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Best Strings for Fender P Bass?
- Thread starter Jdog568404
- Start date
a third recommendation for GHS precision flats.
I bought a P Bass because I wanted a James Jamerson kind of tone, and knew that flatwounds were strings tha would work for nearly everything I play, from jazz to motown, to blues to classic rock to even modern rock. To me roundwounds sound just like deeper guitar strings where as flats stand out and sound different. Some say they sound more upright-ish, but I don't totally agree. For good flat tones listen to almost anything from motown: Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, and the Temptations. Even Pink Floyd's "Money".
I initially bought Chromes as they were kind of the favourite on here, but after a couple of months, I still found found the G string had a kind of metallic twang to it. I bought a set of GHS P Flats and couldn't be happier. All of the strings sounded even, they were a bit thumpier, and the tension was a lot more comfortable for me, where as I found the Chromes to be a little too stiff.
Just look at the name, they were made for a P Bass!
I bought a P Bass because I wanted a James Jamerson kind of tone, and knew that flatwounds were strings tha would work for nearly everything I play, from jazz to motown, to blues to classic rock to even modern rock. To me roundwounds sound just like deeper guitar strings where as flats stand out and sound different. Some say they sound more upright-ish, but I don't totally agree. For good flat tones listen to almost anything from motown: Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, and the Temptations. Even Pink Floyd's "Money".
I initially bought Chromes as they were kind of the favourite on here, but after a couple of months, I still found found the G string had a kind of metallic twang to it. I bought a set of GHS P Flats and couldn't be happier. All of the strings sounded even, they were a bit thumpier, and the tension was a lot more comfortable for me, where as I found the Chromes to be a little too stiff.
Just look at the name, they were made for a P Bass!
Matthew_84 said:a third recommendation for GHS precision flats.
I bought a P Bass because I wanted a James Jamerson kind of tone, and knew that flatwounds were strings tha would work for nearly everything I play, from jazz to motown, to blues to classic rock to even modern rock. To me roundwounds sound just like deeper guitar strings where as flats stand out and sound different. Some say they sound more upright-ish, but I don't totally agree. For good flat tones listen to almost anything from motown: Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Four Tops, and the Temptations. Even Pink Floyd's "Money".
I initially bought Chromes as they were kind of the favourite on here, but after a couple of months, I still found found the G string had a kind of metallic twang to it. I bought a set of GHS P Flats and couldn't be happier. All of the strings sounded even, they were a bit thumpier, and the tension was a lot more comfortable for me, where as I found the Chromes to be a little too stiff.
Just look at the name, they were made for a P Bass!
Funny you say that about Chromes, as that's why I use them. When I first switched to them about two years ago from rounds, when they were new, they sounded exactly like what I was hearing in my head all those years. I haven't looked back. I haven't changed even a foot pedal since. The closest I came to GAS was refinishing my DIY rig with Duratex. I've become a very content, boring old fart when it comes to my tone.
I like a more aggressive tone on my P for the band I play in. For straight ahead rock and roll, I like DR nickel lo-riders.
I'm amazed to be the first to mention Labella Deep Talkin' flats. Many of the great hits of the 60's and 70's were recorded with them. Install them once and you can plan on playing them for 10 or 20 years. They settle in and sound great, and to my ear (and the ears of many others), Labella is THE sound of a P-bass.
^ +1
I don't own a P, but from using the search function trying to find the right strings for me, that is what I have learned.
I don't own a P, but from using the search function trying to find the right strings for me, that is what I have learned.
the ernie balls are kind of annoying. i put a set on a bass. the were very bright but no bottom. other wise they were a bit*h to tune just right.
I use TI Jazz Flats on a P, and I play rock, country, blues, jazz, Latin-rock, Irish, you name it. My flats do it all.
Excellent post!
I will only add a few things:
Not all flatwounds are high tension, for example, the popular "TI Flats", which I happen to run on my Precision, are VERY low tension. Actually they are quite known, loved, and/or hated for being such low tension.
It's good for playing long sets with minimal fatigue, but perhaps are not as "fast" as other strings with higher tension. For example, if you play in an Iron Maiden tribute band, I would not recommend these strings.
