Strings for a '51 P-Bass

[PeaveyPlayer]

Dr sunbeams

 

[Thebiggestjerk]

I currently have D'addario Flats on my '51 style P-Bass and they sound and feel great, however I'm getting a really strange over-tone/clunk on certain frets. It's very hard to describe and although I tried to record it on my phone, it's not really audible. I can alleviate it somewhat by playing closer to the bridge but it's still there and drives me bonkers.

I'm thinking of going with some Roundwounds instead to see if it helps and really leaning towards DR Sunbeams but figured I would ask if anyone has some other recommendations

Thanks in advance!

This sounds a awful lot like a wolf tone.

 

[Andyman001]

Are there any fans on in the room?
The Church room that I played at several years ago had an A/C unit that made my open "E" sound out of tune. It must have been slightly out of phase with it.

 

[Rebel Rocker]

When I got mine it had DR Black Beauties on it. I think I like them on it.

 

[DavC]

sounds like a slight fret leveling might be needed ... i use a radius sanding block , then crown and polish ...

 

[dagrev]

I'm not certain it's string issue. Check your setup carefully if you haven't already.

I have a '55 that sounds best with TI Jazz Rounds. After changing cabs I had to try all kinds of strings that I previously liked but didn't work now. I ended up with the above strings. Wanted flats to work on this bass and GHS Precision flats worked best, but still lacked bunch. (This bass has a Lawrence Q-filter installed. Not my doing. I think that might smooth things out too much and make it a little lifeless. That has been there since the 70s, but I'm going to change that and the Bourne pots.) Anyway, Previously TI Flats worked pretty well on this bass. In the 80's I used Rotos, but that's not my thing now.

I have a Regenerate Heritage Plus (think modern take on a '55 w/Nordy PUs and pre amp). GHS Pressure wounds sound fantastic on that bass. So much so I don't even consider wasting money trying something else.

 

[winterburn69]

Brand new strings... I notice it more playing through my Ampeg stack, not so much using a smaller combo amp. I play this bass maybe once per month since the neck is really beefy, so it's not really a priority to get it sorted out, but I do appreciate everyone's help!

D'Addario flats take awhile to break in. Then they sound real nice.

Be patient.

I doubt this is string-related.

My guess is dead spot(s), setup (neck relief?), or frets not level.

This seems like he most likely culprit.

 

[RicPlaya]

I found the same overtones with D'addario Chromes.

I've had great success with GHS precision flats. Not too much tension, but not floppy. I've also used GHS rounds and liked them. DR sunbeams are great.

I'm really enjoying Labella tapewounds right now. I really want to try the D'Adarrio tapewounds next.

I didnt care for Fender flats, or Lebella flats they seemed too high tension. Tapewounds have been that nice in between string between flats and rounds that work well on Fenders. They can thump like flats but also zing a little like rounds. If I had to choose flats it would be GHS precision, rounds would be sunbeams or GHS.

 

[Crusher47]

Thanks again everyone! I double-checked the setup and noticed the neck was a little too "flat", less than .010 on the feeler gauge, so I loosened it very slightly, so now at .015 and did notice the 18th. fret was a hair higher than the fret on either side of it, so sanded it slightly. Pickup height was also less than 1/8th. inch, so I lowered it a touch.

Unfortunately after adjusting all of that, I was about to play but got called into work and got home late, so I didn't get to try it out yet but I will when I get home later today.

 

[Crusher47]

Update...finally got to play it today...sound is still there, its more of a snap from when i pluck the string a little harder than normal. If i lighten my touch i can avoid it.

I am thinking now its just the brightness from the maple neck and ash body with new flats...maybe it will mellow out a little with time

 

[mongo2]

I found the same overtones with D'addario Chromes.

I've had great success with GHS precision flats. Not too much tension, but not floppy. I've also used GHS rounds and liked them. DR sunbeams are great.

I'm really enjoying Labella tapewounds right now. I really want to try the D'Adarrio tapewounds next.

I didnt care for Fender flats, or Lebella flats they seemed too high tension. Tapewounds have been that nice in between string between flats and rounds that work well on Fenders. They can thump like flats but also zing a little like rounds. If I had to choose flats it would be GHS precision, rounds would be sunbeams or GHS.

I went through the same journey and added a disappointing experience with Thomastic Jazz flats. I even verified the Labella tapewound warning about string breakage with through body stringing.

I like the GHS Precision flats but prefer Daddario nylon tapes.

 

[Rebel Rocker]

When I got mine it had DR Black Beauties. I thought I liked them but changed to DR High Beams. Plays and sounds much better.