Strings for a P

[Floyd Eye]

Let me start by saying I am NOT generally a Fender guy. I do however have a P bass sitting around for practicing that has been strung up with flats for ever. So I decided I would like to put some rounds on it and gig it a few times. I grabbed a set of Blue Steels from my stash ( I play a 4001) and go to put them on, but I run into a snag. These strings are entirely too long. The felt ends are well past the E string tuner.

So my question is for you P bass guys. If I want to buy some Rotos or Blue Steels for my P bass, which ones do I order?

Thanks.

[Floyd Eye]

Really? No one here plays a P bass huh?

[BassBob1]

If you ask me, it's not a problem if felt is past the tuning peg. Right after Christmas I put a set of SS DR lo-riders on my jazz which has had flats for over a year, which btw are the first rounds I have liked on my jazz in that time (so far). The voiced length of the string (the fattest part) wraps at least half way around the peg. It's strung top loaded.

Hope that helps.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

There is nothing wrong with the string winding going around the tuning posts on a P-Bass with those strings. They are large diameter tuning posts and the strings are more than flexible enough.

You want Long Scale strings. If you dont want any winding around the post get ones that are 36.5" winding length. 37" will bring the winding right up next to the post.

With the Rotos you will want Long Scale: RS66LD is their most popular set .045 .065 .080 .105 but many others gauges are available.

I am not 100% sure of the winding length on the Blue Steels... Well actually now I am, I just measured one. Blue Steels are 37.5" from Ball End to Silk.

GHS for example has Long and Long+... Long = 36.5" winding length while Long+ is 38" winding length... Here is a photo of my Jazz bass with 38" winding length strings on it from GHS (Boomers):



Here is my old 73 P-Bass with Ken Smith Compressors which are 38" ball end to silk:

[Floyd Eye]

The Blue Steels I have are tapered. SO the part that actually slips into the tuner is really fat. To use them I would have to have way too many wraps on the E string. I haven't tried Rotos yet, but I'm going to. I just wasn't sure if there was a different length string I should be using. I know little about a P bass.

Thanks guys.

[logicman69]

I use GHS Flea Signature Strings on all my basses. Never had a problem with the wrap and they sound good.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by logicman69

I use GHS Flea Signature Strings on all my basses. Never had a problem with the wrap and they sound good.

I am addicted to steel.

[MetroBass]

If you like the blue steel so much I buy another set of shorter scale strings - they sell all the time on ebay for 7-8 bucks a set.

[ksandvik]

I like DR Lo-Riders but if someone recommends something else with the same stiffness but a little bit more high-end so the P-bass is not so muddy-sounding, let me know.

[extreme]

I love Rotos because that's the sound I dig and they're also the perfect length for a Fender headstock. Don't cut the ends at all. You will want all the winding on the E and A strings to keep the string low on the tuning post and provide enough break-angle over the nut. Rotos were made for Fenders, so take advantage of it. RS66LDs are the ones I prefer.

[Floyd Eye]

I actually prefer the Rotos over the Blue Steels, but I have a few sets of Blue Steels lying around already so I tried it. I'll get me some Rotos from BSO.

Thanks guys.