P Bass Strings for beginner

[Frettedfriend]

I just purchased a 1973 P Bass. Not sure what kind of strings are on it. I have a new set of DAddario EXL medium gauge round wound 50 to 105. I’ve had this set hanging around for a while. FYI, I’m not a bass player (acoustic guy). But I’m looking to learn. Should I put on the 50 to 105, Or wait and buy some new strings, lighter gauge? Thank you in advance for any help

 

[blr2]

50-70-85-105 is a bit heavy on the treble side and would be very unbalanced tension-wise, i.e. D and G will feel much tighter than A and especially E string. If you are new to bass playing this may bother you.

 

[Frettedfriend]

Thank you that is exactly what I was thinking. Let me ask you this, if I was to buy tape wounds (Flat wound), what gauge would you recommend and if you have preference of particular manufacture?

 

[theduke1]

Low tension Flats would be my suggestion to a new player
Duke

 

[Killing Floor]

Hi
Honest answer to me is play what’s on the bass and think about whether you prefer more or less tension than you have. I think there is no best set of strings. It’s all subjective. Do you wish it was more or less bright, rougher or smoother feel, etc.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

This has been mentioned in places on TB to arrive at a gauge you like.
1. If current gauges feel ok than stick with them.
2. If gauge doesn't feel firm enough, than tune up till it feels just right. Indicates you need a heavier gauge.
3. If gauge feels too firm, tune down until it feels just right. This inducates you need a lighter gauge.

Examples

Say you found the 045 G felt too firm for your tastes. So you tuned it down to F# for the sake of the experiment and it felt goldilocks good. So a string tuned to G with a similar tension to the 045 string tuned to F# puts in you in the 040 gauge area ( given you can't get an exact gauge/tension match, say
042)

 

[Rayjay]

Thank you that is exactly what I was thinking. Let me ask you this, if I was to buy tape wounds (Flat wound), what gauge would you recommend and if you have preference of particular manufacture?

A .50 G is pretty heavy and would probably fight back a bit. Some people like this but I do not. I like .40 gauge sets, although that's lighter than many prefer.

As far as the gauges of tape wounds, they'll be a bit thicker so actual gauge measurements won't correlate to the tension of similar gauge rounds or flats. Just take the manufacturer's claim to them being "light" "medium" or "heavy." For instance, some tape wound sets with .50 G's are still considered light gauge and have lighter tension.

I had a 73 P that absolutely slayed with a light gauge set of Sadowsky Blue Label flat wounds, and that set will be a long term investment that may be the last set you'll ever need to buy. At a minimum it will last years and you'll replace out of boredom or curiosity rather than actually wearing them out.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I just purchased a 1973 P Bass. Not sure what kind of strings are on it. I have a new set of DAddario EXL medium gauge round wound 50 to 105. I’ve had this set hanging around for a while. FYI, I’m not a bass player (acoustic guy). But I’m looking to learn. Should I put on the 50 to 105, Or wait and buy some new strings, lighter gauge? Thank you in advance for any help

Do you find the strings on your PB objectionable? If not, I'd just wipe them down with a polish cloth and have at it.

There are lot worse strings than d'Addario EXLs on the market, so I would hang onto them until you feel a need to change your strings. Chasing the perfect strings can be a very expensive proposition. Since you already have these ready at the go. I'd use these first and if you like them or other wise haven't ruled them out leave them on.

One other thing, I would advise you that when you change your strings, that you keep you eye on the neck of your bass for bowing for a few weeks. Sometimes that happens when string tension change.

 

[blr2]

Thank you that is exactly what I was thinking. Let me ask you this, if I was to buy tape wounds (Flat wound), what gauge would you recommend and if you have preference of particular manufacture?

Tape wounds are a kind of specialized strings. Not that they're bad, but I wouldn't recommend them for a beginner bassist. They have a very specific attack to them, that may need adjusting your plucking hand technique. Flats are different.
I'd suggest, start from what's considered a standard, i.e. 45-105 NPS set on a hex core, say D'Addario, Fender, DR, SIT... Play them for awhile, listen to the tone, feel, and the tension and make your conclusions, what you like and don't like about them. Then take it from there.

