your favorite flats on a budget?

[mellowgerman]

DR Legends are really fantastic and won't break the bank. They have a round core (instead of a hex core like most others) which gives them a really nice open resonance and great flexibility. Relatively speaking I'd say they have comfy medium tension and a super smooth and soft feel.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Precision flats, especially for the tone you want

 

[JohnnyBottom]

GHS Precision.. the sound of chocolate. no affiliation. Got em on all 7 of my basses.

 

[shadven]

Rotosound 77s

 

[bassrique]

My Fender Justin Meldal Johnson Mustang came with Fender light 9050 flats. I figured I change them to TIs or something else, bit I kept them on. I like them. For ~$28 they are a bargain.

 

[Eli Brockway]

Roto 77s and super slinky cobalt flats.

 

[ajwolfcale]

I actually like fenders flats. Lots of tension.

 

[fishdreams]

GHS Precision Flats. If it is that 'thud' you're going for, they are fantastic on a Pbass. Jamerson on the cheap.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Dunlops and DR's are fine, they're just fine, and LaBella's aren't that much more expensive.

 

[edencab]

I always say Fenders on a Fender...and they are in the lower price range, $10 cheaper than Chromes.....sound great, feel great

 

[packhowitzer]

I've had the same set of Chromes on my Stingray for 11 years. I expect they will be the last strings I ever put on that bass. In light of that, it doesn't really matter what they cost, they've been an excellent investment for me. ymmv.

 

[Ruknrole]

GHS Precision Flats. $24.95 at JustStrings.com
Sound good & last as long as any other flatwound.View attachment 4026149

If been wanting to try these but with 38” wind, how is this fitting the E string on a 34 inch scale without the winding wrapping on the post?

 

[Gizmot]

I hate to repeat what others have said but although they cost the most, TI Jazz Flats are far and away the best value. They’ll last for at least 5 - 10 years and you’ll love the sound and feel.

 

[Guild B301]

If been wanting to try these but with 38” wind, how is this fitting the E string on a 34 inch scale without the winding wrapping on the post?

It depends on the bass. On a Fender, it just might wrap around the post. On other basses, it does not.

 

[Ruknrole]

It depends on the bass. On a Fender, it just might wrap around the post. On other basses, it does not.

Ok thanks. Yes on my Fenders it does. I bought GHS Boomers 3045x by mistake and the E was too long.

 

[Ggaa]

La Bella lo tension flats.

 

[BossOnBass]

You can usually find people selling slightly used flats in the TB classifieds if you're on a budget.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Fender flats and GHS Precision flats are two of my absolute favorites, and they're also among the least expensive. And they last forever, almost literally.

 

[M0ses]

I've been using my Chromes for about 12 years now. I still think they sound and feel quite good. Now that's VALUE. I honestly believe I would feel the same about any flatwound, I have been tempted by LaBellas many times... even my TI Jazz Flats didn't cost me much because I re-sold them after I found out I didn't like them.

If you "don't have the means" to buy the set you want, leave whatever is currently on the bass there until you do, like how long is that even gonna take they're strings not boats.

 

[bigswifty1]

Well since TI’s may outlast your bass or possibly even you, that makes them pretty darn budget friendly.