Best flats for a P poll

[gigetto]

Some strings could be better than my favourites, but more expensive and less diffused.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

#1 Ernie Ball Group III 40-100 work the best for my needs (finger, slap and pick style).
#2 Ernie Ball Group II 50-105 (finger and pick style and half-whole step down tuning).

I have the EB Group IV (40-60-70-95) flats on one of my basses, and I am very happy with them. EB's 'Group' flats are really nice strings that are under-appreciated IMO.

 

[Phaidrus]

Dunlop flats on a Pbass

 

[DavesnothereCA]

....I put the LaBella DTF's on it because I thought they'd be a good fit for a basement jam I was playing in that did a lot of British Invasion and 70's style acoustic-ish rock. They worked really well for that and would probalby sound great if I was playing Motown and R&B-flavored songs from that era. I'm not playing with that group anymore, but I left them on because, before the pandemic, my band was discussing acoustifying some of our songs and adding other acoustic-flavored songs so we could do an acoustic first set at some of the places we play. I think they're pretty stiff feeling, which another thing I love about them. But, if you don't want a string that's too stiff, these might not work for you....

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Bear in mind that LaBella DT flats come in 5 different gauge choices.

You did not specify which of those you have been using.

For example, I would not expect the 760FX [39-96] set to be too stiff and/or tight [I bought some for my Ric 4001, but have not installed them yet], and the 760FL [43-104] set is the next heavier choice, IIRC.
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[DavesnothereCA]

This is why I like the La Bella 760FL set. You still get that smooth feel and classic tone without the stiffness. They are about the same tension as a medium set of roundwounds.

- Steve

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Good to know.
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[DavesnothereCA]

TI Flats are the clear poll leader so far and indeed I have them on several of my other basses, the surprise though is that DTFs are so popular as I thought they were very stiff? Not so fond of stiff strings myself, although Ps do seem to be happier with stiffer strings than other basses.

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Please note my earlier post about them coming in 5 gauge choices.
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[gigetto]

Some uses Nylonwound instead of flats. I like Nylon

 

[Brkls]

What strings would you guys/gals pair with a PV63 in a CV 62 fiesta red ( basswood / Rosewood ) ??

And what pick up would you pair with a set of GHS precision flats ?

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Chrome, custom gauge: .100 .075 .055 .040

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If I could/can order those exact gauges, I would/will try Chromes on my long scale basses.

Same could be said for quite a few other brands.

It is the lack of choices of gauges which keeps me away from many brands/models of bass strings.

The lighter gauge LaBella DTFs [760FX, 760FL] come close enough that I ordered some without having tried them, based only upon the gauge numbers, and posts which I have read on TB.
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[DavesnothereCA]

Yeah new strings are a cheaper way to experiment with tone than new gear.

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Ain't THAT the truth !
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[rzero]

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If I could/can order those exact gauges, I would/will try Chromes on my long scale basses.

Same could be said for quite a few other brands.

It is the lack of choices of gauges which keeps me away from many brands/models of bass strings.

The lighter gauge LaBella DTFs [760FX, 760FL] come close enough that I ordered some without having tried them, based only upon the gauge numbers, and posts which I have read on TB.
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For singles in the States I've used fretnation.com or ordered direct through the D'Addario website. I don't know what's available in Canada.

 

[ELG60]

I voted for the TI's but it's clear that you don't care for them. I have some Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on several of my basses and I enjoy them as well. They're the 45-100 set in the pink and black packaging. They do have a tendency to oxidize if not looked after with some care, but they feel and sound good.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Say what you want but if you want a Paul Jackson P-bass tone, put on a set of Ti with a ‘50s style P-bass pickup .. search ended ..

 

[Brkls]

What strings would you guys/gals pair with a PV63 in a CV60 fiesta red ( basswood / Rosewood ) ??

And what pick up would you pair with a set of GHS precision flats ?

Just ordered a set of TI's. Had to scratch that itch.
Thanks to @Yahboy for all the good recommendations.
Great community we have here

 

[uwrossl]

Just ordered a set of TI's. Had to scratch that itch.
Thanks to @Yahboy for all the good recommendations.
Great community we have here

Excellent choice. There's nothing else like them. In both tone and feel. Likely why opinions are so polarized. I scratched the itch a couple years ago and am glad I did as they are fantastic strings IMO.. You really just have to try them for yourself and see how they work. Super easy to unload here on TB if for some reason you don't dig em.

 

[Brkls]

Happy to hear this

 

[RobertAuCoin]

I’ve just ordered a set five of TI flats for my Jazz V.

 

[Fragile Thunder]

I like LaBellas but if they're not your thing, try Rotosounds. I love the texture they have, not super smooth like LaBellas, and they sound nice and full with some punch.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I’ve just ordered a set five of TI flats for my Jazz V.

I'd be interested to hear how the low B works out

 

[e-flat]

I've tried and enjoyed every string on your list except the Gibsons.
You can't go wrong with most of them, but the TIs, La Bellas, GHS, Pyramids, and Optima are