Which E string to mix with flatwound set?
 

I recently upgraded my SX short scale P bass with a Tesla p/u and my tech recommended a set of Pyramid flatwound strings to go with them.

After playing with the new strings, I found that I really liked the tone and feel of the A, D and G strings, but the E was a little too dull and thuddy for my taste.

I bought two different single E strings to experiment with and I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about which one might be a better match with the flatwounds (e.g. not too zingy). They are:

GHS pressurewound .096
D'Addario XL half rounds .100

Why don't you just try a set of D'Add Halfrounds? They don't cost that much.

The Pyramids were really expensive and they do sound very good. Just want to change the E string out. I've done some searching on TB and think I will start with the GHS .096 pressure wound first.

I was in your situation once years ago and found a Thomastik jazz flat worked pretty good for a substitute E. It gave me that soft feel and it sounded pretty good. It helps if it's really well worn-in. Eventually though, I sold the Pyramids at almost no loss and have used LaBella's for flats ever since.

I've used this method on 5 string basses. The flat wound 5 sets, B string is often pretty thuddy, so I used an older roundwound B string. Can't remember the brand/gauge tho