Which strings for a Fender P5?

dannybuoy · #1 12-06-2009, 03:51 PM

Hi, I just got hold of a Fender P5 which is currently strung with the standard Fender strings. The low B is a bit floppy so I want a set with a bit more tension. I think I want to stick with rounds as I have another 4-string P strung with Pyramid Golds for mellow sounds. This P5 is going to be used in a forthcoming stoner rock / metal project, played mainly fingerstlye but sometimes with a pick. I want a really fat and growly sound without too much upper mid harshness. I have DR Sunbeams on my T-40 and I love them, but I want to make sure that low B will be nice and tight so am leaning towards a set of Nickel Lo-Riders.

Also, is it best to stick to a taperwound B if possible? If so what brands make them?

Can anybody recommend me any other strings that I should be checking out?

Joe Smithberger · #2 12-06-2009, 07:14 PM

Strings for a 2008 Fender Precision V

nutso42 · #3 12-07-2009, 10:12 AM

My favorite 5-string pack to use is S.I.T Power wound. Not only does it help with tension, it stays in tune muuuuuuuuch better than any other brand I've ever played.

No offense to anyone, but I've played Ernie Ball Slinky's and they didn't work at all. I stick with S.I.Ts.

Chasarms · #4 12-07-2009, 02:22 PM

If you are stringing through body, I really like DR longnecks.

They are long enough to go through body and still have a taper core sitting on the saddle. They intonate very true and have a clean, ringing tone. Not as bright as DM SR2000s, but defiinitely a SS string.

I have them on both my Fenders now and love them.

kimokeo · #5 12-07-2009, 02:27 PM

DR, Rotosound, or Ken Smith. Take your pick!

Mastermold · #6 12-07-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

I have DR Sunbeams on my T-40 and I love them, but I want to make sure that low B will be nice and tight so am leaning towards a set of Nickel Lo-Riders.

Sounds right for what you're looking to do.

I've got TI flats on my P5 -- great for me, but not for what you've described. Go with the Nickel Lo-Riders, I have them on a Jazz fiver and love them.

CapnSev · #7 12-09-2009, 07:39 PM

I voted for KS Compressors on Joe's thread, but the more I play them, the more I don't like them. They are just to stiff, and they seem to have lost their character a little.

My next set will most likely be TI flats.

Joe Smithberger · #8 12-14-2009, 06:57 PM

I played TI's for a few months, but I am back to the Fender 8250's. I think the tapered core strings are more even sounding across the neck.

Rickett Customs · #9 12-14-2009, 07:02 PM

DR Marcus Miller "Fat beams". Just awesome strings... IMO,IME.

dannybuoy · #10 12-16-2009, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the input guys, I'm keeping the Fender tapered rounds on there for the moment (not sure exactly which ones, they came on the bass when I bought it used). I raised the B and E strings and it plays much better now, and it's starting to sound good now that the strings have been broken in a bit. I'm not 100% sure I'm going to keep it as I don't find the neck very comfortable (maybe I can get used to it), so I'm not sure I want to splash out on new strings just yet!

Joe Smithberger · #11 12-16-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Thanks for the input guys, I'm keeping the Fender tapered rounds on there for the moment (not sure exactly which ones, they came on the bass when I bought it used). I raised the B and E strings and it plays much better now, and it's starting to sound good now that the strings have been broken in a bit. !

I liked the Fenders much more the second time I put them on and now that they are broken in a little, I like them even better. FWIW I just ordered a balanced set (.040-.136 tapered) from Circle K (Knuckle Guitar Works) to try on the P5. I'll be sure to post my findings.

Joe Smithberger · #12 12-24-2009, 10:39 AM

Got the Circle K balanced set on today (.136 B). The strings have a nice smooth feel for rounds and the tension is just a bit higher than the TI flats - pretty close to the Fender 8250's. However the lower pitched strings are a bit tighter. I didn't think they would fit, but once the saddles were set right for intonation, the saddle is just barely off of the wrap on the ball end of the B. They are bigger sounding than the Fenders. I will report back when they have been on a few days. I have three church services to play between now and Sunday afternoon, so I should get a good feel for how they break in by Sunday.

CapnSev · #13 12-24-2009, 03:02 PM

Bummer

I thought the 8250s were pretty tight strings tension-wise. That doesn't have me too excited about the Circle Ks.

I just got a set of light gauge (40 - 100 w/ a 130 B) Sunbeams today to put on it, and I'll let you know how it works out in a little while.

Joe Smithberger · #14 12-25-2009, 12:35 PM

I think the overall feel is about the same as the 8250's. The tapered part of the E and B are just a bit thicker. I really like the feel of these Circle K's. They seem to be a little more flexible than a regular hex core string and the outer windings are nice and thin so the noise from shifting around are is not bad at all for a round wound. Going from TI flats to these, the truss rod only had to be tightened an eighth of a turn to get the same amount of relief in the neck. The really nice thing is that the feel is more consistent from string to string. I don't have to adjust my touch for the B as much as I did with the TI's or the 8250's.

Joe Smithberger · #15 01-03-2010, 05:53 PM

These Circle K's have been on a couple of weeks now and they are getting better all the time. I really like the D and G strings as well as the B compared to the Fenders. The high strings seem to have a lot of guts to them for a round wound string. The B and E have a similar diameter at the saddle as the A (thicker than the Fender 8250's) which probably gives the set it's consistent feel. So far I like these as well or better than anything else I have had on the bass. I am still doing micro-tweeks to the setup so I expect that my opinion will likely improve.

DavePlaysBass · #16 01-04-2010, 12:40 AM

For a floppy B, try something from Labella with the 128 taper B and string it thru the bridge (Hard Rockin' Steels, Slappers, Carvin Rounds, Pedulla). At this point I am addicted to the La Bella Bs on my 34" scale 5 strings.

BuffaloBass · #17 01-04-2010, 07:31 AM

Danny, go with your initial gut and get the DR nickle Lo's. Its all I use anymore, and I cannot tell the difference between my 35" and 34" scale B strings with those.

HOWEVER, DR doesnt make them in tapered core. Some time ago DR sent me two nickle round hex tapered B's which they claimed were from a custom order ( labeled Longnecks btw) and would no longer be available. It isnt a big thing, but I liked the tapered B, rings a bit more true to my ears. Yet, I've set the saddle to intonate with the fatties now, no big shakes.

CapnSev · #18 01-06-2010, 12:41 PM

Well I had the Sunbeams on since Christmas, and I took them off a few days ago. I hated them. I though they were too loose-feeling, and really rough to the touch. They were WAY too bright as well. I understand that they are supposed to mellow out after a couple weeks, but I played the crap out of them and gigged a couple times, and they were still too bright.

The Compressors went back on, and let me tell you again that I absolutely love these strings. They sound like really broken-in rounds, and still let me get a zingy slap when I have to. They're super smooth feeling too, and I get a tapered B (which helps immensely in set-up and intonation IME).