What flat/tapewound string for a CIJ P-Bass?

[Dusty Elmer]

Hey guys, new guy here. I just scored a CIJ ‘57 reissue P-bass and I’m not sure what strings are my best bet. I hear LaBella flats are high tension, but is that also true for their tapewounds? I had Rotosound tapes on my old Danelectro and I liked them on that, but I’m looking for some insight. Tonally I’m looking for something like an upright bass, and I’m into country and folk-rock type stuff. Thanks for any help you all can give me.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

GHS Precision Flats. I have them on my ‘51 re-issue CIJ

 

[michael_t]

I hear LaBella flats are high tension,

That would all depend on the set. La Bella offers anything from the Low Tension Flats to the 1954 Originals (very high tension) with four more sets in between.

If you want to try them, I would recommend the 760FL set (43-60-82-104) as a good starting point.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I hear LaBella flats are high tension, but is that also true for their tapewounds?

Nah. With the apparent exception of the ones you have experience with, the Rotosound Tru Bass 88 black nylons (which are reportedly stiffish and a bit hard to intonate but reveal to be low tension - as in tension proper, lengthways pull - at the post-installation setup), no tapewound set is high tension, not even the 60/65–115 "standard" sets. Those diameters are due to the nylon wrap, which has negligible mass, but there's just a thin roundwound underneath.

 

[Dusty Elmer]

Thanks everyone, you all gave me a starting point and I appreciate it!

 

[two fingers]

Hey guys, new guy here. I just scored a CIJ ‘57 reissue P-bass and I’m not sure what strings are my best bet. I hear LaBella flats are high tension, but is that also true for their tapewounds? I had Rotosound tapes on my old Danelectro and I liked them on that, but I’m looking for some insight. Tonally I’m looking for something like an upright bass, and I’m into country and folk-rock type stuff. Thanks for any help you all can give me.

Welcome to TalkBass!!!!

I have Chromes on my mid 80s MIJ E series P bass. I love them. Higher tension is better for me though.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Hey guys, new guy here. I just scored a CIJ ‘57 reissue P-bass and I’m not sure what strings are my best bet. .

This is why you actually need to put in the time and try a bunch out for yourself. The reason there are countless choices are because not everyone agrees that there is one string type that works for everyone. Put in the work and try out a bunch for yourself and make your own decision.

All you're going to get with a thread like this is everyone saying what they like, and pretty much all those opinions will be different because we all llke different things. And where the bass was made really should have no bearing on what strings you like best.

 

[DangYankee]

IMO, LaBella Deep Talking Flats are the only true answer for a vintage P-Bass, pick the tension you like and bask in the warm deep low end.

 

[sikamikanico]

Yeah, start trying, every bass is different, as are everyone's ears me, I found labella flats too dull/dark on my P, though I'm sure on another bass they may be just right...then I had TI Jazz, those were sweet, might return to those. Chromes now, somewhere in between, but not sure about them... I think this P just prefers nickels...

Tapes are a separate string dimension. The new Labella white series are worth serious consideration, but they were too specific sounding to keep on my P (I want more traditional sounds from it). Might return to those if I get a third bass, I think they'd just shine on a fretless and/or hollowbody. I did not try the more traditional tapes like rotos though, so I can't compare...

 

[TimB 619]

La Bella 760FX

 

[PlanZero]

Labellas tapes are awesome but low tension. You may have to file the nut for the E though. I have daddario tapes as well and they're a little stiffer with no nut filing on my jag bass. I only discovered tapes a couple years ago but love them so much more than flats. They're brighter sounding IMHO