J with flats and P with rounds

[TheArchitect]

It’s because the average buyer thinks they sound better. I worked in the industry for a large manufacturer. I like flats but I’m in the minority once you get outside bass forums.

Its because they are cheaper... But even if its for the "average buyer" as you suggest, its still not a recommendation. Its about moving units

 

[DCCat]

Its because they are cheaper... But even if its for the "average buyer" as you suggest, its still not a recommendation. Its about moving units

Well, of course Fender is going to put Fender strings on their basses, and Fender strings are pretty cheap. But that doesn't necessarily explain their choices for which strings to put on which basses. Flats on a P is enough of a thing that you'd think they'd put them on their P's, but no. And rounds on a Jaco Pastorious Jazz should be enough of a thing that you'd think they'd put them on a Jaco Jazz, but no, they put 9050M flats on them, the historical preferences of Jaco himself notwithstanding. So their choices aren't strictly driven by what is cheapest, or they'd put 7250's on everything. It's not entirely clear what their specific choices ARE driven by.

 

[Killing Floor]

Its because they are cheaper... But even if its for the "average buyer" as you suggest, its still not a recommendation. Its about moving units

Agree. Basses with flats to the first time buyer are not going to move. That’s my point. Even most very high boutique basses ship with rounds. Again, I play flats most of the time, not all the time. But you’re right, rounds move units. Flats don’t. If Fender or Ibanez or Yamaha thought for an instant their competitive position would improve with different strings, they’d use different strings at the factory.

 

[4StringDave]

It’s because the average buyer thinks they sound better. I worked in the industry for a large manufacturer. I like flats but I’m in the minority once you get outside bass forums.

Probably do sound better playing solo on the shop floor as compared to in a band setting.