P Bass String Choice

fretwear · #1 11-18-2009, 11:37 AM

I recently picked up a 2000 American Standard P bass, wondering what string to go with? Been thinking D'Add Chromes 45-100, any suggestions would be great. Or if there is a thread that already hammers this out, please post the link.
Thanks in advance!

Groover · #2 11-18-2009, 11:54 AM

There are lots of threads on this, and I'll be nice and save you hours hours of reading and lots of cash from trying, to ultimately come down to the choice varies, and will be up to you to experiment and find what you like best.

After many many attemps at strings on a P bass, I went in a big circle. I find I like good old plain-jane Fender 7250 stings on it best.

Of course, you can find various tones and feels by trying different strings and they will all be good in their own way.

Good luck.

loveboatcaptain · #3 11-18-2009, 11:56 AM

Ahh Flatwounds.

Yes it is what I would put on a precision but what ones.
Pyramid strings are nice sounding and nice feel but way too tight.
Chromes are not bad but I think they seem to be too trebly sounding for classic flats.
I haven't tried Roto flats but then again, I haven't used rotos for years, there round wounds are horrible.
personnly I've gone back to Thomastik Infield Jazz Flats (ignore the word Jazz, lol)
They are as flexible as a roundwound and I think they sound just about the best flat.

PappaK · #4 11-18-2009, 12:05 PM

Dean Markley SR2000 are really nice and worth checking out.

dave64o · #5 11-18-2009, 12:29 PM

The previous owner of my Precision V had a set of TI Jazz Flats on it, which was the first time I ever played them. I loved the tone but I didn't like the feel (pretty loose/floppy). However, I loved the tone enough to keep them on for a little more than a year even though I wasn't crazy about the tension.

Then about two weeks ago I put on a set of Chromes, which I've already had on my fretlesses for a year or two. I'd say they're brighter than the TI's, though they don't have the mids the TI's have. The brightness is starting to tame a little bit now and they're sounding more like the strings on the fretltesses - not overly bright and maybe a little more balanced than the TI's. I wouldn't say either is better or worse than the other, just different.

Overall, I like the combination of tone and feel of the Chromes a lot. I also have a set of High Beam flats waiting to be used, but it will probably be a awhile before I try them on the Precision since I like it the way it is right now.

CPplaysBASS · #6 11-18-2009, 12:57 PM

I love the Chromes on my P-Bass (as I've stated in almost every thread on flats found on TB) ...

Best advice I can say about the Chromes is just be careful if you're stringing through the body. I personally prefer through the bridge (I'm able to get the action lower with no buzz on both my P-Bass and Jazz so there's something to it). Unlike any other make, you will need "super long scale" Chromes if stringing through the body. The silk threads on long scale Chromes will not clear the nut.

I like flats for the smooth feel, but like a brighter tone than a typical flat / warmer than a typical steel string. Hence my love for Chromes (45-100).

p-bass · #7 11-18-2009, 01:52 PM

The Chromes sound great on a P-Bass. I have been using the 45-105 set on a couple P-Basses,one an American Standard I string thru the body and use the "Super Long" set. I have been gigging with a Blues band, and these Chromes are working perfect for that.

Floridabwoy · #8 11-18-2009, 01:57 PM

I just got a set of TI Jazz Nickel Wounds for mine.... I will let you know. They sound sick on a fellow baser's Modulus VJ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twkkCD9ybhw

dave64o · #9 11-18-2009, 02:42 PM

CPplaysBASS, if those are your Precision and your Jazz in your avatar, you've got exceptional taste - a PAIR of burst/tort/RW basses?!?! Whew!!!

I strung my Chromes through the bridge also, but mostly because I forgot to order the super longs. I did notice that it was kind of tough getting the B and the E through the hole and up and over the saddle because the silk on the ball end didn't seem to allow the strings to bend very easily. So I had to move the saddles away from the bridge, run the strings through the bridge, and then tighten the saddle screw to move it back toward the bridge. Then once I had strung them all I had to check the intonation to get the saddles back to the right positions. That was about two weeks ago and it's been stable since I did my crude, non-professional setup - the intonation is good, the action is pretty low, and there's no fret buzz.

Which reminds me... Depending on which strings you have on your Precision right now (before replacing your strings), you may also need to do a set up. The Chromes seem to me to be relatively high tension, especially compared to the TIs that were on it when I bought it. So even if I didn't have to move the saddles, I most likely would have had to at least tighten the truss rod some to straighten the neck a little.

stratovani · #10 11-18-2009, 03:00 PM

I've got Fender 9050ML flats on my P. A nice, fairly high-tension string set that will give you that old-school thump and sustain like you read about. That's my personal preference. As always, experiment and see what you like.

fretwear · #11 11-18-2009, 08:10 PM

Thanks for all the info

Craig_S · #12 11-18-2009, 08:27 PM

Here's another vote for Chromes, though I've never used any other flats, honestly. They sounded great to me.

T. Alan Smith · #13 11-19-2009, 06:43 AM

As mentioned, Chromes are NOT your old skool flat, but their uniqueness is freakin' great.

DavePlaysBass · #14 11-19-2009, 07:17 AM

7250MLs for me on my MIM 50's P. Punch, thump, and defintion like the P-bass sound in my head. I liked 760FLs as well but they did not cut as well as I would have liked.

kimokeo · #15 11-19-2009, 07:23 AM

Try a set of D'Addario Half Rounds. Smooth, yet brighter than Chromes.

blowabs · #16 11-19-2009, 04:22 PM

the def. thread:
Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

thombo · #17 11-19-2009, 05:04 PM

will the extra-long chromes work through the bridge of a p-bass, or are they too long?

dalkowski · #18 11-19-2009, 05:13 PM

After decades of RotoSound Swing Bass and GHS Bass Boomers (still my rounds of choice), I ordered Chromes -- my first-ever set of flats for a fretted bass -- for my 77 P today. Can't wait to string 'em up! I spent a LOT of time reading these threads before I pulled the trigger.

Ron G · #19 11-19-2009, 05:24 PM

I tried flats my ears loved the sound my hands hated the string tension, now I'm using Fender 7250.

dexplosion · #20 11-19-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretwear

I recently picked up a 2000 American Standard P bass, wondering what string to go with? Been thinking D'Add Chromes 45-100, any suggestions would be great. Or if there is a thread that already hammers this out, please post the link.
Thanks in advance!

I made a thread not too long ago with some clips of strings I've tried on my 2008 American P Bass. It might give you some ideas. link