Please recommend old roundwound strings for 60s type P-Bass?

[Arthur U. Poon]

I never had a pre-CBS Fenders and other instruments from the 50's to early 60's, but all my 70's, 80's and later instruments have been perfectly happy with Rotosound SS strings.

Same here. I used stainless steel Rotosound Swing Bass 66’s exclusively on two different late 60’s Fender P-Basses for years. I had zero fretwear problems with either bass.

I can’t say the same thing about the frets on my ‘76 Rickenbacker 4001. SB66’s ate up its frets over about a 5 year span. I truly believe that Rickenbacker used a very soft fret wire during that time.

 

[michael_t]

These haven't been in production in well over a decade, probably more. Even if you manage to find a set, they'll be dead.

So, you didn't intend it as a recommendation for the OP then.

 

[FRoss6788]

So, you didn't intend it as a recommendation for the OP then.

Fender still makes pure nickel rounds- the 7150's, the packaging is different though.

I have a fresh set yet to install, so no comment on the tone or feel.

 

[Yahboy]

I love P Basses and am going to get a Classic Vibe 60s P Bass soon again. I'd love to put Flatwounds on it but I also do love the sound of old Roundwounds.

What are your experiences for great roundwound strings that sound awesome when they are old on an 60s type Precision bass?

Seriously weird bass string topic of the year !!!!

 

[blr2]

So, you didn't intend it as a recommendation for the OP then.

It was not me who mentioned/recommended them. I wouldn't recommend something that is just about impossible to find, and even if you do, chances are it will be unusable.

Fender still makes pure nickel rounds- the 7150's, the packaging is different though.

I have a fresh set yet to install, so no comment on the tone or feel.

Fender doesn't make their own strings anymore. The common opinion is that nowadays D'addario makes their strings. They are not bad, but don't sound anything like the old Fender strings.

 

[Ralferator]

Seriously weird bass string topic of the year !!!!

Why? Did you never play older Roundwound strings. On a precision bass, they can sound quite nice

 

[FRoss6788]

It was not me who mentioned/recommended them. I wouldn't recommend something that is just about impossible to find, and even if you do, chances are it will be unusable.



Fender doesn't make their own strings anymore. The common opinion is that nowadays D'addario makes their strings. They are not bad, but don't sound anything like the old Fender strings.

Not at all the point.

You can buy Fender pure nickel round wound bass strings- today- if you want 'em.

Ya, they'll be in a different package, but they'll be pure nickel round wound bass strings made to Fender's specs.

 

[Yahboy]

Why? Did you never play older Roundwound strings. On a precision bass, they can sound quite nice

Asking yourself, are you sure your CV60P pickups has same sound like 60s p bass ?

All P pickups in the market has same sound/character as your CV60P stock pickups ?

Do the 60s P sound in your head are same to what 60P sound from others people hearing?

 

[michael_t]

It was not me who mentioned/recommended them. I wouldn't recommend something that is just about impossible to find...

My apologies for confusing you with whoever posted the pic of the pre-2010 Fender Pure Nickel rounds.

 

[blr2]

Not at all the point.

You can buy Fender pure nickel round wound bass strings- today- if you want 'em.

Ya, they'll be in a different package, but they'll be pure nickel round wound bass strings made to Fender's specs.

True, and they will not sound and feel anything like what was shown by digmeout above.

 

[Yahboy]

Why? Did you never play older Roundwound strings. On a precision bass, they can sound quite nice

I love how the p vibe with old fender 7250, but sound nothing close to lot 60s ear P vibe.

Follow the rules, start with flatwound, playing skill and foam mute add.

 

[FRoss6788]

True, and they will not sound and feel anything like what was shown by digmeout above.

Oh really?

Please, do tell how it is you know this?

Pure nickel roundwounds by the same company will not sound or feel anything like an older set.

Ridiculous on its face.

 

[michael_t]

Oh really?

Please, do tell how it is you know this?

Pure nickel roundwounds by the same company will not sound or feel anything like an older set.

