Rounds for P-Bass with alder body and maple neck?

joeman583 · #1 07-13-2009, 07:02 PM

I know this question has probably been asked about a million times on this forum but what type of roundwound strings would anybody here recommend for a P-bass with an alder body and maple neck?

nonogz · #2 07-13-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeman583

I know this question has probably been asked about a million times on this forum but what type of roundwound strings would anybody here recommend for a P-bass with an alder body and maple neck?

DR LowRiders.....period. i will send you a check if you dont like them.

joeman583 · #3 07-13-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonogz

DR LowRiders.....period. i will send you a check if you dont like them.

Thanks man, I will definitely try them out on it!
Either way you don't have to send me a check.

Mad Tango · #4 07-13-2009, 07:48 PM

I have this combo Alder/maple Fender P-bass 50's RI and I have tried a number of strings, and I recommend either the Nickel DR Low Riders, or Fender Nickel 7250 Super Bass. Nickel strings works best with an all maple neck. Stainless steel strings on a maple fretboard is a bit too much for me--IMHO.

steamthief · #5 07-13-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Tango

I have this combo Alder/maple Fender P-bass 50's RI and I have tried a number of strings, and I recommend either the Nickel DR Low Riders, or Fender Nickel 7250 Super Bass. Nickel strings works best with an all maple neck. Stainless steel strings on a maple fretboard is a bit too much for me--IMHO.

What he said! These are my two favorite sets for my alder/maple P/J. If you like looser tension, Sunbeams work well, too.

DavePlaysBass · #6 07-14-2009, 09:44 AM

Fender 7250s. Steels don't do it for me on a maple board P.

9mmMike · #7 07-14-2009, 09:49 AM

I have 7350's on one bass in that combo ('57 AV RI) and 7150's on another (also a '57 AV RI). I like both. The 7350's really cut through and sit well in the mix and the 7150's are nice and warm for some toodling/practice at home. I really like Fender strings.

JimmyM · #8 07-14-2009, 10:41 AM

Why would the type of bass or neck wood affect the type of strings you use? I've used the same kind of strings on all my basses for 30 years. What am I looking for here?

electracoyote · #9 07-14-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeman583

I know this question has probably been asked about a million times on this forum but what type of roundwound strings would anybody here recommend for a P-bass with an alder body and maple neck?

"Long shiny ones" -Sir Paul McCartney

Seriously though, I have a P bass with those woods, and I always fall back on nickel, Fender or EB. Nothin' fancy, sound great.

mntngrown · #10 07-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why would the type of bass or neck wood affect the type of strings you use? I've used the same kind of strings on all my basses for 30 years. What am I looking for here?

I been sayin that too as the fretted string suspends between the fret and the bridge and does its thing when you pluck it?
I've been slapped down cause some say they hear the difference in wood boards?

Surly · #11 07-14-2009, 12:35 PM

pure nickels Fender 7150

JimmyM · #12 07-14-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntngrown

I been sayin that too as the fretted string suspends between the fret and the bridge and does its thing when you pluck it?
I've been slapped down cause some say they hear the difference in wood boards?

I saw the light on that a few years ago when I recorded all my basses at once. I used to think wood mattered until that night and pickups didn't mean a thing. Now I believe that the pickup, density of the wood (of which the FB plays a very minor role in the grand scheme of things), and neck joint construction method mean a lot more. And strings, but I think even strings are given a little too much credit. Most important of all is your fingers.

steamthief · #13 07-14-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I saw the light on that a few years ago when I recorded all my basses at once. I used to think wood mattered until that night and pickups didn't mean a thing. Now I believe that the pickup, density of the wood (of which the FB plays a very minor role in the grand scheme of things), and neck joint construction method mean a lot more. And strings, but I think even strings are given a little too much credit. Most important of all is your fingers.

Fingers are most important, but a good tone cap can make a difference, too.

9mmMike · #14 07-15-2009, 06:39 AM

I can use my fingers to work "around" the different strings a bit but I think that, all-else-being-equal, the strings can make a big difference. The nickels on my one bass are vastly different than the stainless strings on another. All Fender, all round. I can use the ol' tone knob to adjust a little but then we're back to not being equal again.

JimmyM · #15 07-15-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

I can use my fingers to work "around" the different strings a bit but I think that, all-else-being-equal, the strings can make a big difference. The nickels on my one bass are vastly different than the stainless strings on another. All Fender, all round. I can use the ol' tone knob to adjust a little but then we're back to not being equal again.

Agreed, but it's not going to make a lick of difference because of the FB wood, but because of the strings themselves.

9mmMike · #16 07-15-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Agreed, but it's not going to make a lick of difference because of the FB wood, but because of the strings themselves.

Concur.

Bluesbob · #17 07-15-2009, 10:08 PM

I just replaced the D'addario ground-rounds on my P(arts) bass with a set of TI PowerBass nickle-wound (.047-.107). I like these a lot better, especially the pitch definition, the balance between strings and the lower-tension, springy feel.
I also use the TI PowerBass on my EBMM Sterling, which has a rosewood fretboard, and I notice the same things.
Here's a pic of my bass:

'09 MIM maple neck, '09 MIM alder body.

fretlessguy · #18 07-16-2009, 05:16 AM

Wow, Bluesbob! Your P Bass sure is purdy (Arkansas expression).

FG

Bluesbob · #19 07-16-2009, 07:37 AM

Hey FG, my mom was from Green Forest! Boys, howdy!
I think it looks cool, I don't know if I should have gone LPB or Natural, but that just shows to go ya' (NY expression) how easy it is to build a guitar to one's own specs with the new Fender line, which in turn does away with the need for a custom shop, who would have charged me $6000.00 for the same thing. I couldn't believe that it wasn't possible to order a new Fender Precision with an "A" neck, so I built my own.
The new strings have really made this bass fun and exciting, as well as sounding really, really good, with more punch, better articulation and string-to-string balance, and a nice relaxed feel.