They give the huge bottom and low mids flatwounds are known for, but also have a nice upper mid "woody" bite that keeps things interesting. I like them alot, again they are what I use on my own Precision.
Thomastik JF344 Flatwound Long Scale 4-String Jazz Bass Strings: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend
Expensive? Depends on how you do the math. More expensive than other strings to purchase perhaps, but mine are seven years old and sound better than ever, so I have less than $10 a year in there so far.
So they are probably my cheapest set of strings I've ever owned.
As far as recordings of Precision with roundwounds, the classic is probably John Entwistle's bass sound in "Live at Leeds", often regarded as one of the premier bass tones in rock and roll.
My Generation (Live at Leeds) Isolated - Bass - YouTube
I will only add a few things:
Not all flatwounds are high tension, for example, the popular "TI Flats", which I happen to run on my Precision, are VERY low tension. Actually they are quite known, loved, and/or hated for being such low tension.
It's good for playing long sets with minimal fatigue, but perhaps are not as "fast" as other strings with higher tension. For example, if you play in an Iron Maiden tribute band, I would not recommend these strings.
They give the huge bottom and low mids flatwounds are known for, but also have a nice upper mid "woody" bite that keeps things interesting. I like them alot, again they are what I use on my own Precision.
Thomastik JF344 Flatwound Long Scale 4-String Jazz Bass Strings: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend
Expensive? Depends on how you do the math. More expensive than other strings to purchase perhaps, but mine are seven years old and sound better than ever, so I have less than $10 a year in there so far.
So they are probably my cheapest set of strings I've ever owned.
As far as recordings of Precision with roundwounds, the classic is probably John Entwistle's bass sound in "Live at Leeds", often regarded as one of the premier bass tones in rock and roll.
My Generation (Live at Leeds) Isolated - Bass - YouTube
My first choice of string for a Precision is the GHS Precision flats. They have the warm, mellow, smooth sound I want in a flat. They're also the smoothest feeling and looking flat I have ever seen - you can't easily see the ribbons with the naked eye as with other brands.
The GHS strings are priced well. I don't think they're less expensive because they're a 'lesser' string - I think it's because GHS is a huge company with higher volume. GHS makes a lot more strings than Labella, TI, DR, Pyramid...
The only minor criticism I have of GHS is that they only offer them in "Long Plus." They don't make them in standard long; which means with a top-load bridge you will have to wrap some of the string around the tuning post.
My second flat choice, for a Precision, would be the Labella 760M. They're the original 1954 flat that was famously played by James Jamerson and many others. A fine string. But they're about 50% more expensive than the GHS string. But even if they were priced the same - I'd still personally choose GHS.
The GHS strings are priced well. I don't think they're less expensive because they're a 'lesser' string - I think it's because GHS is a huge company with higher volume. GHS makes a lot more strings than Labella, TI, DR, Pyramid...
The only minor criticism I have of GHS is that they only offer them in "Long Plus." They don't make them in standard long; which means with a top-load bridge you will have to wrap some of the string around the tuning post.
My second flat choice, for a Precision, would be the Labella 760M. They're the original 1954 flat that was famously played by James Jamerson and many others. A fine string. But they're about 50% more expensive than the GHS string. But even if they were priced the same - I'd still personally choose GHS.
GHS flats, two Fender P-basses GHS flats on both and a set of GHS 5 strings flats on my Jazz bass.
GHS Flatwound Strings Overview - YouTube
GHS Flatwound Strings Overview - YouTube
I don't know why more people didnt choose LaBella deep talkin bass flatwounds, I put set of these on my Gibson SG shorty and all I can say is WOW, what a difference, Im pretty sure this is the only string Ill buy from now on, what a great tone and sound, I had tried nearly every round wound you can imagine and it always sounded muddy, but not anymore
+1 for the LaBellas. I love the sound of mine, but I have had to take them off until I can get a luthier/tech to look at the nut on my Precision. Seems the set of rounds I have fit but the LaBellas might be a little too chunky and sit higher on the nut, making notes played on the first five or so frets sharp. It took me forever to work out what was going on! Most people don't have this issue, and this is a problem with my bass and not the strings.
