#1940104 - 05/10/08 07:07 AM
Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
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jeeps
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Registered: 03/27/08
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I am looking for some input ,its time to change strings on my 50th Anniversary Precision Bass. This is not a common instrumnet ,and its a actice bass with two pick-ups . A staggered pick up at the neck and a humbucker(? I think) at bridge. I got no literature when I bought it new. Its got a versitale range of sound ,from honky-purry to heavy and thick. But it really lacks the classic,P bass sound whick seems really distinct in the mids(IMO).
With the high cost of Bass strings Id like to shortcut a whole bunch of experimentation. Id run DRs before and Ernie balls. They both had this really bright springy and almost "piano" tone.Fumbling with the eq still did not result in the"classic" tone I am looking for. I looking to make sound distinct and classic. Maybe wrong instrument? A new bass is not a real option right now. Not having bought strings in like 13 years,I am sure technology has changed. Strings started out really bright ,and after playing in a few weeks it seemed to calm down a little ,still not the tone I seek. Any suggestion? Thanks
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#1940141 - 05/10/08 08:14 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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Chad
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"Best" is very subjective, Jeeps. For a vintage tone on my P-Bass I run D'Addario Chrome flatwounds and I like the thump they yield. Some brand of flats would be the order of the day for a vintage vibe, IMO.
Type of instrument might play a role. Try turning off your bridge pickup entirely and see what running just the split p'up does for you. Don't know how the active nature of that p/up might change things.
Don't overlook adjusting your amp. Good luck!
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"When it starts to sound bad, back off on the volume in spite of what the guitar player is doing." - Paul K.
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#1940144 - 05/10/08 08:18 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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Rocky MacDougall
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Hi Jeeps, asking this question is like asking 10,000 mothers who has the prettiest baby. Strings are purely subjective and very few can agree. Also, what you call a Classic tone is an unknown. I would recommend you get a copy of Bass Player Magazine from December 2004. It is a very good resource on string differences.
Rocky
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#1940160 - 05/10/08 08:42 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: Rocky MacDougall]
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Chewbubba
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While I'm not going to bother with "best" strings bit, since that is completely subjective and Rocky already nailed it on the head, I will throw in this: Musician's Friend usually has strings on the cheap, compared to what your local store is probably offering.
It's true in my case, anyway.
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#1940163 - 05/10/08 08:54 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: Chewbubba]
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kenfxj
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La Bella Deep Talkin' black nylon tape wound.
I put these on 2 years ago and they just keep getting better.
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#1940190 - 05/10/08 10:03 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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5 string Mike
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Jeeps, does your bass look like this?
Deluxe P-Bass Special
By your description, it sounds like it. This is a hot-rodded P-bass. It might take a little bit of ingenuity to get the classic sound. The reason the bass sounds bright and piano-like is because the on-board preamp boosts the signal out to your amp based on what the EQ is set at. You will have to try a few things. One, shut the bridge pickup off. Two, set the EQ knobs flat, maybe back the volume down, and start from there.
Almost any new strings, especially roundwounds, will be real bright sounding for a while. Usually after a couple of weeks, they will lose some of that brightness. Flatwounds might be a better choice for some of that classic P sound.
As far as getting a new bass, if you really want the classic sound, it's pretty hard to beat the original. You could trade the deluxe in on a new P for not a lot of money, or sell it and find a good used standard P bass and maybe come out ahead.
Good luck
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#1940252 - 05/10/08 12:30 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: 5 string Mike]
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Switch hitter
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for the classic sound, flatwounds will definately be the one, and I give the D'adarrio flatwounds a second. They're cheap and sound good.
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#1940289 - 05/10/08 01:33 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: Switch hitter]
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Rocky MacDougall
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+3 on the D'Addario Chrome Flatwounds. Sort of like TIs for half the price.
I am assuming you are fairly new to the bass and have not experimented much with pickup blending, EQ settings, etc.
Rocky
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#1940290 - 05/10/08 01:36 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: Switch hitter]
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JazzerT
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LaBella deep talkin flats are my preference on P-basses. LaBella has a set gagued the same as Jamerson's - I believe they label them as the '54 original, or something like that.
