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 Thursday at 09:02 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.

[HeadlessBassist]

On 14/05/2025 at 17:07, dmc79 said:

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!

 

 

They look rather bendable, yes. Have a listen to Pino Palladino in the John Mayer Trio. He uses Thomastik Flats on his early 60s Precision. Great sound.

 

https://youtu.be/go3vGKdKBqk?si=563scCQueIPoOHus

[Pow_22]

If you fancy an experiment I've a couple of sets of used Elites Groundwounds (cut for 4 in a row with generous winds).  Happy to post you a set for nowt if you want to give them a bash.  Supposedly used by Mani of the Roses.  Ive always loved them but moved back to their full flats recently

[dmc79]

On 08/05/2025 at 20:01, Hellzero said:

You can wipe them with some alcohol before fitting them as you will remove a lot of the remainings of the polishing process, and don't forget that you'll have to readjust the intonation (a lot).

 

And as usual with all strings, bend them at 90° or more before cutting them and fitting them. 😉

Thanks. I’m unfamiliar with cleaning new strings, come to think of it I never clean my strings at all, though I do always wash my hands before playing. 
 

Can I pretty much use any isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for this? I may have some in the shed, will check when home. I guess you just apply with a soft paper towel or similar? Also I suppose there are packs of IPA wipes out there too. 
 

I see there are actual guitar string wipes such as Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes. Are these worth getting? Thanks 

 

[dmc79]

On 16/05/2025 at 08:58, Pow_22 said:

If you fancy an experiment I've a couple of sets of used Elites Groundwounds (cut for 4 in a row with generous winds).  Happy to post you a set for nowt if you want to give them a bash.  Supposedly used by Mani of the Roses.  Ive always loved them but moved back to their full flats recently

 

Thanks for your kind offer. I've got the Fender 9050L flats ready to go on, so I'll pass, but thanks anyway.

 

I'll see how the flats go, if I like them I guess I'll keep the Fenders on for a while, then maybe try the Ernie Ball stainless steel Groups. 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by dmc79