What strings for a good slap tone on Pbass?

[dezspet]

Hi Guys,
I have just tried my Lakland Bob Glaub in my new Funky band last rehearsal, and it sounded better than my jazz. Except the slap tone. And of course, the instrument was generally slower a bit, which is just the matter of practicing on it I guess.
Regarding the slap tone what strings would you use? I am using EBS nickel 45 now, which is relativel old already, so it is time anyway to change it. Shall I switch to stainless steel strings, even thinner (40)? What brand do you suggest for funk fingerstlye and slap? D'addario, DR lowrider, anything else?
Bob Glaub signature is an ash/maple instrument with Lindy Fralin Pbass passive pickups, actually this is a real Pbass in every terms (wide necks, same body shape, etc.), with a kind of vintage tone.
Thanks in advance,
Peter

[king_biscuit]

SS Lo-Riders, 45-105

[badboy1984]

Just not flats lol

Nickel works too but stainless steel is the best.

+1 on DR Lo Rider

I use them on my jazz bass it sound fantastic.

[TheMutt]

+1 on DR's
I like Lo Riders, as well as Hi Beams.
Just don't go with flats, unless you're into that kinda sound. Didn't work too well for me.

[dezspet]

Thanks for the tip, I know Lowrider, but I used to have nickel on another bass in the past. However what do you think of getting a 40/90 instead of the 45/95? Mainly the E string sounds weird on my P now, I have the impression that it's thick, so it's quite noisy when I hit it. I know Marcus Miller and other great slappers using very thin strings. Even I know a famous Hungarian guy, Tamas Barabas using 35 (!) on his Fodera.

[tom5string]

Hi,

for my precision, Fodera Diamond Steels worked by far best for pop/slap things. These are the most brilliant/steely/funky strings i have played yet on the P.

Tom

[dezspet]

Thanks Tom, unfortunately there is no store for Fodera strings in my country, but I will check the webshops in Europe.
Regarding gauge: I just realized that I am using 45-105 now, and in DR Lowrider only 40-100 or 45-100 are available, so there is no 45-95. I will try the 45-100, thanks for the help!

[DavePlaysBass]

You might need to adjust string height if the E is not slapping well.

On my maple boarded 50's P, I really liked the slap sound of 45-100 Fender 7250s and GHS Boomers 45-100. When I switched to Sadowsky Black 45-105, I think the slap tone maybe lost a little. I have wondered if the 105 E is part of it.

Labella Steels on the same bass just did not do it for me. The slap was fine, it was everything else that seemed to lack the P character. The Steels IMO sort of took over the sound of the bass.

Dave

[waseok]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSq__vg7Gs
Ask this guy
he sounds fantastic!

[dezspet]

Yes, I have seen this clip before, it's amazing! I wonder if it is a normal P neck at all, or a jazz neck. Seems to be a P neck, but the sound is very responsive and fast.

[Roland777]

Originally Posted by dezspet

However what do you think of getting a 40/90 instead of the 45/95?

Great idea. Though I'd suggest getting singles instead - .040, .055, .070, .095. Gives you perfect balance across the strings, and makes the D and A-strings sound MUCH better when you pop and slap, because they're lighter. If you want an even crisper slap sound on the low E, you could drop the gauge to .090! Do note that as you go lighter, the slapsound will improve, but your fingerstyle-tone will have less harmonics.

[crazy_bassist]

I love my DR Low Riders. Awesome strings, I don't like slapping with anything else.