P-Bass: Round, Flat, Half? - Page 3

bassbully · #41 08-02-2012, 08:46 AM

I play mostly P basses and have tried allot of strings. Flats just work on them for what I want in tone and feel. Chromes are great and TI JF add allot of flavor in a different way. I went to tapes on another and it is still an experiment at this time. Even my SS basses two Musicmasters and a Dano Longhorn wear chromes. They just fit the mix and feel so good once broke in.

billgwx · #42 08-02-2012, 12:23 PM

My '98 MIA AmStd P is sporting D'Addario tapewounds. Am very happy with that sound as it seems to lie between that of flats and rounds, almost like dead rounds as others have said around here, but with a nice hollow-ish woody tone. Works for most of my playing, but I found it won't get me that huge Pino-type sound...more like a Bruce Thomas-ish sound minus the string scraping. By the way, those tapes will just barely fit P's with string-thru bodies if you take away a couple wraps of blue silk.

That bass also sounded fine with D'Addario XL170 rounds and LaBella 760FL flats, but it spat out the Chromes I tried to use on it with a harsh mid range. I may not have given the Chromes enough time to mellow out as I did with my J, but then again the Chromes sounded great on the J right out of the package.

Phalex · #43 08-02-2012, 12:38 PM

I use GHS Brite flats on my Franken Hoppus, and they sound like they should.

gigslut · #44 08-02-2012, 12:48 PM

Flats or rounds, but halfs are an unhappy compromise IMO.
I use mostly D'Addario rounds and Chrome flats, I currently have GHS Brite flats on my '57 P replica, but may switch to the Chromes. The GHS lost their edge after a few weeks and I like the little bit of extra definition the Chromes offer.

Duke21 · #45 08-04-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I currently have 3 different P-basses: an MIA split coil, a single coil 54 copy, and a budget split coil.

All wear Chromes. The MIA, however, has been fighting them. The 54 sounds fantastic with flats, as does the budget one, but the MIA struggles. It gets a good tone, but I can't help but miss the tone I was getting with the factory rounds.

I've got the Chromes just about worn in, but the fresh set of stainless Lo-Riders sitting in the case are just begging for a little playtime. I've been debating it for about a week, and I think today may be the day.

The one in the middle is a beauty!

Luckydog · #46 08-05-2012, 03:20 PM

TI Flats are the most amazing strings I use. They provide plenty bottom, growl when i want it, thunk very well, and can sit/cut in any musical situation i've experienced. On a P or P/J they sound magical in the mix. I ALWAYS get compliments from listeners and soundmen when I use these strings. (not necessarily on my playing, but the tone!). I have hardly ever gotten a compliment on my tone when using any other string, round or flat. I record almost all my gigs with a sony pcm-d50 which has excellent onboard mikes, and provides a super accurate recording. When I use TIs, the bass tone is simply outstanding, IMO as well as others. They're great on a jazz as well, but I'm primarily a P or PJ guy.

CJAtheBassman · #47 01-13-2013, 08:28 AM

Based on your experience with both rounds and flats, you might be best off using half-rounds

sven kalmar · #48 01-13-2013, 09:39 AM

i use rounds on the roadworn, its so resonant and sound fantastic with there warm rich sound. I have another one. just a MIM with rosewood. from around 2002 i think. some years ago i tpook off the black coating and now its dry and very light. Ive put SDantiquity2 in it. Well today i took of the half rounds ive used on it last time i used it.I put on the only two(hehe) remaining pyramids(flats)ive got and it sounded super nice now..so i suppose i should try to do a nice paint job on this one and do nessesary upgrades so iguess it kind of nails that JJamersonlike sound. I also had a 51 and a squire telecaster.
i really liked the way the 51ri sounded with rounds...a bit deeper more barking darker..
on the telecaster i tried both ...so what would be a good chice of flats for this pbass? i think the E is kind of weak on a pbass...

4Mal · #49 01-13-2013, 10:10 AM

Up to 2 P and 1 PJ for fenders. All wear Chromes, 2 have BA II bridges, 1 of those has a brass nut. The other is a stock E series 57RI. Also have Chromes on a 44-01. That bass can cop a very P Bass like vibe. It is rapidly becoming a go to for me...

LaBella tapes on Godin Acoustibass and Fretless Ray. D'Adarrio tapes on piezo Barker Brio, along with a very funky old Sadowsky split P pickup. TI's on fretless 5 Guild Pilot amd fretless Boulder Creek ABG.

This reminds me that it's time to pull the rounds off my new/old Rumblefish J and get some flats on there. Probably TI's at least to start.

As far as strings go, All those sets have there strong point. Chromes seem to really bring it on slab body, Fender (or Lakland) style basses though. Mostly I do roots rock and old school R&B with those basses so the big thump and not a lot of ring is a big part of it.

Mojo-Man · #50 01-13-2013, 11:52 AM

Buy a set of all three strings..
The bass will tell you which is best.
Some P-Basses sound better with flats, others sound better with rounds, or half-rounds.
There is no logic in it.

4-string · #51 01-13-2013, 03:39 PM

Another fan of TI flats here, sounds great and feels amazing IMO.

For those who like/need high tension though, look elsewhere.

jmlee · #52 01-13-2013, 04:47 PM

Another +1 on the TI flats. They've been a revelation on my '68 P-Bass. Great bite and punch. Wouldn't use anything else on that puppy. Interestingly they didn't do a thing for me on my jazz bass. GHS precision flats there.

OzzyGreg · #53 01-13-2013, 06:10 PM

.

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but my question is on-topic and may help the OP.......

I've recently become interested in Rotosound RS99 "piano" strings and have ordered a set to try on my P bass.
Not sure what the outcome will be. (Apart from, so they say, hammered frets!)

Has anyone tried them before on a Fender Precision?