Most Round-Like Flats

[HeadlessBassist]

My preference has always been the Thomastik Jazz Flats of the 43-100 variety. I like the low tension, as you can actually bend them and play dynamically. They feel a quite similar tension to the Elixir 40-95 set I have on the American Performer Mustang.  I just put the Thomastik set on my Vintera II Mustang, as the previous owner had put the usual LaBella DTFs on, which just killed all of its character and sound - the LaBella E-string was previously sending the tone into a deep pit of durge and despair! 

[dmc79]

4 hours ago, crazycloud said:

Dunlop SS?

This is a cheap experiment for now, Dunlop flats are £80 ! 

[Paddy777]

I haven’t read the replies, just the OP’s post so it’s likely already been said, but Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats are definitely the brightest flats I’ve played. Chromes can be pretty bright to start with, but they get pretty thumpy before long and they’re also quite stiff IMO, whereas the Cobalts are relatively low tension for flats 

[bob21]

Whilst the experts on flats are assembled.. 

 

I have exclusively played fender flats and 4 string basses for years and years now. I love the 9050s - both the tone, but the tension is perfect too.. 

 

I now find myself with a 5 string - a 35” Lakland, to be precise. 
 

Obviously the 5 string 9050 sets are no more - so what is the most similar set of flats on the market in a 5 string set? 

[Supernaut]

Most likely Chromes or Ernie Ball Group Flats. 

[crazycloud]

I think I'll get a set of the Dunlop 30-125 for the Cort.

[dmc79]

On 09/05/2025 at 13:34, HeadlessBassist said:

 

My preference has always been the Thomastik Jazz Flats of the 43-100 variety. I like the low tension, as you can actually bend them and play dynamically.

 

Thanks. Whilst I don’t feel the need to bend strings much, I guess what you are meaning is this kind of thing. . . 
 

‘My Echo’ by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Cool slice of summer jangle with a fun video. A fair bit of bending going on here, see 2:00 - 2:20. During the solo bass bit, I really like that tone that is slightly gritty yet still smooth, as opposed to abrasive with a ton of finger screech. I’m guessing he’s using flats there, likely the lower tension ones like TI or La Bella. What do you think?  
 

My Fender 9050L strings have arrived & will be going on soon. I keep feeling how smooth they are through the packet!

 

[fretmeister]

I put some Fender 9050 on my Lionel - the 55-105. I have had them before and I remembered why they annoyed me... The string gauges are stupid.

 

I found the 105 to be just right and the others to be far too stiff for my tastes. In the past I've had the 45-100 and thought they were good apart from the 100 which is too floppy.

 

So in a moment of alcohol fuelled silliness I ordered the lighter set and made up a hybrid set. So I've massively over spent... but it's still cheaper than a set of Dunlops or Dogals etc. Now it feels how I like, and they do sound very nice. But with buying 2 sets I'll be upset if I don't get 8-10 years out of them!

 

I have no idea why Fender discontinued the good old 45-105 and the 40-100 sets, and they don't even sell the currently available ones as single strings. 

[Twigman]

d'Addario half rounds feel like flats but sound like rounds.

[Twigman]

DOUBLE POST - SORRY

Edited 6 hours ago by Twigman

[Lozz196]

16 minutes ago, Twigman said:

d'Addario half rounds feel like flats but sound like rounds.

What sort of life do you get from these, do they last as long as flats?

[Twigman]

40 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

What sort of life do you get from these, do they last as long as flats?

The round sound twang lasts just like rounds (ie not that long) but the flat thump lasts for years.

I put d'Addario half rounds on my black Status necked bass for our 2016 trip to USA - they're still on it and the bass still sounds OK but has lost that new string twang.