a long time and they play fantastic.

 

[g-dude]

The only flats I have now are TI jazz flats. Great strings, they last a long time and they play fantastic.

Hard to go wrong with any product from Austria, from wine and coffee to desserts, to strings…

 

[Barry Vestal]

Of your choices I would say the Fender set...but I've been all about ( The sound of Chocolate) GHS 3025 set for quite awhile now, with the Labella 760fx set coming in a close second...good luck

 

[tb-player]

Have you ever read much about Dunlop flats? After spending hundreds of dollars trying a variety of flats, I became an exclusive TI guy… til I tried the Dunlops. I don’t hear guys talk about them a lot, but they changed the game for me.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I have used both the Fender and the Rotosound sets, but it has been 20 years since I had either set on a bass.

If I had to choose one, it would be the Rotos. They were a little brighter.

If I may suggest another set: Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats.

Flatwound feel, almost Roundwound sustain. Less thump than most flats, but I think they are just wonderful.

I have them on my Stingray and my Ibanez fretless.

Try them.

Mike

 

[Yahboy]

9050L sound good on P bass.

EB 2814 has too much MID and spark upper mid for P bass, but sound just right on my Squier CV50P which load with Fralin Split 51p pup. Tighten up the low end and the MID voice no shy anymore.