Another First Time String Buyer!

[xXxTWO FACExXx]

I have a MIM P-Bass and i'm a complete noob when it comes to strings so what would be the preferred strings for me. I like to play mainly alternative but sometimes I slap so what strings would be the best for me?

[bertbassplayer]

Short answer: Anything and nothing. Go find out. Only way you can tell is by playing them (too many variables).

Long answer: This might be a good start... http://www.bgra.net/features/strings.html

[bassalo]

Trial and error. In the past couple of years, I've gone from D'Addario to Elixir Nanowebs, to Ernie Ball Super Slinkies to DR Lo-Riders. So far, I like the last 2 the best. Just go try a bunch if you have the money.

[Bassman316]

I remember when I first started out. I didn't even know what was what when it came to strings (MAN, what a help it would have been if I knew about TB back then!). I just went to the store and literally picked out the set of strings whose packaging caught my eye. Usually around my parts you get your typical selection- Fender rounds, Ernie Ball Slinkys, Roto 66s.

Of course, since joining TB and from playing, I've learned a lot about strings. I've come to be pretty settled on D'Addario .45-.105 XL rounds. I actually just put a set on last night on my SX P-bass. If I'm feeling like a flatwound string, I'll go with Chromes.

The link bertbassplayer put up looks like it has a lot of good info there. You should check it out.

[mgauge]

I say like people have said before me. Try and try more... I started out with D'Addario XL's long ago, went to Blue Steel, to SR2000, to DR's..

Ive been happy with the DRs for over 6 years now, but I enjoyed the 'journey of discovery'

[ljazz]

DR SS Loriders will yield a nice slap tone on the P.

[T-MOST]

D'Addario Pro Steels are a decent starting point. They are solid strings with a nice slap tone and not overly expensive.

[BillMason]

What kind of music do you play?

P-Bass? Flats (Daddario Chromes) is usually the default answer, no matter genre... but it depends on what you're going for tonally.

[pickles]

Some crowd pleasers to try:

Stainless:
DR hi beams (less tension)
DR lo riders (more tension)

Nickel (tension all about the same):
D'addario XLs (the brightest)
Fender 7250s (the mellowest/fattest)
Slinkys
Dunlops

Your bass probably came with Fender 7250 or 8250, which are nickels. If you dug those, try some other nickel sets. If you'd like it to be a little brighter and more focused, try the hi-beams, which are great on P-basses.

[EagleMoon]

Originally Posted by T-MOST

D'Addario Pro Steels are a decent starting point. They are solid strings with a nice slap tone and not overly expensive.

+1 on the ProSteels. I usually use DR Hi-Beams but I found that on a P bass they just don't sound as well as they do on a jazz. But the ProSteels really bring out the Precision tone.

[eyecandy]

slap strings?
go for stainless rounds if want a cutting edge tone, they also have great slap tone and cuts through the highs of the guitars