P-bass with flats?

[ilikeindie]

I have an american p-bass with spb-3 quarter pounds on it and have been using DR Hi-Beams (best strings I've used) and I love that trebly piano p-bass tone we all know and love.

But I was wondering how a p-bass with some nice flats would sound. I'm aiming for that smooth Paul McCartney tone or just something better for the low-end. That might have not made sense but I hope you know what I mean.

Thanks.

Also, what flats would you all recommend?

[klokker]

Dude.....a P bass with flats is about as basic as it gets. Lots of bass players do it. Personally, I like nickel round wounds better.......but lots of people like flats better on a P bass.

[73jbass]

LaBella flats.

[TrevorOfDoom]

Thomastick Flats are nice too.

[Phalex]

My P-bass with 1/4lb PUPs loves GHS Brite Flats.

[Pilgrim]

P-bass + Labella flats = truth, righteousness, apple pie, motherhood, etc.

[terribilino]

My vote's for D'Addario chromes.

Give them a chance to settle down, though - it will take about a month before they start sounding (and feeling) like they're supposed to. At the beginning they're very bright sounding and they feel a bit sticky. Just don't give up on them, and you won't regret it.

I got the mediums (105 - 50) because I hate a thin G string: http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/6...Medium-50-105/

Give them a try.

[57pbass]

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

Thomastick Flats are nice too.

Great low tension flats...my favorites are the LaBella and the Sadowsky flatwounds....

[kai_ski]

Originally Posted by ilikeindie

I have been using DR Hi-Beams (best strings I've used)

Also, what flats would you all recommend?

DR Hi-Beam Flats. They're a little more hi-fi than the traditional LaBella or TI flats. I had them on my '08 P5 I had a while back, they really sing.

[Lazarus.Bird]

As a recent P-Bass + flats convert, all I can say is chromes <3 <3 <3

[Russell Bergum]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

As a recent P-Bass + flats convert, all I can say is chromes <3 <3 <3

+1

Flats on a P is the way to go.

I have Sadowsky flats on my '78 P-bass in it sounds great. Have Chromes on one Jazz, and TI Flats on another. I'm happy with all 3 products.

[mccartneyman]

P Bass with flats = Motown, Stax/Volt and just about any American recording from the 1960s.

[Craig_S]

Nothing suits me than LaBella 760FL, so far. I love the way they sound. I'm using Duncan SPB-1 pickups.

[dminer]

P bass with Chromes or TI's...you might even want to install an ashtray/bridge cover with the foam...or just stick a piece of foam under the strings near the bridge if you're really going for that McCartney tone (pretty sure he used the mute on his Rick alot and his jazz would have had the foam/ashtray as well as his Hofner {big hunk of foam in front of the bridge} in the Revolution video.)

[StrangerDanger]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

P-bass + Labella flats = truth, righteousness, apple pie, motherhood, etc.

THIS.

I use LaBella 760FM.

[anonymous02282011]

P bass w Flats?

Unheard of.

[PJSShearer]

Some of us remember when they came strung with flats when you bought them!!.

[snyderz]

Lakland Osborns. So now that you have had a dozen or so brands recommended, just get some flats and try them.

[mccartneyman]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Some of us remember when they came strung with flats when you bought them!!.

And the flats were slightly heavier than the cables holding up the Brooklyn Bridge.



And those were LIGHT gauge.


Really.

[air_leech]

I believe Macca used tapewound strings for that signature tone.
that being said I think sir McCartney is another fine example of a bassist who will sound like himself no matter what the given setup is.