Fender Am Pro II Jazz round string suggestions?

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Rounds.

 

[GIBrat51]

I recently bought a Fender American Pro II with V mod mk II pickups. I just changed the strings after a month to steel Rotosound SB66 rounds. I like them but they don’t keep the “zing” for long. I was going to try Dunlop Super Bright Nickels. I’ve had them on a Jazz in the past and liked them. The last well too but thought maybe the TB oracle might have a better idea?

I’m after a full sound, which the Rotosound deliver, but something that will last longer and feel less “grabby”. I play a lot of different genres in a covers band. I’m currently just going through an EBS Microbass 3 into a Rumble. As we are just a 3 piece plus vocals, I need a full sound to fill the spaces.

What are your suggestions?

I agree with Gorn, pretty much. I have a set of TI JR324's on a Gretsch Broadkaster. I don't like rounds - for several reasons - but the TIJR's are the only strings - in 12 years of experimenting - that make the Gretsch actually sound like a bass. And, for rounds? The nicest ones I've ever played...

I think a lot of string brightness longevity expectations are unrealistic, and you can more effectively and consistently get the sound you want from your amp settings as long as your strings are good quality and installed properly, even if they're old and lost their initial brightness.

But to answer the question asked, TI jazz rounds regardless of the bass or its pickups are my favorite strings.

To be perfectly honest? NO bass strings - rounds, flats, tapes, or anything else - are supposed to sound like they do, fresh out of the package. They are new strings. How they sound when they no longer sound like that? They are broken in, and what you hear then, is how they're supposed to sound. The ONLY strings that sound like new strings - are new strings. If that's the sound you just absolutely have to have? You better have a sponsorship deal with a string company - or be filthy rich. And have a minion to change those strings for you, 'cause you'll be spending a lot of time doing it yourself, otherwise. Sorry, but... those are your choices. Yes, some strings are brighter than others when they're broken in. But, when it comes to rounds? Sorry; I never use rounds if I can help it. So, I couldn't tell you which rounds might suit you. And, as for Roto 66's? I wouldn't put those things on any bass I own - unless somebody stuck a gun in my ear, and threatened my with death if I didn't. Any bass that ever came to me with those things on it, had them pulled of, quick as a bunny, and were in the rubbish bin before I did my first function check. But, if you like them? Buy LOTS of them, 'cause you'll be going through them like through a goose. Just another reason why I prefer flat wounds instead...

 

[Yonni]

I may have over stated the “zing”. The Pure Blues have something more fundamental and dynamic that I’m really digging. I guess I’ll try the TIs as well but, for now, the DR PB are hitting the spot.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I recently bought a Fender American Pro II with V mod mk II pickups. I just changed the strings after a month to steel Rotosound SB66 rounds. I like them but they don’t keep the “zing” for long. I was going to try Dunlop Super Bright Nickels. I’ve had them on a Jazz in the past and liked them. The last well too but thought maybe the TB oracle might have a better idea?

I’m after a full sound, which the Rotosound deliver, but something that will last longer and feel less “grabby”. I play a lot of different genres in a covers band. I’m currently just going through an EBS Microbass 3 into a Rumble. As we are just a 3 piece plus vocals, I need a full sound to fill the spaces.

What are your suggestions?

DR Lo Riders. Nice refined tone and good string life. Been using them for years.

 

[Norman Hunter]

I have an American Professional II and immediately put DR Sunbeams on it. This bass seems to me to be tilted to the warm side of the sonic spectrum for a Fender Jazz Bass which in many ways is a good thing but the Sunbeams just didn't make themselves known on this instrument. I put La Bella Flexible Flats on to go old school but have become bored with that. I am looking at this thread to seek opinions about suitable string options for this bass guitar. I have tried DR Pure Blues on a Stingray and found them a little too in your face. I am still looking at others.

 

[bassboysam]

I have an American Professional II and immediately put DR Sunbeams on it. This bass seems to me to be tilted to the warm side of the sonic spectrum for a Fender Jazz Bass which in many ways is a good thing but the Sunbeams just didn't make themselves known on this instrument. I put La Bella Flexible Flats on to go old school but have become bored with that. I am looking at this thread to seek opinions about suitable string options for this bass guitar. I have tried DR Pure Blues on a Stingray and found them a little too in your face. I am still looking at others.

