Recommend Me Some Strings

[grass132456]

Hey guys,

I don't know that much about how good each string is but I'm looking for strings to complement a clean nice P bass sound. Roundwounds would be ideal, gimme some strings!

[mmbongo]

DR Sunbeams are exactly what you need! Bass Strings Online is the place to get them:
Buy DR Sunbeam Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

I like Sunbeams because the tension feels great, they are not too tight. They are also a very smooth feeling roundwound, very easy to move around on. Their sound is not harsh like other roundwounds, they have a nice warm punchy sound but with just the right amount of snap.

If you register at Bass Strings Online as a TB user, you'll get special pricing automatically

[MrGotBass]

Rotosound 66s are classics; can't go wrong with 'em.

[Josh Pelican]

GHS Pressurewound!

[danielfnj96]

DRs always break on me while slapping or hitting it hard and rotowounds can have a weird twang just get some ernie ball slinkys

[hrbassji]

I always liked DR Hi Beams, but I recently slapped on some D'Addario EXL Nickel Roundwounds and they may be my new favorites.

[hihat]

I use Zon Ultrasonic Nickels, they sound great and feel great and last a long time.

[grass132456]

What sound difference is there between nickle and steel strings? I used to use some blue steels but I wanna try out some different strings too.

[eddododo]

FODERA STRINGS. The nickelrounds would be great on a p. They start off sounding great and just get better with time. Im not the fanboy type either, these are just great strings. And super affordable oddly

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by MrGotBass

Rotosound 66s are classics; can't go wrong with 'em.

I've used these for years.
Great strings

[thetawaves]

Thomastik Infield Superalloys. I've tried any number of reknowned strings boasting clarity, growl, lifespan and ease of play but these have got to be the best all-rounders I've ever strung my instrument with. Really can not recommend them enough.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by grass132456

What sound difference is there between nickle and steel strings? I used to use some blue steels but I wanna try out some different strings too.

I'll nutshell this

Basically, nickel is warmer with a more midrange and stainless steel is brighter with scooped midrange.

Now, not all nickels and steels are created equal.

For instance, DR Sunbeams and D'Addario XL's are both nickel, but they sound different. Sunbeams are warm and supple with a nice 'snap' and XL's are brighter and sound 'clangy'. DR's also have a smooth feel because of they way they are wound. XL's are not as smooth, and Nickels like Rotosound 66 and Blue Steels are quite rough..but still smoother than stainless steel.

Stainless steel strings have a rougher feel, and some say they chew up your fingers and frets. They have a more metallic, in your face bright sound. Again, there are differences. Take DR HiBeams and Rotosounds. DR's feel smoother and have a more even tone, while Rotosounds are the roughest strings on the planet and have a very trebly sound.

[grass132456]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I'll nutshell this

Basically, nickel is warmer with a more midrange and stainless steel is brighter with scooped midrange.

Now, not all nickels and steels are created equal.

For instance, DR Sunbeams and D'Addario XL's are both nickel, but they sound different. Sunbeams are warm and supple with a nice 'snap' and XL's are brighter and sound 'clangy'. DR's also have a smooth feel because of they way they are wound. XL's are not as smooth, and Nickels like Rotosound 66 and Blue Steels are quite rough..but still smoother than stainless steel.

Stainless steel strings have a rougher feel, and some say they chew up your fingers and frets. They have a more metallic, in your face bright sound. Again, there are differences. Take DR HiBeams and Rotosounds. DR's feel smoother and have a more even tone, while Rotosounds are the roughest strings on the planet and have a very trebly sound.

Isn't Blue Steel stainless steel...hence the name?

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

There are both a steel and nickel plated steel version of Blue Steels.

I love the Steel set, but they are very bright and a litte scooped in the mids. Not exactly what I would call a smooth clean string.

MMBongo is right on with his descriptions. Sunbeams would be a good start for you. They are pretty much in the middle of the tone spectrum as far as roundwounds go.

[Shmandy]

Originally Posted by danielfnj96

DRs always break on me while slapping or hitting it hard and rotowounds can have a weird twang just get some ernie ball slinkys

You realize DR makes a custom set of strings for a bass player who plays primarily slap? (BTW, the DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams are AMAZING. Love them. But they may sound more modern than what OP wants.)

[klejst]

I have been using D'Addario Regular Light Gauge strings for years on my two basses (Fender P's). Great tone and relatively inexpensive.

[darkstorm]

Best sounding strings to me on a P pup bass or otherwise are Rotosound swing 66 and Dr neons and sunbeams.

[canadian_man_44]

Originally Posted by grass132456

Hey guys,

I don't know that much about how good each string is but I'm looking for strings to complement a clean nice P bass sound. Roundwounds would be ideal, gimme some strings!

Roundwounds would be ideal....unless they aren't
Flatwounds IMHO are the best string to give you a clean, nice P bass sound. I use D'addario Chromes myself.

[grass132456]

Originally Posted by canadian_man_44

Roundwounds would be ideal....unless they aren't
Flatwounds IMHO are the best string to give you a clean, nice P bass sound. I use D'addario Chromes myself.

Hmmmm I have tried a guitar with flatwounds in GC, and it felt really nice and smooth, but how is the attack for flatwounds? I also want a punchy attack to go with the P bass sound.