I've searched and read the FAQ - please recommend a roundwound for a Pbass

[mozarwasagenius]

I've spent a few days reading what I could but I'm still gonna solicit your opinions...

I use a 1984 USA Fender Precision maple neck with SD Quarter Pounder pickups. I'm primarily a fingerstyle player who doesn't slap. Rock and blues is my thing. I like medium gauge roundwound strings in general for the feel and tone.

I've used and liked Blue Steels mediums for quite a few years. After spending more time and money than I care to think about I kept coming back to Blue Steels...

Tried D'Addario Chromes didn't like 'em unless I used a pick
Tried Fender flatwounds and still went back to Blue Steels
Tried Roto Swingbass and too rough tone and feelwise
Never liked GHS boomers much (way too bright for me)
Used to like Dean Markley ground roundwounds but they are long since gone and I don't recall how they sound.

I like my strings after about a week of playing (I don't like too much treble but I still want some). I'm thinking I'm missing something not focusing on nickel strings as I don't don't like the clank (I eq it out a bit) and I'm not a slapper. I like a deep but defined bass tone (think Entwistle on "Who Are You")

But since my days of experimenting with strings this forum has renewed my interest. Based on my reading in the forums the following look interesting and I've never tried 'em:
DR Loriders
DR Sunbeams
TI Jazz Flats (I know they aren't roundwounds, but the reviews seem to indicate they are similar in sound)
Ken Smith Rockmasters
D'addario XL160s
Elixer Nanowebs

So anyone out there who uses a similar setup as me I'd love to hear your recommendation.

Thank you much

[dewbass4]

I've used D'addario EPS170 pro steels (45 - 100) on my P-bass (both maple and rosewood boards) with rounds for decades. I find they sound fat and bright and they very responsive to right hand position, and they last forever. I like the chromes or half rounds for the flat wound setup on my 51ri. Elixers are OK on a Jazz, but I prefer the older thicker coated 'poly' ones.

Strings are relatively cheap, just try a bunch until you find something you like.

PS: IMO if you think the RotoSounds are too rough, you'll really hate the DR's.

[Luckydog]

I've used many rounds on Ps, and have settled on Labella HRS for quite a while. I really prefer a good set of flats on a P (Labella, Sadowsky), but if I need rounds its gotta be HRS. After the initial zing wears off, they have a deep and clearly defined note, not scooped at all. But I would go another step and lose the 1/4 pounders, and get a set of SD SPB-3, SPB-1, or Antiquity. The 1/4 pounders don't give that midrange P-bass bark that I like.

[Roland777]

haha, if ghs bassboomers were too bright for you, pretty much every DR-string will make your head explode, and d'addario xl's and even moreso prosteels too. Going by the sound of things, perhaps elixirs should be fine for you. I personally think that ghs bb's are muddy junk, mind you, but the elixirs had a nice broken-in tone that lasted a while. I'm having a hard time hearing anyone saying ghs bb's are way too bright, but if that truly is the case, then perhaps the TI jazz flats really are for you, rather than the elixirs.

[coreyfyfe]

i use DR Marcus Millers on all my basses. They sound great on my 85 MIJ P/J (which i only play on the p pup), real ballsy tone from the stainless steel/p-bass combo.

[DavePlaysBass]

I like Fender Nickel 7250s on a P. Rich, fat, and articulate for finger style.

[pedroims]

I have DR HI- Beams in one of my bass the sound is snappy and tight and TI Jazz Flats in the other, I like both but I prefer the TI because they way they feel, I also have tried TI Jazz Roundwounds, lots of mids , growly sound , full bottom, next time I will replace the hi- beams for these again.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by Roland777

haha, if ghs bassboomers were too bright for you, pretty much every DR-string will make your head explode, and d'addario xl's and even moreso prosteels too. Going by the sound of things, perhaps elixirs should be fine for you. I personally think that ghs bb's are muddy junk, mind you, but the elixirs had a nice broken-in tone that lasted a while. I'm having a hard time hearing anyone saying ghs bb's are way too bright, but if that truly is the case, then perhaps the TI jazz flats really are for you, rather than the elixirs.

Its been over ten years since I've used the bass boomers so perhaps I'm not remembering correctly or they have changed.

[freshbass]

I like D'addario EXL165's on a newer P-bass. Very smooth, equal in hi-mid-lo tones. They are taut so u can get the action very low, and very warm sounding when needed by backing off the tone and/or palm muting using thumb. I use TI flats on my 65 Pbass, and I like Rotosound roundwound swing bass on my jazz bass but find they are a little unrefined on the Precision.

[david fitch]

I am with ya Freshbass. I love D'addario EXL165's on a P-Bass. I keep my 1997 American Standard P strung up with these. Great strings on a P-Bass !

[Brad Barker]

ghs bass boomers are certainly not very bright.

i believe i have dr marcus millers on my p-style bass at the moment, though when i restring (whenever that'll be!), i'm going to go with dean markley sr2000. i prefer steel strings, but if you don't like bright sounding strings, you should probably go with nickel.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by david fitch

I am with ya Freshbass. I love D'addario EXL165's on a P-Bass. I keep my 1997 American Standard P strung up with these. Great strings on a P-Bass !

Just ordered the EXL165's. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll report back after some time with them.