Best flats for a '51 P-Bass RI?

jlane72t · #1 04-23-2009, 01:13 PM

Looking for that old-school THUMPA-THUMP.

D'Chromes? Deep Talkers? TI's?

rllefebv · #2 04-23-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlane72t

Looking for that old-school THUMPA-THUMP.

D'Chromes? Deep Talkers? TI's?

D'Addario Chromes in Extra Long, (for the string-through bridge)... Just my opinion, but it's the string that gets my money!

-robert

bassbully · #3 04-23-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rllefebv

D'Addario Chromes in Extra Long, (for the string-through bridge)... Just my opinion, but it's the string that gets my money!

-robert

Ya gotta agree. When i got mine didnt know the reg long scales were too short

Tried TIs didnt like them at all way to honky on that bass with that pup. It now has TI powerbass rounds which sound nice but i am soon ordering extra long scales to replace them.
I dont like old school thump flats thats why i choose TI or chromes for some mids and a tad bit of zing.

metalmariachi · #4 04-23-2009, 09:48 PM

I'm using GHS Precision flats on mine.
Very old school sound.

MM

bongomania · #5 04-23-2009, 10:45 PM

Don't ignore the Fender flats! They don't get as much attention here as the Chromes and TI's, but they are perfect for that application.

bassbully · #6 04-24-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Don't ignore the Fender flats! They don't get as much attention here as the Chromes and TI's, but they are perfect for that application.

While i agree tone wise they are great strings the tension is downright brutal.

jasper383 · #7 04-24-2009, 07:53 AM

Thump comes from higher tension, in my experience.

The Jamerson La Bellas and the heavy Fender flats are the thump kings, and I believe it is mostly due to the tension. Heavy gauges just won't "ring out" like lighter gauges do.

Now, you can get thump from even the lightest flats, but if thump is your only criteria, you must consider heavier gauges.

rllefebv · #8 04-24-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Don't ignore the Fender flats!

Absolutely! Also, don't ignore LaBella's, TI's, RotoSound's, GHS, etc... It's all subjective, and they're all fine strings with many loyalists for each brand... I just always seem to find myself coming back to the Chromes, so much so that I don't need anything else for me personally!

-robert

mobax · #9 04-24-2009, 10:37 AM

LaBella is a good pick, in my opinion.

jumbosilverette · #10 04-24-2009, 11:54 AM

Can't tell you what the best are, but I have D'ad on mine, and I like 'em.

jlane72t · #11 04-24-2009, 11:57 AM

Well thanks y'all. I just ordered me some D'ads. Glad I learnt about the extra-long scale thing, that would have really bugged me if i got it wrong.

deepbluesuk · #12 04-24-2009, 04:00 PM

Ive got Ernie Ball 105-45 flats on mine. Very thumpy, not too much tension - try em...