Thanks guys! Alot of valuable stuff here. I typically don't venture too far into the string section of TB. What gauge do you guys recommend? Lighter or heavier gauge for that classic tone?
Just a note too, these are going on a p bass. My jazz seems to handle any strings pretty well so I dont feel a real need to change there, but the P could use some more character, more low mids less clanky highs
RE gauge:
Obviously a personal preference, which can ONLY be gained by trying new things out: Like most bass players on the planet, I played 105-45 for many rears. I played Rotosound swing bass, but somehow became less enamoured at some point & drifted through many brands until I found DR. The HIGHBEAMS rocked: most of the vibrance of Rotosounds, but with that skinny round core...slinky! Full of power and ease of playing. I discovered a ROUND CORE was a big key to looser tension (provided the core isn't HUGE, as with some vintage roundwounds...then, the tension is indeed high, because the core contributes to tension far more than wrap. Anyway, after years of happy use with highbeams (not low-riders), which have a tighter hex core, like most strings, I stumbled on Thomastik Infeld flats. Blew me away. Then I got a set and said" NO WAY...even for me, the king of light strings/ low action, it seemed ludicrous. BUT: I restrung them like four times and stuck with it for about two weeks. By that time, 105-45 seemed like big old useless cables, and the thomastik gauges were PERFECT; really just a matter of adjustment.
Whether you go for the exquisite TI flats (or rounds) in their tiny gauges, or build a singles set from, say DR, just give new gauges a chance. Light gauges obviously require a more precise attack- but not necessarily what people call a "light " attack...you just pluck the strings on the outer edge of their axis, not hitting them broadside as much...then you learn to deliver them with broadside thwacks, and they respond well...you learn your touch with them.
It's still preference, but I'd urge ANYONE to take a walk on the wild side and give really light gauges a few week's chance. If one becomes addicted to them, as I am, then keeping LOUD pickups on some basses (percieved loudness through excellent voicing-not necessarily high DC resistance), will allay all fears of a weak signal...Fralins kick ass, so do Delanos. The Music Man design with it's mega-wide aperture, KILLS, and is still totally Musical. A double Jazz (try DELANO!) will knock down a wall in series...not that one NEEDS any special PuPs with great light strings, I just go that way on all my basses...excellently voiced PuPs to make sure with my light strings and really low action, that they BOOM when I want. Fret buzz and fingerboard noise often dissapear with these PuPs, because of their exquisite voicing. Assuming you have great fret work.
Oh, the Di Marzio Model J is a BRUTE... massive low end and low mids, and quite musical as well...at only 120.00, it may be the best pickup series ever. 1/2 the cost of boutique models. I didn't mean to complicate the issue by asserting you NEED any special PuP with light bass strings...these PuPs are just stellar, though, under all circumstances. Bass strings- even light ones, are still heavy enough to kick, as opposed to super light guitar strings , which can be quite difficult to get volume out of on many guitars/ PuPs, because their mass is just so low.
