String recommendation for a Precision 5 string?

[vindibona1]

I my collection I have a Fender USA Professional II Precision 5 string bass. Until now I have had Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on it, but somehow the sound has lost its "beef". I need to change the strings as I haven't gigged this thing in weeks because I have other choices (particularly my Ibanez BTB1825). Time for new strings.

The P Bass is new to me, and I have done no experimentation with other strings other than the original and the EBCF's which I've had on it for at least a year.

I don't play metal, or jazz or slap, but most regularly in a small ensemble until January where I usually pick up a musical gig, which might be more descriptive of the type of sound that I need. FWIW Currently on hand I have NYXL 45-125's and 45-130's (the difference is a question for another time), plus a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt ROUND WOUNDS. I wouldn't mind having another set of ECBF's on hand, but the price went from $36 to $60 (what, they're made out of "unobtanium"????). No thank you.

Based on the above, what might you recommend for my next string set on my P bass? [This is the first and only P bass I've ever owned]

 

[Jason Hollar]

A buddy of mine has this same bass and had a set of Labella flats on it and it sounded great. Not sure what he’s using now.

Accordingly, I recently bought a US Am Pro ii 5 string (edit: Jazz Bass) and have been enjoying a set of the DR Pure Blues and like them better than the stock fender strings that came with it.

Although not a string topic, I do find my US 4 string precision sounds amazing with a Sadowsky outboard preamp.

I prefer passive basses and my 5 string jazz sounds great as is. but there’s something about a P that benefits from a little hi & lo boost.

The other option is an Ampeg 8x10 stack but that’s a little ominous lol.

 

[smogg]

Maybe take a look at Ken Smith Compressors or GHS PressureWounds

 

[bholder]

love that color. strings are such a personal preference, I doubt mine matches yours....

 

[Leo Smith]

A buddy of mine has this same bass and had a set of Labella flats on it and it sounded great. Not sure what he’s using now.

I think I'm the buddy in question here?

I took the Labellas off ( still have them though) and put on GHS pressure wounds. I'm not totally into them, they are too heavy, too stiff.

My next step will be the Daddario XL170BT set, which has been my main choice for about 14 years now (even before they officially made a balanced tension set).

Two years of exclusively playing the Labellas has made me seriously rethink strings and how hard I play. I'm subbing to this thread for ideas.

 

[Leo Smith]

Just wanted to add that the LaBellas are the 760FM set, and the GHS set is the Pressurewound M7200, 44-128. Need to admit they sound good and would fit the general-purpose sound the OP is going for.

 

[Jhalb]

I use Elixir 5 string Xl with a taper wound B string on my pro 2 P bass. Not in to the flat wound sound.

 

[vindibona1]

A buddy of mine has this same bass and had a set of Labella flats on it and it sounded great. Not sure what he’s using now.

Accordingly, I recently bought a US Am Pro ii 5 string (edit: Jazz Bass) and have been enjoying a set of the DR Pure Blues and like them better than the stock fender strings that came with it.

Although not a string topic, I do find my US 4 string precision sounds amazing with a Sadowsky outboard preamp.

I prefer passive basses and my 5 string jazz sounds great as is. but there’s something about a P that benefits from a little hi & lo boost.

The other option is an Ampeg 8x10 stack but that’s a little ominous lol.

I get ya. As far as a pre-amp for this passive bass, I tend to run my basses through a Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI box that has an array of EQ adjustments plus compression. Perhaps I should just work with the Fishman more. The "house" used to take the XLR to house from my amp, but how they take it from the Fishman box, so they can control what's in the house and my amp basically becomes a monitor that I can control.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

I have the same bass in Olympic White. I recently put on a set of D’Addario Chrome flatwounds, and they are quite punchy and crisp so far. They’re not nearly broken in yet, so I expect the crispness to fade a bit. But I do like the sound as far as flatwounds go.

For rounds, I’ve tried DR Pure Blues and the Fender nickel round wounds (the original set and a replacement set). I prefer the Fender strings. Pure Blues to me sound scooped in a zone of midrange frequencies where I think the P-bass really shines. So I don’t like them on the P-bass.

 

[five7]

I had a set of cobalt rounds on mine and really liked them.

 

[bassnyc1]

For rounds, I'm all about DR Hi Beams but recently I decided to try DR pure blues on my P Bass. So far I'm liking them and I don't find them to be scooped at all. YMMV.

 

[Brandon Shea]

I love EB Cobalt Flats, they're currently in my top three favorite bass strings. No particular order:

• LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass
• Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats (2816)
• D'Addario Chromes (ECB81-5)

If you generally liked your EBCF set, I'd give Chromes a try.

 

[jmlee]

I have the same bass in Olympic White. I recently put on a set of D’Addario Chrome flatwounds, and they are quite punchy and crisp so far. They’re not nearly broken in yet, so I expect the crispness to fade a bit. But I do like the sound as far as flatwounds go…

The Chromes have a great B-string which is important on a P-fiver. Ernie Ball Group flats are similarly punchy with a great B-string.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I think I'm the buddy in question here?

I took the Labellas off ( still have them though) and put on GHS pressure wounds. I'm not totally into them, they are too heavy, too stiff.

My next step will be the Daddario XL170BT set, which has been my main choice for about 14 years now (even before they officially made a balanced tension set).

Two years of exclusively playing the Labellas has made me seriously rethink strings and how hard I play. I'm subbing to this thread for ideas.

lol it’s actually another buddy who has that same am pro dark knight / maple setup.

I’m not sure what year your P5 is but it’s a remarkable bass! You’ll have to try my jazz 5 one of these days. 8lb 9oz. I am a happy man.

 

[gregbackstrom]

I have the same bass (but different color). I tried a few sets and have settled on TI Jazz Rounds (JR345). I like the round wound feel and the sound is great with one-or-another combination of amps and cabs. P basses aren't a natural act for me, but this one sounds pretty good. I like the idea of adding a Sadowsky preamp for more flexibility. I might try that ...

 

[Low Main]

I agree with jmlee, the Chrome B string is good.

Very few flatwound B strings are worthwhile IME.

Another good flatwound B string is the DR.

The Chrome high C string is also good if you want to tune E to C instead of B to G.

 

[prndltech]

i had a pro P5 since they came out in 2017 I think? I preferred chromes, slinkys or nyxl's (in no particular order). as mentioned above, I think the B string on the chrome was the tightest with nyxl coming in 2nd. same has been true for my BEAD tuned 4 strings so far.

 

[Blunder]

I have the same series but mine has a rosewood fretboard. I LOVE DR sunbeams on my p5. Can’t recommend them enough. I also love a compressor and/or a preamp in mine with my bass.

 

[emjazz]

Do you mean musical theater? My usual money gigs are musical theater in NYC. I’ve been using a Yamaha PJ, blended toward the P a bit. I can’t recommend DR Sunbeams enough. They take a week or so to break in and then they’re good for months. Wonderful strings

 

[emjazz]

I think I'm the buddy in question here?

I took the Labellas off ( still have them though) and put on GHS pressure wounds. I'm not totally into them, they are too heavy, too stiff.

My next step will be the Daddario XL170BT set, which has been my main choice for about 14 years now (even before they officially made a balanced tension set).

Two years of exclusively playing the Labellas has made me seriously rethink strings and how hard I play. I'm subbing to this thread for ideas.

Hey Leo! Hope you’re well, man! Try the light set of the pressure wounds. I have the light set on my 6 string headless and love them…I may even try the medium light next time…but the strings sound great. I can imagine them being really nice on a P bass.