Fender 9050s are killer. I have them on one of my AVII Jazz basses
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Need help picking flats for this '71 Pbass
- Thread starter funkmasterron
- Start date
I have 20 basses strung with a variety of flats , rounds & tapes. If I had to choose one string for all it would be the TI Jazz Flat.
These have worked for me since around 1987. Fairly short sustain, even across the spectrum, not too bright(like me)
If you really need help, send me that super cool P. I’ll install some Chromes and have that thing thumping in no time 
I really like the TIs but more for Jazz basses. I think a Pbass requires a darker sound and the TIs have a brighter sound. I've had Fender flats on my '78 Pbass for over 10 years and they still sound great.
Something I tried recently: Labella Low Tension Flats
Super soft feeling, they sound like LaBella's and much easier on the hands than the Deep Talking Flats.
Give them a try, I think you will like them.
Super soft feeling, they sound like LaBella's and much easier on the hands than the Deep Talking Flats.
Give them a try, I think you will like them.
My '73 worked very well with it's contemporary Fender 9050s but current 9050s don't sound the same.
Today I'd be more prone to use GHS Precision Flats or maybe Labella or D'addario nylon tapewounds.
Today I'd be more prone to use GHS Precision Flats or maybe Labella or D'addario nylon tapewounds.
Me same. I also like the GHS Precision flats and the Fender 9050s, but TIs are staying on my 68 until it passes on to some other bass player.
Labella Low Tension Flats - sound broken in after just a few hours and super easy to play.
Agree with @S.F.Sorrow & @Tim Skaggs above...
Both James Jamerson (Heavy very well used [thus thumpy not a lot of high end harmonics] La Bella flats w/ a mute) & Steve Harris (always a fresh set [thus clanky & bright] of heavy Rotosound 77s flats unmuted) are both well know for playing a P-Bass & using flats .... both sound very different in pretty much all ways imaginable.
As in many of the above posts the tonal qualities & genre being aimed for (or bassists & songs which have the sound desired) is important for any help with the choice. Flats do not all sound alike.
Then what light/medium/heavy tension *feel* he/she wants (loose & floppy to borg-resistance-is-futile), needs and enjoys comes on top to narrow things down... TIs and Roto77s not only sound but also feel very different to play.
Both James Jamerson (Heavy very well used [thus thumpy not a lot of high end harmonics] La Bella flats w/ a mute) & Steve Harris (always a fresh set [thus clanky & bright] of heavy Rotosound 77s flats unmuted) are both well know for playing a P-Bass & using flats .... both sound very different in pretty much all ways imaginable.
As in many of the above posts the tonal qualities & genre being aimed for (or bassists & songs which have the sound desired) is important for any help with the choice. Flats do not all sound alike.
Then what light/medium/heavy tension *feel* he/she wants (loose & floppy to borg-resistance-is-futile), needs and enjoys comes on top to narrow things down... TIs and Roto77s not only sound but also feel very different to play.
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People have been making all kinds of recommendations based on their own preferences. My question to you is do you even know what your friend wants in a set of strings in terms of both tone and feel?
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
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I'll just be the Rotosound Monel Flats 77 guy here
Thanks for all of answers and inputs so far!
I am restoring this Pbass for my friend, who doesnt have any specific criteria and we are doing this restoration just so he can keep it as a family heirloom. He wants the bass to be playable but won't be playing it much and is a guitar player, not really a bass player.
I have all of my basses strung with various roundwound string sets, and am not well versed in flat wound sets. Main criteria would be not high tension (low to medium tension ok) and something in the ~$50/set or less price range.
I am restoring this Pbass for my friend, who doesnt have any specific criteria and we are doing this restoration just so he can keep it as a family heirloom. He wants the bass to be playable but won't be playing it much and is a guitar player, not really a bass player.
I have all of my basses strung with various roundwound string sets, and am not well versed in flat wound sets. Main criteria would be not high tension (low to medium tension ok) and something in the ~$50/set or less price range.
