What strings do you use on your P-Bass

[JayPH]

Hi all

Just bought a standard usa p-bass and was wondering what people tend to use string-wize. I use DR Sunbeams on my Jazz Bass but not sure what to get for this baby.

Would flatwound strings be too much on a P?

Cheers

J

[LukeFRC]

it was designed for flat wounds wasn't it?

I've got DR Fat beams on mine- lots of low end but a bit of treble from steels too.... except they must be a year and a half old now and just sound amazing- big fat and thumpy but not as much as flats would be...

[discreet]

After using rounds for 38 years I'm now using La Bella Deep Talkin' 760FL Flats and I'm [i]never [/i]going back!

Edited April 7, 2012 by discreet

[Highfox]

La Bella's 760 FSL on both my P's.

[gjones]

I had DR hi-beams on my P and now I have elderly rotosound roundwounds for a flatwound-ish sound but with a bit more presence. Flatwounds can sound good if you are playing through your own amp on stage but if you ever go through a PA be aware the sound engineer will more than likely EQ them like roundwounds and make them sound woolly and indistinct.

[discreet]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1333815539' post='1606927']
...if you ever go through a PA be aware the sound engineer will more than likely EQ them like roundwounds and make them sound woolly and indistinct.
[/quote]

Good call, I found it necessary to 'discuss' this with our 'engineer'.

[JayPH]

Cheers all. Some for me to look for. Is it fair to say that most p-bass players use flats or worn rounds?

[Dave Tipping]

It totally depends what you want .. my current band plays in a drop tuning and I find newish heavy guage roundwounds give me exactly what I need.

[chris_b]

I use the biggest gauges I can. At the moment I've got Dunlop Nickels 45-130 on my PJ.

Before that I used DR Lo-Riders and Hi Beams. I loved the DR’s and I might go back them when I have a little more spare cash!

[gary mac]

Flats on my 75 and DR Highbeams on my 58 Bitsa.

[Matt P]

ernie ball flats on my '77 and i'm probably going for picato flats on my bitsa p/j when i finish building it.

Matt

[dudewheresmybass]

Rotosound 50-110 swing bass on all my p basses

[Muzz]

DR Sunbeams on all my Ps - if you like them on your Jazz, ypu'll like them on your P: why not just try swapping a set over before you buy?

[REDLAWMAN]

La Bella 760 FS and FM's.

My favourite set-up is actually the A, D & G from the FM, together with the E from a set of FS's.

[discreet]

[quote name='REDLAWMAN' timestamp='1333927169' post='1608461']
La Bella 760 FS and FM's.
[/quote]

Is that actually you and your baby in your avatar pic?
You look like James Woods and your baby looks like Jesus.

[franzbassist]

La Bella 760FS on my 1970 fretless.

Rotosound RS66LD on my 1988/9 MIJ fretted, but only because I use that bass in a Jam tribute band and those are the strings Foxton uses! Otherwise it'd be La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels 45-105.

[Monckyman]

Looks like baby jesus?

What`s the difference between the La Bella FS and FM strings then?
I`m tottering on the brink of flats for the first time in my life also.
So many strings,so little time.

[nick]

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1333960329' post='1608639']
Looks like baby jesus?

What`s the difference between the La Bella FS and FM strings then?
I`m tottering on the brink of flats for the first time in my life also.
So many strings,so little time.
[/quote]

760FS = .45-105 , 'standard' gauge, black silks
760FM = 49-109 , medium' gauge , light blue silks

[discreet]

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1333960329' post='1608639']
Looks like baby jesus?
[/quote]

In keeping with the celebration of the resurrection of the LORD.

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1333960329' post='1608639']
What`s the difference between the La Bella FS and FM strings then?
[/quote]

La Bella make FX, FL FS and FM which increase in tension throught the range, as far as I can make out. There was a thread on TalkBass stating that if you go for FMs you may have to adjust your truss rod, but I can't confirm that.

I'm using 760FLs and they seem very balanced and even with a nice low-mid 'tone'. Can we say 'tone', now? . And they're [i]very [/i]smooth and shiny. I'm very impressed with them.

Edited April 9, 2012 by discreet

[Monckyman]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1333965585' post='1608718']
In keeping with the celebration of the resurrection of the LORD.

[b]You mean Morrissey has a new CD out?[/b]

La Bella make FX, FL FS and FM which increase in tension throught the range, as far as I can make out. There was a thread on TalkBass stating that if you go for FMs you may have to adjust your truss rod, but I can't confirm that.

I'm using 760FLs and they seem very balanced and even with a nice low-mid 'tone'. Can we say 'tone', now? . And they're [i]very [/i]smooth and shiny. I'm very impressed with them.
[/quote]
Ta for that, I`m in. Black silks ..yum.

[REDLAWMAN]

No, you're right: it is actually James Woods and baby-Jesus.

You've no idea just how hard it was to find a shot with them both in it.....

[discreet]

[quote name='REDLAWMAN' timestamp='1333966918' post='1608747']
You've no idea just how hard it was to find a shot with them both in it...
[/quote]

[discreet]

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1333966679' post='1608744']
Ta for that, I'm in. Black silks ...yum.
[/quote]

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[JayPH]

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1333924953' post='1608429']
DR Sunbeams on all my Ps - if you like them on your Jazz, ypu'll like them on your P: why not just try swapping a set over before you buy?
[/quote]

Sounds good to me. I've just ordered a new set for the J so I'll put the old set on the P before I fork out for somthing else. Saw a thing on ThinterWebs saying cleaning them with meths brings them out like new and doesnt rust them. Cheers

[JayPH]

[quote name='Dave Tipping' timestamp='1333836895' post='1607299']
It totally depends what you want .. my current band plays in a drop tuning and I find newish heavy guage roundwounds give me exactly what I need.
[/quote]

True. I'll leave what evers on em at first then try the old rounds off the J and go from there. I think even with rounds on it must have more oomph than the J but I've been wrong before