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#1940308 - 05/10/08 02:23 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: JazzerT]
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jeeps
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Looks like this Mike ,http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020lADSZIv4QBAgejzbkF/SIG=12avh4s51/EXP=1210539712/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/fourfingerfunk/124178123/ Turning off the bridge pick up seems to make the note less audible.Great for thick and smoky but not the rigth sound for what I want to play on it now. Mixing back in the bridge PU kind-of gets it but not really .Bass has Bass Mid ,Treb, Vol,and PU mix pots. Gold hardware ,pimp looking always got many compliments .hangs on the wall in my living room . I think after reading the replies the flat wounds may be the ticket for now. I take that back ,I'll spring for a couple sets FW and RW and if I dont like it change em .I The bass was a gift so I wont trade it off. I may have to just save my duckets. Probably have to end up at Guitar Center in the future and buy a passive P Bass . Want to have both ,this hobby is a disease!
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"warm smell of colitas,rising up through the air"
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#1940312 - 05/10/08 02:30 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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jeeps
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Opps I butchered the URL ,I try again
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourfingerfunk/124178123/
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#1940396 - 05/10/08 07:33 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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Edro
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Have you tried cutting some of the treble on the bass or amp? If your amp has the mid sweep you can get a wide variety of tones with that too.
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#1940399 - 05/10/08 07:37 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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kenfxj
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That's a gorgeous Fender, that there.
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Look out honey cause I'm using technology
"Right you are, Ken!" - Vic Romano
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#1940403 - 05/10/08 07:40 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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kenfxj
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Probably have to end up at Guitar Center in the future and buy a passive P Bass . Want to have both ,this hobby is a disease!
and the only prescription.... is more basses.
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Look out honey cause I'm using technology
"Right you are, Ken!" - Vic Romano
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#1940550 - 05/11/08 07:33 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: kenfxj]
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jeeps
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yes I do have a mid sweep.Or at least I think .Its a SWR combo and theres two mid controls. Back to experimentation.
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"warm smell of colitas,rising up through the air"
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#1940581 - 05/11/08 08:16 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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jeremy c
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That is a nice-looking bass. I've never seen a Fender that looked like that.
Play it in good health!
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#1940705 - 05/11/08 01:05 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jeeps]
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5 string Mike
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That is indeed a one of a kind. I wouldn't let that one go, either. I hope you can find a sound that works for you.
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The real art of conversation is to not only say the right thing at the right time, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
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#1940810 - 05/11/08 06:36 PM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: 5 string Mike]
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jlrush
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That's a really nice looking bass. You don't see many with a body like that. I know a guy who had one custom made in NYC out of Zebrawood, with the split P pup positioned way down by the bridge. Maybe yours is custom made.
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#1940943 - 05/12/08 06:28 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: jlrush]
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Chad
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That's a really nice looking bass. You don't see many with a body like that. I know a guy who had one custom made in NYC out of Zebrawood, with the split P pup positioned way down by the bridge. Maybe yours is custom made.
Nope, I did a 'net search and Jeeps' bass is a production model.
Beautiful bass, Jeeps. You might not be able to get a "classic" or "vintage" sound out of it, though I'll bet it's got some great sounds. You may have to face what for most of us is a fate worse than death - buying another bass. 
_________________________
"When it starts to sound bad, back off on the volume in spite of what the guitar player is doing." - Paul K.
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#1940956 - 05/12/08 06:51 AM
Re: Best Strings for Fender Precision Bass
[Re: Chad]
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jeeps
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Thanks for the compliments guys. I ended up figuring out its not just a "50th" anniv. special edition.Its called a "lyte" model and it supposed to be 7/8 or 3/4 size body but standard neck . Really easy to play .Also found these reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Fender/Precision+Bass+Lyte/50/1
looks like other owners love it too -but report it wont ever nail that "classic"(IMO)P bass sound! So off to order some new strings and make it do for now.
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