Best Fender P bass strings

[5bassman]

Waiting on a "83" Fender P bass to arrive, first P bass owned. Whats the best type string to really bring out the "P" bass sound. What brand do you like?

[BellBottomBlues]

Rotosound flatwounds

[driver800]

Fender 9050 flatwounds are perfect. Plus you can usually find them for $15-$18.

[SuperSnake2012]

Well that depends on what your definition of the P sound is Do you want the vintage sound (old flatwounds) or the modern rock sound (bright roundwounds)?

[ryco]

Rotosound SwingBass 66, a roundwound

[jumbosilverette]

I think the stock Fender strings 7250ml, I think... that come on the P bass sound wonderful.

[Quinn]

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats.

If you're after the "classic" 60's P-bass tone, you need flats. These happen to be the ones I like, but there are many other choices. TI's are low tension, which you might like or might not.

If you'd prefer high tension strings, you might want to try the La Bella "Original 1954" "Jamerson Set."

[Gene Leone]

TI jazz Flats. Set 344JF

I use them on a 66 P and they are da bomb.

[Bobby King]

I love the Sadowsky flats on my P! I think that flatwounds best give that classic R&B P-bass sound, but rounds work well too for a more rock edge.

[Jimbob Jones]

As you can see from the anything but unanimous decision here, it all depends on what tone you want. The best thing to do is to buy and install a set of strings, then say "I want less bite, a more supported bottom end, the mids arent strong enough..." etc, Then take your situation to either your local string expert, or to us at TB . Then we can give much more helpful advice on what to buy.

good luck!

JBJ

[El Whappo]

I like the Rotosounds SwingBass 66 strings.

[5bassman]

Thanks for the help in getting started. I've always have had Jazzes so wasn't sure where to start. Think I want the "Old School" vibe at first.

[basspraiser]

Originally Posted by El Whappo

I like the Rotosounds SwingBass 66 strings.

I just put a set on my Lakland Bob Glaub and love the sound they give it! My Fender P has Fender flats on it (sorry I do not remember the series) and that sounds good to...all depends on the sound you want! (i.e. mellow (flats) vs. brighter (rounds)).

I use RS 66s on most of my basses...

[BassMan250]

I love Fender flats (.55-.70-.90-.105 gauge) on my P ... smooth tone with no finger noise, and can go from deep and mellow to growly and aggressive with a twist of the tone knob, but without the raspiness and excess noise of roundwounds. Plus I like playing in high register and I get a much fuller, smoother tone with flats than I did with rounds up there.

[JimmyM]

Ask 20 bassists what kind of strings to use and you will get 20 answers. Just buy a set and play.

[Nighttrain1127]

Rotosound 66's also known as swing bass are good if you want very brite sound and your frets eaten away fast. Rotosound flats 77"s are also very brite for flats but much more fret friendly. Good strings for the p-bass sound would be Thomastik Jazz Flats or Labella Deeptalkin' flats. or for cheaper strings that still thump SIT Power Flats.

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ask 20 bassists what kind of strings to use and you will get 20 answers. Just buy a set and play.

+1

[peterbright]

Someone mentioned "low tensioned" flats. Are there any "high tension" flats?

[infect]

Originally Posted by peterbright

Someone mentioned "low tensioned" flats. Are there any "high tension" flats?

I've heard the Jamerson set feels like you're playing bridge tension cables

[SGT. Pepper]

Either Flats or Fender 7150 Pure Nickel Rounds.