What strings do you use on your P-Bass

[sixdegrees]

Fender 7250 Nickel plated steel rounds. 45 - 105. I like the bright rock tone but without suffering from steels eating my frets (like the Rotos do).
I find the tension to be good, and balanced across the strings.
13 quid a set too.

I used to like Rotosound RS55LD strings too - a bit of a halfway between rounds and flats. May go back to them one day.

Flats would probably kill my 'live' tone, so never even tried them.

[LiamPodmore]

Some random cheapos for now, they sound damn good but barely last a 3/4 weeks. Likely to stick with my usual Ernie Balls like i have on my Jazz after i run out of these (My uncle gave me about 7 sets when i bought my P off him).

I used a set of Picato flats when i was borrowing my mates P/J which sounded good, but as has been mentioned previously in this thread, the engineer EQ'd them like rounds at the gig i played, so they sounded pretty shi*te.

Liam

Edited April 10, 2012 by LiamPodmore

[dave_bass5]

Chromes on mine at the moment. I prefer nicks but every now and then i go through a Flats phase. It normally starts of with Chromes as they are quite bright compared to a lot of flats, then after a while ill probably put a set of TI's back on, and then get fed up with the lack of over tones and go back to rounds for a few months.

I have just discovered the benefit of using a foam mute so maybe the flats will last a bit longer this time.

[thodrik]

Rotosound swing 66, 110-50. The shop down the road stocks them and they work okay for tuning down to D etc.

[EssentialTension]

La Bella 760FS.

[EssentialTension]

[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]
That'll will be the guy looking at the knobs rather than listening to the sound.

[Hobbayne]

Ernie Ball Super Slinkys, 45 65 80 100, comes in a nice shiney dayglo packet too!

[JayPH]

Noob question but what do you mean when you say the soundguy will mix for rounds?

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1333965585' post='1608718']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.
[/quote]

You should tweak your truss rod whether you change to a set of higher or lower tension strings if you want your bass playing at its best.

Surprised nobody had mentioned TI (Thomastik Infeld) Flats! My favourite strings on a P by far, got some LaBellas on there right now but planning on switching back at some point.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1334870310' post='1622817']
Surprised nobody had mentioned TI (Thomastik Infeld) Flats!
[/quote]

I did ;-)

Edited April 19, 2012 by dave_bass5

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1334870310' post='1622817']
You should tweak your truss rod whether you change to a set of higher or lower tension strings if you want your bass playing at its best.

Surprised nobody had mentioned TI (Thomastik Infeld) Flats! My favourite strings on a P by far, got some LaBellas on there right now but planning on switching back at some point.
[/quote]
I've used Thomastik flats a lot and I do like them but hooked on La Bellas at the the moment.

[EssentialTension]

I like Pyramid Golds too.

[Dave Vader]

Fender 9050 flats, 100-50 gauge.
Lovely.
(Although at present due to an experiment they are both sporting status hotwire flats 105-45, I do not like them, though the black silks look cool on the black bass)
I like the fenders on my green bass cos they have green silks as well....

[KiOgon]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1334871076' post='1622828']
I've used Thomastik flats a lot and I do like them but hooked on La Bellas at the the moment.
[/quote]
I've gone the other way! Taken La Bellas off my '51P & tried TI Jazz Flats. Only had them on a week but don't think they feel right for me. They're a bit lightweight by comparison, not by gauge by sound, a bit twangy or too bright.

I think they will be more suited to a Jazz bass I've just acquired so I'll be fitting my long time favourites - GHS Precision Flats - to my '51P & stringing up the '62 Jazz with the TI's.

Cheerz, John

[mikegatward]

La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels 45-105, especially when they've worn in a little

[Highfox]

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1334915581' post='1623330']
I've gone the other way! Taken La Bellas off my '51P & tried TI Jazz Flats. Only had them on a week but don't think they feel right for me. They're a bit lightweight by comparison, not by gauge by sound, a bit twangy or too bright.

I think they will be more suited to a Jazz bass I've just acquired so I'll be fitting my long time favourites - GHS Precision Flats - to my '51P & stringing up the '62 Jazz with the TI's.

Cheerz, John
[/quote]

Good choice. I have my P's strung with La Bella's and my Jazz strung with TI's, Good call the jazz and TI's they are definately a good match.
I haven't been able to try the GHS Precision Flats yet, but they are on my list of must tries. Wonder how they would sound on a Ray? I have TI's on it atm, even tho it sounds good they could also be just a little too brite for my tastes. No rounds for me thank-you!

[JayPH]

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1334928559' post='1623611']
Good choice. I have my P's strung with La Bella's and my Jazz strung with TI's, Good call the jazz and TI's they are definately a good match.
I haven't been able to try the GHS Precision Flats yet, but they are on my list of must tries. Wonder how they would sound on a Ray? I have TI's on it atm, even tho it sounds good they could also be just a little too brite for my tastes. No rounds for me thank-you!
[/quote]

Do flats sound ok on a jazz bass?

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='JayPH' timestamp='1334944395' post='1623971']
Do flats sound ok on a jazz bass?
[/quote]
Yes.

[Highfox]

[quote name='JayPH' timestamp='1334944395' post='1623971']
Do flats sound ok on a jazz bass?
[/quote]

I'd put some of my own music up, but that might not do it justice

[Telebass]

TI Jazz Flats all round, 4 and 5 string.

[JayPH]

I never realised how important the strings are in the equation. It's like an aprenticeship on here

[KiOgon]

Today I've done a complete set-up with TI Jazz Flats on my new '62 Jazz & I have to say it is absolutely superb a match made in bass heaven

I also fitted a new set of GHS Precision flats to my '51 P & hey presto equilibrium is restored, TI's didn't suit it at all IMHO

Yes strings are such a major part of the whole,
Cheerz, John

[StevieD_FenderP2009]

Rotosound Swing Bass RS66LE 50-110 on my Squier P-Bass
D'Addario Flatwound Chrome 50-105 on my Fender Steve Harris P-Bass and Fender 1987 checkerboard P-Bass

Best way to do it for me. Especially when the flatwounds are broken in and mellowed out, they still have such a variety of tone to them

[Sean]

I've just ordered a set of Status Black Nylon strings and also a set of Status Flats for my BB400s (P type bass) just to try. I have no experience of Status strings or black nylon so I'll post some clips when I get them.

Anyone have any input on Status flats or nylons?

[Twigman]

ErnieBall Group3 flats here 45-100 I never use anything else