String gauge for P Bass

[maturanesa]

I have a 5 string P. I used to play 40-120 in other basses and it feels perfect, like home, but because i play always P basses over the pickup, 40-120 or 40-100 feels too floppy. I tried 45-65-85-105-130 and it have a nice tension in the pup area with bigger attack and definition in the low end but it make the bass a nightmare to play with that broad 5 string neck and heavier strings. Is there any set in between the two worlds to make it a little more comfy? I play flats or preassure wounds(fake flats) on it.
Thanx!

 

[4StringDave]

Which brand/set of strings are you currently using?

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Rotosound 77 jazz flats 50-110.Jazz Bass 77 Heavy | 50-110 • Rotosound Music Strings Use the 110 for B. It has around the same tension as a B as using a non thick core 120 and are one of the stiffer strings out there and big on tension. Use the rest of the set for EAD, which like the 110, will give as much tension as a bigger gauge competitor and buy the Rotosound 77 single 040 JBL040 for G.
B/110
E/095
A/075
D/050
G/040
My ten cents worth

 

[maturanesa]

Which brand/set of strings are you currently using?

Magma 45-65-85-105-130

 

[Derek Kay]

I use 40-55-75-100-130

Good comparable tensions.

The sizes increase in a regular progression and so do the fundamentals as I cross strings.

 

[4StringDave]

Magma 45-65-85-105-130

I'm not familiar with those so difficult to recommend an alternative.

Maybe adjust your setup to a lower action on the 45 set, or go for a string with more stiffness of the same guage?

Alternatively, I believe you can get used to the higher guage by simply playing them for a while or adjusting to the floppiness of the lower guage, whichever you choose.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Magma 45-65-85-105-130

Any chance you can order Ultra Flat single strings from Magma at a local musical instrument store in BA? You would then be able to only increase the gauges that you found floppy in the previous set.

 

[BOOG]

I would just get Chromes or Tomastik flats on a .013” relief and 4/64” action and be happy. Fingers will adjust after that.

 

[joeLowB]

Check with StringJoy.com... you can order a set of custom guages. Have a set of 135, 110, 80, 60, 45 that works wonderfully on my fiver

 

[Dust2Dust]

Ernie Ball Super Slinkys

Ernie Ball 2824 Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Bass Guitar Strings - .040-.125 5-string

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I'm a 95% 4-string player so I'm probably not the best person to give advice on strings for a 5-string bass, but I have a feeling you might be happier with round core strings with 45-130(ish) gauges.

This will give you a more supple feel under your fingers than similar gauges with hex core strings, but not as floppy as 40-120 with hex core strings. (You current Magma strings are hex core).

Some hex core strings with a thinner core can also give you a more supple feel. Dunlop Super Brights is the most extreme example. They actually feel more like round core than hex core.

You didn't say what kind of tone you're looking for but here's a couple of suggestions for roundwound strings with a more supple feel than most (I'm not sure if all of them are available as 45-130 though).

From bright to mellow:

-DR Hi-Beams - Bright tone , stainless steel, round core.

-DR Sunbeams - Nickel plated steel, round core, basically Hi-Beams with a warmer tone.

-Dunlop Super Bright Nickels - Hex core but a thinner core and a more supple feel than any other hex core stings I've tried. "Super Mids" would be a better name IMO, as they're really not that bright once they're broken-in, but have a rather characteristic "growly/nasal" quality in the mids.

-GHS Balanced Nickels - Pure nickel, wonderful warm tone but they work best for soft-to-medium playing IMO, they kinda choke when digging in hard fingerstyle.

All of these strings should give you a more supple feel than similar gauge hex core strings, but not as floppy as "one step lighter" gauge hex core strings.

Of course it's impossible for anyone except yourself to know what kind of strings will work best for YOU, but I can't think of anything else that will give you a "feel" that's kinda between 40-120 and 45-130 hex core.

Some other options are the DR Pure Blues (round core) and Dunlop Super Bright Steel (hex core but presumably the same thin core as the Super Bright Nickels) but I haven't tested these so I can't comment on the tone/feel).

IMPORTANT: IF you get round core strings, make sure you know how to install them. Short version: You need to crimp or bend the strings 90 degrees before cutting them, or the wrapping may unravel. Search this forum for more details.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

It's my understanding the OP is wanting no flop with smaller gauges than currently on the bass. And the only way I see that as achievable is with a smaller gauge, but bigger core strings.

 

[Geogio]

What was the factory spec? IOW what did it come out of the factory with? That's usually what the nut is cut for unless you want to get happy with the nut.

Or, unless you know tech that isn't backed up 3 months. And that's the main reason I'm no longer messing around with the nut on any of my string stock. I can do a setup but the nut is a whole another deal. One extra little swipe of file.... and you've oops it. And then you're in uncharted territory unless you're completely set up to construct a new nut.