Fender P Flatwound question

amosjones · #1 05-10-2011, 01:33 PM

I'm sure this has been asked and answered a thousand times. and someone is going to tell me to search. I have and I can't really find what I am looking for. So I am going to ask to see what you have to say.

I have a Fender Precision, just an ordinary P nothing fancy. It currently has medium light .050 - .100 Fender flat-wound strings.
The sound of the strings is good. RotoSound 77s were at the top of my list but I don't think I can get the long scale flats at .100 or less from them.

Does anyone have an suggestions for stings that are flat-wound, light gauge, low tension, "play faster" and fit a long scale P-Bass?.(Assuming light string with low tension play faster than heavy strings, if not please explain)

CapnSev · #2 05-10-2011, 01:42 PM

If you have the cash: TI flats.

I've had mine on my P5 for 2 years and I still love them to death!

masturbasser · #3 05-10-2011, 02:26 PM

Thomastik-Infeld flats are an acquired taste to say the least. Low tension for sure but won't get u that Jamerson thump. Years ago I tried some on a Lakland Bob Glaub P. I left them on for months trying to make myself like them. Blah! They are an abomination to my ears.

**ExaltBass** · #4 05-10-2011, 02:31 PM

Sadowsky Flats come in two gauges; Light .040-.100 & Regular .045-.105 I have used both, long lasting, smooth after breaking in and the tension is very playable (more than TI, less than the Fenders)

TimB 619 · #5 05-10-2011, 06:12 PM

GHS light gauge flatwounds.

bassboysam · #6 05-10-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

Sadowsky Flats come in two gauges; Light .040-.100 & Regular .045-.105 I have used both, long lasting, smooth after breaking in and the tension is very playable (more than TI, less than the Fenders)

+1 on the Sadowsky.

Also the La Bella 760FX if you want a little more thumpy dead kind of sound.

amosjones · #7 05-11-2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks, I will do some looking into the Sadowsky strings. I have been considering TI's too

CThompson · #8 05-11-2011, 01:07 PM

D'Addario Chromes are the best flats I've ever used, I love the mediums at 45-100.

D'Addario Electric Bass Chromes Flat Wound Super Soft Long, .040 - .095, ECB80

Those are the "super soft" at 40-95.

Can't say enough good things about the Chromes.

bassboysam · #9 05-11-2011, 01:10 PM

Chromes are nice but not as smooth and more stiff than the Sadowsky. I have th .095 chromes on a bass and .100 Sadowsky on another. Even with the heavier gauge the Sadowsky are less stiff.

Bochafish · #10 05-11-2011, 01:22 PM

I love chromes too, the stiffness is part of the attraction for me.

Where is Micheal Scott?...

tdub0199 · #11 05-11-2011, 01:23 PM

I'm digging the chromes as well.....

PSPookie · #12 05-11-2011, 01:26 PM

Faster vs. Tension is a matter of taste so I won't go into that. I have tried and liked the following flats on a P (in no particular order):

TI (very low tension/ flexible)
EB
Sadowsky
D'Addario
LaBella (I also love their tapewounds)

portlandguy · #13 05-11-2011, 01:28 PM

D'Addario Chromes for me, I have tried a few others but like the feel/sound of the chromes

tjh · #14 05-11-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThompson

D'Addario Chromes are the best flats I've ever used, I love the mediums at 45-100.

D'Addario Electric Bass Chromes Flat Wound Super Soft Long, .040 - .095, ECB80

Those are the "super soft" at 40-95.

Can't say enough good things about the Chromes.

Just for clarification, my understanding of the Chromes, is that the 'medium' in guage is 50-105 ... so for the OP, for a standard 34" scale P ... he would be using the 'long' version of these in his choice of guage

Surly · #15 05-11-2011, 01:40 PM

Chromes if you want the most high-mids, Labellas if you want more of a "dead" sound, and Sadowskys if you want to be somewhere in the middle. All good strings depending on your preference.

Marton · #16 05-11-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CThompson

D'Addario Chromes are the best flats I've ever used, I love the mediums at 45-100.

D'Addario Electric Bass Chromes Flat Wound Super Soft Long, .040 - .095, ECB80

Those are the "super soft" at 40-95.

Can't say enough good things about the Chromes.

The 40-100 set of chromes is much more balanced, if you decide to go the chromes way !

jrfrond · #17 05-11-2011, 01:49 PM

Gotta tell ya that good ol' Fender 7150's have floated my boat for a long time on my P-Bass. They don't feel stiff or sticky at all, and are very affordable.

Slackerprince · #18 05-11-2011, 02:02 PM

I had some Fender brand flats on mine, and Chromes on all my others.
I switched-out the Fenders for more Chromes. I think they're smoother
and I found a deal on them somewhere for $25 shipped.

I use these:

Amazon.com: D'Addario ECB82 Chromes Flatwound Medium Bass Strings: Musical Instruments

Close to what I paid, but these are great strings and will do most anything you want.

S

kraigo · #19 05-11-2011, 02:14 PM

I tried Chromes and didn't like them as much as I like my stand by, Lakland Joe Osborns. I've used them for years and years. I need to try one ExaltBass's basses at the next GTG to try the Sadowskys. I'd also like to try the Rotosounds.

My new five string fretless will only string through the body. I need to get a new set of strings for it and I need something with about a 1/2" longer wound length (Chromes are shorter than the Laklands, FWIW) for it. The Laklands that are on there are just a touch too short and I broke the D string while working on it - four flats and a round wound right now.

KO

zillo · #20 05-11-2011, 02:44 PM

I've recently tried the DR Legend flat wounds. Very nice. Vlear, nice bottom. I've been using chromes for several years, but the DR's are sweet.