P Bass Needs High Tension

[KingRazor]

I think I understand one of the reasons people love flatwounds on a P bass, besides the obvious "thumpy" tone. Flatwounds are usually higher tension than rounds, and ever since I've owned this P bass, it's been dying for some high tension strings.

[JustDavid]

How do you explain people loving TI Jazz Flats on a P?

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

How do you explain people loving TI Jazz Flats on a P?

Everyone likes different things. Those are the people that only like the thump of flat wounds and not the high tension.

Personally, I think TIs are the worst strings for a P bass, I like rounds with the tone wide open on a P. Not much of a guy for thump.

I'm gonna put a balanced .112 circle k set on this P bass in a few months I think.

[FunkMetalBass]

Good call. The Balanced 112 (and various extended-range extensions of that set) are what I use for my general use basses.

I feel like such a fanboy every time I talk about Circle K's.

[mdogs]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Everyone likes different things. Those are the people that only like the thump of flat wounds and not the high tension.

Personally, I think TIs are the worst strings for a P bass, I like rounds with the tone wide open on a P. Not much of a guy for thump.

I'm gonna put a balanced .112 circle k set on this P bass in a few months I think.

Are you under the impression that the Circle K's are high tension? Because, they are anything but. I love them and they have really caused a revolution in my playing, but they are "balanced" tension, not high tension.

[rayzak]

I loved Ti's on my P basses. Loved the sound of Chromes, but they are too high tension for my tastes. However, having tried flats on my P a number of times, I think i've been happiest with the DR Black Beauties that are currently on both my P and J basses. Have Labella's on my Stingray(fretless) that i'm totally digging.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by mdogs

Are you under the impression that the Circle K's are high tension? Because, they are anything but. I love them and they have really caused a revolution in my playing, but they are "balanced" tension, not high tension.

Circle K 'Balanced' tension means the tensions of the strings in a set are equal. They can indeed be high tension if you want that. They can be any tension you want dependent on the gauges you choose. For example the .118 set tuned to EADG will have over 50 pounds of tension on every string. See the tension chart: http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf

[ljazz]

Tension isn't the only thing to consider...... stiffness, or rigidity, plays a major role in the feel. Tension adds to stiffness, but not the other way around.

[KingRazor]

Yeah I want my strings to remain flexible, but I'd like them to be a bit tighter and getting a higher tension set will help that.

Normally I wouldn't consider a .112 set of strings with most brands, but I have no doubt the Circle Ks will still be plenty flexible even at that gauge.

[duff84]

get a set of labella jamerson flatwounds, perfect high tension flatwound, theyre are others out there too, fender flats are high tension too, rotosound heavy guage flats are high tension too.

[Kael]

I just used a P bass for a few tracks for an act about a month ago. Thing has low tension sunbeams on it. Felt and sounded like a P bass should. Your assertion has been successfully refuted.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Kael

I just used a P bass for a few tracks for an act about a month ago. Thing has low tension sunbeams on it. Felt and sounded like a P bass should. Your assertion has been successfully refuted.

Ok but have you tried higher tension Sunbeams?

I agree Sunbeams sound great on a P.

Also, regarding flat-wounds, I hate their tone, so I'm not going with flats.