I just ordered a new Fender P-Bass online, and I've got a question for you guys. I made sure to get a redwood fingerboard. My question is, flats or rounds?
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New Fender P
- Thread starter slloyd0915
- Start date
Take the one from two worlds: GHS Pressurewound Flats
http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/bass/pressurewound-flats
http://www.ghsstrings.com/strings/bass/pressurewound-flats
No kidding - flats on P is like holding your boner for this first time - you'll never want to let it go. It goes together like spaghetti and meatballs. Flats all the way.
Try both, and make your own decision. Personally, I have one P strung with flats, and another strung with rounds.
Sorry.
Rosewood Fretboard.
Damn autocorrect.
I've heard P basses strung with flats on the rosewood will have a warmer sound.
Rosewood Fretboard.
Damn autocorrect.
I've heard P basses strung with flats on the rosewood will have a warmer sound.
Here's what I would do: Put an affordable set of flatwounds on the bass - like D'Addario Chromes, medium gauge - set it up properly, and then take it to a local music store. Bring a quality set of headphones, an mp3 player and an RCA to headphone jack cable (or 1/4" to headphone jack).
First, play the bass side-by-side with another Precision that has a rosewood fretboard and is currently strung with roundwounds. Compare both sets of strings in terms of feel, clarity, tone, etc. using fingerstyle, slap/pop, and playing with a pick. Identify what you consider to be their strengths and weaknesses, and take note of any aspects of these strings that speak to you. Write these observations down, or record them in your phone.
Second, plug your mp3 player into an amp that has an input for external audio devices. Play along with some of your favourite songs using the two basses, and again take note of which contexts you like each bass in. Record these observations, too. If your playing along with some songs bothers other people in the store, then plug in the headphones and continue experimenting.
All the best!
First, play the bass side-by-side with another Precision that has a rosewood fretboard and is currently strung with roundwounds. Compare both sets of strings in terms of feel, clarity, tone, etc. using fingerstyle, slap/pop, and playing with a pick. Identify what you consider to be their strengths and weaknesses, and take note of any aspects of these strings that speak to you. Write these observations down, or record them in your phone.
Second, plug your mp3 player into an amp that has an input for external audio devices. Play along with some of your favourite songs using the two basses, and again take note of which contexts you like each bass in. Record these observations, too. If your playing along with some songs bothers other people in the store, then plug in the headphones and continue experimenting.
All the best!
I put some D'Addario chromes on my p5. Sounds great and really cuts through the mix. It will sound even better when the strings age a bit. The feel is silky smooth! Rounds sound really good on this too. Ultimately try both and decide for yourself which you like.
I play flat Chromes on both my P bass and Stingray. As stated earlier, flats seems to me to sound better as they age so you might want to play them for a while before making a final judgment.
