Advice about flats and rounds for two P basses

[rafunk]

I wanted some advice on strings:
I have two P bass: a Fender '71 (from long ago) and an MM Cutlass (from 3 days ago ). My intention is to use one with flats (TI flats is my choice) and the other with rounds (DR Sunbeams). Which do you see more appropriate for each type of strings?
Thanks!

 

[Jon Moody]

I'm not familiar with how the MM Cutlass sounds specifically, but my gut reaction is to put the flats on the '71 Fender and the rounds on the Cutlass.

 

[GrapeBass]

Your Fender is calling for flats

 

[NKBassman]

Based on aesthetics alone I'd go Fender/flats; MM/rounds.

 

[rafunk]

Thanks everyone. I had the same idea too, but I'm still not used to the Cutlass and it made me doubt.
I see unanimity, by now.

 

[andare]

The cutlass looks like a P bass that's melting off, like it was kept too close to a heat source for too long. Anyway I would also put rounds on it.

 

[Yahboy]

Since the Low tension Ti flat is you first choice, i would suggest closer stiffness bass string like DR Sunbeam 40-100(you already list it), Dunlop SBN 40-100, Daddario NYXL 40-100 and Sadowsky Blue Nickel 40-100.

The point on above suggestion is avoid extremely different on string stiffness feel and playing/fretting/plucking feel between two bass.

or, maybe soft feeling Ti jazz round ? but i never experience myself.

Off topic.

Agree with @andare, the MM Cutlass look like ice cream get start melting.

 

[DCCat]

I'm inferring from your post that you've been using the TI flats on your Fender P and you like them. If so, you like super-middy tone on your P, since the P is pretty middy to begin with and the TIs are very mid-forward. The question I have about your other P is whether you want a similar middy tone or something that contrasts. The Sunbeams are, if anything, a little mid-scooped and will give you a different basic tone before even considering the rounds vs. flats difference. Some people like slightly mid-scooped strings on a P so they kind of balance one another out, so if that's what you think you might want, Sunbeams are a good choice. If not, some more middy rounds might be better. TI jazz rounds, maybe, if you can afford them?

 

[rafunk]

Thanks again

The question I have about your other P is whether you want a similar middy tone or something that contrasts.

Yes, this is the point.
Currently the fender P have Sunbeams, and it sounds great. The Cutlass is also with Sunbeams. But I have two fretless, and one is with TI and the other with Sunbeams, and I love having those two different sounds (for different bands, styles, etc ...).
Meanwhile, I tested the '71 with TI, and it really does sound glorious.

 

[DeepHz]

I would put the TI's on the 71' Fender for sure!

 

[bobba66]

I like rounds on a Precision, although mine wears TI flats.

 

[jthisdell]

I've had both DR Ho Beams and TI flats on my 71 P, both worked very well. Have had the TI's on for past few years but really would like to get a second bass with DR's. Big difference is the DR's are going to last six months so you can try them on one and then the other. The TI's seem to last a lifetime.

 

[el murdoque]

The red silks will go better with the dark board. Somehow, I can't look at that picture and imagine the MM has flats.
Which is weird because I strongly prefer a bass with a maple board over rosewood and flats over rounds - so one might think that I should gravitate towards putting the preferred string on the preferred bass, but that's not the case.

 

[tpaul]

Put flats on the P.

Either TI Jazz Rounds or DR Pure Blues Victor Wooten signature set on the MM will maintain more or less consistent tension/feel.

 

[rafunk]

TI flats really last years. The first set I put in a fretless, twelve years ago, still sounds and plays perfect.

 

[ShawnG]

I had a Cutlass and was not happy with flats on it. IMO, that bass needs rounds (I liked it with Dunlop Super Bright Nickels) or EB Cobalt Flats (a very bright flat).

 

[rafunk]

I had a Cutlass and was not happy with flats on it. IMO, that bass needs rounds (I liked it with Dunlop Super Bright Nickels) or EB Cobalt Flats (a very bright flat).

Good to know it. Thanks