Difference in playability between medium gauge rounds and heavy gauge flats?

The Mollusk

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Mar 28, 2018
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So I've exclusively used medium gauge rounds on my P bass, but I'm considering a jump onto the flats bandwagon. Unfortunately, my local GC only stocks basses with rounds, making "just trying one out in the store" a bit of a rigmarole to say the least.

As far as the two flats I'd consider getting, they'd both be from Rotosound, particularly the Jazz 77 Monel long scale strings, or the Steve Harris signature strings. The former is medium gauge, the latter is heavy.

When taking into account the difference between rounds and flats, would heavy gauge flats be much harder to play than my medium rounds?
 
When taking into account the difference between rounds and flats, would heavy gauge flats be much harder to play than my medium rounds?
Yes. The Steve Harris signature set is one the highest tension and stiffest playing sets available as is La Bella's 'Original 1954' (aka Jamerson set). You will have to get your bass set up specifically for this set. Any change from rounds to flats will normally require a new set up.