Wanted: mid-heavy sound for P.

[Camaro69]

More so than standard

The bass: MIA alder/rosewood with Fender Original P pup
(I do realize this pup is not mid heavy, but thats for another thread).
Have adjusted the amp, looking to get the chunky bark/bite out of the strings in front of the amp.

Strings I've tried:

1) 40-95 Chromes. They are ok sounding, not enough to make me feel
2) 45-105 Fender NPS rounds. Same as above really
3) TI flats: Loved the tone for the first month. Then sounded boingy when the strings settled in.

Dont care for high tension due to CTS, so less than 45-50# seems ok. Rounds or flats

 

[dedpool1052]

40-95 ghs boomers. nice and light and they sound pretty middy to me. the stock p'up on my '08 p-bass is a bit scooped sounding, so the mids from the boomers really help round out the tone on that bass. the tension is also fairly balanced on that set as well, using a 55 gauge D instead the usual 60 on other 40-95 sets.

 

[Camaro69]

Cool thanks. Those arent too expensive, so gathering several sets of different strings to try wont break me. Might try the heavier gauge even since the tension is not too bad.

Any other suggestions? Flat lovers?

 

[SolarMan]

I don't think any flat will "bark"

MTD Stainless Steel Rounds.

 

[Kmonk]

I like Ernie Ball cobalts

 

[hotbass57]

GHS Progressive are nice. Nicole round very smooth feel and can be aggressive if you dig in.

 

[john_g]

For rounds, I use DR HiBeams (though Sunbeams are great too). Great mids IMO on my basses. I started using GHS Brite Flats (not flats but groundwounds) that are really great too, however they are more bass/low mids IME.

 

[Camaro69]

I don't think any flat will "bark"

MTD Stainless Steel Rounds.

Might depend on attack I suppose. Would venture to say I am between light to medium in that aspect.

 

[Camaro69]

For rounds, I use DR HiBeams (though Sunbeams are great too). Great mids IMO on my basses. I started using GHS Brite Flats (not flats but groundwounds) that are really great too, however they are more bass/low mids IME.

Am curious about both of these brands as well. Have any sound clips?

Searched the Tube for Brite flats yielded poor results




Everyone thanks for suggestions, keep em comin!

 

[Hamlet7768]

I got a pretty good tone out of my P with LaBella steel rounds.

 

[JetBlackJazz]

Rotosound 66's or 77's. Really the only difference between the two is 77's are flats so lose a *little highs. But both of these choices are tailored for-heavy tone.

 

[KingRazor]

I would go with nickels rather than steels unless you're thinking upper mids. Nickels tend to be more forward in the low mids.

 

[TomB]

You can get a pretty good bark out of LaBella flats if your amp is set right. Also, I've found GHS PressureWounds or Ken Smith Compressors (similar, if not the same strings) to be very mid-forward and articulate in a mix, having a medium tension.

 

[vistacruiser]

You can get a pretty good bark out of LaBella flats if your amp is set right.

Yes, I've been using these on a P/J bass, first with hot Duncan and now DiMarzio pick ups and they will bark! They mellow out some with the volume rolled back.

 

[Camaro69]

Cool. Wondering if the more mellow vintage pup is not as conducive to the mid bark as I might hope. This experiment may transfer over to the MIM P I have since the pup is hotter.

Anyhow, have the following new strings in my possession:

Fender 7150 all nickel rounds
DAddario Nylon tapes ( just cuz)
Prosteels
9050L Fender flats

On the way:
Boomers and b52 Boomers
Ghs Precision flats

I'll post up after a few string changes. Hopefully some others find this thread useful

 

[Toptube]

SIT Silencers are the most straight mid heavy strings I've used.

Otherwise I will once again toot my currrent fave, Dean Markley Helix HD Stainless Steels. Very rich mids. Rich and Details lower mid. Overall, they speak a bit deeper than some other strings.

 

[Grissle]

Well I guarantee those GHS precision flats will give you some low mids! Is the pup you have the same as the Fender '62 Originals? I know these to have great mids as well. Let us know!

 

[Jungy]

More so than standard

3) TI flats: Loved the tone for the first month. Then sounded boingy when the strings settled in.

Isn't that 'boing' from being so mid-heavy.
Might not sound good solo to you but in the mix should be great I would think.
I just don't like their tension for pick playing rock.

 

[vistacruiser]

The bass: MIA alder/rosewood with Fender Original P pup
(I do realize this pup is not mid heavy, but thats for another thread).
Have adjusted the amp, looking to get the chunky bark/bite out of the strings in front of the amp.

So have you fiddled much with the pick up height? I find that is some thing that needs to be looked after from time to time on my own basses.

 

[Camaro69]

Well I guarantee those GHS precision flats will give you some low mids! Is the pup you have the same as the Fender '62 Originals? I know these to have great mids as well. Let us know!

Yes thats the critter. Once strings make it in thru all the holiday shipping I will try some out.