Best set of flats for my Fender 51 RI P Bass

[vanscoy]

I just got a Fender 51 RI Precision and I was wondering what was the best set of flats for it. I have used the Fender flats on my Turser '54 Bass and liked them. I have it kitted now with DR Lo-Rider rounds and *meh* I am not wild about them. I keep going back to play my Turser, if you can believe it. I have read about the Thomastiks but I am put off by the $55 price. Any advice? I am playing mostly Beatles and some solo Sting type music.

[FunkyWilly]

I have a '51 Precision RI and put D'Addario Chromes on them. I like them a lot. I bought mine from www.juststrings.com.

I've had other bass players pick it up and play it at clubs, and they always compliment the sound. Even players who play completely different types of basses. In fact, the other day someone borrowed it at a jam, and was slapping and popping the hell out of it. Not my style (and I was pissed that he was so aggressive on my bass), but I was surprised how punchy/funky he could make it sound with flats.

Your mileage may vary.

-Willy

[vanscoy]

any issues with string length? I hear the 51RI is picky about string wraps clearing the nut. I usually use DR strings and they have no problems.

Thanks Willy

[Philbiker]

I've got D'Addario Chromes on my Turser copy and I like them fine, though I haven't tried anything else.

[pibroch]

Tried TIs and D'Addario flats on my 51 RIP: not happy with either. Fender flats not bad but too thuddy . I think the problem for some people in finding a good tone with flats is the standard pickups - I've noticed on various discussion pages that people replace them. Have yet to try LaBella Deep talking flats.

[pibroch]

I just tried DR Lo Rider rounds (nickel plated I think) on my 51RI with a few tissues rolled up slotted under the strings at the bridge and plucking fingerstyle about half way up the neck the sound was beautiful - similar to the sound of flats but with a really sweet tone. (Played thru a sans amp DI in bipass mode then into a PA).

Compared it with Jamerson's sound on the Supremes "You Can't Hurry Love" and it's almost a perfect match!

Thank you very much vanscoy - if it wasn't for your question I may never have tried this!

[vanscoy]

Originally Posted by pibroch

I just tried DR Lo Rider rounds (nickel plated I think) on my 51RI with a few tissues rolled up slotted under the strings at the bridge and plucking fingerstyle about half way up the neck the sound was beautiful - similar to the sound of flats but with a really sweet tone. (Played thru a sans amp DI in bipass mode then into a PA).

Compared it with Jamerson's sound on the Supremes "You Can't Hurry Love" and it's almost a perfect match!

Thank you very much vanscoy - if it wasn't for your question I may never have tried this!

Hey THANK YOU! I have to try the tissues.

[rllefebv]

Originally Posted by vanscoy

any issues with string length? I hear the 51RI is picky about string wraps clearing the nut. I usually use DR strings and they have no problems.

Thanks Willy

Yes. The through string grommets on the back of my '51 RI eat more string than those on my '96 P... I ordered the Extra Long D'Addario Chromes from JustStrings and they are perfect. Killer tone and feel for me, but then again, all of my basses wear Chromes!~

-robert

[dreadheadbass]

i know everyone on here flames em but rotosound flats sound fantastic on every bass i own
failing that i tried some heavy guage LaBella Deep talking flats and the sound is fantastic there waaaaay to expensive for me to slap em on all my bass's though

[xav_paris]

very soft to play

sound is +++++++++++++++++

very very very long life while still sounding

you pay more to entry, that's right , but in the end You get far most

TI' are BASS PLAYER MAG' in the strings issue one of the winners , and lead in flat section

I do believe it is high end strings , will definetively suit your style of playing ( palldino's choice on his fender custom shop reissue )