Flatwounds on a Jazz and roundwounds on a Precision?

[jamro217]

I think the P bass is more commonly fitted with flats than Js are due to what they are known for. Js wear rounds because they are used for the brighter sound associated with that instrument. Joe Osborn had success with flats on a J for a long time and many players use rounds on P basses. Whatever works for you.

 

[arbiterusa]

So my question is this, does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

I love flats on a Jazz. I am not a fan of P basses in general, so I can’t answer that part.

 

[Auspuff]

Rounds on my Jazz, and Flats on my Precision.

It works.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I got Chromes on my Jazz and I really like the tone, flats on a bright bass tame the harshness but leave the bite. Big, fat, growly tone!

 

[Bodeeni]

I mix and match between my Js and Ps all the time. I love the way flats or rounds sound on both. Luckily, for my gigs I can bring anything. Switching around strings can make a bass. that maybe has gone blah, feel new. Keeps my quiver feeling fresh.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

I’ve tried both. I’ve not been arrested, or even questioned by law enforcement, nor has either bass burst into flames.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Hi all, I just got a new Fender Player Precision Bass. Over the last 2 years, had 2 basses, a Classic 50s P strung with Fender flatwounds and a Lakland DJ-4 (Jazz) strung with roundwounds. It's been quite a while since I've played a Precision with roundwounds, and man, does the Player P sound good. I got rid of the 50s P and like the idea of having one bass strung with flats and the other with rounds. I am thinking of keeping the rounds on the Player P and putting EB Cobalt flats on the Lakland. I've tried the Cobalt flats before on the Lakland but took them off because I already had flats on the Classic 50s P and didn't want 2 basses with flats. Now I am thinking I don't want 2 basses with rounds.

Based on my search, I know flats on the P and rounds on a Jazz is more common and more traditional. So my question is this, does anyone prefer it reversed like I am suggesting and rounds on the Precision and flats on the Jazz?

Thanks for the feedback.

Thom

Play what shounds right for you and feel free to experiment as much as you want !
If it's not fun, it's not worth playing

 

[GreyBeard]

There are no rules as to which type of string one can put on any bass. I personally don't like flat wounds on anything. I don't like the feel and I don't like the sound but, that's me. I've never had a band leader tell me, "I would hire you were it not for those round wound strings you have to play". If something calls for a flatwound type sound, I just roll off the tone control and it sounds close enough for me and everyone else in the band. So, put whatever strings on whatever bass your heart desires. Nobody else in the band will even notice.

 

[marchone]

I bought a set of La Bella 1954 Original Vintage flats because they're classic on a P-Bass. But the TI Jazz Flats I put on it first are so good I haven't bothered to change them. I've read Pino Palladino has them on his signature Precision. I also have them on my CS 64 Jazz Bass.

On the other hand I still have Rotosound 66s on my Telecaster Bass. I just finished a fret sprout filing and will put on a new set today.

 

[chadds]

This is TB.
There is one solution.
Get another J.
Get another P.
String each so you have a J with rounds and flats and a P with rounds and flats.
You realize this is the only acceptable solution.

 

[icefly]

There are no rules as to which type of string one can put on any bass....

So true.

I've been experimenting with a few types over the years, and to my taste:
flats >>> halfrounds >>> rounds.

When I want extra growl, and/or bright:
rounds >>> halfrounds.

 

[tb-player]

I don't play funk. Just rock.

Rounds on both. The tone knob is your friend.

 

[Swipter]

I just went through this. On my jazz I had fender 9050l flats for years. I just bought two precision basses. The jazz now has Ken Smith rock masters, the Squier 60s CV P bass has the 7250 strings and the Fender pro ii has labella 760fl.

I got tired of the 9050 on the jazz and I agree with others that it sounds better with the rounds. I do have multiple basses so it isn't an issue.

Personally, I would put good flats on the precision and rounds on the jazz. Then you have all covered.

If you buy CV p bass you can leave the 7250 strings and still get a p bass vibe but jazz twang. If that makes since.

 

[rashrader]

Gee, I don't know. I mean, I've heard some crazy things in my time, but this might just be the craziest. I'm not sure I'd want to be anywhere in the vicinity when you try this wackola experiment. Wow... Have you looked into the possible ramifications? The mind boggles... Not that I'd try to tell you what to do or anything, but... Woo! I get chills just thinking about it! Yikes! Yes sir, you are a braver man than I, no question about it. Flats on a Jazz... and rounds on a Precision? I can't... I just can't. My heart! I'm not sure I can take this... I feel weak... everything is going dark... desist, sir, desist... I beg of you... Desist!

It’s a well known fact that Leo travelled into the future and brought back a set of Roundwounds to use when he designed the Jazz Bass!! He couldn’t manage to bring back enough for everyone, so mere mortals were stuck using flats on Jazz Basses until rounds were made available to all bass players. But, Leo knew that rounds were coming. The Jazz Bass is proof of this and of his ability to time travel!!! It’s true.

 

[Doug4321]

I think the P bass is more commonly fitted with flats than Js are due to what they are known for. Js wear rounds because they are used for the brighter sound associated with that instrument. Joe Osborn had success with flats on a J for a long time and many players use rounds on P basses. Whatever works for you.

Yes, J with rounds for slap, funk, etc. P with flats for vintage, Motown etc. It’s the standard thing. But… there’s the P with rounds for rock thing.

 

[Dr Thump]

While I think the "buy two more basses" reply is definitely in the spirit of this forum, TB-Player makes a good point. You have a tone control on your bass, tone controls on your amp, and if you're like most of us, probably an EQ on your pedal board. Twirl some knobs and see if you can get the sound you want with the strings you prefer to play.

 

[jamro217]

Yes, J with rounds for slap, funk, etc. P with flats for vintage, Motown etc. It’s the standard thing. But… there’s the P with rounds for rock thing.

Yes. I prefer rounds on a P, but have one strung with flats.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

So I tried the EB Cobalt flats on my Lakland DJ-4 and they just didn't seem right for that bass and took them off. I got a new Fender Player P a week ago and finally got around to doing some recording with it. It had rounds on it, and practicing it sounded great. However, when recording I can hear the string noise my fingers and scratchy sounds of the pick, so I decided to try the EB Cobalts on the Fender Player P. WOW, sounds absolutely fantastic. So, I've got flats on my P and rounds on my J.