Your favorite flats for a jazz?

[Peter - Oregon]

I chose my first flats for my P bass based on this thread I posted a year ago.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/advice-for-first-flats.1556825/

I decided on Fender flats based on this thread, and I have been happy with them. I really like the feel of the flats, and I am going to try a pair on my Ultra Jazz. This bass currently has D'Addario Nickel Wound EXL 170 45/100. There are so many options out there, and I want to try something different this time. I like the tension of the Fenders.

I know there are other threads on this topic, but I am curious what your favorite flats are with the tonal characteristics of a jazz. I play classic and alternative rock, primarily.

 

[Yahboy]

EB cobalt flat 2814 on my Bacchus BJB1RSM. Meaty juicy healthy tone, plus lasting.

Fender flat 9050L but the E string get dull earlier than others. Good for 3 months usage to retain the string to string freshing tone.

Both set has very close stiffness to roundwound 45-105, but cobalt 2814 has better string to string stiffness than 9050L.

 

[75Ric]

I like the Pyramid Gold flats for my jazz bass. Very smooth, good tension - not floppy, and with a brighter tone than the LaBellas on my pbass. But the tone isn't too bright. YMMV, but they seem to match the jazz bass perfectly for me and great for rock tones. A note of caution: they take a few months to really break in. Once broken in, though, they are lovely.

 

[Bodeeni]

Chromes ECB 84 are my go to on the jazz, they just seem to a bit more musical to me. Although I am digging the Laballa Original 1954s on the PJ with Geezers right now. Not sure I would go that heavy on a jazz.

 

[michael_t]

I tried the Fender 9050L both on my P and J several years ago and decided they sounded better on the J. That's what's on my Highway One J right now.

Meanwhile, my P is wearing the Ernie Ball Group IV Stainless Steel Flats (NOT Cobalt) and I'm very happy with them.

 

[FiregloRob]

I have Fender 9050l on my Fender roadworn jazz. Love ‘em.
My Fender Precision has Labella low tension flats on.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Pyramid Gold.

 

[Dynacord]

I like the Pyramid Gold flats for my jazz bass. Very smooth, good tension - not floppy, and with a brighter tone than the LaBellas on my pbass. But the tone isn't too bright. YMMV, but they seem to match the jazz bass perfectly for me and great for rock tones. A note of caution: they take a few months to really break in. Once broken in, though, they are lovely.

Me, too. Though I use a 100 rather than 105 for the E - just sounds and feels like a better match to me. I like TI on some other basses but personally prefer Pyramid flats on Jazz Basses. Also have a J strung BEAD with Pyramid flats.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Labellas or ghs precision flats. They give me that old school snakey john paul jones tone.

 

[Pokerdweebz]

TI flats on my jazz and P

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz.

 

[antfarm]

LaBella Low Tension Flats.

 

[Jefenator]

I reserve a P-bass for maximum "thud" with more dead / heavy flats.
With the J I find myself craving more versatility and Chromes seem to facilitate that.

 

[ctmullins]

I couldn’t imagine using any kind of flats for alt rock.

 

[Scarey Larry]

For my fretless jazz TI Jazz Flats. 2nd place is La Bella low tension. Both EB and Fenders mentioned are good. Whatever the classic La Bellas are called I have on a P and it sounds right but not on the fretless jazz. Have not tried Pyramid. On my fretted jazz's I prefer rounds usually Rotosound 66. YMMV.

 

[akukulich]

I was pretty happy with La Bella Low Tension Flats.

 

[Hot Rats]

TI jazz flats on my Jazz. and P.

 

[azureblue]

9050's here. I like the way I can get tone variations depending on how and where I pluck the strings... And I really like the tone in the +12th fret range, for solos. My bass has a 500hz cut, and I roll that back just a little.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

EB Cobalts.

 

[Lo-E]

I’m not a full-time flats guy so I tend to lean towards lower tension flats in general.

On most basses I’m very happy with Ernie Ball Group IV stainless flats but I like TI flats on the Jazz. To me, the more mid-forward sound of TIs compliments a Jazz bass really well.