Strings for a 2008 Fender Precision V

Joe Smithberger · #1 05-14-2009, 06:09 AM

I have a 2008 P5 on it's way to me and I was wondering what other Fender Precision five string owners are using. This model has been out for a couple of years now so hopefully the early adopters are pretty settled on string choice. With all respect, I am not asking about P basses in general, but specifically this passive 5 string version. I am up for flats or smooth sounding rounds but I would like to keep the discusion open to all options. B string response is important.

I am sure there is lots of info here on the Strings Forum but searching doesn't seem to get me my answers.

PSPookie · #2 05-14-2009, 06:19 AM

I liked either TI flats or DR Sunbeams (nickel rounds) on mine.

fitzy73 · #3 05-14-2009, 06:34 AM

I dont have a fender ,but i had a tobias toby pro 5 string . i found Dr Lo Riders the best for sound and a nice tight B string

Joe Smithberger · #4 05-14-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzy73

I dont have a fender ,but i had a tobias toby pro 5 string . i found Dr Lo Riders the best for sound and a nice tight B string

No offense dude, but the poll is useless unless you only post actual Fender P5 information.

scott reed · #5 05-14-2009, 09:35 AM

Sadowsky light flats.

Joe Smithberger · #6 05-14-2009, 09:40 AM

Scott, did those fit OK? Did you string thru the body? Does the B string sound like it belongs to the rest of the set. I had good results with these on my '78 but not so great on the SR5 I had.

Nakedfish · #7 05-14-2009, 09:54 AM

I have a 2008 Fender P5 that I bought new. The stock Fender steel roundwound strings were pretty good, but it's wearing TI flats now (strung through bridge) and they work superbly. Nice string tension, low action, and even sound across the strings. The B string on the P5 though it's matched with the other strings isn't as good as my Lakland DJ5, but is decent nonetheless. I found that to be the case with the stock strings, and Chromes as well as the TI's. It doesn't lack bottom - just a little soft on definition and focus. I love the sound of the bass overall - it really nails the P bass tone. Definitely a keeper - Big thumbs up to Fender.

Joe Smithberger · #8 05-14-2009, 10:12 AM

Nakedfish, did you try messing with the pickup height on the B? Apparently you like the TI's better than Chromes?

Nakedfish · #9 05-14-2009, 10:39 AM

Joe -

I did spend some time adjusting the pickup height and things improved slightly, though not by a huge amount. The B is not poor by any means, just not quite as defined or focussed as the other strings. It does not sound unbalanced tho and has plenty of thump.

I love Chromes - have them on my DJ5, but wanted to try TI's on the P5. I A/B'd them with Chromes and I feel the TI's are giving me a little more of what I want out of the P5. They feel really nice, generally the tone is warm and smooth but can get throaty with a nice bark if pushed. Very responsive strings.

Rezdog · #10 05-14-2009, 10:55 AM

Greetings from the North,

I liked the original Fender strings enough that when it came time to replace them I went for a new set of stockers. I was never a big fan of nickel rounds but these do the trick just fine and last long too. I might try flats on it one day but I've got other basses strung with them.

Rezdog

curtis r · #11 05-14-2009, 11:26 AM

still with the stock ones as well pretty happy but havent tried any others i use sadowsky on my 4's

Mastermold · #12 05-14-2009, 04:17 PM

I've got TI flats on my Fender P5 -- strung through the body. They're very flexible and easy to play, nice rich "Pino Palladino-like" tones just like you'd expect from a P-bass with TI flats but with the added low B.

dave64o · #13 05-14-2009, 05:13 PM

I bought my Precision V used last fall and the previous owner had TI flats on them. I love the sound of them - a lot. However I'm not sure I like the tension. Near the bridge it's fine but they feel pretty loose to me if I'm playing closer to the neck.

I've got a set of DR Hi Beam flats and a set of Chromes at home and I'm debating which to try on it first. I've already got a set of Chromes on a fretless and I really like their sound and feel, but I've never tried Hi Beam flats before so I may go with them just to try something different.

Mojo-Man · #14 05-14-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

I liked either TI flats or DR Sunbeams (nickel rounds) on mine.

Mr. Pookie has good taste.
Those are my favorites too.

zachbass02 · #15 05-14-2009, 05:18 PM

I use D'addario XLs on everything. so nickle rounds on my P5. I like the bite of newer rounds. however, dead nickle rounds get pretty close to the flats sound, but give you more options with the note decay than you get with flats.

Joe Smithberger · #16 05-16-2009, 07:17 AM

Looks like a dead heat between the stock Fenders and TI flats. Anyone else?

Ric5 · #17 05-16-2009, 07:43 AM

use the strings you like best.

If it were my bass I would put on a set of D'Addario nickel wounds.

Joe Smithberger · #18 05-16-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

use the strings you like best.

If it were my bass I would put on a set of D'Addario nickel wounds.

Actually, I am not asking what strings I should use. I will take care of that myself

I am asking what others are using on this particular model. IMO different basses "like" different strings. It has to do with tension, string construction, etc...I expect I will settle on using a different string with this bass than what I like on my other basses. I also suspect that others new to this instrument my gain from this exercise as well. As stated in the original post, this is not a general "what strings do you like/should I buy" thread. I am looking for information from people who own this model of Fender 5 string bass.

JSK5String · #19 05-17-2009, 02:33 PM

I have a 5 String Jazz strung with flats. One word, "creamy."

Joe Smithberger · #20 05-18-2009, 08:34 PM

OK I got the bass and it was strung with some kind of DR's I think. Nice but not me so I put on a set of Chromes (regular length) and strung them thru the body. So far, so good, the silk is onto the nut but not into the speaking length at all. I did have to trim the ball end silk on the B to fit inside the ferrell. If I buy another set of these in the future, I will probably string thru the bridge for the B as the bend over the bridge saddle is pretty severe and seperates the windings a little. I think this installation will work fine, but it looks a little funky.

Sound and feel are both good. I am blown away by how low the action can be set on this bass. I would bet that with the Fender strings this could get almost as low as my Dingwall Afterburner. We'll see how it works with the band tomorrow.