 

[tpaul]

I couldn't get a feel for bass when I first picked it up after playing guitar until I tried flats. Suddenly I was getting the sound and feel I was looking for. I later expanded into rounds.

For a new player I recommend GHS Precision Flats, lightweight. If you absolutely hate the flats sound, something low tension like TI Jazz Rounds.

 

[LowendG]

No rules, all personal preference. That said, the most common gauges in rounds is 45-105. I agree with blr2, a 50 on top set always felt a little weird to me, like the high strings are too stiff in relation to the lower strings. You kinda can't go wrong with some kinda 45-105 Nickel roundwounds as far as versatility on a P. I love flats too though which is why lots of us P players have both. But for just one bass as an all-rounder, give me a P with broken-in nickel rounds.

 

[thunesBARROW]

You might prefer the feel of heavy strings over light strings. If you use this set you can see what they feel like, then tune down if they’re uncomfortable.

I myself prefer light gauge nickel rounds for EADG tuning, but of course every player is different.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

Yeah 105-45 I feel is considered standard; I'd certainly start there. You may find you like the heavier high strings, that sounds like no fun to me though

 

[micguy]

50-70-85-105 is a bit heavy on the treble side and would be very unbalanced tension-wise, i.e. D and G will feel much tighter than A and especially E string. If you are new to bass playing this may bother you.

I didn't become sensitive to tension imbalances until I'd played bass for many years. Of course, the thing that really tipped me off was playing a decently balanced set of strings - after doing that, you suddenly understand that what you had been playing wasn't right.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

The Markbass 45-105 Stainless Energy are on my P bass. Sound great. I change my strings every couple weeks.

Good time to just order a bunch of different brands and try them out.

 

[Discount Bassy]

If you are new to bass, you are new to strings. Play what you have for a while. Learn the sound. Measure the old string thicknesses installed on the bass. A plastic micrometer is cheap and handy. Play in the meantime. Think about what you'd change. The advice will likely be more pertinent with specifics.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I’d get a 45-105 set. You can sell the other set either here or on like Facebook/craigslist

 

[DaveParker39]

my favorite for p's is 45-65-85-105

 

[Yahboy]

For round wound bass string choice, Fender 7250 45-100 or 45-105 are good start for the P bass .
DR Sunbeam and Dunlop Super bright nickel sound great on P bass too if you love warmth P vibe along with comfort string tension.
If you love stiffer thing and dead tonal quality, GHS Pressurewound are highly recommend.

There are more fun on comfort tension flatwound bass string choice.
~ La bella LTF4A give you classic old school/motown tone , bloomy ,warm and juicy.

~ Ti JF344 give you woody P vibe with less classic thud. Their MID voice are work well on lot genre of music.

~ EB Cobalt flat 2814 (45-100) make P bass sound close to round wound tonal quality without rough string surface. Work well if your P bass has 11K+ wound P pickups along with A500K volume pot. Good for who play in loud/heavy/busy rock band. EB cobalt flat also able sound old school when you dial back the Tone pot which has .068 or .1uf capacitor loaded.

Edit...
If i own your 73P ( if stock pup sound crap....), i will load a set of Dimarzio Model P + A500K volume pot + EB Cobalt flat 45-100 + .068uf cap ! Iconic of 70s era P bass should sound aggressive ROCK !!!! and don't forget buy yourself an Ampeg SVT rig !

 

[kyral210]

Thank you that is exactly what I was thinking. Let me ask you this, if I was to buy tape wounds (Flat wound), what gauge would you recommend and if you have preference of particular manufacture?

50-70-85-105 is a bit heavy on the treble side and would be very unbalanced tension-wise, i.e. D and G will feel much tighter than A and especially E string. If you are new to bass playing this may bother you.

the Steve Harris signature set is very similar, but a little heavier at 50-75-95-105 and he’s doing alright. I would add the new strings as you already have them, then think as you play if you do/don’t like them, then explore from there.