In a similar situation, i really like the AM Pro ii but the pickups have been really toned down. if you want an balanced, even and consistent tone, they are great, but they also lack character in my opinion. To compensate you need an aggressive sounding string withe some grind.

 

[michael_t]

In a similar situation, i really like the AM Pro ii but the pickups have been really toned down. if you want an balanced, even and consistent tone, they are great, but they also lack character in my opinion. To compensate you need an aggressive sounding string withe some grind.

How about Rotosound Ultramags? They're an Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) roundwound, which makes them more responsive with a higher output than the ordinary SS or NPS. I've tried them on one of my J's and really liked them for extra punch and bite.

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[Norman Hunter]

In a similar situation, i really like the AM Pro ii but the pickups have been really toned down. if you want an balanced, even and consistent tone, they are great, but they also lack character in my opinion. To compensate you need an aggressive sounding string withe some grind.

Yes. Thanks. That is what I’m wrestling with. Sunbeams work on my other basses including a Suhr Classic J Bass but are too polite for the Fender. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Norman Hunter]

How about Rotosound Ultramags? They're an Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) roundwound, which makes them more responsive with a higher output than the ordinary SS or NPS. I've tried them on one of my J's and really liked them for extra punch and bite.

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[Norman Hunter]

Thank you for the suggestion. Right now, I am going to stay in the DR family. I have ordered both the Hi Beams and the Pure Blues. They may or may not work. The Pure Blues were just too much for my Stingray Special i.e. the bulldozer midrange of the Stingray and the upper midrange/lower treble character of the Pure Blues was not very musical IMO but may work well with my Fender Pro ll (or not). The Hi Beams may work although I prefer nickel rather than SS. A pricey experiment. My Jazz Bass actually has been neglected since I got the Suhr Classic J but I hate to see it gathering dust.

 

[dmk]

Thank you for the suggestion. Right now, I am going to stay in the DR family. I have ordered both the Hi Beams and the Pure Blues. They may or may not work. The Pure Blues were just too much for my Stingray Special i.e. the bulldozer midrange of the Stingray and the upper midrange/lower treble character of the Pure Blues was not very musical IMO but may work well with my Fender Pro ll (or not). The Hi Beams may work although I prefer nickel rather than SS. A pricey experiment. My Jazz Bass actually has been neglected since I got the Suhr Classic J but I hate to see it gathering dust.

I think you'll like the DR Pure Blues. I use them on my '60s and '70s spacing Jazz basses with great results.

 

[Norman Hunter]

I think you'll like the DR Pure Blues. I use them on my '60s and '70s spacing Jazz basses with great results.

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Norman Hunter]

I think you'll like the DR Pure Blues. I use them on my '60s and '70s spacing Jazz basses with great results.

I got a set of DR Pure Blues yesterday from Sweetwater and put them on last evening. I think that the main improvement for this bass is that the Pure Blues have greater presence in the midrange and the notes have greater definition compared to the Sunbeams. The Jazz Pro II is quite warm sounding so the the midrange of the Pure Blues are a good match. I will say that the Pro II Jazz Bass has very good weight on the low notes which sounds really good. Opposites attract so to speak.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I got a set of DR Pure Blues yesterday from Sweetwater and put them on last evening. I think that the main improvement for this bass is that the Pure Blues have greater presence in the midrange and the notes have greater definition compared to the Sunbeams. The Jazz Pro II is quite warm sounding so the the midrange of the Pure Blues are a good match. I will say that the Pro II Jazz Bass has very good weight on the low notes which sounds really good. Opposites attract so to speak.

That's a good choice. It's time to replace the Hi Beams on my Am Pro II and I am going to try Pure Blues next.

 

[Norman Hunter]

That's a good choice. It's time to replace the Hi Beams on my Am Pro II and I am going to try Pure Blues next.

Here is a comparison video