Rounds for full & crunchy tone on a Pbass

[pbass2]

@michael_t

Prompted by some scathing remarks, allow me to rephrase my meaningless original formulation as follows: I do like the 7250s quite a lot, especially when new and semi new, but I wouldn't mind trying a souped-up version of them, if available. Also like the feel and tension of the 45105 7250s set.

Hey, "crunchy" works as well as "grind" when discussing bass tone. TB is full of people looking for "grind". But is it the strings, the pickups, is it overdrive, or amp dirt? Could be any of the above. I often say I like a "clanky" sound for rock, but to some that might mean fret clack, and I absolutely don't go for that! Actually, my "clanky" might be your "crunchy"....

 

[HardNHeavy]

i can vouch for your listing the Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass strings........got them on all my FSO's...no complaints with a bubble bouncy deep tone. I haven't used any other strings except ghs boomers.

 

[trothwell]

For what sound I think you're after, I'd definitely try the Rotosound strings over the DRs.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

I'm thinking the sound you are wanting is like Entwistle's Live at Leeds sound or Isle of Wight. Roto's on both. Maybe the Nickel ones get that sound too?

 

[Zak TMD]

Looking for a 45-65-85-105 set of nickel plated strings (not stainless steel) to replace the Fender 7250s (which I like) on one of my Pbasses with V-Mod pickup. As in the thread title, the ideal tone would be crunchy and lively and bubbly and sparkling and everything but also full and sweet at the same time. Feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!

On my list so far:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo Rider
DR Pure Blues
Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the classic SS set)

Been using RS66LDNs for years on all my basses. I should note that Nickels in general are more round than crunchy. They still growl when you dig in though.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

I like Apex steels in 45-105 once they break in. Very crunchy, but also very versatile. I think broken in steels surpass nickels, but this is my preference. Apex also has nickels. Also very cheap.

 

[monti2889]

I personally like the Dr nickel low riders, but they're pretty aggressive sounding, which doesn't lend them to the tone qualities you describe. The rotosound strings are nice but have a very "classic" tonality to them (definitely a "piano" tone, when new, but that wears off after a month or so) The pure blues...for me I didn't like them because they just didn't get the sound I wanted, they were rather thin and sparkley.
For a good "one size fits all" string GHS boomers fit the bill nicely...there's nothing special about the tone, but they provide a pretty flat response to shape and sculpt just about any tone.

 

[BassikBrad]

Looking for a 45-65-85-105 set of nickel plated strings (not stainless steel) to replace the Fender 7250s (which I like) on one of my Pbasses with V-Mod pickup. As in the thread title, the ideal tone would be crunchy and lively and bubbly and sparkling and everything but also full and sweet at the same time. Feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!

On my list so far:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo Rider
DR Pure Blues
Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the classic SS set)

Elexir, the best string out there & they last too.

 

[johnh89]

What you need is any bass guitar strings ....... and a few thousand hours playing them . You will realise that the only people who care are
1 you
2 some dudes on TB
3 no one else

 

[Phaidrus]

What you need is any bass guitar strings ....... and a few thousand hours playing them . You will realise that the only people who care are
1 you
2 some dudes on TB
3 no one else

Reason #1 is more than enough.
Reason #3 is irrelevant.
Reason #2 is welcome.

 

[littlebun]

Looking for a 45-65-85-105 set of nickel plated strings (not stainless steel) to replace the Fender 7250s (which I like) on one of my Pbasses with V-Mod pickup. As in the thread title, the ideal tone would be crunchy and lively and bubbly and sparkling and everything but also full and sweet at the same time. Feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!

On my list so far:

DR Sunbeams
DR Nickel Lo Rider
DR Pure Blues
Rotosound RS66LDN Swing Bass (nickel plated version of the classic SS set)

Boomers.

 

[markanini]

Roto Bass 45. It's a shame you don't want SS, Pro Steels balance out perfectly on a P.

 

[Phaidrus]

Roto Bass 45. It's a shame you don't want SS, Pro Steels balance out perfectly on a P.

Had a set of Pro Steels on this Pbass some time ago. They were nice and flexible and low tension but too mid scooped and sort of clinical for my taste. Also hard on the frets.

 

[markanini]

Had a set of Pro Steels on this Pbass some time ago. They were nice and flexible and low tension but too mids scooped and sort of clinical for my taste. Also hard on the frets.

I've come around to them, but I didn't like them at first. I don't hear the mid scoop, I run my amp controls fairly flat. YMMV

 

[Dincrest]

I remember trying Rotosound RS66LDN strings way back in 2005. I remember them having a TON of sizzle and taking forever to break in and lose that new-string-zing. The slap tone was incredible. (This was on a German-made Warwick Corvette Standard).

Those Rotos weren't for me, since I prefer my strings a little more broken in and these took longer than usual to break in, but others will absolutely love them because they keep that zing for a while. Given what the OP is looking for, I would definitely recommend trying them.

For what it's worth, the blue silks on those looked cool.

 

[Phaidrus]

I've come around to them, but I didn't like them at first. I don't hear the mid scoop, I run my amp controls fairly flat. YMMV

I sort of liked them at the beginning, mostly due to their flexibility and low tension, but then I felt they were rather lifeless. Perhaps they just don't work well with the V-Mod pickup.

 

[bass2109]

These are all great suggestions, but I HIGHLY suggest changing your pickups to something else. I have an American Pro P and when I changed out the vmods to Lollars the bass CAME TO LIFE. The sound was exactly what you are looking for. I am currently using the fender 7250m strings as well.

 

[Dust2Dust]

I just remembered that I have an unopened set of the regular (not the super bright) Dunlop nickels (DBN45105). Would they fit the description?

Man, please.

Whenever you ask questions about strings around here, the answer ain't never that set of unopened strings you've already got on hand

 

[Phaidrus]

These are all great suggestions, but I HIGHLY suggest changing your pickups to something else. I have an American Pro P and when I changed out the vmods to Lollars the bass CAME TO LIFE. The sound was exactly what you are looking for. I am currently using the fender 7250m strings as well.

Hmm..., you may have a point here. The V-Mod is not a bad pup but perhaps too polite. I have a Fender "Original" pup in my drawer, perhaps I should swap them.

 

[Phaidrus]

Man, please.

Whenever you ask questions about strings around here, the answer ain't never that set of unopened strings you've already got on hand

Well, I just thought I felt lucky today.