Ridiculous on its face.

The pre-2010 Fender strings were made by Fender at their own factory in Mexico. The Fender strings made by D'Addario since 2010 are not the same as the old ones. That applies 7250 NPS rounds, 7150 Pure Nickel rounds, and 9050 flats.

 

[digmeout]

Where can we find them? I mean those specific ones in that package?

I found a few sets on ebay a while back. I just like the way they sound when their past their prime. Hard to find though, I'll agree. I'm sure I'll be looking for alternatives soon then later.

I didn't know they still made them. I haven't tried the new ones. I bought the ones on ebay just to try them. I just posted a pic of the strings that I bought. Sorry for any confusion

 

[FRoss6788]

The pre-2010 Fender strings were made by Fender at their own factory in Mexico. The Fender strings made by D'Addario since 2010 are not the same as the old ones. That applies 7250 NPS rounds, 7150 Pure Nickel rounds, and 9050 flats.

Do you really believe that an OLD (way broken in dead) set of fender pure nickel rounds are going to be substantially different than a set made in 2009? For the purposes of what the OP is looking for?

I like your insights on many of these string discussions, but I think you were a bit tough on the poster showing the older packaging.

 

[michael_t]

I found a few sets on ebay a while back. I just like the way they sound when their past their prime. Hard to find though, I'll agree. I'm sure I'll be looking for alternatives soon then later..........

I would have to agree with you on one thing - pure nickel rounds tend to bring out the natural warmth of a P bass better than nickel-plated steel. That's why I recommended the GHS Balanced Nickels for being pure nickel.

 

[blr2]

Oh really?

Please, do tell how it is you know this?

Pure nickel roundwounds by the same company will not sound or feel anything like an older set.

Ridiculous on its face.

I do, because I played both. The reason is that they are NOT made by the same company. Until about 2012 or so, Fender DID manufacture strings. After that, they closed their string plant in Mexico and outsourced production (possibly to D'Addario, although it has never been officially confirmed).
The older Fender rounds had thinner cores, thinner wrap wire, uncolored ball ends and silk wraps. They were slightly lower tension, felt smoother (due to the thinner wrap wire) and sounded fuller and warmer then the ones available now.
For about a year or so, around 2012-2013, one could find both the old (MIM) strings, and then the new ones (MIA). I had several opportunities to compare them.

PS: I'm sure that if you dig old threads from that time, you'll read many pages of opinions and comparisons (including close up images and sound files) that prove beyond a doubt that they're different.

 

[michael_t]

I think you were a bit tough on the poster showing the older packaging.

You may be right... I would be the first one to admit I can be a little nit-picky about certain things.

I did agree with @digmeout above that pure nickel rounds can be a good choice if someone is looking for a string that can bring out the natural warmth of a P bass. They do tend to age gracefully over time.

 

[Ralferator]

Asking yourself, are you sure your CV60P pickups has same sound like 60s p bass ?

All P pickups in the market has same sound/character as your CV60P stock pickups ?

Do the 60s P sound in your head are same to what 60P sound from others people hearing?

Seems to have a little less mids than the original one here. But also the original one has other strings, so it's hard to compare.

But I am talking about a 60s style P Bass - means rather dark and warm sounding, not a 70s style with snappy maple fingerboard but Rosewood and the like. (I played some Classic Vibe 60s P basses in the past and the pickups go in the same direction as other 60s vintage style P Bass pickpus.) I think you know what I mean.

 

[Ralferator]

I love how the p vibe with old fender 7250, but sound nothing close to lot 60s ear P vibe.

Follow the rules, start with flatwound, playing skill and foam mute add.

I got Fender Flats on my Jazz Bass and like them quite a bit. But I want to put La Bellas on the P Bass or maybe Roundwounds and let them die.

In this thread it's not about getting the original old 60s P Bass tone. I am asking what experiences people made with old Roundwounds on 60s style P Basses (meaning not 70s, not 50s, 60s style) and which ones they like on their 60s style P basses and why.