New Strings for a Precision Bass?

[madbassplaya]

Hello fellow TBers,

I tried to look up string suggestions for my precision bass and it seems that everyone is recommending Flatwound strings, that's great, but i'm not really a fan of the tone of Flatwounds.

I just got this bass in, its an 08 MIA P bass. It's got a lovely tone to it, and the guy I bought it from just put a fresh set of D'Addario nickel roundwound strings on it. These strings are EXTREMELY bright to me. Will they ever calm down? If not, what strings would you suggest?

I want Nickel Roundwounds with a warm tone.

The local guitar shop has Fender 7150s and 8250s, SIT Power Wounds, Ernie Ball Slinkys, and GHS Boomers I believe.

I can order online, but would prefer to support the local guy.

Any insight/help is GREATLY appreciated.

[BluesHonky]

Sorry man, Im just like everyone else !

[stuonbass]

D'Addario's are a bit on the bright side. I have found Fender round wounds to be tamer as are the GHS Boomers (Its been a long time since I tried those so dont take my word for it.)
Try the Fenders.

[Horny Toad]

Hey madbassplaya,

I was the original owner of that P. You got a darn nice one. I know you don't like flats, but I always kept it strung with Chromes, and it sounded fantastic.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Jon P. Soifer

Hey madbassplaya,

I was the original owner of that P. You got a darn nice one. I know you don't like flats, but I always kept it strung with Chromes, and it sounded fantastic.

Yea, she is pretty cool!

I had thought about the "Chromes" strings, because I heard they had higher tension than regular flats.

[Engine207]

I just recently purchased an 03 MIM P-Bass (Grand Theft Precision). I've always wanted to have a bass that I could get the deep thunderous Motown sound. I'd never had a flatwound string under my fingers, but everybody told me to at least try some D'Addario Chromes. If I didn't like them...so what...I'm out $25. It's not like taking a router to the body to modify it, right?

Well, I love them!!

I might not be as enthusiastic if this was my only bass (I have a '80 Ric and and '07 H1 Jazz - both with R.Cocco rounds). To me, now, having a P-bass without flats is like having peanut butter without jelly. Give 'em a try if you don't dig them, change them out!

[ErebusBass]

I've used DR strings almost exclusively for years, but much like yourself, I recently got myself a good ole P-bass. My lo-riders just didn't feel right on it, and I'm not a fan of flatwounds. The other day I just put some Ernie Ball Super Slinky's on it, and WOW. They feel awesome, and sound great. Lots of thump, and just a little bit bright (but not too much).

[Sparkdog]

The Fender 8250's you mentioned are what come stock on American P's and they're great. In fact I like them so much I've toyed with the idea of getting a second MIA-P just so I can have one with those strings on it.

As far as the one I already own? Chromes baby, and they compliment that thing like high heels on a fine set of legs!

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Sparkdog

The Fender 8250's you mentioned are what come stock on American P's and they're great. In fact I like them so much I've toyed with the idea of getting a second MIA-P just so I can have one with those strings on it.

As far as the one I already own? Chromes baby, and they compliment that thing like high heels on a fine set of legs!

Would flats wear my frets any? Also, can you string flats through the body?

[dmusic148]

I have one and like the stock Fender strings, partly because of the 'contact core' E string which allows thru body stringing(my jury's still out on that).
I simply roll the tone knob back about 20%---fattens it right up. First bass I've ever had with a really usable tone knob.

[Sparkdog]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Would flats wear my frets any? Also, can you string flats through the body?

No, for all practical purposes you could play flats every day for twenty years and probably never see any fret wear unless you're an absolute maniac...they just don't have the rough surface that rounds do.

As far as stringing them through the body, you can (at least with Chromes) but it's not recommended. The reason is that the break angle over the saddle is hard on the stiffer winding that flats have and could possibly cause it to rupture, ruining the string.

However, I have a Lakland DJ 5 string that I strung with Chromes for several months and those went through the body with no problems at all.

With the P bass you don't really gain anything by going through the body so you may as well just top load them and avoid any chance of damaging them.

