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New strings for a Pbass

I

Iron Priest

May 2, 2006
30
0
Montreal, Quebec
#1
Hi all.

I just got an American Pbass a couple days ago and I was thiking of changing the strings. I'm looking for that big Pbass bottom end tone.

Here's some of the bands I like ( if that can help...) Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Rush, Yes, Black Sabbath, The Doors, The Police, Venom, ACDC, Led Zeppelin etc...

Could I have some recommendations on what strings would be good for that type of tone ? Should I go with roundwounds or flats ? ( I also have a Geddy Lee bass with rounds on it)

Thx for the help.
 
#2
Seems like the strings that give me that fat bottom tone are rounds that have been played in a bit, or even ones that are old as hell. Basically strings that have lost that brightness you get once you put a new set one.
 
#3
...but I think with the list of band that you listed, consider using two basses, one with rounds, one with flats.

Do a search on the Geddy Lee bass because there was an interesting discussion on the strings. I believe DR's was a big hit with the Geddy bass. I just can't recall which ones. Keep the rounds on the Geddy.

For the Zep, Doors, etc. go with flats on the P-bass. I use Thomastik flats on my P and the tone is superb. Set is JF344.
 
#6
I believe John Paul Jones used flats on a jazz bass with the tone knob rolled off. ex: The Lemon Song
I also believe that later on he switched to roundwounds (i think rotosounds) while still with zep
 
#7
hi. I have two precision basses. one us 62 reissue (rosewood fingerboard)with lindy fralin pups strung with daddario flatwounds 50 - 105 and a us bob glaub (maple fingerboard) strung with daddario XL`s 45 - 105. the only basses I need. I play everything from gospel to metal. fingerstyle only!
 
#11
I recently put a set of the .50 - .105 Chromes (haven't tried the lighter gauge) on my Ibanez and found the tension to be a good bit higher than the .45 - .105 DR rounds I had on before that. So I had to tighten the truss rod some. At first they seemed too stiff compared to rounds, but after I got used to them and they've broken in a little now they play like butter, and I like the meaty tone.

YMMV.
 

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