Which strings would be better for a school's bass, stainless steel or flatwounds?

[Dream Works]

In my school, there are 3 basses, one is a Fender Jazz 5, one is a knock off jazz 4, and a very old knock off p bass. These basses are used mostly for our stage band. The strings are extremely old and rather rusted. I offered to bring in my old strings and string them on the 5 string, but the teacher said he would order some new strings for the basses. I was thinking of getting some stainless steel strings since stainless steel doesn't rust. However, I'm thinking that flats would be a better fit for jazz, and seeing as how double basses in the school are strung with flats and these strings probably haven't been changed in a very long time, that flats could be a better choice. However, flat wound strings are not a mundanity in my area and the local music shop is very slow in it's orders. (I ordered a set of DR Black Beauties for my 6 string over a month and a half ago and they still haven't com in yet). It is possible that by the time the strings come in the semester may already be over and there would be no use for new strings. What do you suggest the basses be strung with?

[AGCurry]

Well, it depends on what you want.

The stainless roundwounds will be pretty bright and first but will lose that quality fairly quickly.

Flatwounds are generally dark and thumpy, will last a long time, and many say they improve with age.

How about three different kinds, for variety?

Flats on the Precision.

Stainless on the J copy.

Nickel half-rounds on the 5.

Mix and match.

[JimmyM]

I would definitely only get strings that are available readily. I don't know if I'd use stainless on a school bass, since they wear out the frets a lot quicker than nickels, but I'd put roundwounds on everything but the P.

[Low E Louie]

Why not the P?

[JimmyM]

Because they should have one bass there that's not strung with rounds, and since P's sound so good with flats, I say make the P a flat bass.

[Low E Louie]

OK thanks.

[Indi86]

Get some TI Jazz Flats. expensive, yes- but they last and last, and only sound better as they age.

[anonymous278347457]

your lucky your school has a fender, all we have are 3 precision knockoffs.....
since loads of people are going to be playing it get the flatwound ones. Im a strings noob but and thats just my opinion

[dunamis]

Originally Posted by Indi86

Get some TI Jazz Flats. expensive, yes- but they last and last, and only sound better as they age.

+1

[pickles]

I think coated strings such as elixers would be a perfect fit here.

[KeithBMI]

Originally Posted by thedonutman

your lucky your school has a fender, all we have are 3 precision knockoffs.....
since loads of people are going to be playing it get the flatwound ones. Im a strings noob but and thats just my opinion

We have nothing... it's bring your own.