+1 These are what I currently have on my J bass. I’d say either the 45-105 or 43-104 La Bella’s if you want something heavier. EB Cobalt Flats if you want brighter.
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Your favorite flats for a jazz?
- Thread starter Peter - Oregon
- Start date
+1 These are what I currently have on my J bass. I’d say either the 45-105 or 43-104 La Bella’s if you want something heavier. EB Cobalt Flats if you want brighter.
as in, weird overtones or literally only the odd overtones giving it a much darker sound like how a flugelhorn or other conical bore wind instruments have a darker sound due to the odd overtones?
They almost sound out of tune. I went back and rechecked setup and intonation. I think they’re settling down as the strings break in, but not sure. Maybe increased magnet pull compared to prior strings and pickups need to be lowered? Still experimenting.
I've had a set of the Labella Olinto flats on my Jazz for about 2 weeks, and I really like them so far. The gauges are 47-68-80-107 but they feel similar to the 760FL set, maybe even a little less stiff. They have a nice top end and a round bottom, and I really like the character of the mids. They do sound different than DTFs.
It’s not just that the tension is low, it’s also that these strings are very flexible so, yes, these strings feel pretty floppy to some people. I didn’t find it all that difficult to adjust to, personally. Overall, I play these strings with a lighter touch than some other strings but I can still dig in without any problems. I have them on my Noel Redding Jazz and I play rock and blues on that bass without issues.
If it’s something you’re really concerned about then I would repeat my suggestion for the Ernie Ball Group IV. They’re not as floppy as the TIs but they still have a comfortable, soft feel. They’re also not as bright sounding as the TIs - they fall pretty much in the middle of the flatwound tonal spectrum - but they’re detailed enough; not as dark sounding as LaBella or GHS. They’re also half the price of TIs so if you don’t like them you’re not out as much money.
Hi Peter
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
Looks like they were made for it!
aaaaaaaaand:
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
Looks like they were made for it!aaaaaaaaand:
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Last edited:
I have Rotosound 77 flatwounds on my Jazz Bass right now, and am quite happy with the tone of these.
... at least as far as being flatwounds go. Have had these on for a few months, thinking of going back to roundwounds.
... at least as far as being flatwounds go. Have had these on for a few months, thinking of going back to roundwounds.
Just an FYI: I used Fender Flatwound strings from 1966 until 1971 or '72. Then I switched to the Fender Nylon Tape-Wound strings, which were darker sounding than the flats. In 1976 my bass along with all my touring gear was stolen. I was working a "normal" job (after touring for 3-years from 1971-1974) and had wife with two kids and no money. So no bass again until 1985, which is when I got my '82 Jazz with all-maple neck and 70's era pickup spacing (4" center to center) that came with Dean Markley Blue Steel round wounds. Tape Wounds are actually smoother than flats.
Hi Peter
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
View attachment 5279837
aaaaaaaaand:
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Hi Peter
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
View attachment 5279837
aaaaaaaaand:
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Hi Peter
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
View attachment 5279837
aaaaaaaaand:
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
You all have sold me on trying the TIs. Especially given the cost, I want to make sure I get the right size. The rounds I have on are D'Addario 45/100
Hi Peter
Thomastic Infeld Jazz for me!
Why?
View attachment 5279837
aaaaaaaaan
You all have sold me on trying the TI Jazz Flats.
Given the cost, I want to get the right set. I have a Fender Ultra Jazz, currently strung with D 'Addario Nickel Wound EXL 170 40/100. Can you give your recommendation as to which size set, and the model number, you recommend? Really appreciate it!
My second choice would be Roto 77s (awesome rock sound!)
When you are used to roundwounds you will have no problem at all (IME)
Flats tend to be stiffer than rounds => most flatwound players will call rounds sloppy
IMO get a set of TIs and a set of Roto 77s
The Rotos won't break the bank and will also be amazing on your P bass!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Stay in the same ballpark and you should be fine 100 for the E string is great with passive basses!
Wise(b)ass
It appears that the ones I want are the JF 344 0.43 - .100 long scale for an active Fender Ultra Jazz. Repeating above my Fender 9050 flats are .45 - .100. D'Addario rounds are .45 - .100. Confused by the yellow packaging vs the packaging with the bass on it. Is it correct that one is just newer packaging? Sorry to be so anal, but these things are spendy, and I want to get it right. If you have a different opinion on the size of TIs I should get, I would like to hear it!
Nope: European vs. North American packaging, same strings. JF344 (Jazz Flats, 34" scale, 4-string set).
Fender used to ship all Jazz Basses with flatwound strings, up until the early 80s.
Hi Peter 
Perfect!
If you go with a lighter gauge, you might get too much fret clank (you would have to play much lighter
than you are used to).
Nothing to be sorry about! TI strings are expensive on your side of the pond!
The packaging and advertising for the US market is different.
Fender has a bunch of lawyers who can be very anal,
when it comes to using "Jazz Bass" and a photo of a Fender shaped object
to market any product that isn't made by the Fender company.
European patent law is different.
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Perfect!
If you go with a lighter gauge, you might get too much fret clank (you would have to play much lighter
than you are used to).
Nothing to be sorry about! TI strings are expensive on your side of the pond!
The packaging and advertising for the US market is different.
Fender has a bunch of lawyers who can be very anal
, when it comes to using "Jazz Bass" and a photo of a Fender shaped object
to market any product that isn't made by the Fender company.
European patent law is different.
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Fender 9050L,and I've had no problem with a dull E string. Strings been on for 4 years now
