What strings for P Bass

[GK Growl]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm after that Phil Lynott sort of sound and I'm mainly going to be playing indie/rock music.

Thanks
Martin

Phil used Rotosound RS77 Jazz Bass Flatwounds according to everything I've read.

 

[Stick_Player]

Long shiny ones.

 

[uOpt]

But which ones do you use for heavy metal?


Anyway, if you are just starting out I would just get GHS boomers or the D'Addrio nickel plated ones. Cheap, effective, reliable. If you can, record the things for later reference. Doesn't have to be pretty, just some boom boom boom.

Then, if they are too bright get some round cores, e.g. Fender 8250s. Or flats.

If they are not bright enough get stainless steel next time.

Then go through different manufacturers. As other said before, I would first dial in the kind of strings you want using the affordable manufacturers and then give the other manufacturers a shot.

 

[mldavis]

The strings on it at the moment are d'addario and they feel and sound pretty nice but think I'll try a few different types and just stick with the ones I prefer best.

Thanks again guys

 

[speakin610]

uOpt nailed it. I went through the same process with my Modulus. Started with nickels that seemed way too bright and thin when new (especially high end), but seemed better about the time that they needed to be changed. Now playing Lakland Stainless Steel Rounds. More even, great lifespan, good bottom presence.
Cheers y'all.

 

[Andy_D]

The Sunbeams on my Peavey Fury sound very nice. I had some chromes on it but went back to the Sunbeams. They are about a year old now and still sound great. Still have the Chromes and they will go back on when eventually want a flat wound sound again.

 

[jamersonburton]

Long shiny ones.

Ding ding. We found Macca!

 

[fourstringdrums]

What D'daddario Half Rounds?

 

[SneakyT]

I never said what I use. DR Sunbeams are my Go-to Pbass Strings. BTW I play a Pbass more than anything else. That says a lot too as I play live a few times a week.

 

[Hopkins]

My P basses have, and will continue to have DR Stainless Lo Riders, just like most of my other basses. They work for me, but the only correct answer to your question is to try different strings out until you find the ones you like. This is a long drawn out process, it took me about 3 or 4 years of trying different strings to find a string that was bright but not brittle sounding, with the tension that I like.

GHS Basics, D'Addario XL's, Rotosound Rotobass, and Slinkys are all good inexpensive strings to start your search with. My favorites out of that bunch are the Rotobass, I still use them on a few basses I own.

 

[4andnomore]

Strings make a HUGE difference. You have to experiment and find out what you like. The p bass is the perfect platform for this because there are so few variables. These days I play nothing but P's each one having a different type string. My current fav's are LaBella deep Talking flats, Rotosound black tapes and TI flats on the fretless. I've considered getting another P and lacing it up with some rounds, ether rotos or boomers. Have fun....

 

[darkstorm]

Depends entirely what sound your after. If you want agressive sound, rotosound swing66 are about the best you can get imo. If you want more middle of the road sound but still good, GHS rounds and Dadadario rounds are great choice.

 

[maseface59]

I play in an Indie Rock band as well, I have a Fender P, I have always used rounds, more out of habit than a fear of trying anything new. The round wounds (I'm a fan of Ernie Ball's) always sounded good for what I was after, which was clean and consistent. When we recorded, I was given the advice to try flats (I'm using D'addario Chromes) , the sound in the mix was unbelievable. I'd definitely advise Flats for anything now, I don't think I will go back for a long time.