Which Flats?

[uncle psychosis]

Right, I know this has been asked a million times but bear with me. 

 

I've been playing D'Addario 165 rounds for years (the 45-105 nickel ones) and like the way they feel weight/tension wise. 

 

Now I want a proper old school set of flats - probably something Labella flavoured. 

 

Anyone recommend flats that will feel broadly the same weight/tension wise as the D'Addario rounds? How will the Deep Talking Flats or Low Tension Flats compare?

 

FWIW, I have a set of dunlop flats on a bass right now but I've really gone off them and I'm not sure why. So if anyone could compare the Labellas to those as well that would be useful! 

[Rodders]

Usual rule of thumb is to go a gauge lighter than your preferred rounds. 

I felt the same with Dunlop flats, couldn't get them to work for me too much top end and not enough mid/body, tried GHS flats, they were too far the other way so I settled on La Bella, though I prefer the two heaviest sets to use on P basses (760FM 109-49 and 760M 110-52) 

[Reggaebass]

I don’t use rounds so I don’t know how they feel , but looking at the gauges maybe the labella 760FL (light) which are 43-104 , I’ve got them on a few precision’s and they are a nice sound and tension, below that is the 760FX  39-96 (extra light),

the LTF’s are my personal preferred choice, similar tension to TI’s but not as bright 

[chris_b]

Old school flats?

 

Don't try to find a set of flats that feels like a set of rounds. That's not what they do.

 

Get the heaviest set of LaBella flats you can find, and love the thump.

[Supernaut]

On 22/09/2025 at 22:36, uncle psychosis said:

Right, I know this has been asked a million times but bear with me. 

 

I've been playing D'Addario 165 rounds for years (the 45-105 nickel ones) and like the way they feel weight/tension wise. 

 

Now I want a proper old school set of flats - probably something Labella flavoured. 

 

Anyone recommend flats that will feel broadly the same weight/tension wise as the D'Addario rounds? How will the Deep Talking Flats or Low Tension Flats compare?

 

FWIW, I have a set of dunlop flats on a bass right now but I've really gone off them and I'm not sure why. So if anyone could compare the Labellas to those as well that would be useful! 

La Bella 760FX or GHS Precision Flats light gauge. 

[Bassman1974]

I've tried a million different brands of flats, and I've got clear favourites. This is what I use:

 

Fender AM Jazz: Labella Low Tension. I love these. So smooth feeling and sounding

 

Fender 70's Vintera Jazz / Le Marquis Jazz: Fender 9050's on both. I'll never swap these strings out.

 

Ric4003: Rotosound Jazz. These suit the Ric tones well, although I'd prefer if they were smoother. I think I'll swap these out for Labella's.

 

Fender AM P Bass / Aerodyne Jazz: Tomastik TI's. They sound great, just a bit sticky for my liking.

 

Hofner 500/1: Beatle Bass Labella's. Lovely and thumpy.

 

My top two are the LB Low Tension's and the Fender 9050's. Either would be great for you I'd say. Be warned that the Fenders take a good bit of time to break in, but once there. Oh man. The sound..