fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 At the moment they both have TI flats on them. Im thinking of putting different stings on one of them for a bit of variety. Definitely flats, but which? My current gig is a big band with about 20 people. Brass, reeds, piano, drums etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soledad Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 My current faves are EB Cobalts but I think you have that area covered with the TIs. Given the big band, I'd personally try some nylon flats on the second - I think they would play to the Ps strengths in the lows and mids, with a natural warmth that should suit the band. I'll watch out to see what direction you go in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 As there are two types of flats "Old school" and "Modern Hybrid", I suggest you use both, one on each bass. The TI's are old school - thumpy, warm, smooth. Modern hybrids (Chromes, EB Cobalts, Fender flats) have a warm, brighter tone, more articulation through the mids, which may be good in your big band, will help cut through the mix better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 Ernie Ball Cobalts, my favourite flats by some margin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 I would not have called TIs old school. They are not like La Bella flats. The TIs cut through plenty, even when I’m n the same space as the trombones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 Rotos? I seem to. remember they are very bright too start but then mellow out. Been a long time since I tried them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 44 minutes ago, fretmeister said: At the moment they both have TI flats on them. Im thinking of putting different stings on one of them for a bit of variety. Definitely flats, but which? My current gig is a big band with about 20 people. Brass, reeds, piano, drums etc. I have 2 P's but one round one flats, covers nearly everything for me..except the Wal gets used 90% of the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 I’m not a fan of rounds on a P, unless I’m in a rock band. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 La Bella 760 flats, then you’ll realise you’ll want them on both basses 😄 Si 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, Sibob said: La Bella 760 flats, then you’ll realise you’ll want them on both basses 😄 Si That's what's been on mine for the last 5 years or so, same set 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 How about some nylon tapewounds? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister RLP Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 +1 for nylon tapes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 I'm loving the La Bella white nylons on my vintage pro thunderbird. Not tried them on a precison yet as the TI jazz flats on my Precisions are only about 10 years old so have plenty of life left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 53 minutes ago, Sibob said: La Bella 760 flats, then you’ll realise you’ll want them on both basses 😄 Si I am a big Duck Dunn fan.... mmmm.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 1 minute ago, fretmeister said: I am a big Duck Dunn fan..... Then try the Deep Talking 1954 strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 Way too heavy for me! and him when he got older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 1 minute ago, fretmeister said: Way too heavy for me! and him when he got older The 760FL or 760FS are the ones! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share Posted June 9, 2019 I’ve ordered the FL. Fingers crossed I like them 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 I have tried Steve Harris signature strings (they're just rotosound heavy flats I hear...) But that creates some serious tension, they're a lot clearer and rounder sounding than TI's. Personally I didn't like the TIs on my p bass but have kept them for if I get a jazz again I think I'd like them on a passive jazz. I've had fender tapewounds on the p for over a year now and they sound great. Thumpy and percussive but there's a grittyness when you open the tone and dig in, plus for rounds they're easy on the fingers. Just for variety I'm going to put on some Fender flats (45 guage) next. I should add my p has a badass bridge and Steve Harris signature pup which may influence things a fair bit in how I hear the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 6 hours ago, Sibob said: La Bella 760 flats, then you’ll realise you’ll want them on both basses 😄 Si Exactly what I did, but on all my P basses, oh and the Stingray too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) I like Pyramid Gold, Chromes and TIs myself, wasn’t a fan of the La Bellas. Good comparison here! Edited June 9, 2019 by dannybuoy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 OK I have a few more P-type basses, only one of which is a Fender, and thinking about it they all have different strings on. 1. 1966 Fender - Fender 7150L Pure Nickel strings, they are a few years old now and mellowing nicely 2. Bacchus Woodline Classic P - D'Addario EXL170BTs 3. ACG Finn P (32" scale) - D'Addario ETB92M black tapewounds 4. Spector Euro LE4 1977 - D'Addario nickels, lighter set than on the Bacchus I like them all for different reasons but I do stick the EXL170BTs on pretty much all my other fretted basses so I guess they are my favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 La Bellas installed. Truss Rod tweaked. Rehearsal on Saturday! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, fretmeister said: La Bellas installed. Truss Rod tweaked. Rehearsal on Saturday! Well played Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 Did an hour's practice this morning with some backing tracks. Definitely sounds different to the TI. Thicker sounding. Feel is also very different - the La Bellas are smoother. The E string seems a bit wooly compared to the others at the moment but I seem to remember in the mists of time that after a week or so they will wear in and be very similar. And anyway I tend to turn the Tone control down to at least 50% for this sort of music so there's no clank even on the higher strings. Tension / suppleness is very different too. I am liking them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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