I'm not here to talk you into switching teams, but honestly, if you've never tried flats you owe it to yourself to spend 25 bucks and slap a set of Chromes on that P and see what you think.

Chromes are a different beast than other flats and IMHO are simply magic on a good P bass. If you REALLY want to go to the other side of the tonal universe, slip a piece of foam material under the strings right back by the bridge.

Cosmic 60's goodness!

[Surly]

Originally Posted by Sparkdog

The Fender 8250's you mentioned are what come stock on American P's and they're great. In fact I like them so much I've toyed with the idea of getting a second MIA-P just so I can have one with those strings on it.

As far as the one I already own? Chromes baby, and they compliment that thing like high heels on a fine set of legs!

+1

I am already on my second set of 8250's. They are a little zingy when they're new but after a week or so they calm down a bit. Work wonderfully for modern rock P-bass tone.

Chromes are a fine string. I just haven't been jamming flats lately since I've been playing with a pick quite often.

[Slax]

Originally Posted by Sparkdog

No, for all practical purposes you could play flats every day for twenty years and probably never see any fret wear unless you're an absolute maniac...they just don't have the rough surface that rounds do.

As far as stringing them through the body, you can (at least with Chromes) but it's not recommended. The reason is that the break angle over the saddle is hard on the stiffer winding that flats have and could possibly cause it to rupture, ruining the string.

However, I have a Lakland DJ 5 string that I strung with Chromes for several months and those went through the body with no problems at all.

With the P bass you don't really gain anything by going through the body so you may as well just top load them and avoid any chance of damaging them.

I'm not here to talk you into switching teams, but honestly, if you've never tried flats you owe it to yourself to spend 25 bucks and slap a set of Chromes on that P and see what you think.

Chromes are a different beast than other flats and IMHO are simply magic on a good P bass. If you REALLY want to go to the other side of the tonal universe, slip a piece of foam material under the strings right back by the bridge.

Cosmic 60's goodness!

Agreed you can use Chromes string through. My '01 MIA P actually doesn't even have the option of top loading. They're great strings, but I ended up swapping them out for some TI Jazz flats. The TI's actually seem brighter out of the box and are a nice lower tension. (Though not like playing rubber bands, lower in a good way ) I'm digging the TI's now and the Chromes are moving to my fretless P. (Btw, TIs had no problem with string through either...)

[madbassplaya]

I should also add that I will mainly be playing more of a rock style with this bass. I will be using my fingers, but this bass will be used in my rock band.

[funkyfretless]

do you like dead string...if so they d'adarrio will be great. i love the sound of an older set on mine. its not as dead as flats, but still have some cut to them. they realllly do simmer down after a week...but man after a month, thats when it gets really good

[oldrocker]

You could try TI Super Alloys or Sadowski Blue Nickels. Both seem tamer to me than the Daddarios and should fit the bill.

[Slax]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I should also add that I will mainly be playing more of a rock style with this bass. I will be using my fingers, but this bass will be used in my rock band.

I use my Chromes/TI jazz flats on my classic rock cover band. I play with my fingers also. Never had a problem...

[phillm47]

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. IMO, you should try a set of those 7150's from your local dealer. They shouldn't be over $20.00, and they are a great string, IMO.

I have a 62RI precision strung with these, and they work great in a classic rock band. I've tried various flats with this bass, and they all have a great sound....but when gigging with the classic rock band I always wished I had just a bit more cut. Once the newest wears off of the 7150's, they sound great, allot of fundamental with just enough highs to cut through. I just received an '08 P bass for Christmas, but it's still wearing the OEM 8250s.

[fretlessguy]

If I were going to use rounds on it, and didn't want the brighter nickels, I'd leave the 8250s on it or go DR Sunbeams.
Flats? I'd go with a set of TIs if I wanted a more midrange cutting sound and if I wanted more traditional thump a set of GHS Precision Flats or Chromes.

[steveroland]

No one has mentioned half rounds. The D'ardarrio ENR71 are a good compromise between the mellow sound and smooth feel of flats, but with a bit more brightness due to the round wound construction.

Anyone have any comments on these?