Which strings do you use/like/prefer on your P Bass?

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I have that exact same bass. Used it with both rounds and flats.

My favorite rounds: Dunlop Nickel Wound (not super-bright, regulars). For more spark, D'addario EXL165-5.

My favorite flats: Dunlop Flats. I have them on at this time, and work pretty well.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Elixir rounds for longevity, Rotosound RS66 rounds for pure tone. Oh, and TI Jazz Flats (spendy!) for that warm fat vintage magic.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Well, this is clearly a photos thread! Yay!
TI Jazz flats that are old enough to read and write:

 

[Chickenwheels]

^curry tree is doing well in this spot

 

[logdrum]

I am open minded and easy. Most strings that will intonate will do. I've use light gauges to the heaviest La Bella and even tuned it in 5ths C to A. I have mixed brands and even had round and flats.

 

[QweziRider]

What do you like/prefer on your P?

TI Jazz flats

 

[JRA]

two P-basses:
1. roto 66 extra-light gauge
2. IDK, lost track but they're light gauge rounds

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Just got a new P Bass 5er last week, my first P Bass ever. Obviously it comes with Fender strings but I wasn't crazy about them. I then tried a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats, and while they felt good I feel like they're lacking something on that bass. I've now as of this morning put on a set of Elixir 45-130s and they seem ok and have a little more zing that can be toned down with the tone knob.

What do you like/prefer on your P?
View attachment 5391795

Thomastik JF344 flatwound strings ..

 

[Chrisk-K]

Three P’s in my possession:

2004 MIA P: TI flats
2017 parts P: Dunlop Super Brites 40-100
2020 MIA PJ: Hi-Beams 40-100

 

[Bruiser Stone]

DR Fat Beams or La Bella 760FS and 760FL flats

 

[foal30]

I’ve never played a 5 string Precision

On a 4 string Precision I’ve been using Daddario Chromes, the 105 E set for at least 20 years

 

[rooster]

Chrome's ECB 82's

 

[Deleted member 271037]

My favorites on a P-bass will always be a broken-in set of Roto 66 steels (they're far too bright out of the box for my taste but they mellow out relatively fast). But I use, and love, many other types of strings on P-basses too.'

The strings I DON'T like on a P-bass are strings that are inherently "clanky", like most D'Addarios, including their flats, or strings with a very strong upper mid presence, like TI Superalloys, GHS Pressurewounds and TI Jazz Flats (I love TI flats on many other basses but not on P-basses). A P-bass has more than enough upper mid presence already. Too much gets too clanky for my taste.

 

[Kijuer]

EB Slinky Flatwounds.
Not cheap, but they have the advantage (totally subjective!) on sounding equally great both when brand new & zingy and when old, broken in and "warmer". I would normally replace strings when they get "thuddy" and lose presence, but these ones sound so great to me even then.

 

[andare]

As you have the identical bass to mine, how is your string height? It seems that on my bass, the high G and low B saddles are floored so I cannot adjust the string height any lower. Low B can only be lowered to 8/64ths and G 6/64ths. Others are set to 4/64ths. Any thoughts. What have you got?


A low B on my Pbass has good definition with all the strings I've tried so far. But I do have a few tapered low B's should that become an issue.

Shim the neck

 

[Chuck King]

For versatility I like good old nickel round wound strings. For several years I’ve been using Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky with considerable satisfaction. I used to use D’Addario EXL165 strings and they also sound great but I feel like the EBs last longer before they need to be changed. The D’Addarios are usually a better bargain though.

But having said that I do have a Precision with D’Addario tapewounds and I love it, for something different. I’ve tried a number of the usual suspect flats but if I want that thumpy sound IMO nothing beats the tapes.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I have GHS Pressurewounds on all my basses, including 3 P basses.

 

[brianrost]

Ernie Ball Group IV stainless steel (Group series ranges from 1-4, with 1 the heaviest and 4 the lightest). I put a set on one P bass back in 2005 and they still have a lot of life in them. I think they are the most expensive EB flats.

I’ve also used GHS Boomers roundwounds on Ps in the past.

 

[Bill Thorsberg]

Tape wound, but I'm an addict

Me too!

 

[lalo_garcia-maynez]

D’addario etb92 nylon wound ! They sound huge ; try them you won’t be sorry.